Page 59 of Cruel Games

I turned around to meet his concerned, ebony eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Don’t agitate the Liddells,” he said. “They run the Board of Governors and can overrule the headmaster whenever they want. I’m not sure what Elizabeth has against you, but it runs deeper than schoolgirl rivalry.”

“I think Lady Liddell was glowering at me,” said Kendrick.

“Why?” I asked.

“Our parents really wanted things to work out between Elizabeth and one of us.”

Gideon leaned forward. “I thought the Liddells wanted to join forces with the Nevis brewery empire.”

Kendrick smiled. “Orlando lost interest in her last year around the same time as Maxwell. With me gone, I think her parents will want to match her up with one of the younger boys.”

“What does your family do?” I asked.

A server ladled us potions of broccoli and cheddar soup, which made my mouth water.

Kendrick raised a shoulder. “Nothing apart from managing the land we inherited.”

Gideon snorted. “The Deloraine family controls about ten percent of all the farmland in Scotland.”

My mouth fell open, and I turned to Kendrick, who gave me a sheepish smile. “Thirteen percent. But never mind me. I can’t believe Elizabeth screamed at you to stab her.”

I dipped my head, not wanting him to bring up what she had said about Sammy. She’d made him sound like he had lured me into the life we had led when I’d been the one to lie about my age.

“Let’s not talk about her anymore,” I said.

“Are you looking forward to next week?” Kendrick asked.

My gaze slid to Gideon’s sparkling eyes. Lachlan had invited us to have lunch and get changed at his city center apartment. We shared wide grins. “Might be.”

“Maxwell says he can’t wait.”

My brows creased. “What’s he got to do with anything?”

“Don’t you remember?” Kendrick asked. “He and Orlando are returning from being suspended.”

A groan slipped from my lips. I had no doubt the perverted pair would plan something nasty and humiliating in revenge for getting them into so much trouble.

*

The following Saturday, after meeting Lachlan in the swanky, city-center apartment he shared with his business partner, Francesco, the four of us made our way to the back of the Royal Exchange toward the cathedral-like structure that housed Wank. Gideon and Lachlan walked ahead, teetering on high heels, with Lachlan offering a strong arm and a broad frame for support.

I walked behind with Francesco, snickering at the smitten couple. My mind couldn’t help reminding myself that Kendrick was equally as keen as Lachlan, but I wouldn’t give him a chance.

After waiting in line, we stepped into the club. Garage beats thumped from the speakers, accompanied by the staccato notes of a synthesizer. My heart thrummed with excitement, and I bobbed my head up and down to the music.

A few heads turned at the sight of my catsuit. Miss Martin had helped me make keyhole openings where Elizabeth had cut the garment, which we held together with silver chains. I wore my hair up in a high ponytail held together by a cone made of the same mix of silver chains and PVC.

“This way.” Francesco headed toward the chill-out room. “Let’s share a bucket of champagne before the place turns into an orgy.”

Lachlan pressed a kiss on Gideon’s lips, earning himself a smear of shimmering, pink lipstick. With a giggle, I took Francesco’s arm, and we headed toward the quietest room in the club.

Only a pair of kissing girls occupied the chill-out room chairs. On the dance floor, a blonde girl with pink and blue pigtails danced with two men dressed up as the Joker. We sat around a low table, sipped champagne, and talked about Lachlan and Francesco’s gym when someone tapped me on my shoulder.

A man with spiky, bleached-blond hair towered over me. I had noticed him the last time we were at Wank, and he wore the same chainmail top as before.

“Want to dance?” he asked.