Chapter 4

Chapter Four

I haven't seen him anywhere all week. It's as if I imagined the whole incident on that first day. Have I finally lost my mind? Did I make it all up? But then there's the bigger question of where the hell is he? I made sure I was enrolled into most of his classes, and I've yet to put my eyes on him again.

Unless he knows who I am and is waiting to jump out of the shadows. It's making me nervous, the not knowing. I don't like the unknown. I like to know what I'm dealing with, so I can face it head-on.

"Hey, Kayleigh, right?" An overly cheery voice has me drawing my head up.

"Uh, yeah?" I question the girl I know to be Pacey, Cassidy's roommate. The same Cassidy who's rumored to be dating Alessandro Valentino. Like I said, I don't go in blind. I've done my research on this family. I've memorized the names and faces of all of them, including those closest to them.

"I'm Pacey. Sorry to disturb you, but I've seen you sitting here alone and thought I'd introduce myself. I'm on the student council. You're new here, right?" The girl asks as she lowers herself into the seat next to mine.

"Yeah, I just transferred," I lie.

"Oh, that's cool. I didn't know they allowed transfers mid-semester," she says.

"Yeah. What are you studying?" I do my best to change the subject.

"Oh, I'm undecided. Right now, I'm into the sciences. I'll probably end up one of those people who just keeps graduating with degrees they never use. How about you?" Pacey asks.

"Business. I picked the sensible route, you know." I shrug. "It's not all that exciting, but it'll pay the bills, right?"

"I'm sure it will. So there's a party tonight and I'm taking you. I'll introduce you to a few people. We can drink, let loose, and become the best of friends. Are you staying on or off campus?"

It's on the tip of my tongue to turn her down. A college party is the last place I want to be. But then a little voice in the back of my head tells me I need to be at that party. "Okay. I'm on campus, Houston Dorm," I tell her. "Although I'm not really much of the partying type."

"Meh, everyone is the partying type. You just haven't partied with the right people yet. Trust me, it'll be fun." She smiles. "I'm in the Houston Dorm too. I'll come get you at eight. What number?"

"Four-eight-seven-three. I'll be ready."

Pacey stands from her seat and wanders off without another word.

What the hell was that?

My heart is racing. That encounter was odd. I'm really starting to think I need to pull out of this operation. I don't believe in coincidences. There's a reason she's inviting me to this party. And that reason must have something to do with Enzo Valentino.

After the fourth outfit change, I give up on trying to look like an ordinary college girl going to a party. I wasn't lying when I told Pacey I wasn't the partying type. I've never been into drinking or dancing or socializing really. I like peace. I like quiet. The noise of parties just isn't my thing.

Catching the bad guys. Now that's my thing. Which is why I'm going to this party. Anything for the job, right? Well, anything within reason. There are certain things I wouldn't do for my job.

Staring at my reflection, I add a second layer of the nude gloss to my lips before dropping the capsule in my jacket pocket. I don't like carrying around bags or clutches. I like to keep my hands free. I'm wearing a black leather skirt, biker boots, and a loose-fitting band tee while my hair hangs down my back in waves.

As much as I wanted to try to fit in with what the girls at this school wear, I couldn't do it. I need to be comfortable, and this is my style. I can put a knife in my boot and one on my thigh. I might not be able to carry a gun right now, but I don't need one. It's a college party. What could possibly happen?

It's going to be a bunch of drunk, horny assholes grinding up on each other. I'm there for one reason. To gather whatever intel I can.

The knock at my door echoes through my otherwise silent room. I look through the peephole, out of habit and lifesaving necessity, before pulling the handle open. "Hey." I go for the happy, carefree college girl tone, although I'm not sure I really pull it off.

"Hey. You look great," Pacey says, eyeing me up and down. "You ready?"

"Yep. You look hot," I tell her.

"Oh, I'm not… I mean, if I were gay, I'd totally do you but I'm not." She smiles at me.

It takes a moment for what she's saying to click. "Me either, but thanks?" I reply.

"Take it as a compliment. I'm usually really picky about who I let in my bed," she says.

"Usually?" I laugh.

"There have been one or two toads that got through." She lifts one shoulder while pressing the button to call the elevator.

"So, where's this party?" I ask her, realizing I know nothing about where she's taking me. For all I know, she could be delivering me right into the hands of Enzo Valentino. Or worse, his father or one of his uncles. And yet, here I am, willingly following her into God only knows what.

Why? Because the reward outweighs the risk at the moment.

"The football frat house. If anyone knows how to throw a party, it's the jocks." Pacey smiles.

"Yeah, I bet."

"Don't worry, there'll be plenty of drinks and eye candy," she says. Then pauses. "Wait… Do you have a boyfriend? Or a girlfriend?"

"No, I don't. Have either." I honestly can't remember the last time I even had a date. It's been a long time. My job keeps me busy.

My phone buzzes against my chest. I pull it out of my top and see a message from Geoff pop up on the screen. I open it and send a quick response. Geoff is my… well, he's been my partner for the last few months. But lately, he's more like my stalker. I don't know what's changed, but he seems to want to know my coming and goings on this case more so than on any other we've worked on. It's not safe for him to be contacting me while I'm in place, though, and he knows that.

Geoff:

Going out?

Me:

I'm fine BTW.

I shove my phone back down my top, tucking it into the side of my bra before turning back to Pacey. "Tell me again about this eye candy?"