Chapter 113

Chapter 113
Chapter 113: Fire Beneath the Surface

Campus was alive with noise and color Students rushed across the quad carrying books laughing shouting Someone blasted music from a speaker near the fountain

It looked normal

It felt anything but

Brielle moved through the crowd her backpack slung over one shoulder sunglasses hiding the dark circles under her eyes Her heart thudded in her chest for reasons that had nothing to do with exams or homework

She caught sight of Damian near the basketball court leaning casually against the railing talking to a group of girls His shirt was half-buttoned his tattoos peeking out his grin cocky as hell

She hated how good he looked

She hated the sharp pang that sliced through her chest when one of the girls touched his arm and he didn’t pull away

Brielle turned sharply heading toward the library She needed space distance oxygen anything but him

She didn’t get far

Hey Brielle

She froze forcing her face into a mask of indifference before turning

It was Ethan tall golden boy smile bright as always carrying two coffees

Thought you could use this he said holding one out

She smiled tightly Thanks Ethan

He fell into step beside her chatting about an upcoming campus event like everything was normal

She tried to focus but she could feel Damian’s eyes burning into her back from across the quad

Good Brielle thought viciously Let him stew

You going to the party tonight? Ethan asked nudging her lightly

What party?

At Sigma house Huge blowout before finals

I don’t know

You should come he said flashing that easy charming smile You look like you could use some fun

Behind them Damian’s jaw clenched so tight it hurt

He watched Brielle laugh softly at something Ethan said watched her tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear

He hated it

He hated how she smiled for other guys

He hated how she looked right through him now like he didn’t exist

He hated how much he wanted to storm across the quad drag her into the nearest empty room and remind her exactly who she belonged to

Instead he pushed off the railing grabbed a basketball from a nearby bench and started a brutal one-on-one game with one of his friends slamming the ball through the hoop like it owed him money

Across the quad Brielle sipped her coffee pretending not to notice

Pretending she didn’t want to scream

That night the Sigma house pulsed with music lights and the smell of cheap beer Brielle walked in wearing ripped black jeans and a cropped red top that made guys trip over themselves trying to get her attention

Damian spotted her the second she entered

His heart stopped then slammed back into gear

She was a vision

And she was laughing at something Ethan whispered in her ear

Damian grabbed a drink from the counter tossing it back in one gulp

Jealousy burned through him hot and ugly

Brielle caught his gaze from across the room and for a split second neither of them breathed

Then she smiled sweetly at Ethan and touched his arm again

Damian nearly crushed the cup in his hand

Two could play that game

He crossed the room slowly like a predator and cornered a blonde girl from his biology class whispering something that made her giggle and lean into him

Brielle saw

Of course she saw

Her blood boiled but she pasted on a fake smile and dragged Ethan toward the dance floor

She needed distraction

She needed noise

She needed anything but Damian’s eyes on her making her skin feel too tight

The music pounded heavy and low

Ethan spun her around laughing pulling her closer

Brielle laughed too but it was hollow

She didn’t want Ethan

She didn’t want anyone but the boy with the storm in his eyes and the scars on his soul

Across the room Damian couldn’t look away

Every sway of her hips every toss of her hair it drove him closer to madness

Finally he couldn’t take it

He shoved away from the blonde girl and stalked across the dance floor grabbing Brielle’s wrist mid-spin

She gasped

Damian yanked her toward him so fast Ethan stumbled back blinking in confusion

We need to talk Damian growled low in her ear

Let go of me she snapped trying to pull free

He didn’t

Not here

Now

Before she could argue he dragged her through the crowd into a back hallway slamming the door behind them

The noise of the party muffled leaving them alone with nothing but their ragged breathing and the pounding of their hearts

Damian shoved her gently against the wall trapping her between his arms

You think you can dance with him and smile at him and touch him and I’m just supposed to stand there and watch? he hissed voice low and furious

You were flirting too she spat her cheeks flushed with anger and something hotter

Because you pushed me to it he snapped

You started it

You finished it

They glared at each other breathing hard close enough to kiss or kill

You want to know the truth Brielle? Damian said his voice shaking with how hard he was holding himself back

You drive me insane

You ruin me

Good she whispered furious tears burning the back of her throat

Because you destroy me too

And then somehow without thinking they were kissing

Hard brutal messy

Damian’s hands tangled in her hair pulling her closer

Brielle gripped his shirt her nails dragging across his chest

Their mouths clashed again and again mouths and tongues battling for control

It wasn’t sweet

It wasn’t slow

It was desperate

Wild

Alive

She moaned into his mouth and he growled low in his throat his body pressing against hers pinning her completely

Say it he demanded between kisses

Say you want me

No

He bit her lower lip making her gasp

Liar

You’re the liar she panted slamming her palms against his chest but not pushing him away

You pretend you don’t care but you do

His forehead pressed against hers

I care too much

Then show me she dared breathless

He kissed her again deeper slower burning the world down around them

And she let him

For one perfect second she let herself drown

But then the door behind them creaked open

They broke apart like they had been shot

Standing there mouth open eyes wide was Ethan

And in his hand

His phone recording everything

Oh shit Brielle whispered

Damian’s fists clenched at his sides his face darkening

Ethan’s face twisted with betrayal confusion anger

I knew something was off he said bitterly

And then before either of them could move Ethan turned and ran

Ran straight back into the party

Ran straight back into the crowd

Ran straight back to ruin them both

Damian and Brielle stood frozen staring at the swinging door knowing exactly what came next

Their secret

Their war

Their forbidden love

It was about to go public

And this time there would be no hiding