Page 42 of Fall
“Oh, my apologies. I had assumed that Styx would have opted for a single room. She’s never been a social butterfly. Had I known she had such a stunning roommate, I would have definitely come looking for her sooner.”
He reaches over to shake her hand but kisses the top of her hand instead while giving her a flirtatious wink.
Christ, kill me.
I watch as her frosty demeanor starts to melt at his touch. His fucking charm knows no bounds, and he knows it.
I take a deep breath, trying to reign in my annoyance. I need to get him out of here asap. I’m already at risk of getting kicked out. I’m sure that having a mob boss's son on campus won’t do much to win me favor.
He turns to me, raising an empty glass. “Shall I pour you and your friend here a drink?”
“You’re not staying,” I grind out.
“Oh, I don’t mind, Evie. I was just going to make dinner, and any friend of yours is a friend of mine. I’d love to learn why he calls you Styx,” Celeste chimes in, a slow smirk growing on her face.
Of course, she would.
I shake my head. “He’s not my friend.”
He leans towards her, bumping his leather jacket against her shoulder like he’s got some secret to share. “She’s right, we’re not friends. We’re family. She just doesn’t like to admit it.”
Her head snaps to mine. “I thought you said you didn’t have any family.”
“I don’t,” I deadpan.
She squishes her eyebrows in confusion, and Alik starts pouring us drinks like he’s lived here for years.
“Evie,” he exaggerates my name. “Don’t be coy. You can tell her the truth. With a face like hers, I’d trust her with all of my secrets.”
His smile stretches from ear to ear, loving how this situation is playing out.
“State what you came here to say and get the fuck out, Alik. You can’t be here. I already have enough problems today and you just bring more.”
His face falls slightly, changing from harmless to dangerous in less time than it takes to blink. The change is subtle but certainly noticeable. So much so that Celeste subconsciously takes a step away from him. He finishes another drink in one gulp and straightens his jacket.
“Is there a problem that I need to take care of? Who is it?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose like it’s the last string holding in my patience. It’s not his fault, but he just doesn’t understand how the world works outside of his own. Getting help from him is nothing more than jumping into an active volcano.
“No... Please get to the point.” I say, my jaw tight with tension.
And just like that, he’s back to smiling, sitting back on the kitchen stool. The fucker lives to annoy me. “Alright, Rainbow Brite, here’s the deal. You still owe a debt, and despite my better judgment, I’m here to give you a way out.”
I narrow my eyes at him, and he shakes his head.
“Your name is in Erik’s book, Styx. You know payment has to be made to get it cleared.”
“You gamble? Is he your bookie or something?” Celeste questions in shock.
I snort and roll my eyes. I momentarily forgot she was even in the room.
“No, Cele. I don’t gamble. Can I have a minute?”
She places her hands on her hips. “No.”
Goddammit.
“Fine. But you’re going to have to hold all questions until ourguestis gone.” At this rate, I’m almost positive my teeth are going to crack from how tightly I’m clenching my jaw.