CHAPTER 98
ZION
Harry's my cousin-practically a brother-and we've always had each other's backs. He's just returned from visiting his mom, my aunt, over the holidays, and I can tell he's pissed. There's anger simmering beneath the surface, and I know exactly why. I saw him earlier, hanging around Winter, trying to play her bodyguard. Anyone else defying me like that would've felt the full force of my wrath by now, but Harry's not afraid of me. And that, more than anything, pisses me off.
"Seriously, H cut it out," I said, my voice laced with irritation. "It's starting to creep me out. You've got a hot girl all over you, and yet your eyes are still glued to me?" I tossed back a shot of vodka, savouring the burn as it slid down my throat.
"Just take a hit and let it go, H," Clark says, shoving a joint into Harry's mouth the moment his lips part. Harry reluctantly inhales, his frustration evident in the tension of his shoulders.
"I'll cut the bullshit and get right to the point, Z. What the hell is your deal with Winter? It didn't take me more than five minutes to see she's a decent person," he snaps, his voice edged with anger and disappointment.
"I watched how people treated her today, whispers behind her back because of you. So what's the issue? What's your excuse this time?"
"Five minutes isn't enough to see who she is. She's a fake, a liar. So don't get involved in something you don't understand." I snap back, irritation flaring in my chest. "
Clark, looking more than just a little drunk after losing a shot challenge to Scott, slings an arm around my shoulders. "Yeah, don't worry, we won't hurt her physically. We'll take real good care of her, right, Z?" he slurs, a mischievous grin on his face.
I force a tight smile, the weight of the night starting to press down on me. This party, thrown in celebration of new beginnings and the launch of my revenge, has been more draining than I expected. Ronald's parents are out of town for the week, making their place the perfect venue for my plans, but now all I want is to get a solid buzz going and disappear into some dark corner of the house with whoever catches my eye.
But Harry doesn't drop it. He takes a long drag from the joint, his eyes narrowing at me with a mix of frustration and curiosity.
"I'm listening. What the hell did she do to deserve this treatment from the almighty Zion Royal?"
I lean in closer, my voice dropping into something cold and threatening. "She screwed with my life, H. I'll tell you the whole story when my head's not swimming in alcohol, but just know this: I'm going to make her pay. When you hear it, you'll understand what I've been through because of her. So stay the hell out of it."
Harry shakes his head, exhaling smoke as he studies me. His expression doesn't change, but I can see the wheels turning in his mind.
I step back, my fists tight, barely holding back the rage brewing inside me. "Stay out of this, H. You're my brother, and I love you, but Winter's my problem. I'll handle her in my way. Understood!"
Harry stares at me, his face unreadable. I have no idea what's going on in that head of his, but I'm too far gone to care.
The words hang in the air between us, heavy and bitter. Harry doesn't say anything more, but the look he gives me is enough to know he's not on board with this. He's angry, frustrated, and maybe even a little hurt. But I can't back down now. Not after everything. This is just the beginning, and Winter has no idea what's coming.
Almost instantly, the cheer squad flocks to us, their chatter rising above the music.
I tear my eyes away from Harry, who's still watching me intently.
Chelsea, one of the cheerleaders, heads straight for me, practically buzzing with excitement. Her hand is on me in seconds, rubbing my crotch through my jeans like the attention-hungry girl she is.
"Looks like you're getting lucky tonight," she purrs, her voice breathy. It does nothing for me, but I can't deny her touch feels good right now.
Her other hand trails up my chest, curling around the back of my neck as she stretches on her toes, angling for a kiss. But I'm not that guy. I don't kiss-I take what I want and leave.
Just as her lips get dangerously close, something catches my eye flash of blonde.
No fucking way!
She wouldn't.
The sight of her makes my entire body go rigid, fury bubbling up inside me like molten lava. My fists clench at my sides, ready to charge over there and force her to leave. But before I could react, Chelsea's lips crashed into mine. It happens so fast that I don't even see her coming.
She must feel my gaze shift because her eyes snap open and immediately meet mine. I see surprise flicker in them before they narrow, darkening when she notices the girl practically draped over me.
Chelsea moans as she presses harder against me, feeling my growing erection-but it's not for her.
No, I'm hard because of the adrenaline coursing through me, the anticipation of the havoc I'm about to wreak.
Clark, that loudmouth idiot, shouts something about me getting lucky, which draws the attention of everyone around.
Great. Now all eyes are on us.
I yank my gaze away from her, gripping Chelsea's arms and pushing her off me with more force than necessary. She pouts, sticking her bottom lip out like she expects me to pull her back in, but the look on her face changes the second she sees the tension rolling off me. I'm done playing. The urge to storm over and drag Winter out of here is consuming every inch of me.
"Why the fuck is she here?" I growled, my voice laced with anger, fists clenched at my sides.
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