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  “We should totally hang out sometime,” Veronica suggested hopefully, placing a hand on my shoulder. I knew what she was offering—a good time and sex—which was surprising, all things considered. She wasn’t my type even before Bella, and now . . . I eyed her wearily, and decided that she needed to be knocked down another peg or two. “Sorry,” I said with a wide, mocking grin. “Your mouth isn’t wide enough for my dick.”

  Dusting her hand off my shoulder like it was an annoying insect, I let out an amused chuckle and walked off, leaving Veronica standing there with her mouth wide open in shock. I probably shouldn't have, but from what Bella told me about her, she deserved it.

  After a long day of classes, I walked back to the Alpha fraternity house. Unlike Bella, I hadn’t moved out after the night of the Sacrifice. I was seen as somewhat of a hero. The guys had all been willing to cut me slack about what happened, especially because of Bella’s smoldering looks, and some even thought better of me because of it.

  I didn’t think it was fair, but little did I know that I was about to get my first dose of criticism from a bunch of enraged feminists.

  On the manicured lawn in front of the Alpha frat house, I encountered a small group of female protesters holding up signs. I figured they were part of a religious chapter of NSU, given the signs of protest they carried. Huh, religious feminists. That was a new one to me.

  I found it amusing there was not one guy among their group. For a moment, I debated on ignoring them and continuing on inside the frat house. But then I thought I needed a laugh and walked over. As I approached, the majority quieted down, seemingly surprised that I had the balls to confront them.

  “Is all of this really necessary?” I growled menacingly at the girls, walking up with faux anger. I stopped in front of the group and assumed a stance of authority, placing my hands on my waist and glaring at them.

  “We are protesting the sin that goes on in this house,” a protester said. “It is a filthy affront to the decent students who go to this school with all the drinking, partying, and sex that goes on in there. Not to mention members like you, who exploit your position.”

  I didn't bother to respond. There really was no arguing. They'd get tired soon enough.

  Inside the frat house, it was a hub of activity. There were groups of my brothers sitting around the dorm living room, engaged in conversation with serious-looking school officials. I lowered my head and quickly walked through the room, not wanting to be called over and badgered with questions.

  Someone had contacted me earlier in the day with a note stating that Todd James wanted to talk to me. I thought now was as good a time as ever to get the conversation out of the way.

  Since the night of the Sacrifice, Todd was one of the ones who had treated me with even more respect, which was surprising given the fact that he was Alpha’s president. I figured he was the political type and would have been covering his ass as hard as humanly possible.

  After several moments, the door swung open. Todd was standing there shirtless and wearing gym sweats, a grin on his face. “Stefan, my man,” he greeted me cheerily. “Come on in.”

  I stepped into the room and Todd shut the door behind me. Being the president of Alpha, he had the best room in the dorm, but it wasn’t saying much. His room was a mess, littered with clothing on his bed and floor and several sets of dumbbells scattered all around. Posters of hot supermodels hung on his wall. Nearby, his laptop was open on his desk, the screensaver set to an eye-catching photo shoot of Kate Upton.

  “What’s all that out in the living room?” I asked, staring at the screen. “I thought they were supposed to be interviewing us individually.”

  Todd made a face. “The school decided they wanted to question a group of us all at once, as if that was going to change our story. So far, everyone has been sticking with the same storyline—nothing really happened that night, and the Sacrifice is just a game of destroying your most-prized possession for the fraternity.” He gave me a look. “Of course, we know what the Sacrifice really is, but we can’t let those assholes know that.”

  I still thought it funny that Bella and I were being protected by our peers only because none of them wanted to see their chapter fall. I also found it amazing that no one had cracked and told the school administrators what really happened. They were loyal—I have to give them that.

  I suppose I should have been relieved, all things considered.

  “There’s just one problem,” Todd said slowly.

  I tore my eyes away from the laptop’s screen saver and looked at him. “What’s that?”

  “Craig Parker. He’s not happy about having to cover for you after you hit him.”

  I let out a derisive grunt. “Fuck that dude, seriously. He deserved exactly what I gave him,” I growled. The words that Craig said to me that night still made my blood boil. “All he had to do was keep his fucking mouth shut, so I shut it for him.”

  Todd scratched at his armpit. “Come on, man, do you really have to be that way? Everyone is covering for you and your sis, and you should be on your knees counting your lucky stars. All you have to do is apologize to him and it will help smooth things over.”

  “Never gonna happen.” I said, shaking my head.

  Todd stared at me for a long time before seeming to give up. “We can talk about Craig later.” He scratched at his hair nervously. “There’s actually something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

  I raised a questioning eyebrow.

  Before Todd could answer, the door swung open and in walked Jace Randall with a cocky grin on his face that I immediately wanted to punch off. Since the night of the Sacrifice, he’d gone from being one of my biggest ass kissers to being so passive-aggressive that I wanted to kick his ass pretty frequently.

  “’Sup, Livingston.” He nodded at me as he closed the door behind him. He walked over next to Todd and crossed his arms over his chest, still giving me that fucked-up grin.

  I looked to Todd. “What the hell is this?”

  Todd took a deep breath. “Everyone is going around saying you banged your sister and that we're running some kind of prostitution ring, offering the sorority sisters to our brothers.”

  “And?” I asked. Judging by Todd’s nervous expression, I could tell I wasn’t going to like where he was going with this. “We already know what they’re saying. And those are just rumors until someone admits to it and can prove it.”

  Todd looked to Jace, who just nodded at him, his annoying grin growing wider. “So, uh, yeah. Jace wants to pretend to be your sister’s boyfriend. He thinks if he’s seen around campus with Bella, it would quiet all the rumors about your sleeping with your stepsister and help our damaged image.”

  “I ain’t gonna lie, Livingston,” Jace chimed in. “I’ve wanted to hit that ever since I saw her sexy ass picture in your billfold.”

  My pulse pounded in my head and I instantly saw red. “You son of a bitch!” I rushed Jace with every intention of breaking every bone in his face, but Todd sprang in between us, holding me back and probably saving Jace’s life.

  “Hey, man!” Todd cried in a hushed voice as he struggled to hold me back. “There are school officials out there, for fuck’s sake! If you guys start fighting in here and they hear it, that’s probably the end.”

  “The hell with this frat,” I snapped, straining against Todd, who was using his entire body weight to keep me from murdering Jace.

  Jace grinned from the safety of being behind Todd. “What’s the matter, Livingston? Why so mad? Are the rumors actually true that you're in love with your sister? Because I don’t see what it matters to you one way or the other if I go out with her to help save your ass.”

  I didn't realize that, in my anger, I was probably giving the vibe that I cared about Bella in a far more intimate way than should be proper.

  I took a deep breath to calm my anger and pushed Todd away from me, resigned to keeping my anger in check from there on out. “That’s because I don’t want he
r to go out with such a douchebag. She’s still my stepsister, you fucking jackass.”

  Jace laughed. “Is that the real reason? Or is really because you just want to keep it all in the family?”

  “Dude, Jace,” complained Todd. “Stop fucking instigating and trying to get Stefan all riled up. This is serious shit we are in, and we don’t need infighting tearing us down.” Todd turned to me and gave me an imploring look. “Come on, Stefan, you’re not thinking rationally. Your cooperation affects us all, and it ultimately benefits you and Bella. I mean, look at how politically correct the world is nowadays. Frats get shut down because of people making racist jokes. What the hell do you think is going to happen when people are going around saying Alpha promotes prostitution?”

  I clenched my jaw angrily, my blood pressure rising. I had to admit, Todd’s words had merit. I just didn’t want to go along with the scheme for obvious reasons. But if I didn’t go along with it, it would definitely confirm to Jace and even Todd that there was something more going on between me and Bella than just an accidental one-night stand.

  “Fine,” I grated finally. I glared at Jace menacingly. “But I want to make one thing clear—you’re not to lay a hand on Bella while this is going on, you understand?”

  Jace snorted. “How the hell do you expect people to believe she’s my girl if I’m not banging her?”

  I swallowed back the rage that rose in my stomach, not willing to be baited anymore. “Not one fucking hand,” I growled. “Or else you lose that hand.”

  Todd stepped in between us again, as if anticipating me to lose control any moment, but he needn’t bother. I was done with the conversation. I turned to leave the room, but I paused when Jace called my name.

  “Yo, Livingston.”

  I paused with my hand on the doorknob, my back to my two frat brothers.

  “What if she puts a hand on me? She’s kind of too hot to resist.” Jace was testing me, but I'd already had enough.

  I walked out and closed the door behind me.

  Chapter 13

  Bella

  I had no idea what to do. Hanna and Veronica’s plan was absolutely idiotic, and I felt cheaper even thinking about the whole thing. I was still not sure if I should tell Stefan or not.

  I also feared the stress that the whole situation was putting on my body. My mom had told me long ago that stress in her life had caused her a miscarriage. I wasn't going to let that happen to me. Not our baby.

  I walked into my dorm room, exhausted after being hounded by Hanna and Veronica. The rumors appeared to be getting worse, and there was talk of Kappa being disbanded.

  I didn’t care one way or the other what happened. I just wanted to be left alone because I had more important things to worry about.

  The aroma of pastries greeted me as I closed the door. Sara, who had cut one of her classes, must have been cooking her cupcakes again.

  Cooking was her favorite pastime, and I must admit, her cupcakes were damned good. She 'd been trying to get me to learn how to bake, explaining to me that it would help relieve some of the stress that I’d been going through.

  Sure enough, I saw her behind the counter as I set my books down on the couch.

  “Hey, Bella,” she greeted me cheerfully. Sara had her hair pulled back in a bun and was wearing a pink apron over her blue jeans and white t-shirt. “How was your day?”

  “Do you have to even ask?” I muttered. “It was horrible.”

  She frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “What is that you’re making?” I asked, changing the subject. “It smells absolutely wonderful.”

  I wasn’t really a pastry eater—I usually ate like a bird to maintain my figure, but my stressful day had me absolutely ravenous.

  And it must be the baby inside me, I thought.

  “It had better smell wonderful,” joked Sara. “Otherwise, the cooking classes I’m taking would be an utter waste of time.” She looked at me closely. “Do you really want some? You're usually always complaining about how you want to keep your figure and hate eating bad food.”

  “Yes,” I growled. “Like now.”

  Sara grinned at me. “Those assholes must have really gotten to you. You sound like you’re ready to pig out. But, bad news—they won’t be done for another fifteen minutes.”

  Fifteen minutes? Damn woman, what was she trying to do to me? “Okay, I’ll go get washed up then, and when I come back, they’d better be ready.”

  Sara chuckled. “Okay, Mistress Bella.”

  I left the living room and went into my bedroom to get a change of outfit. I took a quick shower, even managing not to fantasize about Stefan while in it. After, I was blow drying my hair when my cell rang. I walked over and grabbed it off the bed, swiping the touch screen.

  My mother’s smiling mug popped up, underscored by a Call from Evelyn Livingston.

  I stared at it while the cell continued to ring. I was tempted to answer—boy, was I tempted.

  After an intense internal struggle, I let out a sigh and silenced the phone. Stefan and I were in this mess together, and I wanted to be on the same page with him, so that meant I was going to do whatever he told me to do, no questions asked.

  Several minutes later, I was sitting at the living room table, stuffing my face with delicious chocolate cupcakes.

  “Gosh, Bella,” Sara said, watching me eat. “I’ve never seen you so ravenous.”

  “I’m stressed the hell out,” I said over a mouthful of creamy cupcake. I was going to have to get Sara to teach me how to make them. They were damned good. “And you’ve got skills. This is fucking delicious. What do you expect?”

  I saw sympathy flash in Sara eyes, and she slowly reached out and placed a hand on top of my hand that wasn’t holding the cupcake. “You know what, Bella? I can’t pretend to understand what you’re going through, but I know a good person when I see one . . . and I honestly believe you about the . . . mistake you made.”

  I nearly choked on my cupcake, not because of Sara’s empathy, but because she was absolutely wrong about me and Stefan. Even had I known that Stefan was behind the gladiator costume—and I was not yet convinced that I hadn’t known on some subconscious level—I would still have screwed him willingly, eagerly letting him ravage my body for everything it was worth.

  Before I could finish chowing down the cupcake and reply, there was a loud knock at the door.

  Sara rose to her feet, looking at the door. “I wonder who it is?”

  I quickly swallowed down the rest of the cupcake. “Don’t answer that,” I gasped breathlessly, almost choking on crumbs. “It’s probably one of those stupid school officials, here to ask more questions.”

  Sara bit her lower lip and stared at the door. “They’re going to know we’re here, Bella.”

  “So?” I whispered. “We don’t have to answer if we don’t want to.”

  I was wasting my time trying to tell Sara not to answer. She was too much of a goody-two-shoes.

  “I’m going to answer it,” she said finally. “If it winds up being one of those investigators, I’ll tell them that we don’t want to talk.”

  “Whatever,” I said.

  “Don’t worry, Bella. I’ve got your back.”

  Sara walked over to the door, peeked through the peephole, and then cracked it open so whoever was outside could not look in.

  I started with surprise when she said, “Hey, Stefan, what a surprise to see you here.”

  “Hey, Sara, is Bella here?” I heard Stefan ask, my heart quickening a few beats.

  “Um . . . she’s . . .” Sara sounded flustered, and I took pity on her.

  I jumped up from the table and ran to the door, pushing Sara out of the way.

  “What are you doing here, Stefan?” I demanded. My heart fluttered at seeing him. He was so sexy, dressed casually in jeans and a black shirt that fit his cut torso like a glove. His hair was slicked to the side, but what really got me is that he looked extra pissed off. “I thought we
agreed to . . .” I glanced at Sara quickly and bit my lower lip.

  “I came to talk to you,” he replied, his voice urgent. “And it couldn’t wait.”

  He pushed past me without asking to come inside, and I closed the door, my pulse racing.

  Stefan looked over at Sara, who was staring at Stefan like he was a piece of meat. It made me jealous, and I wanted to tell Sara to back off and find her own man. Stefan read my expression, though, and turned to my roommate. “Sara, can you give us a moment alone, please?” Stefan could be the absolute gentleman when he wanted to.

  “Sure,” Sara said after a short pause. She lingered for a moment before walking out of the room.

  Stefan gestured at the couch. “Have a seat.”

  Back at home, I would have told Stefan to kiss my ass for ordering me about, but now that I was his, I felt an odd sense of acquiescence in his presence. I walked over to the couch and sat down, and almost immediately, Stefan began pacing.

  Then he stopped and centered his gaze on me. The look of anger in his eyes made me shiver. “You’re not going to like what I’m about to say.”

  “What is it?” I asked. I wondered if I should tell him about Jace’s offer.

  “My frat bros have been pressuring me. They think it’s in our best interests if you are seen around campus with another guy until this investigation thing blows over.” He snorted. “And they couldn’t have chosen a worse guy to set you up with. They want you to go out with Jace Randall.”

  I almost told Stefan about Hanna and Veronica approaching me, but for some reason, I held it back. Something told me if I told Stefan about it, he would go berserk.

  “I don’t want to do that, Stefan,” I said truthfully. “I mean, what’s the point? When you really look at it, what’s so bad about what we did? We’re not even related!”

  “Yeah, I know that, but look what's already going around campus. You don't need all this stress right now.” Stefan sighed. “Look, I almost beat the fuck out of Jace for even proposing such a deal, and I don’t want this thing happening any more than you do, but I made sure that if you agreed to it, he’s not to lay a finger on you. Alpha and Kappa are determined to do damage control, and if we don’t help them, we’ll both pay for it.”