Page 23 of The Villain We Tempt

“Galina!”

I’mjustabout to walk into my Social Psychology of Deception class when Trevor’s voice behind me makes me cringe.

Shit.

Trevor may or may not have texted me about fifteen times on Friday night to ask if I was at the Para Bellum party yet. I alsomay or may not have literally ducked behind Ari on the way out of to make sure he didn’t see me.

I force a smile to my face as I turn. Trevor grins widely as he comes to a stop in the hall in front of me.

“Hey, Trevor,” I say pleasantly.

He sighs, running his fingers through his dark hair. Trevor is, objectively speaking, a good-looking guy. But he’s told me multiple times about the “manosphere” podcasts he listens to, which is a major turnoff.

More than that, after the first time he asked me to hang out, I lowkey asked one of Papa’s information guys to run a background check on Trevor. He doesn’ttechnicallyhave a record, but there’s a not-quite-buried sexual assault allegation made by a girl in Kansas City.

Needless to say, I don’t spend any more time around Trevor than necessary. Hanging out with him the other day was ahugeexception to my rule, and only because it was daytime and I needed to sneak my filming stuff into Kingsward.

“Didn’t see you at the party, Galina.”

Mission: success.

“Oh…yeah…” I smile awkwardly. “I was there for a hot second, but then my friend got sick so I took her home.”

Againwith the lies. I mean, I’mfinelying to Trevor, but this is getting too easy.

Trevor frowns. “I thought we were going to hang out. You know…get to know each other better?”

My smile is a flat line.

“Sorry.”

“I think you owe me.”

He’s smiling like he’s joking. But all I can think about is that lingering assault accusation, so the “joke” just creeps me out.

“I don’t know about that,” I say.

He chuckles. “C’mon. Tonight. You and me. Drinks in Hawthorne Hollow.”

Honestly, Ilovegoing down the hill from school to the little harbor town. Butnotwith someone like Trevor Cohen.

“Can’t tonight, sorry,” I smile.

“Nope,” he chuckles. “Not taking no for an answer.”

A shiver finger walks down my spine.

“Sorry, but that’s still my answer.”

My pulse spikes when he steps right into my personal space.

“You don't have to be coy or play games with me, Galina,” he grins. “Come on. I’ll pick you up at The Atheneum at seven.”

My brow furrows. “Trevor, I said I can’t tonight. Really.”

“Sure, you can.”

His hand wraps tightly around my forearm.