The smile was gone. In its place was something dark, so dark that her face didn’t show it. I only knew it was there because I felt it deep inside of me. “No matter the job description on paper, you’ll be going on ride-alongs. If you remain here, you’ll progress. You might even want to take the test in the future. Either way, you’ll be in dangerous situations alongside my people. If you do anything stupid to put them in danger, you’re out. I don’t give a rat’s ass about what connections you might be bringing to my family. You got me?”

I didn’t respond. I got her, and she saw that I got her. No words needed.

I opened the door, papers in hand, and I left.

FROM: Brenners

TO: Tazsters

SUBJECT:

Typing this as I’m waiting for your brother. Tell me what’s new with you?

FROM: Tazsters

TO: Brenners

SUBJECT: OMG!!!!!

OMG! HOW ARE YOU? I’VE MISSED YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

Things are good here. I’m LOVING my roommate, but I think she’s got a thing for Race. She told me she like boxers A LOT and then looked right at Race. It got uncomfortable as fuck, and I’m not down with it.

I miss you guys so much.

Have you seen Blaise much? I talk to him.

Okay. I have a late class so I have to go.

LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

—The Best Twin

Chapter Two

BREN

I was sitting in my truck, parked outside Cain University’s gymnasium. The windows were down. A slight breeze wafting through, mixing with a slight mingling smell of someone’s bonfire, sweat, and garbage. I glanced over. The dumpster in the corner of the lot was overfilling. My guess, it hadn’t been picked up on last week’s rotation. Or maybe over the last month. Either that or there’d been a party in the parking lot over the weekend.

Option two was more viable, now that I thought about it. Knowing the students on this campus and what they were capable of, definitely option two.

“What’s up, Brennie Bren?”

I had not even one second to swear, raise the window, or just simply have a knife ready and poised. Not that I needed it, but I wanted it, solely on the principle that Zeke Allen was annoying AF and also, that he snuck up on me. Dammit.

I had to settle with looking over at him, and hoping my glare of death suddenly had Reaper magic.

It didn’t.

His assholish smirk was still there.

I shifted in the seat, moving an inch away, again on the principle of it alone. “Still as repulsive as ever, Allen.” And he was. A professional douchebag, fraternity brother by career, and loaded up the ass with privilege and wealth. Unfortunately, we were stuck with him because he was also Cross’ brother’s best friend.