Page 54 of Wicked Lord

“Just remember what’s at stake, Lorelei.”

My thoughts whirled to Brock’s threat. Axel was a Lord. If Brock did decide to release that video, his fraternity—more like that secret, cult-like organization within it—would find a way to cover it up somehow. I was sure of it.

I flashed him a sneer as he stepped into the car. “Have a great trip, no need to hurry back, sweetie.” Slamming the door behind him, I released a breath the moment his driver backed out of the parking spot.

Lexi spun at me. “What the hell was that about?”

I blew out a breath, shaking my head. “Nothing important.”

“Are you sure, Lorelei? Because it looked like he was a hot second away from kidnapping you. Do you want us to call the police or–”

I waved a dismissive hand. “No, don’t. It’s a long fucked up story… I can’t get into it right now.”

“And what official announcement was he talking about?” Cordi asked.

“Also, not important because it’s not happening.”

Both girls continued to stare at me. Obviously, they didn’t believe my bullshit, but at least neither of them called me out on it.

Cordelia turned to her best friend and threw her a smile. “Hey, I’ll catch up with you later, okay? There’s something I need to talk to Lorelei about.”

“Okay, sure. See you back at the dorm.” With a wave, Lexi whirled toward Davenport Hall, and I couldn’t help my gaze from trailing her. A mixture of guilt and jealousy battled it out in my core. She was poor, and Killian had still chosen her over me.

“So…” Cordi crossed her arms over her chest as wisps of lavender hair sailed on the sultry breeze coming over the bluff.

“I’m sorry about the other night,” I blurted.

Her eyes were so wide, her brows hit her hairline. “Well, that’s a first. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you apologize.”

“I’m working on Lorelei version 2.0.” I shrugged, then added, “Axel’s been a big help.”

Her lips twisted. “Yeah, about Ax… So you guys are really serious?”

I nodded quickly. “It’s all happening so fast, but yeah, I guess we are.”

“Are you in love with him?”

All the air squeezed from my lungs at the unexpected question and the turmoil it wrecked in my gut. “Were you?”

She didn’t speak for a long moment, just twirled around a short strand of hair, and I was certain that would be the end of the conversation. Then she sucked in a breath.

“I didn’t want to be,” she whispered. “Axel’s a great guy. He’s not the type of man you just fuck around with, he’s the guy you marry.”

My chin dipped. Only a few weeks in a fake relationship with him, and I’d realized the same.

“So yeah, I’m just not ready for that yet.”

“I get it. Not all of us are ready to be engaged at twenty-one.” Especially not to a rich asshole like Brock. “At least you seemed to be having a lot of fun the other night with the ATOs.”

Cordi waved a dismissive hand. “I was wasted and just looking for a good time. I didn’t even sleep with any of them.”

“You didn’t?”

She shook her head. “I guess I didn’t think I’d miss Axel so badly. I’m trying to do anything to keep myself distracted.”

That damned guilt seeped in, threatening to swallow me whole. I had to tell Axel. He’d be so relieved. But then what? He’d abandon me and race back to her…

“So basically, don’t be a bitch and break his heart,” she said sweetly, “or I’ll come for you.”