4

ANGELO

The place is filling up and I feel kind of excited for tonight. It’s been a while since I felt any sort of excitement. I’m guessing that’s a good sign at least.

Malik’s low voice rumbles beside me. “I’ve got a good feeling about tonight. I’m feeling lucky.”

“You always do.” I chuckle and he shrugs.

“You make your own luck in life; if I’ve learned anything, it’s that.”

We watch a couple of girls stride confidently inside and scan the room as if looking for someone–or something. Their eyes lock on Ivan, who is sitting on the couch looking bored already, his feet on the table, downing a beer.

They nudge one another and head his way and we watch with interest as they stop just short of him and hesitate. He looks up and I recognize the two cheerleaders from class and laugh to myself as they look at him with a fascinated hunger that he must be used to seeing by now.

He says nothing and just pats the empty seats beside him and as they sit one on either side, he says nothing and continues watching the game, almost as if they aren’t even there.

“That’s him for the night.”

“You think?”

“Maybe not.” Malik laughs and I relish the sound. It’s as dark and twisted as his mind and, of all my friends, I think he’s the most dangerous.

Then again, there’s Flynn, of course. He’s probably the most fucked-up individual outside of an institution, which is probably why it’s best he remains in the shadows, making sure the right people get a foot through that door.

Our parties are legendary on campus. If you want a night of darkness, no boundaries and a walk on the dark side, then step inside. Even girls like the wholesome-looking cheerleaders are curious and some even come back.

What can I say? We offer a service second to none. Walk with the devil and he corrupts your soul and if you’re very unlucky, he destroys it.

“So, what’s the plan?”

“We wait for the players to show and then the fun begins.”

“Joey, I’m guessing. Why him?”

“He owes me.”

“What for?”

“He had a problem with a guy hitting on his girl and doesn’t want the shit that goes with retaliating. He’s waiting on a call from a football rep and wants to keep his record clean.”

Malik snorts. “Then he’s fucked, because that guy is the dirtiest bastard I know.”

Joey Zucker is the golden boy of the football team and tipped to go far.

He’s hoping for a spot on the NFL and came to me to deal with an unwanted problem that was causing him grief. Problem solved and now he owes me and if he loses tonight, his stake is really high because one night with his girl is the payment and I’m not sure if she knows about that yet.

We watch with interest as the man himself heads inside, closely followed by his girl and two of his friends. They don’t usually attend our parties and I can taste their nerves from here. They form part of a different group who live next door. Baron’s house where he lives with his three friends, Maxim, Duke and Gabriel. Seriously loaded and the most popular guys on campus, who throw the best parties and hang with the most attractive girls. Everyone wants in on their group, although there’s still a morbid fascination with our den of sin that gets them calling on a regular basis.

Thinking of Baron, I wonder why he’s there at all. Seriously twisted and definitely more one of us than them, he can’t help himself and often heads our way for an evening of corrupt pleasure. I’m in no doubt he’ll be here later. He just can’t keep away and outside of my own friends, he’s the only person I can stand being in the company of.

“Prepare yourself.” Malik laughs and I see Eden heading my way and feel a prickle of irritation at the sultry look on her face. She has her sights set on me and has tried every trick in the book to grab my attention. We hooked up once and she thinks that buys her my promise ring, and she has tried everything since to make me her guy. She thinks intimidating others and proving she’s the meanest girl on campus will cut it and as she saunters across in her slutty low-cut top and short skirt, she already thinks she’s got this one in the bag.

Malik whispers, “Do you want me to distract her?”

Thinking of his idea of a distraction, it would almost be amusing to say yes, but instead I feel like kicking her into touch myself and say with an ominous edge to my voice, “No need, this won’t take long.”

“Mind if I watch.”

“Be my guest.”

She reaches me and smiles with a look of longing that many would adore.

Not me. It’s not the same if they want me. I’m not into relationships and it’s the chase I love. The hunter stalking his prey and going in for the kill. That’s far more pleasurable and having it presented to you on repeat most nights just gets boring over time.

“Eden.”

“Angelo.”

She pouts seductively. “You’re looking good.”

Malik snorts beside me, and I twist my lips into a smile and nod.

“Thanks.”

She looks around the room and says softly, “It’s getting crowded in here.

Do you fancy going somewhere we can um, talk?”

“No.” I shrug and sip my beer, loving the insecurity in her eyes as she tries to claim my attention.

She glances nervously at Malik and then grabs some courage from deep inside and moves a little closer. “You know, we could be good together.”

“We already were.” I shrug and she takes that as a sign of encouragement and smiles, almost with relief. “I thought so too. Do you fancy keeping me company tonight?”

“No.”

The look of anger on her face is quickly shown the door as she tries to disguise the hurt in her eyes and she whispers, “Why not?”

I shrug. “Because you just aren’t good enough, Eden. Go and try your luck with someone else. I’m not interested.”

“You were the other night, very much so if I remember. In fact, you were interested three times over.”

Malik laughs out loud, and she looks at him with anger. “Did I say something funny?”

Malik tenses beside me and I watch with interest as he leans closer and hisses, “Watch your mouth and step away. You’re no longer required. Go and find someone else to play with, because, as the man said, you’re just not good enough.”

I must admire her spirit because she stands her ground and faces me with defiance flashing from her green eyes. “Is that what you want, Angelo? Do you want me to find someone else to play with because it wouldn’t be hard?”

“I think I’ve made my position clear, Eden. Run along and enjoy your evening. Remember to use protection. I’d hate the guy to end up at the clinic after.”

“You bastard.”

She looks on the verge of a breakdown and I take great comfort in that and as she turns away, I watch her stumble across the room with none of the confidence of earlier.

“That told her.”

Malik sounds as if he enjoyed the show and I shake my head. “For tonight, anyway. She’ll be back.”

“You bastard.’ Malik laughs again because we both know if I looked at her in a certain way, she would forgive me in a heartbeat and, to be honest, this is getting old. Being bad comes as naturally to me as breathing and I’m weary of it. There are no challenges here. No reasons to try, which is why I invented my poker nights. It makes life a lot more interesting and as Joey heads my way with his pretty girl in hand, I feel my interest stirring because Claudia Woodley is the prettiest girl I have ever seen and looks as nervous as hell as we watch them approach.

“Hey, man.” Joey slings his arm around her shoulders and pulls her in close, almost as if that ensures her safety.

“You up for the game later.”

“Are you?” I stare at his girl pointedly and I love how his skin pales under the light, and he licks his lips. “I’d kind of hoped…” “Non-negotiable.” I’m quick to cut him off because he knew the terms of our contract and that was his angel to sacrifice as payment. I remove the threat to his squeaky-clean image, and he pays me in kind. I don’t need money and there’s definitely nothing else he has to offer, and I love watching him nod in defeat as he realizes he has no other choice.

I wonder if he’s warned Claudia about the night she could end up having, and I’m guessing he hasn’t. Just the innocence in her eyes as she stares at us with fascination tells me that and I’m loving the feeling of power it gives me, knowing that I can’t lose on this. Joey is good at football but lousy at poker which is why tonight will be more enjoyable than most when I watch the defeat on his face with every card exposed, pushing him further toward the realization that his girl may well be another’s by the morning. Not that I keep them, but it’s doubtful she will go back to him. They never do when they’ve been used as collateral to settle a debt of the most depraved kind. One night with me and she’ll be ruined, mentally and physically, and I am keen to begin.