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they re the leaders of tomorrow. Most of those girls go willingly, and if they don t, they
don t get in, and, of course, we don t get the money.
When you say we, you mean the sorority?
God, no. The treasurer would have our asses. The captains split the take. Two years
in a row, I made close to fifteen grand. That was just my share. And before you accuse
me of prostituting my girls out, three of the seven are happily engaged to their matchups.
It s not a perfect system, but it works.
Shit. I lean in hard. That s fucking human trafficking, Aubree.
She barks out a laugh. Don t be so dramatic.
You re telling me that those idiots at Theta all they have to do is inspect the
potential new members and cut a deal? The girls have to sleep with them, or they re not
in your sorority? None of that sounds wrong to you?
They don t have to sleep with them. God, no! And it only happens with a handful of
girls maybe three or four a year. She closes her eyes, exasperated. We just highly
encourage it because it s a part of the bonus deal. Look, this happens at more sororities
than you think. Matchups have been around as long as the Greek system. It s just that a
few years ago guys were fighting over girls and we knew there had to be a better way.
So, you found it by lining your pockets.
Bingo. She bites down over a smile. Hey, don t get pissed at me. I didn t invent the
salacious wheel. I was just spinning it. And if this girl, Piper, chose to sleep with her
matchup, then that s why she s in Alpha. I m sorry. Her eyes glitter with tears for me. It
looks like you might have gotten caught in the crosshairs.
I think she did, too. Would you mind if I brought Piper here to speak with you?
No, not at all. I don t mind pulling up the skirt of Alpha House and showing everyone
their dirty laundry. She crosses her arms, slow and deliberate. I have nothing to lose,
Owen.
And, here, I ve already lost it all.
The irony is killing me.
After dropping Ava off at home, I head to The Dungeon and ask for some time off. Turns
out, I don t have the balls to quit. I figure two weeks is enough time for me to apply for a
couple of loans. I m already maxed out on scholarships and grants. I m not too sure I
want to be the Punisher anymore. As good as the money is, and it is damn good, I don t
want to be that person. I m secretly hoping that Piper and I can iron out this mess we ve
landed in. And if I m still thrusting my junk in women s faces after hours, it s going to put
a damper on things. I head across the street into Jet s well-lit shop and nod at the
receptionist who sits blinged-out with piercings and enough tattoos to qualify for the
Japanese mafia.
Where s the big man? Busy?
He s hurting Rex. She smirks without looking up. I head back and find Rex lying
down while Jet executes a mustang on fire over his shoulder.
Dude, you got a donkey breathing fire from his ass. Keep making good choices. I
pull up a stool and take a seat.
Rex looks up in a wild panic. Shit. There had better not be fire shooting out of its ass.
And it s a mustang, not a donkey!
Relax. Jet puts down his drill. Let s take a break. The only one breathing fire out of
his ass is Owen. You okay, man?
I m good. Lie. I think I m hanging up the whip for a while. I nod across the street.
Hopefully, I can find a different way to make ends meet.
In that case, I think I owe you something. Jet pulls his jacket off a side table and
stuffs a roll of bills into my hand. Eight grand. I tossed in a little extra because you ate
shit. It doesn t taste so good. You don t have to pretend like it does.
I stall with that fat wad in my palm a moment. It feels good to hold it. I need it, but I
don t want it.
I m not taking it.
His features smooth out as both he and Rex hold back a laugh. You re not giving it
back either.
That s because I m borrowing it.
Customers! the receptionist barks from out front.
Gimme a second! Jet barks right back. Keep it. Don t worry about it. I m making too
much damn money anyway. I d much rather give it to you than Uncle Sam.
I m still paying you back.
Besides, you won the bet. Rex kicks my foot. You slept with that girl. She thinks she
was using you? Dude, you re the master of disaster on the relationship scene. She d be
pissed if she knew you hooked up with her on a fucking bet.
Jet growls out a laugh. What did you call her? The Ice Princess?
Yeah, Owen. A female voice chimes from behind, and we turn to find Piper and three
of her girlfriends holding up the rear, each of their faces stunned and pissed as hell.
Piper. I jump up and wrap my arms around her, but she s quick to push me right
back off.
No, I really want to know. She gives a nervous laugh. Was I the Ice Princess?
Because that s pretty cliché as far as bitches go. You re a smart guy. You could have done
a lot better.
Jet pulls me back. Just like you called him the Playboy? He nods for me to back up.
It was Player, you idiot and those weren t my words. Piper presses her lips
together. Her eyes sparkle with tears, but she successfully blinks them away. So, I was
nothing but a bet? She swallows so hard it echoes throughout the room. That looks like
quite some wad. Her eyes sink to the cash in my hand. How much was I worth?
Five grand initially. He got a bonus for sealing the deal before homecoming, Jet
offers, and I have the sudden urge to shove my fist down his throat. But that was me
being generous because my buddy needed the money. You re not worth that much,
Princess, so get over yourself.
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