Dangerous Lovers (20 page)

As awesome as being paid for attending school sounded, that feeling that I was missing something flooded into me once again. “Yeah,” I agreed. “That is crazy.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Even if I was uneasy about receiving money for attending school, that didn’t stop me from wanting to spend it. We had stopped by our rooms, and just like Nelly had said, there was cash waiting for us in our mailboxes in the lobby. My envelope contained two hundred dollars, Nelly’s had one hundred.

“I wonder why I get more than you.” I said as we strolled up a block that held a variety of stores.

She shrugged. “I guess fighters get better pay than the rest of us. Oh, look, this place looks like it might have some good stuff.”

We entered a store filled to the brim with fashionable clothing. I picked out a couple of pairs of jeans and a few T-shirts. Nelly rolled her eyes when she saw what I had chosen.

“Oh, come on.” She sighed. “Why do you always pick boring stuff?”

I looked down at my choices. The tops were all either black or gray, but that’s what I always picked. “I like this stuff.”

“Yeah, but we’re going to a party! Our first social outing since we got here. Don’t you want to look hot?”

“Uh, I don’t really care. Besides, most of my clothes end up getting ruined. And I get stared at enough already around here.”

“Suit yourself.”

“Then let me,” I snapped.

She raised an eyebrow at that. “You okay? We don’t have to go tonight if you’re not up to it.”

I pushed the hair out of my face. I had been snapping on her a lot lately. “Sorry,” I said. “We’re going, and who knows, it might be… fun.”

Nelly nodded, but she still looked concerned. “It will be. We could use a little carefree time.”

I walked over to a rack holding some floral sundresses and picked out a couple in my size. I usually didn’t wear dresses; they’re not practical fighting attire, but these were cute and modest. And I wanted to show Nelly that I was trying.

She smiled at my choices. “Much better. Let’s go check out. I saw a shoe store across the street that I want to hit before we go.”

We headed over to the check-out counter and tossed our stuff on the counter. The lady looked up at us and smiled. Her eyes lit up with excitement.

“Oh my goodness!” she exclaimed. “It’s you, isn’t it? The Warrior I keep hearing about.”

I shifted uneasily. “Um, yeah, I guess so.”

Her eyes widened even more, and I was worried they might pop right out of her head. She leaned forward, like she was about to tell us a secret. “Can I see your marks?”

I was so tired of this routine. I struggled not to roll my eyes. Reaching down, I pushed the sleeve of my shirt up to my shoulder. I had worn long-sleeves, even though it was about seventy degrees outside, in order to avoid this.

She gasped and leaned forward even more. I shot an annoyed look at Nelly. She just smiled.

“Absolutely beautiful,” the woman murmured. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She said that last part more to herself than to me.

I cast another look at Nelly, and she shrugged. Leaning forward, I kept my voice low. “Why? Why do you say that?”

She looked up like she hadn’t meant to say that aloud and darted her gaze nervously around the store. “I didn’t say anything.” She began stuffing the clothes hastily in a bag. “Will this be all?”

I narrowed my eyes, and Nelly placed her hand on my arm. She knew I was about two seconds from shaking an answer out of this woman. I really had to get control over my temper.

“Yes, that’s all,” Nelly replied with a nervous smile of her own.

“Okay,” the woman said. “Have a nice day.”

I furrowed my brows. “But we haven’t paid for it.”

The woman smiled, and scanned the store once more. “You’ll pay for it tenfold… at least, I hope so,” she mumbled. “Have a good day.”

We left the store with our clothes and headed across the street to the shoe store.

“Well, that was… weird,” Nelly commented.

“No shit.”

She shot me a look. “Don’t curse.”

I raised an eyebrow, pulled out my pack of cigarettes, and lit one up.

“Ugh, you’re still smoking?”

I blew out a long cloud of smoke. “No.”

She sighed and shook her head. “Well, hurry up. Don’t you want some new shoes?”

“Not really. I don’t feel like getting any more free stuff.”

Her brow creased. “This happened before?”

I nodded. “Everyone keeps giving me free sh—, free stuff. I feel like some kind of mobster.” I handed her some money. “Just go on in and pick me out something.”

Two cigarettes later, she returned with two big bags in hand and an even bigger smile on her face. “I got you a new pair of tennis shoes and a pair of really cute black flats,” she informed me.

“You know the way to my heart.” I laughed. “Did they charge you?”

“Yeah, but I had enough. It’s so weird that no one is making you pay for anything.”

“You’re telling me.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

We went back to my room so we could get ready. I put on a new pair of jeans and a black, V-neck T-shirt with my new black flats. Nelly wore a red halter-top and a cute pair of jeans. I left my hair down, and it hung down my back in long, dark waves. I even let Nelly apply a little mascara. I never wore much make-up. Not because I thought I was just that beautiful, but because it’s not practical for most of my activities.

We left the dorms and headed toward the courtyard where Tommy had said to meet him. The boys were standing around joking when we arrived. They all looked really good in different ways. Jackson had on a dark blue and black flannel shirt and jeans, Tommy wore his usual slacks and dress shirt and Daniel had on khakis and a button-up shirt.

Jackson spotted us first and his eyes lit up upon seeing me. His reddish-brown hair was messy, like always, and his green eyes shone brightly. He looked me head to toe and picked me up off my feet in a hug.

I have a personal bubble that I didn’t usually like invaded, but I would allow it from Jackson. And maybe Kayden, but I wasn’t even going to think about that tonight.

“Hey, darling,” he whispered in my ear. “You look absolutely breathtaking.”

He set me back down on my feet, and I couldn’t help a smile as I shook my head. “Always know what to say, Jack.”

Jackson just smiled. It dissolved as Tommy grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug. “Let her greet the more important people first.” Okay so maybe Jack, Kayden
and
Tommy.

Jackson’s eyes lit up into a golden color and he made a noise that resembled a deep growl. Tommy responded with a crooked smile that flashed his fangs. I rolled my eyes and stepped in between them. The first time I had seen them do this, it was a little bit jarring, but I had gotten used to it over the last week.

I pushed the hair out of my face and crossed my arms. “Come on, guys, I just got these clothes.”

Nelly chimed in. “Yeah, I won’t be happy if you make her ruin them already.”

We all laughed, and Tommy led us to his where his car was parked. I stopped in my tracks when he opened the passenger door of a brand new Mercedes for me.

“This is your car?” I asked.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I hopped in the front seat, and Jack, Nelly and Daniel took the back. About fifteen minutes later, we reached our destination.

The house where the party was being held was enormous and elaborate. I leaned forward in my seat as we approached it, gawking at the sheer size of the place. I don’t think I had even seen a house that big in real life. It was more like a mansion, with multiple fountains on the plush lawn and a long driveway already packed with cars. I turned to look at Tommy. “Whose house is this?”

He turned his face toward me and gave a sly grin. “Mine.”

I just stared at him. “Seriously?”

“Seriously,” he replied with a laugh. “Well, I mean, it’s my dad’s house, but I live here, too.” He pointed to another house that was on the grounds that I assumed was a guest house. “Actually, I stay in that house. That way I can have some privacy from my dad.”

“Who’s your dad, Bill Gates?”

He laughed at that and parked the car near the entrance of the house. We all got out and headed toward the front door. Loud music and multiple voices flowed out from behind it. There had to be a lot of people in there to be making that much noise. I felt like turning around and heading back to my dorm, but I pushed my chin up as Tommy opened the door and ushered us inside.

The house was just as beautiful on the inside as it was on the outside. The foyer had a high ceiling and a large staircase wrapped around one side of the room. A gorgeous crystal chandelier hung above us, and the floor was a rich marble. I felt completely out of my element, but that seemed to be happening a lot lately.

Just as I had expected, there were people everywhere. At least they were all around my age, and seemed to be too involved with drinking and dancing to pay much attention to us. “I’ll go get us some drinks,” said Tommy, speaking loudly as to be heard over the music. “Follow me.”

Tommy led us over to a pristine living room area, then left to get our drinks. As I took note of our surroundings, I noticed something that made my heart leap in my chest.

There were Warriors here. They lined the walls, wearing their black uniforms and staring straight ahead. I noticed way too quickly that Kayden was among them. When we walked in, his eyes flicked to me for the briefest of moments before staring straight ahead again.

We walked over to a very expensive couch, and I plopped down on it. Jackson sat down beside me and put his arm over my shoulder. I suppressed the urge to push him away from me. There was nothing going on between me and Kayden, so I wasn’t going to act like there was.

Tommy returned a few minutes later, somehow balancing five drinks in his hands. He handed one to each of us, and I looked down at mine to see that it was turquoise in color.

“What is this?” I asked him.

He raised an eyebrow. “Alcohol.”

The others were already diving into theirs, so I took a deep breath and swallowed a big gulp of mine. It was actually pretty good, in a way too-sweet kind of way. I have never really liked drinking… never saw the point. I prefer smoking over drinking, but I was here to have fun, and that’s what I intended on doing. I gulped down the rest of the drink and was glad when I felt my nerves relax a little.

“Take it easy, babe,” Jackson whispered to me.

“I’ll be fine,” I told him. I turned to Tommy. “Got any more of this stuff?” I asked, gesturing to my now empty glass.

“Sure, lots. But maybe you should wait a little while before having another one.”

I stood up and was surprised when I felt a little light-headed. “I’ll just go get it myself then.”

Tommy waved his arm to someone holding a tray of more turquoise-colored drinks, and she came over and held out the tray for me to take one.

Nelly gave me a warning look to tell me I needed to slow down, and I nodded. But after another fifteen minutes, my second drink was empty, and I was feeling… well
, wonderful.
My friends had started to relax too. We were all laughing at jokes that I’m not sure were even funny.

A blond-haired girl stumbled toward us. She was well built, probably about three inches taller than my 5’5”, and maybe ten pounds heavier too. She had on way too much makeup and not enough clothing. Her eyeliner was thick and black, her lips painted a bright red that matched her tiny dress. She wasn’t ugly, but I figured that any beauty displayed was owed to products. I reflected for a second on my own attire and wondered what effect she would have on my friends. She smiled when she saw Jackson. My hackles went up, just a little.

“Hey, Jackson,” she said in voice that I guess was supposed to be sexy.

Beside me, Jackson shifted. “Hey, Victoria.”

Victoria’s eyes flicked to me and back to Jack. “I didn’t know you had a girlfriend,” she said, shooting another look at me.

Jack shrugged. “Well, now you do.”

On the other side of me, Tommy snorted. “How many times do I have to tell you, Kane? Alexa is
my
girl.”

I was mortified, but that quickly vanished when Victoria propped a hand on her hip and said, “I don’t see what’s so special.” She eyed me up and down, and I felt anger grip me.

Before I had a chance to tell this girl off, Nelly spoke up, surprising all of us. “Well, some people don’t have to be half-naked to get a guy’s attention.”

Victoria snapped her head toward Nelly. Her eyes lit up in a golden color that gave her race away. This girl was a Wolf. “Watch your mouth when you speak to me, Searcher,” she spat. “Vocal cords don’t work so well when they’re removed from the throat.”

I stood up abruptly, grabbed Jackson’s drink from his hand and splashed it right in her face. Everyone in the room turned to look at us. “There,” I said, slurring a little. “Now that you’ve cooled down, I would suggest you watch
your
mouth when you speak to
her
.”