Prologue
Never be ashamed about being broken, because strength is nothing but pain that’s been repaired.
~ Trent Shelton
Ruby
Halloween Night
“Are you ready to get plastered tonight?” my best friend and roommate, asks from beside me. Her eyes glint with mischief as she stares up at the frat house before us. I’ve never gone to a party here before, but then again, I’m not one who really enjoys partying in the first place. I’d rather just focus on my classes and lay low. But, my friend here wouldn’t let me stay nestled up under my blanket watching old episodes of The Office. Instead, she had to drag my ass out here, after we dressed up as a nurse and devil of course.
“We have class tomorrow, Portia. I can’t get drunk off my ass like you can.”
Portia cocks a brow and chuckles lowly, “My classes don’t start until three, sugar. I’m gonna have a great time tonight and you should too. When’s the last time you missed a class since you’ve been here, hmm?”
I haven’t. I’d never miss class. Not when I got into school here for free. I was one of fifty students three years ago to get a hefty scholarship to Stonewall University and I won’t take it for granted. It wasn’t a full ride, but it was damn close. Thankfully, my brothers have been lending me a helping hand with covering the leftover tuition expenses. Portia wouldn’t understand. Her father is heavily into politics and I’m certain she got in here just because he bribed the right person. I mean, that’s the way the world works, right? Corruption everywhere you turn, even here.
Hell, when it comes down to it, I’m corrupt.
A year ago, I was initiated into a secret society here on campus. To be exact, the Scorpio Society. Their overall goal is corruption, taking the best of the best and ensuring they have someone in their pocket. They made it very clear to me the reason I got the scholarship was because of them, and if I didn’t comply with their demands, they’d revoke it and I would’ve wasted two years here for nothing.
I couldn’t allow that to happen. Not when no one in my family has accomplished anything. Not when my brothers were helping me make this dream of mine a reality. Without the two of them helping me pay for school, I wouldn’t have ever been able to step foot here. I’d be the first person in my family to graduate from college. I’ve had my eyes set on that since I was a little girl, and hell, I wasn’t going to let anything step in my way. Not even a threat by an organization I couldn’t possibly understand, so, naturally I agreed to their terms. They haven’t asked much of me yet, but I have a feeling they will soon. The only thing they have asked is for me to head back to Montana and start being one of those Instagram influencers, to take photos of myself, the area, myself with products they’ll send me, so on and so forth. Nothing too crazy. Is it wrong that I don’t care I’m part of a secret society, as long as it means I get my degree?
“Earth to Ruby.” Portia widens her eyes and waves her hand in front of my face back and forth.
“Sorry, I totally zoned,” I mutter, while a rush of warmth floods to my cheeks.
“Yeah, that’s for sure. What’s with you? Aren’t you happy to be getting out of there? I mean, you were dating that guy Zack for what, two weeks and he just dumped you out of the blue. I couldn’t let you sulk.”
I hold a hand up, “Whoa. I wasn’t sulking. I was relaxing, Portia. You should try it sometime.”
She rolls her eyes and grabs my arm, tugging me along with her to the frat house. “I know how to relax, which is exactly why we’re here. Now come on.”
Portia continues to pull me along with her as we go up a few short stairs and walk in through the foyer of the frat house. It’s prettier than I’ve ever seen before, with crown molding, wainscotting, and the most beautiful dark oak floors. Now this is old money.
“Ruby, Portia, what’re you two doing here?” a familiar voice calls from the next room over. I can barely make it out from the music pumping through the house. Considering Portia still has her hand on mine, I tug her along with me toward him.
“I didn’t know you were coming.” His eyes light up the same way Portia’s did a few minutes ago, but this is while he looks at me. It almost makes me think he has some sort of thing for me, but I’d know better. If he did, he would’ve surely made a move by now . . . but still, it doesn’t calm the worry soaring through my chest.
I . . . I have no business getting into anything with anyone here. Not when I’m fond of someone who’s living about two-thousand miles away. But that’s another story. He’s a load of trouble, and someone I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off of.
“Yeah, well, I had to pull her ass out of the dorm!” Portia chuckles, pushing her way in front of me a bit, making herself the center of attention as always. I don’t mind it. In the beginning I did, but now I’m used to her quirks.
“Did she now?” He cocks a brow, trying to hide a smug smirk.
“Ian, she’s being dramatic per usual.” I roll my eyes at Portia’s statement.
“Yeah and you weren’t back there sulking over Zack, huh?” Portia gets in my face, places a hand on a hip and stares me down. I swear, every time she does something like this, I imagine those little four-year-old girls who get totally glammed up and compete in pageants. There’s no way I can take her seriously.
Ian slings an arm over my shoulder and his fingers dangle against my skin innocently. “He didn’t deserve you and we both know it.” I look away and catch Portia smirking at what he’s said.
“Exactly, which is why I brought her out for a night of drinking. Fuck Zack! I’ll be back, but first I’ll grab us some refreshments.” Portia moseys her way out of sight in search of the nearest serving station.
Ian leans up against the wall and gives me a stern look. “You aren’t seriously upset about that dude, right?”
“Do you really have to ask? He isn’t my type. Plus, he was way too . . . sporty for me.”
Ian cackles, “Yeah, I seem to think you’re a woman into the dark and broody men.”
“I am,” I answer him while staring directly into his piercing eyes. Clearing my throat, I continue. “It’s a good thing the relationship ended before it really began. I wasn’t really into him and . . . I have my eyes set on someone else.”
“Oh, you do?” Ian asks curiously.
I nod and move so his arm naturally falls from around my shoulder. “I have feelings for this guy. He’s one of my brothers’ friends . . . and, no matter what I do I can’t seem to shake them.”
Ian smiles widely and then it slowly fades away. “Ruby, why in the fuck do you need to shake them? If the guy makes your face light up like a damn Christmas tree, I’m all for it. Don’t fight whatever makes you happy. The only thing you should be doing is fighting for it.”
This is why Ian is such a good friend of mine. “I never thought of it like that. Thank you.”
Just as I go in for a hug, a strong burning sensation hits me in the ass. Instantly I jolt further against Ian, horrified at the fact someone just slapped my ass. “What the fuck, man!?” Ian growls while my heart pumps hastily in my chest, so fast in fact I can hear my pulse in my head. Even my mouth begins to dry up before I even have the courage to turn my head.