Lila's heart hammered so hard she was sure Jaxon could hear it.
His eyes—dark and unreadable—locked onto hers. The notebook felt like a bomb in her hands.
*Think. Think fast.*
But her brain had short-circuited.
Jaxon stepped forward, shutting the door behind him with a quiet *click.* The sound made her flinch.
"I—" Her voice cracked. "I can explain."
"Great." He crossed his arms, leaning back against the door. "Start talking."
Lila swallowed. What could she even say? *Sorry, your secret society blackmailed me into robbing you?* Yeah, that would go over well.
She glanced at the notebook, then back at him. "I… was just curious."
Jaxon raised an eyebrow. "Curious enough to break into my room?"
"I had a key!" The words tumbled out before she could stop them.
His expression shifted—something flickering in his gaze. Amusement? Irritation? She couldn't tell.
"So you're working with *them*," he said slowly.
Lila stiffened. *Them.* He knew about the Society.
Jaxon pushed off the door, stepping closer. "Let me guess. Nina promised you something. Money? Status?" His eyes narrowed. "Or was it the scholarship?"
Her breath caught. *How did he—?*
"I see." His lips curled, but there was no humor in it. "She's good. I'll give her that."
Lila's fingers tightened around the notebook. "What's so important about this, anyway?"
Jaxon held out his hand. "Give it to me."
She hesitated.
"*Now*, Lila."
The way he said her name—firm, commanding—sent a shiver down her spine. Reluctantly, she handed it over.
Jaxon flipped it open, scanning a page before snapping it shut. "You have no idea what you just walked into."
"Then tell me," she challenged.
For a second, she thought he might. But then his jaw clenched, and he shook his head. "Here's what's going to happen. You're going to walk out of here. You're going to tell Nina you couldn't find it."
Lila scoffed. "She'll never believe that."
"Then lie better."
"And what happens when she finds out?"
Jaxon's gaze turned sharp. "She won't. Because you're going to stay away from the Society."
"Or what?" Lila crossed her arms. "You'll turn me in?"
A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. "No. I'll do something much worse."
"Like?"
"Like *this*." He pulled out his phone, tapped the screen, and turned it toward her.
A video played—footage from *inside* his room. Of her. Stealing the notebook.
Lila's stomach dropped. "You—you *filmed* me?"
"Security camera." He shrugged. "Comes in handy when people try to rob you."
She wanted to strangle him. "What do you want?"
Jaxon pocketed his phone. "Simple. You work for *me* now."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me." He stepped closer, his voice dropping. "Nina wants something from me. That means I need someone on the inside. And after tonight?" He smirked. "You're perfect."
Lila's face burned. "I'm not spying for you."
"Then I send this video to the dean. And goodbye, scholarship."
Her breath caught. He had her. *Exactly* like Nina had.
Jaxon tilted his head. "So? What's it gonna be?"
Lila glared at him. "You're a jerk."
"Yeah." He grinned. "But I'm *your* jerk now."
---
### **The Next Morning**
Lila dragged herself into the library, exhaustion weighing her down. She hadn't slept—not after last night.
Nina would expect answers soon. And Jaxon?
She still had no idea what he really wanted.
"Rough night?"
Lila jumped, spinning around.
Jaxon leaned against the bookshelf behind her, looking annoyingly well-rested. He wore a dark hoodie, the sleeves pushed up to reveal toned forearms. A few girls at a nearby table whispered, staring.
Lila scowled. "What are you doing here?"
"Making sure you don't bail on our deal." He plucked a book off the shelf, flipping through it casually. "So? What's the plan with Nina?"
"I don't know yet." She lowered her voice. "You never even told me what's in that notebook."
Jaxon's fingers stilled on the pages. "Nothing you need to worry about."
"Bullshit." Lila stepped closer. "If I'm risking my neck for you, I deserve to know."
For a long moment, he just studied her. Then, quietly, he said, "It's about the Society. Things they've done. Secrets they can't afford to get out."
Lila's pulse quickened. "Like what?"
"Like the fact that they're the reason your scholarship got cut."
Her blood ran cold. "*What?*"
Jaxon's expression darkened. "Nina's family owns half the board members at this school. They pull strings. And they *like* making people desperate." He paused. "People like you."
Lila's hands clenched into fists. It made *sense.* She'd never missed a payment before. Never even been close.
And now Nina had dangled the solution right in front of her.
"Why are you telling me this?" she whispered.
Jaxon's gaze held hers. "Because I need you to trust me."
She laughed bitterly. "You blackmailed me."
"And Nina *used* you." He shrugged. "Pick your poison, Glasses."
Lila opened her mouth to argue—
"*There* you are."
A familiar voice cut through the tension.
Nina.
She strode toward them, her smile razor-sharp. "Lila. I've been looking everywhere for you." Her gaze flicked to Jaxon. "And Jax. What a… *surprise*."
Jaxon's posture shifted instantly—relaxed, cocky, the way he always was in public. "Nina. Always a pleasure."
Nina's eyes narrowed slightly before she turned back to Lila. "Well? Do you have what I asked for?"
Lila's mouth went dry.
Jaxon's words echoed in her head. *They're the reason your scholarship got cut.*
She took a deep breath.
And lied.
"I couldn't find it."
Nina's smile faded. "What?"
"I looked everywhere. It wasn't there." Lila forced herself to hold Nina's gaze.
A beat of silence. Then—
"Interesting." Nina's voice was icy. "Because I *know* it was."
Lila's stomach lurched.
*She knows.*
Jaxon shifted beside her, his arm brushing hers—a silent warning.
Nina's gaze darted between them, suspicion flashing in her eyes. "You two are *working together*?"
Lila opened her mouth—
"Nah." Jaxon smirked. "Glasses here just has a crush on me. Following me around like a lost puppy."
Lila wanted to punch him.
Nina didn't look convinced. "Really."
"Really." Jaxon slung an arm around Lila's shoulders, pulling her close. She stiffened, her face burning. "Isn't that right, babe?"
Lila gritted her teeth. *Play along.* "...Yeah."
Nina's lips pressed into a thin line. "How *adorable*." She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But we're not done, Lila. You *owe* me."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Lila exhaled shakily.
Jaxon's arm dropped from her shoulders. "Well. That could've gone worse."
She whirled on him. "*Worse?* She knows something's up!"
"Yeah." His expression turned grim. "Which means we're out of time."
"Out of time for *what*?"
Jaxon met her gaze. "To take down the Society."