Getting the Edge: Betrayed Book 1 Read Free Page B

‘not-sure-what-to-wear-but-want-hot’ dress.”
    Mandy shook her head and chuckled. “I thought that was supposed to be a little black number.”
    “Nah. Black is out. Besides, blue looks better on me.”
     
    By the time they reached the party and paid the $5.00 fee for a red cup Mandy had no intentions of filling with anything alcoholic, she was already regretting deciding to come.
    The room was filled with people. Most of them were drunk or well on their way. Of course, at twenty-three, she was of age, but she’d bet her last dollar half these kids weren’t over eighteen or nineteen. She shrugged, knowing it was a common theme in colleges everywhere. Her own plastic cup was filled with Coke.
    She stood by the edge of the living room and tried to look invisible. The music was blaring, but not bad. Maroon 5 was a great group. Still, there were too many people. She really just wanted to go back to the dorm.
    Twenty minutes later, she’d made up her mind to do just that. She weaved her way through the maze of bodies and to the door of the frat house.
    Once outside, she gave a sigh of relief. Parties had never really been her thing—not even when she’d been in high school. She sat on the steps and wondered if she should walk back or take one of the shuttles.
    The campus offered shuttle service until midnight on weekends and till ten on week nights.
    She glanced at her watch with a groan. It was just past ten. They didn’t consider Friday a ‘weekend’ for some stupid reason. So much for a shuttle. She looked down at her two-inch heels. Oh well, it wasn’t that far back to the dorm.
    She sat the cup down and headed down the sidewalk. Coming had been a mistake, but it wasn’t a big deal. She’d lasted almost an hour before cutting out.
    At the end of the walk, she saw someone coming toward her and frowned. Most people that were coming to the party were already there.
    She froze in her tracks, her eyes wide, and a scream bubbling up on her lips.
    A hard hand closed over her mouth before she could release it.
    “Hello, Mandy. Miss me?” Brandon Walsh drawled.

Chapter Four
     
    Brandon lowered his head and whispered in her ear. “Don’t scream, Amanda. That would really upset me.” He waited for her jerky nod before slowly moving his hand from her mouth.
    “How’d you find me?” she asked in a whisper, terrified.
    “I was a cop, Amanda. Did you really think I couldn’t find you?” he asked, his smile as icy as his tone. “Let’s go.” He took her hand in a tight grip and pulled her toward his car.
    “I’m not going anywhere with you, Brandon. Just go. I won’t tell anyone you were here. You have to go!” she said urgently.
    Brandon didn’t bother answering. He opened the door on his Mustang and released her hand. “Get in and don’t make a scene,” he replied coldly. He wouldn’t hurt her, but she didn’t need to know that. If she screamed, and cops came, it’d be all over.
    Maybe approaching her at night like this had been a bad idea, but damned if he’d been able to talk himself into waiting till a better time.
    He’d seen her leave her dorm with her friend and had just seethed. She’d been going to school and making friends while he’d been locked in a damn prison cell.
    “Get in,” he repeated. “Don’t make me ask again.”
    Mandy slid into the car, her arms folded across her chest. She didn’t speak until Brandon had climbed into his own seat. “You still have it?”
    He gave her a questioning look. “It?”
    “The Mustang,” she said softly.
    “What? You thought I’d lose my car with everything else I lost?” he snarled. “Sorry to disappoint.”
    He saw her cringe and refused to feel even a moment’s guilt. She deserved to be afraid.
    “I’m not disappointed,” she retorted. “I’m just surprised. What are you doing here? Where are we going?” she asked when he’d pulled back to the street.
    Brandon didn’t bother answering. He needed time to think. The