Dirty Dark Prey: A Dark College Bully Romance (Elite Royal University Duet Book 2)

by L. J. Woods

  “I’ve heard this name before.” His French accent is thick like his mom’s and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t weird to be looking at the son I didn’t know she had. “Lyon.”

  Silence takes over us as we stand toe to toe, smoke leaving my nostrils. And I don’t know what else to do except to offer him the next puff. My muscles settle when he takes it. Then his head tilts, like something’s hitting him.

  “Cassandra Lyon.”

  My brows lower. “You know Cassandra? Lexi’s mom?”

  “Lexi is your lover?” He hands the joint back and I take a long puff. “No, she is your girlfriend. Your soulmate.” His eyes narrow. “No one does that shit without love.” He chuckles. “You teach her how to hold a gun? She held one to my head for you.”

  “She what?” A warmth comes over me, my brow raising.

  Remy’s thumb comes to his chin like he’s remembering something else. “But it is bizarre. Cassandra Lyon was who told me you killed my mother. Turns out, you only fucked her.”

  “Listen, Remy—”

  “Had I known it was Damien, I would not have made the call on you.” He shrugs. “At least it was cathartic."

  Motherfucker!

  The joint drops to the ground as I take a step forward. Remy doesn’t budge when my chest hits his. “So it was you. You tried to ruin my fucking life.”

  “I thought you ruined mine.”

  “I only ruined your mom’s shady cunt.” Remy’s lips tighten like his mom’s when I’ve said something crass and I try to hide the hint of a smile that memory gives. “You fucked up my life because I fucked your mom? That’s petty as fuck, man. And that’s coming from me.”

  He shoves me back and I give him one in return. Then my arm comes across his neck, pushing him against the railing. He smirks. And that tells me he’s a King. Or a “Roy” in his case.

  “Would you look at that fun family bonding?” King’s voice comes from behind me before there’s a pulls on my shoulder, releasing him. “Wouldn’t call you Eskimo brothers but you’re … something.”

  “Did you know about this?” I ask King. “Cassandra?”

  “So you’re all caught up.” He leans against the rail. “Don’t blame Remy, he's fuelled by rage, grief and stupidity. Your girl’s mom is the real enemy here. Speaking of your girl—”

  “She’s not my—”

  “Ready to get her? They took her down to The Grove lockup. I say we give ‘em bail, bribe them, whatever. With my lawyer and your lawyer combined, they don't have shit on her. We’ll get her off, you know we will. After that grand gesture in there, she’s proven she’s one of us. She held a gun to this guy's head.”

  Warmth slaps my chest like a fiery bullet before my mind drifts to how sexy Lexi would've looked.

  But one of us? I can’t begin to comprehend what that means, this day is already a lot and it isn’t over.

  “If she is, there’s something I have to do before we head down there." Turning to King, I look into those fucked up eyes. "I need you on this. You fucking owe me.”

  King smirks like his cousin when he sees the gears turning in my head. “Lead the way, Johnson.” He pats me on the back. “You’re a free man now.”

  And for that, I have to pay my dues.

  “Oh.” King stops at the top of the stairs, acting like he forgot to say something but he never does. “Whatever it is, we should hurry up because I just saw Cassandra speeding the fuck out of here.”

  His eyes on the road, a grin spreads across King’s face as the needle rises on his dash. “I’ve always wanted to do this.”

  My body slams against the passenger door as we round the corner in his embarrassing ride. Only this showoff would ride around in this Lambo like he’s fucking Batman. He hits the gas again, my hand hitting the roof while he maneuvers through traffic.

  "Stay on her fucking tail," I say, my eyes on the back of a battered burgundy Honda. We've been tailing it for miles and this empty road is the perfect spot to take her down.

  King slams on the brake, fish-tailing as his tires skid against the pavement.

  Cassandra’s eyes widen as she steps on the brakes, her car screeching to a halt. He's stopped in front of her, cutting her off and I'm impressed by King's Fast & Ferocious skills. King climbs out of his ride with me, scissor doors flying up in the air like we’re two superheroes.

  Or supervillains.

  Call us anti-heroes because we’re about to save my baby’s life.

  I mean … Lexi’s life.

  Damien leans on her passenger door, while I head for the driver’s side. Cassandra grips the wheel and she doesn’t look like her usual self—a knockoff Garbashian. She’s mangled and wild, her hair half curly and straight. And I’m about to make her day a whole lot worse. Or better depending on how you see it.

  Swinging her door open, she scoots over while I lean into the car. “What are you gonna do?" she spits. "Kill me like you did your ex-girlfriend?”

  My nostrils flare, but then I remember … “I’m a free man, baby.” And now it’s time I set someone else free. “As for you, there’s only one thing you have to do and I’ll forget you tried to fucking frame me for murder. Remy Roy? Yeah, he’s on our side now. I don’t think he was ever on your side except for that time you made him fuck you.” Then I look to the sky for a minute, feigning a memory. “Wasn’t that while you were with my dad? My plan to get you out of our home wasn’t so far-fetched was it?”

  “Listen, you idiot, there was nothing I could do about your trial. You were headed to the courtroom whether I did anything or not. I just wanted you eating out of my hand and you did.” She laughs. “That’s not my fault.” My jaw tenses, a car honking behind us, but King doesn’t move. Neither do I. Cassandra looks in her rearview. “What do you want, Isaac?” She sounds tired. “You already got my daughter arrested.”

  “I need you out of Eden, The Grove … I need you out of Lexi’s life. She needs you out of her life.” Reaching into my pocket I toss the crisp white envelope into her lap. “That should be everything you need to start over … elsewhere. And if you come back, if you step foot into her life again, I’ll make sure to end you. I’ve got all the ammo I need, baby.”

  When she looks into the envelope, her eyes widen. “Are you threatening me, now?" She scoffs. "You’ve learned the game.”

  “Oh, Cassandra. I am the game, baby. You’re an amateur and believe me, I’ll kill for that girl. So it’s not a threat. Consider it a deposit on a promise.”

  My wink only makes her cheeks redden more but when she looks at the envelope in her lap, her shoulders drop like she sees relief. A way out. “You think you know what’s best for my daughter?”

  “Much more than you and unlike you, I’ll make sure she gets it.” Slapping a hand on the metal, I give her a grin. “You have three hours to get the fuck out of my sight. And hers. Forever.”

  Twenty-Eight

  Lexi

  “You’ll be awaiting trial.”

  “You can’t leave the country.”

  “Your court date will be given to you by your lawyer.”

  The officer’s words are a blur when he hands me my things. I’ve been in more jail cells in Eden and The Grove than ever in my entire life.

  What the fuck did I just do?

  You just told an entire courtroom you committed murder, idiot.

  And why?

  For him.

  My tormentor. My abuser.

  My bully.

  But at that moment, seeing his life dangling on a thin thread, it felt so right.

  So right I ruined my life.

  Clutching to my skirt, I make my way into the lobby. Then my feet stop, the conversation between Isaac and his guy’s coming to a lull as their heads all turn to me.

  Isaac looks at me like a new suit, that dazzle back in his eye, that smirk pulling at his lips. But now, I know better.

  They approach me. All three Kings.

  “You alright?” Christian asks.

 
; “You look like shit, Lyon," Damien says.

  Isaac nudges Damien with his elbow, the light flickering above him. "Why the fuck did you do that? You didn't have to, we both would've walked away from this right then." His hands come to my shoulders, and while I'm still in a daze, a comforting warmth whirls through me. He locks eyes with mine, a jab in my stomach.

  "I-I don't know," I groan, my eyes dropping to our shoes. My slingbacks and his loafers touching at the tip. My eyebrows knit. "I wanted to save you and it's the first thing that came to mind." God, I'm so fucking stupid.

  Honey and leather filter out the smell of stale coffee in the air. “We’ll get you out of this, you know we will.” He pulls me to his chest, that soft side of him coming to my rescue.

  When he releases me, my eyes move to Ray standing at the door in a fishnet and denim combo, Christian’s letterman over her shoulders. I try to smile with whatever positivity I have left. But she hesitates before she turns and leaves. Christian follows my eyesight, the door closing behind her. With a quick good-bye to his boys, he follows her out.

  If walking out of a holding cell doesn’t remind me how bad things are, that does. The pain in my chest feels heavy. My body hollow. There’s nothing left of me. He’s drained it all.

  “Your room is still at the house,” Isaac says, his hands squeezing my shoulders to get my attention. “My dad didn’t touch it. Let’s get you—”

  “No.” Shaking my head, I move my eyes to Isaac's. “I can’t go back there. And I don’t need any more handouts, I’ll figure this out on my own.”

  “Fuck you will, Lyon,” Damien pipes up, pushing off the vending machine. “We have some of the best lawyers in the world. Don't be stupid."

  Some lawyers. He could hardly get Isaac off his trial.

  “You’re family now,” Isaac says.

  “Deep in it,” Damien confirms.

  “So …” My eyes narrow. “After almost dying on a Bratva boat, giving myself up to the cops, getting arrested, twice, and killing someone—”

  “Keep your fucking voice down, Lyon,” Damien looks around him but I don't care.

  “Was that some kind of fucked up initiation?" I don't wait for an answer. "Fuck this. I don’t want to be part of it." Not anymore.

  Isaac’s brows knit and Damien gives me a stern look.

  “Can you give us a minute?” Isaac asks.

  Damien nods and heads towards the door but not without calling back. “Don’t take all day, I have places to be. A girl to fuck.”

  Isaac waves him off before he lowers his head to my level. “What are you saying? We’re trying to help you, Lexi."

  Fighting the shimmer in his eyes, I say what I should have a long time ago. “I don’t want you.” My stomach twists, like I’m betraying my soul.

  I wish it was true. I wish I felt it in my core when I said it but I know it’s what I need to.

  So why does it feel like my heart is climbing out of my chest? Why does it feel like I’m gasping for air?

  It’s silent between us, the clacking of keyboards and precinct chatter blurring around us.

  He opens his mouth to speak, then closes it again before he sighs. His forehead lowers to mine, his warm skin spreading flutters to my chest. “I want you, Lexi. I want you. You don’t do that shit for someone you don’t want. You know you’re not guilty.”

  “And that’s why I can’t be with you. This thing we have … it’s fucked up. We’re toxic. We’re not good for each other—”

  “Lex—”

  “My mom, Ray, my future. I have a lot to sort through and while you showed me blissful heaven you also showed me the fiery pits of hell. And now … I have a shit-storm to sort through and I can't do that with you. Not if I’m trying to be independent. Not if I’m trying to be who I'm supposed to be.”

  “You’re meant to be with me.” His eyes fall to my lips and while I feel that strong pull, like two fucked-up magnets, I take a step back. He pulls me forward. “I’m not giving up on you, Goldie.”

  “Funny, you say this with as much determination as you had the day you said you'd ruin me. Guess what, Johnson?" Pushing his arms off, I take two steps back. "You did.” Breaking our eye contact, a cold washes over me but I ignore it while I head for the door. “Can you tell Dom to meet me at Jake’s?” I call over my shoulder. “He's my mom's boyfriend. Dealer. Whatever."

  “Lexi, wait,” he calls, his voice booming through the lobby, booming through me, and he doesn’t care who hears it. “You don’t wanna go there.”

  “Just … please?”

  “Lexi, I’m serious. Listen to me.”

  But I’m already out the door.

  Ray and Christian are nowhere to be seen when I’m outside. A bus pulls up at the end of the block. And so I don’t do anything else to compromise what I just told Isaac, I run towards it and hop on, a burn in my throat.

  Without a second to think about what I’m leaving behind, I give the bus driver the last of my change. It’s only when the bus pulls off and I’m settled in my seat, that tears stream down my face, and my chest caves in.

  Keeping an eye out through blurry eyes, a cop turns onto Jake’s street before I notice I'm close.

  Once I’m off the bus, I take deep breaths, my cheeks sticky, my eyes sore.

  Is this a good idea?

  Should I be facing this alone? Without him?

  The first thing I have to do is make sure my mom's still alive.

  Though right now, after what she did, I don't know if I care.

  I'm halfway down the street but the flashing lights in the distance throw me off, my feet slowing.

  The lights get brighter, more appearing the closer I get. About three police cruisers sit on the street and my feet stop when I realize where they’re going.

  To Jake’s.

  Looking at the top of the steps, officers carry a scruffy Jake out of his apartment in handcuffs and boxers. My heart picks up again.

  Eyes on the chaos, I'm keeping an eye out for my mom but I don’t see her. She’s not in a cruiser but she doesn’t seem to be in the house.

  Jake locks eyes with me, then he narrows them like he thinks I’m the one who did this.

  Truth is, I should’ve done it a lot sooner if it wasn’t for my mom.

  Where the hell is she?

  An officer follows behind Jake with a bag that makes my heart skip. “Hey! That’s my—”

  Arms come around me and I squeal before that scent takes over. The one I just left.

  Leather and honey.

  Then his hand comes over my mouth. “Don’t make this worse for you.” I stop my wiggling because, with him, it’s no use. But his warm chest on my back makes something about all this feel better. “It’s their evidence and you don’t want them to tie you to this either. Remain the victim.” Placing me back on the ground, he turns me to look him in the eye. “You hear me? You’re already in enough shit, Lexi.”

  “You followed me here?” I won’t tell him I’m relieved he’s here. I won’t admit that I'm better even though he’s watching another part of my life crumble. “Those are my designs. I worked hard on those and I need to find my mom.” I’m about to turn towards the house but Isaac's firm hold keeps me looking his way. That's when I see King’s silver Lambo glimmering from around the corner, behind a tree.

  “She’s fine," Isaac says. "I promise.”

  My brows lower before I push against his chest. “You did this?”

  “For your own good.” He keeps me in his hold.

  “Where the fuck am I supposed to go, Isaac?” I pat against his chest but he doesn't let me go.

  He's pulling strings again. His rules. His way.

  “With me. Dom wants to stay back at the house and it’ll be good if you did too.”

  “So you did this all so you can have me back in your lair again? I said no!”

  “I want you safe!" He brings his forehead to mine. "Is that so fucking hard to understand?”

  “From you? Yeah.”r />
  “You saved me. Now, let me save you.” Looking back, they shove Jack into the back of a cruiser, his eyes wandering over to me again before they land on Isaac and … he’s fucking right.

  I need to get out of here. I can’t stay here on my own. I can’t leave Dom on his own. Not with him.

  That’s what got you into trouble in the first place.

  So I give up.

  So does my body, exhaustion hitting me like a freight train.

  My legs give out, Isaac catching me in his arms while tears stream out onto his soft white shirt.

  His arms come around me before he picks me off the ground.

  After all that, after everything, I still find myself in his arms.

  It’s only when I hear the rev of an engine that I realize I’m in his lap, in the passenger’s seat of Damien’s Lambo.

  And I hate that all of a sudden … I feel safe.

  Twenty-Nine

  Lexi

  Two months.

  Two whole months I’ve been living in hell.

  So why does it feel like heaven?

  The Johnson mansion feels like it belongs to me now more than ever.

  Lionel is off on a player-cation at his Miami beach house, leaving Isaac to the place again. And while I expect a horde of celebratory parties … or a harem of female students … it’s been quiet.

  The only noise I hear is when Dominic, Isaac and Christian are hanging out. Dom keeps trying to get me to leave my room but it’s hard.

  Now I know how Isaac felt.

  Except for my assignments, hiding in my room means I’ve had nothing but headlines and social media. And they all say one thing.

  I’m on trial for murder.

  If I wasn’t a social pariah before, I’m definitely one now.

  Isaac relays assignments and recorded lectures from campus, and I’ve worked my ass off alone in my room tackling it all. But after everything, I doubt Hera will ever want to work with me. I’m off the swim team, got the email the day I came back and I’m starting to wonder why I even did. Without making any money on PleasureChat over the last while, I had no choice but to accept the help from Damien and Isaac’s lawyers.