Logan was right. Both of us had been in and out of the rooms. We took turns, one slipping in as the other distracted whoever was helping the girl move in or hurrying inside if a room was left empty for some reason. Everything we saw didn’t show any connections to Sebastian, but that didn’t mean there wouldn’t be any.
Logan sighed. “You should just hire security.”
“I already did.”
“Serious?”
I gave him a look. “You’re not weirded out by that?”
“Fuck no. Sebastian’s crazy and an egomaniac. He’ll do anything to hurt Sam because that means hurting you. I’m glad you already got security on her.”
“He starts tomorrow.”
“Are you going to tell her?”
I gave him a look.
Logan grinned at me. “I idolize you and your deceitful, dark ways. Hey,” Logan tapped my arm, “pull into that parking lot. The bookstore’s over there.”
“The bookstore?” But I did as he’d asked, and as we got out of the Escalade and headed for the store, I said, “I’m not telling Sam to lie to her. I’m not telling her because she’d hate having a shadow.”
A group of students were standing in front of the doors. Some were smoking. Others had bags of their textbooks and were talking. A few more were standing there, looking through their books. Logan and I bypassed them, heading inside, but as we were going in, Nate was coming out.
“Hey!” A big grin came from him. We stepped back outside with him and he finished zipping up his backpack. Shrugging it on, he looked between Logan and me. “What are you guys doing here? Wait. The store. I got it.” He cringed. “Don’t roast me.”
Logan and I shared a look. I had no intention, I never did, but with Logan, one never knew. When he kept quiet, Nate and I shared a look instead. That surprised both of us.
“What?” Logan must’ve noticed the look. “Sam just tore my ass in half. I’m not going to start pounding on someone else.”
A few of the girls closest to the door whipped around, watching us and Nate burst out laughing.
I frowned at Logan. “You had to use those specific words when you were talking about my girlfriend?”
Logan smirked. “She’s my future stepsister too, you know.”
All of the girls on the left side of the door looked over, hearing that last statement. Ignoring the attention, I asked, “You’re done getting your books?”
“Yeah.” Nate was waiting, watching me.
I rolled my eyes. I’d get Logan back later at the house.
“Let us get our books and head to the house. Is it too early to start partying?” Logan moved forward but stopped short.
Looking over his shoulder inside of the door, I saw the reason, and a chill filled the air. Park Sebastian and three of his friends were coming from the basement door that led into the bookstore. The tension dramatically went up. My jaw clenched. I wanted to go for him, but Nate saw Sebastian the same time I did. Nate’s hand clamped down on my shoulder, as if anchoring me in place. Logan was in front of me. I didn’t know if he was going to hold me back or lunge for the dickhead himself.
If this was going to happen, I glanced over my shoulders—there were witnesses here. I wanted it to be done where there were none so I went inside. Logan and Nate followed behind.
“Look who it is. The current stars for Fraternity Assholes: Where Are They Now?” Logan said.
I shared a look with Nate. I hadn’t realized how thankful I was for having my brother with us until that instant. As if sensing my thoughts, Logan moved to the side, and I stepped next to him. We were shoulder-to-shoulder, gazing down at Sebastian and three of his friends. Judging from the hostility on their faces, I figured they were fraternity exes as well.
Park Sebastian.
My eyes roamed over him. He looked like the same preppy dick that he’d been last year. His hair was gelled and combed to the side. Polo shirt. Khaki cargo shorts. A bag of books in one hand and a flask in the other.
“Logan Kade.” Sebastian showed his perfect teeth. “And the big brother with his best friend. Well, this is lovely. All three of you together.” He met my eyes for a second. A sinister dark look passed there, and he craned his neck to look behind us. “Is that it? Just the three of you? No one else?”
My eyes narrowed. He was looking for Sam.
I started forward, but Logan beat me to it. He slapped a hand on the wall next to me. His arm blocked my advance as he drawled, “Who do you love, Sebastian?”
Sebastian tensed. “What do you mean?”
“Girlfriend? Sister?” Logan’s voice chilled.
He fights. I talk. That’s our thing. His old words filtered back to me, and I knew that was what he was doing. He was doing his job.
Nate moved around us, and Logan slid over, making room for him. When Nate stood in front of me, Logan took a step with him. Both of them were edging me backward just slightly. They were protecting me.
“Why are you asking?” Sebastian’s question was wary.
“I need to know who to target.” Logan grinned at him. “I’m very, very single this year, if you didn’t know, and since you enjoy threatening someone we care about, I figure it’s the least I could do. You target ours. I’ll target yours.”