The Secrets Of Dragons: Book One

Chapter 36

I sighed as I watched our group form in the front of Tony's building at a half past six. I straightened my high ponytail and grabbed for the half full bottle of water laying in the floorboard of the SUV. Taking a swig, I watched as everyone huddled together laughing and smiling, besides Abraham, Ryker, and Niklaus. Nik was skilled in the art of hiding his true emotions; every time Elsie looked over in his direction, his expression would change just for her.

I didn't know if I could differentiate between the man I knew, versus who he really was. Nick Black was ruthless, and didn't care about anyone or anything. He was the prime candidate to inherit The Company, had he not declined it in the first place. Stories and rumors came and went. Sadist. Controlling. Immoral. Numb. Murderer. When so many similar stories crossed over just as many ears, you started to believe the things you heard, even if they were only half truths.

Elsie was the exception. Or at least that's how it appeared to be.

He had wanted her. So he had her.

But the boy I remembered wouldn't hurt a soul. He stood up for what he believed in. He was unafraid to tell someone when they were wrong. He was caring and kind. But a decade of change, especially under the thumb of Dominik Black, would have muddled any perception of who I thought my brother might have turned out to be had the shoe been on the other foot.

Giovanni and Sarah lounged on the outskirts of the group, but both seemed content with each other in the moment. According to Elsie, at the few practices I had missed for cheerleading, Sarah had shown up late more often than not with tear-streaked stains framing her face. Whenever a fellow cheerleader tried to offer her any sort of comfort, she bit their heads off. If I didn't know any better, which I did, it would seem to me that they were on the verge of breaking up. But knowing Sarah's obsession with appearances, she probably convinced Gio to at least wait until the holidays were over.

'Tis the season.

I took a last look in the rearview to make sure my face paint hadn't smeared and then popped out of the truck, high tops crunching against the gravel.

"Jaylyn!" Elsie squealed as she spotted me.

I internally groaned.

I put on that superficial smile that I couldn't seem to shake. "Hey."

"Does your costume fit okay?"

I rolled my eyes as I approached them. "Yeah, it's fine."

"Did we have to dress as groupies?"

She pouted. "Don't be a sour sport. Did you bring your other outfit for the frat party later?"

I shook my shoulder to show the bag that was casually slung there. "I wouldn't forget."

I tried not to make eye contact with any of the three men impeding on my life and kept my attention on Elsie instead. I leaned forward to adjust the straps on my thigh-high fishnets just as Sarah interjected.

"You guys didn't say anything to me about matching costumes." She folded her arms together.

"Oh, hush." Elsie rolled her eyes and her sarcasm caused me to raise a brow. She reached to her side bag and pulled out a smaller plastic bag, motioning it towards her. "This is your costume for the frat party so that you can match Jay and me."

Sarah's nose shriveled and I waited for her to say something that would cause me to pop off. It would be the perfect remedy to the building pressure in my head. The men said nothing as Gio and Nick were lost in their own conversation, and Ryker and Abraham were too busy emitting testosterone for them to be aware of the poison spewing between Elsie and Sarah with just their looks.