Mercy (Somerset University #3) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,44

pulled out and went into his booth. A few minutes passed and I assumed he was calling back up to help chase us away. The vision no sooner crossed my mind than the gates rumbled open.

Nasir Harb’s beachside paradise was built in the same style as many houses on this lane—ours included. Windows upon windows made up the grand house and allowed me a peek into nearly every room.

A butler met us in the driveway, opening our door and bowing us inside. “The master and his guest are in the second living room.”

“I know the way, Klein,” Aiden said. “Thanks.”

Years of living and loving my boys made me no stranger to the finer things. I was used to wealthy homes filled with astonishingly expensive knickknacks that served no function other than looking pretty. Which is why Nasir’s home threw me.

The cream-painted walls didn’t boast dozens of paintings from artists I never heard of. An antique hutch full of plates no one was allowed to eat off of didn’t greet me in the entryway. By wealthy persons’ standards, Nasir’s home of family photos, scattered leather couches, and mahogany shelves bordered on... ordinary.

But ordinary people don’t live in forty-five-million-dollar homes.

We walked into the living room and nine pairs of eyes landed on us.

And they don’t host secret society parties in Mommy’s second family room.

“Rick.” A man in a purple shirt and white pants waved to my boyfriend. His ascot told me he was Winston without me having to recall his name. Standing next to him was a petite blonde wearing the very Tiffany earrings I decided against. She was the only girl I didn’t recognize by sight.

“Sabrina? Kendra? Eve?” I gaped at my sisters.

The three of them took up the ottoman with Teagan. At least they had the decency to look sheepish.

Weeks of hanging out, watching movies, and going for runs, they forgot to drop this tidbit into the conversation.”

“Val, you know everyone,” said Aiden.

Is it me or is that ass smirking?

“Except for the duchess, Phillipa.”

Winston’s companion came over to shake my hand.

“I set up the table upstairs,” Nasir said, “but there’s no rush. Chill. Eat. Drink.”

The guys here I knew in passing. I recognized them from Sally-Sam parties, and as Hayes handed Eve a drink, a memory of the two of them making out against the kitchen counter resurfaced. Eve called her boyfriend Ben.

Hayes Benson.

Why does it feel like during my normal summer of fun, I was being played for a fool the entire time?

“Val, come sit with us.”

I slipped out of Maverick’s hold, striding up to them on their ottoman. Kendra tugged me down.

“I can tell exactly what you’re thinking and we’re sorry,” she rushed out. “We wanted to tell you, but you can’t talk about the club with people who aren’t in it. Please don’t hate us.”

“Did you guys really stay on campus for school?” I returned. “Or was it for the club?”

“School, of course,” said Sabrina. “We haven’t spent the last several weeks lying to your face. We wouldn’t do that. We just kept our private business private.”

I scoffed. “I’d believe that if I wasn’t president. Why would a secret society for Sams and Sallys be a secret from me?”

“When you didn’t start the club for the Sallys, we figured it was a part of your ‘leave the silly traditions in the past’ promise,” Eve spoke up. “We assumed you wanted to be left out of it, so we did.”

“Who is we? How many of you are there?”

“Just us and Heather and Crista,” Teagan said. “We were chosen by Leighton.”

The same Leighton who pretended you didn’t exist the first time I asked her about you.

“New Sallys can’t join unless you, the new president, choose them.”

I shook my head, gaze sweeping the mingling coeds. “That won’t be happening until I know exactly what this is about.”

“Aiden’s over there.” Teagan pointed at the tinted windows. “Ask him.”

I was up and off, ending the conversation. My feelings over the girls keeping this from me was a mess I’d untangle later. Right then, Aiden and I were long overdue for a chat.

Sea air wrapped around me as I pushed onto the balcony. The playful wind teased my hair, swaying the hem of my dress, and imparting a light chill though it was a warm night.

“Aiden.”

“Valentina.”

My counterpart leaned on the railing, looking out over the sea. I joined him.

“Ever feel like you’re still a guest in this world.” Soft words floated to my ear, fighting the wind that threatened to snatch it away.