15. Tate

15

TATE

I watch Ivy and Vex shoot off into the night on a Ducati, my jaw clenching in anger. What the fuck is she doing with that creep after this morning? I've been tailing Ivy since she left campus this afternoon. I waited outside her house, out of sight, and followed her when she left, looking like she was headed to a party. When she walked across to Vex's place, alarm bells started ringing. Now, seeing her ride off with him, I'm even more suspicious.

"Well, well," a voice drawls behind me. "Looks like our little mouse has some secrets."

I turn to see Bram leaning against a tree, a wicked grin on his face.

"What are you doing here?" I growl.

He shrugs. "Tailing you, tailing her. That little bitch keeps interesting company, I see."

I glare at Bram, irritation flaring. "Why the fuck are you following me? "

He pushes off the tree, sauntering over. "Because you've been acting weird ever since we had that run-in with the blonde earlier. Thought I'd see what's got you all riled up."

"It's none of your business," I snap.

Bram's eyes gleam with wicked amusement. "Oh, but I think it is. Especially now that we've seen her cosying up to that warlock, who, let's face it, is a pretty dangerous fucker. What's her deal, Tate? And why are you so interested?"

I clench my jaw, knowing I can't tell him my suspicions yet. He will go feral, and I don't want that yet. I need to know first so we can handle it with more finesse than a rampaging dark fae with an obsession that is getting out of hand. "I saw them together this morning," I say eventually. "He was, well, it looked like he was assaulting her. I stepped in."

Bram's eyes widen as he lets out a loud laugh. "You stepped in? What the fuck?"

"Look, it wasn't about her. It was about applying a teaching moment to Vex. You know I live for taking that fucker down whenever I can."

"Yeah, because you are jealous."

"Jealous?" I scoff loudly. "I could wipe the floor with his arse?—"

"Tetchy," Bram interrupts me. "Look, whatever is going on here with you and that blonde or Vex, get over it. We need to focus our efforts on finding Poison."

I don't say anything, but inwardly, I'm fuming. I've lost the chance to follow Ivy and Vex to see what they are up to. Before I can comment, Bram's phone beeps, and he pulls it out, glaring at it with a frown.

"I have to go," he says. "Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone, okay?"

"I'll try not to," I drawl and watch him stride off, slapping the phone to his ear as he makes a call.

Drawing in a deep breath and exhaling loudly, I hurry back to my car parked down the road and slide into the driver's seat. It starts up with a roar, and I slam my foot down, squealing away from the curb as I head in the direction that Vex's bike went.

"Come on," I mutter. "Where the fuck did you go?"

I speed through the dark streets, scanning for any sign of Vex's bike. My mind races, trying to figure out where they might be headed. What business could Ivy possibly have with that fucker? Or worse, are they dating? If they are, and she turns out to be Poison, I'm going to take immense delight in killing that cocksucker for daring to touch what belongs to the Kings of Thornfield.

As I round a corner, I catch a glimpse of a sleek motorcycle up ahead. Bingo. I ease off the accelerator, not wanting to get too close and tip them off. They seem to be heading towards the town about half an hour's drive from Thornfield.

I hold back, tailing them carefully, and as we head into the town, I watch as they pull up outside Club Nox. My eyes narrow. What the hell are they doing at one of the most exclusive supernatural nightclubs in the country?

I park a block away and watch as Vex helps Ivy off the bike. Even from this distance, I can see the way his hands linger on her waist. She doesn't shrug him off, which makes me even more intrigued about this girl. Did I get it all wrong this morning?

They head inside without difficulty - clearly, Vex has connections to bypass the notoriously strict door policy. I debate my next move. I can get into the club as easily as they did, but what then? Do I stand around with my dick in my hand while they drink and party, or is something else going on?

"Only one way to find out," I mutter and get out of the car, trailing down the pavement towards the club, wondering what the hell I'm doing here and what I might find while I am.