“I’m visiting,” he tells her. “And I guess I’ll see you at the party,” he whispers, his gaze turning to me.
“Do you know who would’ve sent me the invite then?” I ask, needing to know what the hell is going on and why I’m suddenly a person of interest.
“I would definitely know that, Darling. That would be my big brother.” He winks, the amusement brightening his face makes him seem innocent, but I know it’s a lie. This guy is so far from innocent.
“Creed?” The moment his name leaves my lips, I feel it, as if I’m being wrapped in an icy-cold blanket of danger. I can’t explain it in any other way. And the look on Keirin’s face tells me I’ve guessed correctly.
“Take care, Darlings,” he says, before offering us one last, long look, then disappearing into the classroom to our left. I notice it’s the history class, and I wonder why he would be visiting.
All the way to my next class, I can’t shake the ominous feeling that’s wrapped itself around me. And I have a feeling it’s going to linger until the day I finally come face-to-face with Creed Haven.
4
Creed
I’ve spent the better part of the past couple of days researching everything there is to know about Micaela McCray. It helps when your father is rich, and you can pay people to find out shit for you. Thankfully, I now know more about the beauty who’s captured my attention. When new girls move to Thorne Haven, news travels quickly, and even after Keirin’s interaction with her, I still don’t know if she’s actually going to attend the party.
When my brother told me he had been to the college visiting an old friend, I knew he only went there as an excuse to get closer to her. I don’t mind. My brothers know when I’ve chosen a girl, they need to steer clear, but they’re welcome to poke around and find out more information for me.
“Creed,” my stepmother calls to me the moment I walk into the house. She married my dad almost two years ago, and even though I don’t mind her, there are times I feel like she’s sticking her nose into my business. I made it clear I’m not her son, and she needs to realize I’m a grown man who doesn’t need, nor want a mother figure.
But after a couple of arguments, she’s stepped back, allowing me to do my thing, without her constantly checking up on me.
“Mallory,” I say when she appears from the kitchen. She’s dressed in a flirty white dress that doesn’t hide the outline of her bra. Jesus, my dad really knows how to pick them. However, with Mallory, she’s the first woman he’s brought home who’s actually my dad’s age.
“I’ve gotten all the arrangements ready for the party. I have a couple of things you asked for that need signing off. Can you come through and make sure you’re happy?”
This is more like it. When she said she would organize everything, I put in my own special requests. I had the sweet redhead in mind when I asked for those items, and I look forward to using them on her. Halloween is one of my favorite celebrations in Thorne Haven. Our home, a fucking castle, is turned into a myriad of scary rooms along with creatures that jump out at you. But what I enjoy most is the back garden, which is turned into a house of fear that will scare even the most seasoned horror fan.
I follow Mallory into the kitchen where she’s got a laptop set up on the kitchen counter. The email she’s received from the supplier confirms the maze can be set up in time. Along with the centerpiece that will be for me and my little mouse. A cage that locks the moment the prey steps foot inside. The floor will take her weight, and immediately snap the door closed, allowing me to toy with her while watching her squirm. It’s big enough for one person. And I can’t wait to see her locked inside.
“This is perfect.” I scroll through the information. On a normal day, this would be frowned upon, but for Halloween, it’s perfectly acceptable to order a cage and maze to be set up in your garden in order to lock a girl inside who’s caught your attention.
“Great. And I also got all three of your costumes you asked me to collect,” Mallory tells me. I’ve opted for a Phantom of the Opera mask, along with the cape and all the trimmings that go with it.
My little mouse will be able to see part of my face, but the other will be covered. And in the dark, I’ll be even more menacing than if I were to stand up on a well-lit stage.
“I want it in the left corner,” I tell Mallory. “And when it’s set up, I want to confirm I’m happy before they leave.”
“That’s fine. I’ve asked for them to come through the day before, so everything can be confirmed. It also gives us some time before the party.”
“Good.” I nod, offering my stepmother a smile. It’s one of those instances that I’m happy, and she’s slightly taken aback from the surprise currently painted all over her face.
She’s nothing like my first foster mother. Octavius was married before Mallory came along. The woman was much older, more aloof, more like me. But when she died, it wasn’t long until Mallory appeared. It took them a while to get their relationship off the ground, but when they did, it was as if overnight our dad was in love and putting a ring on her finger.
I leave the kitchen, heading up the steps when I see Keirin exiting his bedroom with a redhead in tow, and my heart stops dead in my chest.
But when she turns around, I recognize Genevieve as she smiles at my brother. She hates me, and I don’t blame her.
