Kings of Anarchy (Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep #3) - Caroline Peckham Page 0,216

over the top of it and pulled up the hood.

“You look like a student,” I teased.

“That’s the point.” He smirked then beckoned me after him as he walked to the back door. “All of the staff will be back at the Maple Lodge by now and ninety nine percent of students will be in their dorms as it’s a weeknight,” he explained.

“So where are we going?” I asked as I followed him outside, finding him pulling a bedsheet off of something large sitting by the wall of the house. A golf cart was revealed with a blanket on the seat and a bottle of champagne in the footwell. He leaned inside it, pressing something and fairy lights illuminated all around the roof, making my lips pop open.

“Oh my god, Nash! This is so – so-” I hurried forward, unable to find the words so I kissed him instead.

He broke it off before either of us could get carried away, grinning darkly at me. He offered me his hand to help me inside and I snorted as he bowed to me with a flourish.

“You’re too damn cute, Nash Monroe.”

“Only for you, princess,” he said in a low tone that reminded me he had a heart as dark as the other Night Keepers, he just kept it better hidden sometimes.

I pulled the blanket off the seat before I sat down and Monroe got in beside me, taking it and laying it across our laps. He popped the cork on the champagne and swigged from the bottle before passing it to me. “I figured glasses would be a hazard. I hope this isn’t too informal for her highness,” he taunted as I took it.

I had a long drink and the bubbles fizzed down my throat. “I never claimed to be a princess, Nash. That was all you.”

He started the engine and took off up the track into the trees. “Nah, you are a princess, just not the type I originally pegged you for.”

“So what type am I?” I said, narrowing my eyes at him as we sailed along deeper into the darkness.

“You’re the warrior type. Like Princess Zelda.” He shot me a grin. “And if you ever wanna dress up as her and lay siege to my empire, just know there’ll be no complaints on my side.”

“Noted,” I laughed, sipping more of the champagne.

Monroe drove us all the way to the far end of campus before taking a track down to the main path. He tugged at his hood a little cautiously and I frowned, hating that we had to hide what we were to each other. I wanted to scream it from the top of every building in campus and declare him as mine. But until I graduated, that shit was totally off the cards.

He drove us around to the east side of the lake, slowing before we reached the dorms and parking the cart to one side of the path. He stepped out, taking the champagne from my grip and drinking a mouthful before placing it in the footwell and grabbing my hand to help me out.

“What are we doing here?” My voice came out hushed as adrenaline rushed through me at the thought of being caught together. It was kinda thrilling though too.

Monroe pulled me into his arms, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear and studying my face. “This is where we met, princess.”

I looked around, smiling as I realised he was right.

“That was where you laid your suitcase trap.” He pointed. “That was where I fell and nearly busted a tooth. And that was where my headphones smashed.” I laughed as he turned me around, pointing to a spot on the other side of the path. “That was where you stood and got mouthy with me and where I put you right back in your box.”

“Er, I think it was me who put you in your box, Nash,” I tossed back, although okay I had maybe been way off base with Monroe on that day.

“Pfft.” He smirked at me, gripping my chin and tilting my head up. “You thought I was a student.”

“You let me continue to believe that,” I said sternly and his grin widened.

“Yeah, I did,” he growled. “And oh how fucking easy it would be if I really was a student at this school.”

I wet my lips, watching the shadows dancing across his face as the clouds shifted above to hide the moon. “And what would you do if you were?”

“The same thing I’m