Ch.3

Jami

When the headlights finally cut through the darkness of my street on Saturday night, my jaw drops.

Idling right by the curb isn't a basic, safe sedan you’d expect from a regular guy like the Reid I know. 

It’s a spotless, matte-black sports car that looks like it can purchase even my future and people in it. The engine lets out a low, aggressive rumble that vibrates right through the pavement, making my chest tighten.

The tinted window rolls down smoothly, and my breath hitches.

Leaning against the leather seat is an incredibly, stupidly handsome dude. The sharp silver eyes, the jawline looking lethal in the dim streetlights, and that silver lip ring catching the glow of the dashboard—Damn, it's overwhelming. No glasses. His dark hair is perfectly messy, and his black denim jacket makes him look entirely out of my league.

“Get in, Babe,” his low, raspy drawl floats out of the window.

My lips tremble from trying to control the blush threatening to drag out my smile. *Babe* Isn't it a bit too early? He doesn't hold back huh…

I quickly smooth down my black leather skirt, trying to make my hands stop shaking as I walk over. 

“His family must be super wealthy,” I remind myself quickly. They probably bought it for him because he topped the final exams! It’s the only logical explanation. The nerdy Class Head was just hiding his true self all along.

I open the passenger door and slide inside. The interior smells like expensive leather and a crisp, cold winter breeze.

“Nice car,” I murmur, my voice trembling slightly as I buckle my seatbelt.

He doesn't say anything immediately. He just shifts the car into drive, his large hand moving effortlessly over the gear shift. He glances over at me, his eyes slowly tracing over my skirt, my exposed waist, and my hair. A slow, wicked smirk spreads across his lips.

“You actually listened,” he murmurs, his tone entirely playful. “You look dangerous tonight, babe.”

I look down at my lap, my face instantly heating up. “You didn't tell me where we're going. Is it a school party?”

“Something like that,” he chuckles, hitting the gas. The car rockets forward, throwing me back into the leather seat.

Twenty minutes later, we pull up to a massive, industrial warehouse district on the edge of the city. The entire street is lined with luxury vehicles. Security guards in full suits are standing outside a massive iron door, checking digital tickets on phones.

My heart sinks a little. This isn't a regular Newport College party. This is The Syndicate, the city-wide, elite-tier student gathering. Tickets cost a fortune, and only the richest, most reckless students from the top academies can even get inside. It’s infamous for being raw, wild, and unhinged.

“Reid... we’re going in there?” I ask, my eyes wide. “How did you even get tickets?” I know it's stupid to ask considering what he's driving but the words still slip out.

“I have my ways,” he smirks, stepping out of the car and walking around to open my door. He casually slides his arm around my waist, pulling me firmly against his side.

The heat of his body through his jacket makes me stiff for a moment.

We breeze past security. The moment the doors open, a wall of pure bass and neon light hits us. The warehouse is massive, filled with strobe lights, cage platforms where people are dancing, and long bars serving expensive drinks. The air smells like sweet vape smoke, luxury perfume, and alcohol. It is loud, sweaty, and completely reckless.

“Jami! Over here!”

I turn my head and spot Chloe waving at me from a VIP booth near the main floor. Marcus is sitting next to her, holding a red cup, looking relaxed.

As Reid and I walk over, Marcus glances up. The second his eyes land on Reid, his hand freezes mid-air. His expression changes into absolute shock. He looks at Reid and the way his arm is wrapped tightly around my waist.

“Yo...” Marcus stammers, standing up so fast he almost knocks his drink over. “What the hell?”

Chloe is staring just as hard, her mouth slightly open. “Oh my god, Jami wasn't lying. You actually got pierced. Who even are you right now?”

Reid doesn't even flinch. He just lets out a low, amused chuckle, sliding into the booth and pulling me down right next to him. His thighs brush against mine, sending a jolt of electricity straight up my spine.

“Just trying something new,” Reid drawls, his voice completely calm as he grabs an un-opened drink from the table and takes a sip. “Don't trip over it, Marcus.”

Marcus stares at him, his jaw tight, his eyes darting between me and Reid. He looks like he wants to scream, but he forces a tight, awkward laugh. “Yeah. Right. Something new.”

Within an hour, the party gets completely out of hand. The center of the hall clears out as a massive crowd forms a circle for a game of high-stakes dare roulette. Someone is spinning a bottle on a neon table, and the kids are throwing down hundred-dollar bills, daring each other to do reckless drinking, dangerous stunts, and spicy dares.

“Let’s go closer!” Chloe yells over the music, grabbing my arm and pulling me into the crowd.

Reid and Marcus follow right behind us. The bottle spins, landing on a guy from another school. His dare is to do a shot of straight absinthe off a girl’s collarbone. The crowd roars, chanting loudly.

Suddenly, a loud voice cuts through the chanting next to us. “Hey, Captain! Why don’t you take a spin?!”

A group of guys from the rival academy are laughing, trying to pressure Reid. But then, *captain?*

My stomach twists in anxiety. Reid hates attention. He would never participate in something so wild. I turn around to tell them to back off, but before I can say a word, Reid steps right in front of me.

He looks at the guys, a dangerous, mocking smirk on his lips.

“Sure,” Reid drawls, his eyes flashing with pure chaos. “What's the stakes?”

“Five hundred bucks says you can't down three shots of fire-whiskey without blinking, and then kiss the prettiest girl in your circle,” the leader challenges, smirking.

“Done,” Rhys says instantly.

Marcus tries to grab his arm. “Hey, don't do this—”

But Reid ignores him. He steps up to the neon table. The bartender pours three heavy shots. Reid doesn't hesitate. He downs the first, the second, and the third in a matter of seconds, his eyes locked dead on the guy. Not a single blink. His jaw doesn't even twitch.

The crowd goes absolutely ballistic, screaming and slamming their hands on the tables.

Reid slams the third glass down, wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, and turns around slowly. He walks straight toward me. The crowd parts, their eyes following him.

My heart is thumping so hard I can feel it in my teeth.

He stops right in front of me, his dark gaze intense, he reaches out, his thumb gently catching my chin, tilting my face up. The scent of alcohol and winter mint wraps around me.

“Hey,” he whispers, his voice incredibly rough. “You ready?”

Before I can even process the words, his lips slam against mine.

A breathless, deep, possessive kiss that my mouth forgets his use. His tongue slides past my lips effortlessly, claiming my mouth in front of the entire city's elite crowd. I melt into him, my hands automatically gripping his jacket as my legs turn to pure jelly. The crowd is cheering and whistling around us, but my entire world is just the heat of his lips.

When he finished, his thumb strokes my lower lip, his smirk wider than ever. He throws a wink at the guys, who are reluctantly tossing the cash onto the table.

I am completely breathless, my face flushed a deep red as I lean against him for support. I glance over at Chloe, who looks completely stunned, and Marcus, who looks like he’s about to have a literal stroke.

But before anyone can say anything, the heavy bass of the music suddenly dips. A sharp, clicking sound of high heels approaches our section.

A gorgeous, tall girl with platinum-blonde hair and an expensive designer outfit cuts right through the crowd. Her eyes lock onto Reid, and her expression turns into a mix of fury and shock.

She steps right into our space, pushing me aside slightly, and glares at him.

“Morton?” she snaps, her voice dripping with venom. “The hell? You told me you won't come tonight, and left me on read!”

My body freezes. 

I turn my head slowly, looking up at the guy holding my waist, waiting for him to explain.