Wicked Love - Michelle Dare Page 0,68

like it is.”

“This is Miriam. She’s our local party girl,” Tamika tells me, pointing at the girl. “Anything you need to know about parties, who’s sleeping with whom, she’s your go-to.”

“Good to know.” I grin, but I doubt I’ll be needing any party information. I’m here to finish my studies and get the hell out of town. “I’ve got to go, but I’ll catch you ladies tomorrow,” I tell them.

“We’ll be here, same time, same place,” Paula affirms with a wink. I offer them a wave before I head away from the trio. Perhaps being here will be okay if I can make some friends.

Prickling on the back of my neck has me stilling at my car. My gaze tracks everyone around the quad, but I don’t see who it is watching me. Growing up the way I have, you become aware of danger before it strikes. A predator doesn’t hide under the bed; it stalks you in broad daylight.

I unlock the door and slip into the driver’s seat of my dark purple Jeep. When Dad offered to buy me a car, this was my choice. He didn’t approve, but he couldn’t refuse. My father has two weaknesses—his love for his daughter, and the loyalty to his organization. If I were to ask him for anything, he would always appease me. Some would call me a spoilt brat, others would say I’m nothing more than a pawn in a game.

When I pull out of the lot, a shiver races down my spine, but still, I don’t see anyone who seems out of place. There are too many students milling around for me to pick out one person amongst the sea of faces.

Perhaps it’s just the fact that I’m new. Transferred to a brand-new school midway through my studies. I have one year left, and now I have to get used to small-town living. Leaving my life back in New York, I have to focus on school, and even though I never wanted to run and hide, Daddy insisted on it. Now I find myself in Thorne Haven with sickeningly rich kids who have grown up with silver spoons shoved up their asses.

Don’t get me wrong, I come from money too, but I know where our fortune originates, and it’s not ancestors and old money.

It’s not far to the apartment I now call home, and when I pull into my spot, I kill the engine and grab my phone. I haven’t heard from Dad in a couple days, but I know if I call, he’ll only tell me to quit worrying and to enjoy my time out here. I have to be honest; it’s a far cry from the bustling city streets, and it is quite beautiful.

Exiting the car, I lock it and head to the elevator. Once inside, I feel less stressed, and I no longer feel like I’m being watched. I can breathe again. The doors slide open on the ninth floor, and by the time I reach my apartment, nine-six-nine, I’m ready for a long, hot bubble bath, a mug of hot chocolate, and a good book.

When I shove open the door, something catches my eye lying on the marble tiles. The item is a small black envelope with a crest emblazoned on the front. I’ve never seen it before, but the gold shimmers in the light of the sun streaming through my living room window.

Locking myself inside the apartment, I head straight for the kitchen and open the envelope. Inside is a card with a rose printed dead center, and just underneath it is a time, an address, and a scrawled see you soon.

Ice sneaks up my spine, settling at the base of my neck, ensuring the hairs stand on end as goosebumps rise in the wake of the promise in those three words. My fingers release the card, allowing it to flutter to the counter, but my gaze is still locked on the unfamiliar script.

If someone from New York is here, toying with me, my father will have to be informed. But if this is just some childish prank by one of my classmates, I don’t find it funny. Tomorrow, I’ll ask around. But even as I think about who it could be from class, I don’t see any one of them doing something like this.

I race for the bedroom and grab my laptop. Opening the lid, I log into my account and pull up a browser. Tapping in the address from the invite, I wait