Page 66 of Top Shelf

The guy shifts on his feet, pale. “Seriously, it was just?—”

Lucian growls, a sound low and rough in his throat. He steps forward another inch, his shadow falling over the guy. That’s all it takes.

“I-I’m sorry,” the guy blurts, wide eyes snapping to me. “Okay?”

I should say something, shrug it off, but I’m frozen. Because I’ve dealt with jerks like him my whole life—people who want something from me and turn vicious when they don’t get it.

However, not once has anyone ever stepped in to intervene. To call these assholes out on their entitlement.

No one has ever stood in front of me like a goddamn firing squad and saidno.

“Apology accepted,” I respond flatly. What he said was really no skin off my back. Not like I haven’t heard it a hundred times over by now. My years away at BSU might have dented my armor somewhat, but it’s not as if I could ever really forget what people like him are like.

“Really, I’m fine,” I assure the guys when none of them move to let the guy pass. “You can let him go.”

None of them move, of course. Lucian’s and Silas’s steely stares remain locked on the guy before them. Meanwhile, Ronan is looking at me, his eyes scanning my face. After amoment, he must see that I’m fine, because he steps aside. “You heard the woman. Let him pass.”

Only then do the other two move, giving the guy enough space to squeeze between them. Wide-eyed, he scurries off, never once looking back. In his absence, the silence lingers for a beat before Lucian turns to me. His expression is still storm-dark. “Does that happen a lot?”

I shrug. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“That’s not what I asked,” he snarls, his lip curling.

I can see the same question written on Silas’s face. Even Ronan’s head is tilted slightly, awaiting my answer, although I get the impression he already knows.

“It’s not all that different from how people treat you three,” I say with exasperation, gesturing toward them. “You’re the most sought-after guys on campus. People throw themselves at you, hoping some of that power rubs off on them or, at the very least, hoping they’ll get something out of it. I have the same problem, only mine comes from a last name, not talent.”

A long, heavy pause follows my words.

I fix my sights on Ronan. “I’m sure it was the same for you growing up as the son of a senator.”

“It was,” he agrees curtly. “Except currying favor from me didn’t interest children my age, and there were limited benefits for adults.” Again, that head tilt. “However, I’d surmise kids had more to gain from befriending you.”

I smirk; however, there is no humor in it. “Who doesn’t want VIP tickets to an NHL game, or to sneak into a closed practice, or a behind-the-scenes peek?”

Lucian’s face distorts into something wretched. Even Silas appears disgusted. Ronan is the only one who doesn’t react—at least not outwardly.

“That’s fucked up,” Lucian eventually spits.

Silas’s head nods vehemently in agreement.

I shrug, ‘cause of course it is, but that has never—nor ever will—stop people from trying.

Ronan mutters, “That doesn’t mean you should treat people like shit.”

The three of them exchange a look. One I can’t read. But it’s heavy. Quiet.

In a silent hand-off, Lucian passes Ronan my backpack before Ronan turns to me. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

Frowning, I glance between the three of them. Lucian simply stares at me in that deep, transfixed way that I don’t know how to interpret. Silas gives me a brief nod of encouragement before Ronan nudges me into action. He falls into step beside me, and I let him.

Because, for once, it’s nice not to be alone.

16

WREN

A knock jerksme out of sleep.