Page 160 of Heartless Lord
Not that I actually needed a sweatshirt, I just wanted somewhere quiet to hide out, and their bedroom would’ve been perfect.
I sank to the floor, dropping my purse and tucking my knees to my chest as I waited. Only two more weeks of school, and then I’d be forced to return home to Boston. Dad had already arranged a week away with Brock on his yacht so that we could get to know one another.
Then our official engagement would be announced at the end of the summer.
That week away would be the first time we’d be alone together, and I was terrified. I couldn’t shake the image of the ocean swallowing me whole. No witnesses, no questions, just another accident money could bury.
What was it about Brock Haversham that had me so freaked out?
Like all of us born in the lap of privilege, he had perfected that plastic smile, that mask of indifference, but something lethal lay below the manicured surface.
The sharp creak of a door hinge had my heart leaping up my throat. I huddled behind the door in the neighboring bedroom, praying no one would see me.
I could just make out a sliver of Axel and Cordelia through the crack in the door. He was holding her hand, a surprisingly wistful expression in his bright blue eyes.
“Stop looking at me like that, all googly-eyed, Ax.” She pressed her palm to his muscled chest.
“What are you talking about?” He chuckled, but even I could hear the rueful edge. “That’s how I always look after coming.” A mischievous grin flared across his scruffy cheeks.
Cordelia laughed. “Whatever you say, Vanderhart.” She released a breath and rose to her tiptoes before brushing a kiss to his cheek. “We should get downstairs. It’s your best friend’s big day.”
He nodded, lips pressing into a hard line. “She’s your best friend too.”
“Duh. They’re the hottest new power couple on campus.” Cordelia shot him a smirk. “Come on...” She tugged on his arm, but he planted his feet and didn’t budge an inch. The star quarterback of Stonewall University was built like an ox, so if he didn’t want to move, you sure as hell weren’t going to make him.
“I need a sec. Tell Kill and Lexi I’ll be right down.”
“Okay, suit yourself.” She blew Axel another kiss and scampered down the hall.
Up close, Axel Vanderhart didn’t look like a golden boy. He looked like trouble.
The moment she was gone, the big guy sank down to the floor and raked his hands through his messy, dirty blonde hair. There was something off about the way he moved, like he was holding himself together by force. Whatever Cordelia saw in him, it wasn’t the version of Axel Vanderhart sitting on that floor.
That version looked... wrecked.
I shrank back against the wall, praying I’d disappear into the plaster.
Please don’t see me.
The last thing I needed was Axel Vanderhart spreading rumors about me eavesdropping on him and Cordelia gettingoff. It was bad enough everyone knew Killian had chosen Lexi over me. I’d never live that one down.
With a huff, Axel finally rose. As he trudged past, his head snapped toward the door. Straight at me, like he knew I was there. And for a second, just one, Axel Vanderhart looked right at me. Like he saw through everything. Then without a word, he continued down the hallway.
Holy shit, that was close.
I drew in a steadying breath.
A second later, my phone vibrated in my purse, the sound ricocheting across the shiny wooden floor. I quickly picked it up before Axel heard and returned to investigate.
Scanning the screen, my stomach twisted at the name. Brock Haversham. Why hadn’t my father warned me he’d given it out already.
Moving further into the room, I silently closed the door behind me before drawing in a deep breath to answer.
“Hello?”
“Lorelei...”
“Oh, Brock, what a surprise.”
