Turn

23

Jumping down the last couple steps, Virginia rounded the corner into the lounge where Catherine sat, headphones in, typing furiously with the kind of ferocious scowl on her face meant to keep others from interfering. There were several others occupying the chairs and couches, some playing video games on the big TV, and others attempting to read or study. Virginia didn't understand trying to work with all that distraction, but it worked for some people. She had been vaguely aware that she was hoping Greyson would be there when she went down to find Catherine, but then she saw him and she couldn't help but smile. He was talking to someone in the corner, and when she moved her head, Virginia saw that it was Brenna Robertson. Her smile melted and instead felt nauseated.

What was he doing talking to her? Flirting with her? He was certainly doing that, flashing his charming smile as she laughed lightly and tossed her hair. What was she doing, too? Her brother was still missing, and Greyson had helped to dispose of him. But then, Brenna didn't know that.

"Jealous?" a voice from behind her made Virginia jerk out of her own head.

"What?" she spun around to see Quinn. "No."

He raised his eyebrows.

"I mean," Virginia rolled her eyes. "Whatever. But why is he with her?"

Quinn looked at her blankly. "She's nice, she's hot. What are you asking?"

"Her brother?" snapped Virginia, then dropped her voice dramatically. "What is he doing messing with that? Didn't he do enough getting involved in the commission, the cover-up, and now the aftermath? What's he trying to do to the poor girl?"

His progeny looked back to the couple. "It's complicated, Virginia."

"What is it about Greyson that you always dance around? You talk about him like you can't say a bad word about him," she was getting angry now at Quinn. "Catherine's my best friend, but she's bossy, nosy, and a know-it-all, but I can say that about her because I love her. I know you love him, but why can't you ever speak freely?"

Quinn clenched his jaw. "It's different, Virginia."

"It shouldn't be," she scoffed.

"Fine," he held up his hands. "Greyson likes to play with his food. He always has. He likes to feel superior, to make people feel things and want things they never would have before they met him."

Greyson wants something from you. Catherine's words rang loud in Virginia's head.

"Is he doing that to me?" asked Virginia quietly.

"Only you can tell that," Quinn answered quietly in a tone that matched hers and turned to walk away.

"Hey," she called after him, and he stopped. "Are we all still going to that dance tonight?"

Quinn nodded, his eyes moving to the pair Virginia had seen. "But you might want to bring a friend too, if you're depending on Greyson to entertain you."

She glanced back at them, and when she turned again to Quinn, he was gone. Frowning, she stuffed her hands in her pockets and decided to just go back to her room for the rest of the afternoon.