The Stranger Trilogy Box Set

by Isadora Brown

  As usual, Elle was in one of her sundresses, this one predominantly cream colored with thin straps and a black belt just underneath her breasts. Sophie had no idea how Elle could stand the cold, especially being so skinny. She had decided to straighten her hair, elongating it so it nearly reached her waist. Sophie hadn’t noticed it before, but Elle had blonde bangs that, once straightened, skimmed the tips of her eyelashes. She looked completely different, a new girl, sophisticated and chic, more womanly. When Sophie asked about her new look as Elle slipped on black sandals, Elle said she wanted to try something different.

  Like before, the three snuck off-campus and walked briskly down to Ultra. They skipped the line, thanks to Jane’s connections, and they were suddenly surrounded by loud music and lots of people.

  “I want a drink,” Sophie stated, once they managed to grab a free table. “And then I want to dance.”

  “Here, here,” Elle said. She craned her neck to look over at the bar and face turned flat. “God dammit.”

  “What?” Jane asked, turning her head to look the way Elle did. “What is it?”

  “It’s nothing, it’s just he’s here.” Elle slid down in her chair.

  “Who?” Sophie asked.

  “The bartender you slapped last time?” Jane guessed.

  “Yeah.”

  “You should totally ask for drinks and see if he recognizes you,” Sophie said with a grin.

  “Uh, no way,” Elle said, shaking her head. “I refuse to get us kicked out of the club early again. Sophie, why don’t you buy the drinks? See that brunette bartender over there? That’s Liv. Buy from her, she doesn’t card.” She reached into her clutch and handed Sophie some money. “I want a cocktail, just a regular one.”

  Sophie took the money and turned to Jane, who just asked for water, and then proceeded to head over to the bar. She was nervous, but more than anything, she was excited. If she didn’t get caught, she’d finally taste the rum and coke she had been coveting for a long time, and maybe, for a while, she’d be able to forget about Will.

  The line was slow, but Sophie didn’t mind. When she reached the front, she gave her order. Liv didn’t even blink. In minutes, the drinks were in front of her. She managed to carry them back to the table without spilling any or bumping into anyone.

  “Okay girls,” Sophie said, once she was seated. She lifted her drink. “To a night of forgetting, hmm?”

  “I’ll drink to that,” Elle agreed and the girls clinked their glasses.

  Sophie could have sworn she heard Jane warn them about forgetting too much, but at that point, Sophie didn’t care. She brought the glass to her lips and took her first sip. It was bubbly and sweet with a shot of something zesty.

  To a night of forgetting, indeed.

  22

  After leaving Depogare’s office, all Jane wanted to do was sleep. So she did. Until Elle burst into the room and started going off about her run-in with her own brother. Jane listened with as much energy as she could spare. While Andrew instigating a conversation with his sister was definitely a new piece of the puzzle, Elle’s telling of what happened usually consisted of the same things. Despite the fact that Elle hadn’t really talked much about her family since the beginning of the school year only to recap what happened over summer, Jane had been through a lot in the past twenty hours and found it difficult to care about Elle’s family problems about the moment.

  Especially since Jane couldn’t fully relate to them. Jane was an only child who had parents that now fought with each other but spoiled her rotten. Elle had a twin brother with parents that never fought and didn’t much care for Elle. How could Jane understand Elle’s problems with her brother when she had problems with no one. Jane did get Elle’s anger with her parents, but in all honesty believed she should be grateful that she had a brother in the first place. People made stupid decisions, but that didn’t mean they didn’t deserve a second chance.

  Of course, Jane didn’t actually tell Elle this. She let Elle ramble. Any word of contradiction right now would cause her to think that Jane wasn’t supporting her and make it even worse than it already was. When Elle suggested they go dancing, Jane immediately agreed even though she just wanted to eat a big bowl of macaroni and cheese and go back to sleep. Anything to get Elle to calm down.

  Interestingly enough, Elle had yet to ask Jane about her time with Depogare and how she fainted. Granted, it was probably because she was going through her own thing and perhaps she didn’t want to address anything private. Which was just as well. Depogare had stressed how important it was to keep the fact that she was a quis to herself or else she was opening herself up for danger.

  The thought was preposterous. Jane did believe what Depogare told her was true, but it was something that was hard for her to believe. She was young; the thought of danger or death was the furthest thing from her mind.

  It wasn’t long before Elle and Sophie were on their second drink. Though Elle was skinny, she had a surprisingly high tolerance for alcohol, though she didn’t challenge herself too often, choosing to only drink socially. Sophie, on the other hand, had more curves than Elle but seemed to get buzzed much faster. Both girls apparently needed to forget their own problems for the night while Jane was forced to deal with her own again. It was very bad for mentals to drink—that, of course, didn’t actually stop them—but even so, Jane never liked alcohol and didn’t particularly approve of her friends drinking. Not that she would say anything.

  “Let’s go dancing!” Elle exclaimed. Sophie nodded enthusiastically and Elle looked at Jane. “Jane?”

  “I’m still tired from before,” Jane shouted over the music. “I think I’ll stay here and watch the drinks.”

  “We’re taking the drinks with us,” Sophie said, causing Elle to laugh as she followed the red head on the dance floor.

  Jane rested her chin in her palm, curling her fingers around her jaw. She never thought she’d say this since she loved dancing, but she was bored. The thumping music was starting to give her a headache and she really wasn’t in the mood to dance.

  She sounded like an old, wet blanket. What was wrong with her?

  “I was hoping I’d be able to see you again.”

  Jane looked over her shoulder and her breath left her when her eyes came in contact with a familiar pair of sea blue orbs. It was him. Cillian. Without waiting for an invitation, he took a seat next to her, placing his drink on the table. He leaned against the back of it as casually as he might if he were at home. His eyes immediately took her in, every flaw, every line in her face that her daily dose of sunscreen couldn’t prevent. It was only then that Jane wished she had worn more makeup, put more effort into her appearance tonight. Yet, at the same time, a thrill ran through her. There was something dangerous about this man she knew practically nothing about, and that danger excited her for reasons she couldn’t quite understand.

  When it seemed as though he was finished with his examination of her, he met her eyes and asked, “Why aren’t you dancing?” He reached out and wrapped his fingers around his drink, bringing the glass to his lips.

  “I, uh, I’m not really in the mood to dance,” she said. It was honest, however lame it sounded.

  His lips curled up in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re dangerous, you know that?” he asked.

  Jane looked dumbfounded. “Me?” she asked in disbelief.

  He nodded his head once. “Yes.” Another sip of what appeared to be bourbon. “You.” He tilted his head slightly to the side. “You don’t think you are?”

  “No,” Jane said, shaking her head. Her? Dangerous? She looked like the girl-next-door, not some sultry siren. No way was she dangerous. “Absolutely not.”

  He smirked again. “That’s what makes you dangerous,” he said. “Your ignorance.”

  A small twinge of annoyance inside Jane flared up, but she quickly squashed it. She forced herself to smile, wondering what he wanted with her. Not that she was complaining, but guys like Cillian
weren’t known to set their sights on girls like Jane unless they knew how rich her family was.

  Without warning, Cillian leaned over and placed his lips on hers. Jane blinked in surprise. Her heart suddenly began hammering against her chest, and it wasn’t until her mind finally caught up with what was actually happening did she realize that not only was she being kissed by Cillian but he tasted like ice and alcohol. Just as Cillian was preparing to deepen the kiss based on the way his tongue flickered across her lips, Jane realized she needed air. She had to pull away. As she did so, her entire face lit up like a Christmas tree.

  “Well,” he said, his eyes narrowing, licking his lips. “That was—”

  Before he could finish his thought, he was interrupted by Elle exclaiming, “Jane!”

  Jane had to physically bite down on her bottom lip to keep herself from screeching at Elle. Could the girl not see she was talking to someone? Possibly about to do more than talking? The kiss was not her best and she wanted to redeem herself. Before she could do that, she needed to get Elle to leave.

  “What?” She didn’t try to mask the sharpness in her voice.

  Elle was startled by Jane’s abruptness. Her eyes shifted over to Cillian who slowly raised one brow at her. Jane could tell Elle suddenly realized what she had walked in on and her blue eyes actually did reflect regret.

  “I’m really sorry, Jane, I really am, but I need your help.”

  Jane forgot she was upset with her friend and gave Elle her full attention. “What is it, Elle?” she asked. “What happened?”

  “It’s Sophie,” Elle explained. “I think she drank too much and now she’s in the bathroom.” She didn’t say the word but she gestured with her hands that Sophie was throwing up.

  “And you left her?” Jane asked, raising a brow. She stood. “You can’t just leave her there by herself. This is probably her first time experiencing this.”

  “I’m not good at this kind of thing, Jane,” Elle said. “You’re way better under pressure than I am.”

  “Okay, go back to Sophie,” Jane instructed. “I’ll be there soon.” She turned back to Cillian. He seemed annoyed at the interruption but said nothing. “I’m sorry, I have to—”

  “It’s fine,” Cillian said dismissively. He stood up, taking his glass in his hand. “Guess I’ll see you around, Jane.” He didn’t look back as he left.

  Jane sighed, turning to the direction of the bathrooms. Elle owed her and she owed her big.

  They walked past a long line of female waiting in line to use the five-stalled bathroom. When they were about to head in, the first person in line said, “Hey, there’s a line.”

  Elle was about to reply but Jane beat her to it. “Back off,” she snapped. “We’re going to take care of the girl throwing up in there.”

  The girl glared but didn’t respond.

  Elle looked over at Jane, who was already pushing open the bathroom door, with nothing short of shock. Sweet, uber-polite Jane just gave a stranger attitude. This wasn’t the first time Elle witnessed it, but it was rare enough to continue to surprise Elle when it happened.

  Once inside, Elle viewed girls washing hands and checking themselves in the mirror. She pointed to the last stall in the row. “She’s in here,” she said. The sounds coming through it was loud enough to distinguish Sophie’s presence.

  “I just don’t get it,” Jane murmured more to herself than to Elle. “These people can hear Sophie throwing up. Why don’t they ask if she needs help?”

  Upon reaching the door, Jane knocked. “Soph? It’s Jane and Elle.” Her tone was much more gentle. “May we come in?”

  There was no response except for a groan, but the door opened. Jane stepped inside while Elle hung back in the doorway, using her body to shield the scene from any curious onlookers.

  Elle watched as Jane immediately knelt down, not caring that vomit was getting on her flats and the hem of her dress. She said something to the red head in a low voice before pulling the elastic that held Sophie’s hair back out.

  “But won’t she get puke in her hair?” Elle asked.

  “Yeah, but the pressure on her head plus the constant throwing up will give her a bad headache,” Jane explained. “Elle, I need you to do something for me,” Jane said, turning her head so her forest green eyes locked onto Elle. Elle straightened, glad she could help in some way. Jane’s hands gently held back Sophie’s red hair. “I need a glass of water, some gum, and a damp wash cloth. Can you get those for me?”

  Elle wanted to ask why she needed those things but managed to refrain. She nodded her head and stepped aside, silently repeating the list in her head as she shut the door to the stall. Jane turned back to Sophie, grabbing her long hair and pulling it from her face. As Sophie retched, she rubbed her back. She might have murmured soothing words but they wouldn’t mean much.

  “We gotta go, Jane,” Elle said, surprising Jane at her abrupt arrival. “The bitch outside totally ratted us out.”

  Jane didn’t argue. Instead, she murmured something to Sophie and in a matter of minutes, the stall door opened and Sophie, held up primarily by Jane, walked out. Stray food particles were already crusting around Sophie’s lips and she couldn’t hold her head up. Her feet were bare, the black heels in Jane’s free hand, and her dress was disheveled. In other words, she looked like shit.

  They made it to the door with Sophie emitting a whimper every now and then. Elle pushed the door out, holding it open for the two, and Jane turned to the bartender Elle had slapped—Aiden, Jane believed his name was—preparing to tell him off when, without a word, Aiden reached out and swept Sophie into his arms, as though she was nothing more than a bag of leaves.

  “Follow me,” was all he said.

  “What’s going on?” Jane hissed as Aiden led the pair down a hall only employees could use.

  “I don’t know,” Elle replied.

  Aiden brought them to a door labeled Office. Somehow, he managed to open it without moving Sophie around too much. The first thing he did was walk over to a simple cot and place Sophie on it.

  “I’ll get a bucket,” he said as he headed back out. “There’s a private bathroom next door. It should be unlocked.”

  What was going on here? Was Aiden actually helping them?

  “Elle,” Jane said, snapping Elle out of her musings. “Can you grab the towel from the bathroom? I need to keep Sophie awake.”

  Elle nodded, glad for something to do. When she handed Jane the damp towel, the blonde started patting Sophie’s cheeks and neck with it, saying how important it was that Sophie stayed conscious.

  Aiden came back with the bucket as promised and set it on the floor near Sophie’s head. He also placed a cup of iceless water on the stand and then headed to the door. Without thinking, Elle reached out and grabbed Aiden’s arm, clad in a black, long-sleeved shirt. It felt like a thermal.

  “Why are you helping us?” she asked. Her voice wasn’t hard or suspicious, merely curious.

  “You’re questioning a good deed?” he asked, his genuine surprise laced with dryness.

  “If that good deed comes with strings, then absolutely,” Elle said, flashing her eyes into his.

  Oddly enough, there was something flickering in his eyes, something she never expected to see: respect. The corner of his lip even curled up, the first real smile—though it was hardly a real smile—she had ever seen touch his face. Her cheeks were especially rosy.

  “You may stay here as long as you need to,” he finally said before turning around and walking out the door. He shut it behind him.

  Before Elle could wrap her mind around what just happened, Jane turned around and said, “One of us is going to have to call Will to pick us up. There’s no way Sophie can walk. And we’ll each have to take shifts staying up with her, making sure she doesn’t choke on her own puke tonight.”

  “I’ll go first,” Elle said. “I’ll be up anyway.”

  23

  When Will got Jane’s call, it took him a while fo
r her request to set in. Only after he hung up his room phone and headed down to the garage did he realize why it was necessary for him to pick up the three girls from Ultra: Sophie was passed out. He couldn’t contain the loud growl that passed between his lips as he stepped into the golf cart and drove into town. He probably broke multiple traffic laws and stained his knuckles white with how tightly he gripped the steering wheel.

  Once he reached the nightclub, Will noticed Elle standing outside in a sundress and a jacket that was much bigger than her slender frame. Even so, she still looked cold, thanks to the persistent breeze that cooled the island at night. When she saw him, Elle placed a finger up, indicating that she would be right back and he should wait for her there. His eyes took in the long line outside the club, noticed the scantily-clad girls and the guys wearing sunglasses despite the fact that it was pitch black outside. What were his girls doing at a place like this? Weren’t they too young to even get into a club? They were certainly too young to be drinking. Perhaps Will should have a chat with the owner, ask him how a sixteen year old and two seventeen year olds got past not only the bouncers outside but also the bartenders serving drinks as well.

  Before Will could do so, Elle remerged from the backdoor with Jane and a barely conscious Sophie, leaning all of her weight against Jane. The blonde was having difficulty keeping her inebriated friend up. Will got out of the cart and helped Jane, picking up Sophie and cradling her in his arms.

  “Jane, you need to get in the back with her,” Will said as he gently laid Sophie in the backseat. Jane nodded and took her seat, moving Sophie’s head so it rested in her lap. “Elle, you’re up with me. We’ll talk about this back at the academy.”