Nina Carter:
The world seemed to be holding its breath as my lips left Enzo Knight's.
Silence hung thick for a moment, then anarchy.
The party broke out in noise. Gasps, whispers, and the sound of camera flashes filled the space. Everyone had seen it.
Jake's face was twisted in rage, his fists clenched at his sides. Kayla looked like she'd eaten a lemon, her mouth slightly parted in amazement. Every set of eyes in the room was either fixed to me or Enzo, waiting to see what would happen next.
I didn't move. did not flinch. Rather, I raised my chin, discounting the surge of adrenaline in my blood.
If I was going to burn everything down, I wanted to own the flames.
Enzo, on the other hand, appeared absolutely unconcerned. If anything, he appeared amused—like I had just given him an unexpected game to play.
He raised a brow, his sharp blue eyes locked onto mine. "Well," he said, voice barely loud enough for the closest people to hear, "was it all you hoped for?"
I moved back, feigning a smile, swallowed the burning building in my chest. "I'm not clear. Did it seem like I was expecting something?
His eyes flicked with something incomprehensible. Then he laughed low, shook his head. "Damn, Carter." You had this in you, not knowing?
"Neither did I," I admitted, my pulse still thrumming.
Behind me, I felt the weight of Jake's stare. His presence like a storm gathering on the horizon, and I knew I needed to make my next move wisely.
Though the war was just beginning, I had won this round.
Jake Matthews
I didn't know what ticked me off more—the fact that Nina had just kissed Enzo in front of everyone, or the fact that Enzo allowed her.
The entire thing was nonsense.
Nina was not the type of girl to engage in this kind of stunt pulling. She was predictable, sweet, and devoted.
At least once more, she was.
The girl seated across the room. Nothing? The one who had just cleaned her mouth like kissing Enzo was nothing? I hardly could see her.
I ought to have grabbed after her. should have pushed her aside and insisted on an explanation.
But Enzo then turned to face me.
And he smirks.
Cockney. Inactive. Like he was loving it and precisely knowing what he was doing.
The bastard.
I tightened my jaw so severely it ached. This wasn't over.
Not quite close either.
Nina.
I was faced with two choices.
One: Walk away from Enzo and pretend like that kiss was nothing more than a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Or two: Lean in. Play the game.
I glanced back up at Enzo, my heart still racing from the adrenaline of kissing him.
He wasn't simply observing me—he was analysing. Calculating.
Anticipating.
I inhaled slowly then raised my chin. "You know, Knight, I could use a little more help."
He raised a brow, interest flickering in his ice-blue eyes. "Help with what, exactly?"
"Making sure Jake regrets every second of that kiss."
Enzo let out a low murmur, putting his drink to his lips before placing the glass down. "And what exactly do I get out of this little game of yours?"
I hesitated. I hadn't truly considered that far ahead.
Enzo didn't do Favors. He wasn't the sort to get embroiled in other people's dirty little dramas. I had to offer him something he couldn't reject if I wanted him to go with this.
I therefore played with my finest hand.
"You get to piss Jake off," I murmured, folding my arms. "And given how you two already despise one another, I'm guessing that's rather large bonus."
His lips curled slowly in a smile. "Smart."
"Was that a yes?"
Enzo cocked his head, examining my face. I swore I could hear the gears in his mind churning as his eyes stayed too long.
Then he went closer, so near I could feel the heat of him, just as I began to worry if he would say no.
His voice fell, silence sufficient for just me to hear.
"Carter, we do it my way if we do this."
I inhaled. "And what does your way look like?"
The smile of Enzo became more subdued. "Stick around and learn."
And just like that—I had negotiated a bargain with the devil.
My phone was flashing messages by the time I left the gathering.
Emma could (My dearest buddy, the only one not to have stabbed me in the back): WHAT DID I JUST WITNESS? CALL Me Right Now
Sacred sh*t Nina u kissed ENZO???? Random Classmate #1
Random Classmate #2: Jake seems to be preparing to carry out murder wtf?
I turned off my phone and breathed.
I absolutely desired attention like this. a means of enabling Jake to experience the sting of treachery like I did.
So why then did I feel so uncomfortable?
Breathing the fresh air, I looked up at the starry sky.
Not now was turning back possible.
I had just began a game for which I had no idea how to prevail.
Monday AM struck like a storm.
As I arrived on campus, murmurs began.
She truly kissed him.
"I thought she and Jake were solid?"
"Do you suppose Enzo is really into her?"
I raised my head, seeing beyond the eyes.
Then when I arrived at my locker—a shadow passed over me.
I turned and Enzo Knight was standing there, arms crossed, looking shockingly hapless.
He questioned, sloppily leaning against the lockers: "You ready, Carter?"
I focused narrows. "For what?," asks.
He gave me a lazy, slanted smile.
"For whatever comes next.."
And precisely as such—my careless scheme had grown to be far more than I had ever imagined.
Since you best be ready for the results when you negotiate with the devil.