Chapter 28: The Coup de Grace


"Is something wrong?"

Where to even begin with that question, Sebastian thought morosely as he shoved his soft cock back into his trousers. Shifting against the threadbare couch of the small dressing room, he regarded the half-dressed girl standing over him with barely concealed animosity. "I'm swell."

She frowned and tugged at the ends of her shoulder length chestnut chair, a nervous habit. Her name was Hallie McPhee, a pretty, popular junior with more than a passing resemblance to his sister. She was petite with delicate features and green eyes. Personality wise however, she was Kathryn's polar opposite, a total people pleaser. She didn't raise a single objection when Sebastian insisted on fucking her from behind on that small couch, her face shoved into the cushions and ordered her to shut up as he pounded into her. Yeah, he was a real prince.

Taking a seat on his lap, she smiled prettily, slipping her arms around his neck. "You seem stressed. Are you nervous about your speech?"

"No, not really." And it was the truth. Sebastian was to give his first official speech as student body president in a half hour. He could care less honestly, was even contemplating blowing the whole thing off until he was informed that one of the perks of the gig was he got access to one of the theater kids dressing rooms so he could 'prepare.' As it was in the bowls of the theater, away from prying eyes of adults, and usually locked up like Fort Knox it was always considered the holy grail of hook up locations at Manchester. Sebastian had fucked in there before of course, but he couldn't resist the allure.

He vaguely wondered if Kathryn had ever taken advantage of the location. Before he could stop himself, he was picturing it. Kathryn riding some faceless dufus into the shitty cushions. He ran his fingers over the worn fabric then looked up at the dressing room mirror across from them. Maybe she did it reverse cowgirl style so she could watch herself, tits bouncing, mouth agape, she'd get off on it…

"Oh! That's more like it." Hallie giggled as she felt his cock harden against her leg. She palmed him, and whispered, "You want to go again?"

Spell broken, he abruptly got to his feet, shoving her back on the couch. "Not really, I need to concentrate."

Irritated by her presence and wishing she'd just take the hint and leave, Sebastian strut over to the vanity, depositing himself in the cushy chair. He grabbed at his new journal idling on the table and flipped it open with a flourish. He started it right after that night he left Kathryn in the hotel room. New beginnings and all that. He purposely kept her out of it. Annette too.

Not that it mattered. Flipping through the pages, even a casual observer would take note of the obvious theme. All the girls were brunettes with sharp green eyes. They didn't all look necessarily like his step-sister, but they each seemed to possess some physical characteristic that reminded him of her. This wasn't he supposed a new phenomenon necessarily. In the past Sebastian had always looked for her in girls he slept with and he usually left disappointed. It was only lately he'd been seeking out actual carbon copies. Not surprisingly it never left him fulfilled.

Take the chick last night for example. A full on Kathryn clone (save for the tit job and the brown eyes). Sebastian had her sit on his face while he ate her pussy and ass for all he was worth. The illusion was shattered however by her high pierced moans. Sharp enough to break glass. Talk about a boner killer. Sebastian made her cum then kicked her out with cab fare.

Flipping the pages Sebastian stopped on a recent entry. Regina, one of his favorite fuck buddies. Well probably former at this point. She looked nothing like Kathryn, with her red hair and statuesque figure. They were messing around the other day when talk turned to the new transfer student, Ellie something or other—sophomore, beautiful, stacked. When Sebastian suggested they wager who could fuck her first Regina reacted with disgust.

"Jesus Christ Sebastian, she's barely fifteen. She's probably a virgin."

"Even better. Race you to the finish line?"

"No, hell no. I'm not into using sex as a weapon or turning innocent girls into game to be hunted."

She chewed him out for another five minutes, calling him a sick fuck before storming out. On top of that she even warned the new girl against him. It was safe to say Regina wouldn't become his latest partner in crime any time soon. Picking up his pen Sebastian wrote 'bitch' across her picture.

Regina was right about one thing—there was something severely wrong with him. Just as Kathryn had predicted, he tried to fill that void in his life with sex and booze and it only made it worse. He tried to replace her, but that has been a temporary fix at best. Something had to give. He couldn't go on like this much longer.

"Sebastian are you listening to me?"

"Not really."

Hallie came up beside him, pouting. When he refused to acknowledge her, she abruptly climbed into his lap once again and kissed down his neck. Something about her pathetic neediness reminded him of Cecile Caldwell. Sebastian shoved her off just as he had obnoxious Cecile. Hallie fell to the floor with a cry. Sebastian sighed, already bored with the conversation to come and picked up his pen. "Hallie, this is what I like to call quiet time. This is the time when we reflect on the things we've just done."

Tossing her hair out of her face, Hallie glared daggers at him, ready to go off. Before she could however the door behind them opened.

"If I were you honey, I wouldn't put up with that shit."

Sebastian's gaze flew up to the mirror as Kathryn and Annette entered the room.

"Yeah, get up and kick him in the balls."

Annette snickered. "Assuming of course you can find them."

Sebastian was so taken aback by their presence he couldn't form a snappy comeback. They were both dressed in the school uniform and they had styled it identically, down to their knee socks and loafers. They reminded Sebastian of those creepy twins in The Shinning. It was oddly arousing.

Spinning his chair around he barked. "Get out."

Neither girl moved. He wasn't referring to them anyway. He glanced over at Hallie still pathetically kneeling on the floor and gave a pointed look to the door. She looked like she was about to object, but one glance in the direction of Kathryn and Annette, the two most notorious and popular girls in the school and she knew she was outmatched. Getting to her feet, she quickly gathered her things, looking like she was on the verge of tears before slamming the door behind her.

"There was something oddly familiar about that girl." Annette's eyes twinkled, knowing and mischievous.

Ignoring the remark Sebastian smiled, cool and indifferent, a sharp contrast to the hammering in his chest. "Welcome home ladies. I guess this answers the question of where you've been sis. Here I thought you were off licking your wounds, but apparently you were off licking something else."

"Yes, Annette and I had some lost time to make up for."

He hadn't seen Kathryn in nearly a week. He had just assumed she was taking advantage of the long weekend at whatever spa. Now he realized she had been holed up with the blonde menace the whole time. "Did you really fly all the way down to Kansas to fetch little Dorothy? You do know there's plenty of available pussy in the tri-state area? There's no need to fly it in."

"Not like hers"

Sebastian cocked up impressed eyebrow. "I'll have to take your word on it. I frankly found it a little overrated myself. So, Hargrove, judging by your attire I assume they've let you back in. How on earth did you swing that? Last I checked embezzlement was still a crime."

"Well apparently I was framed," she explained as she crossed the room to stand at the vanity. "Your sister, being the enterprising young woman she is, discovered someone had set me up. They forged the bank documents, even got Anna to lie to the police." Annette reached for his journal, laying open on the vanity before Sebastian snatched it away. "Anyway, we believe the same person who set me up also leaked that video of Kathryn and, get this," she nudged his shoulder. "Even burned down that building that was holding the equipment I was donating. Pretty crazy, huh?"

So that's it, they were going to put everything on him, all tied up in a neat little bow. They weren't exactly subtle. Examining his nails he asked, tone dripping with boredom, "Any ideas who it could be?"

"As a matter of fact…" Annette leaned in and whispered in his ear, "It's you."

Sebastian let out a short laugh. "Is anyone actually buying this horseshit?"

"I'm, here aren't I?"

"Yes, and so am I which means your little plan wasn't completely successful, was it?"

"You always were Aunt Helen's favorite." Kathryn joined them at the vanity, studying her reflection in the mirror. "Unfortunately for you, the old bitch can't save you from everything."

"Meaning?"

Kathryn smiled down at him. "You'll see."

Sebastian looked back and forth between the two of them. "So, what, am I supposed to be scared now?"

"I would be," Annette sing songed.

Kathryn laughed, and it reminded him of that afternoon in her room when she mocked him, called him a toy. "Come on, let's leave him alone to practice his speech."

She took her by the hand, and they headed for the door. Sebastian got to his feet, suddenly unnerved by whatever karma he had coming his way. "Go ahead, do your worst!" he yelled at their retreating backs. "You two bitches can't touch me. I've already won!"

They ignored him until they reached the door. Kathryn paused and turned around, an ominous little smile on her face. "Good luck Sebastian and remember, you earned this."


"Do you think he'll go through with it?"

"Of course."

Annette wasn't sure she was convinced. She eyed Kathryn as they turned the corner and headed down a busy corridor. Students brushed past them, a few even paused and stared when they saw her, but Annette ignored them, as she had been all morning. Kathryn looked unbothered and confident, head held high impervious to anything. She envied her.

"He has to know he's walking into something. If nothing else, Sebastian isn't a moron."

"He's not a pussy either," Kathryn argued. "He'll show his face. If only to prove he's not a coward. Don't worry, we've got this handled. No one can outrun their fate, including Sebastian."

Annette laughed. "Fate? Since when are you a believer in that?"

"Since I've been given a reason to." Kathryn paused, tugging Annette close, but not so close as to draw attention. She was smiling, beaming really. She looked genuinely happy and the sight of it made Annette's breath quicken. She realized then she'd do anything to keep her that way. Kathryn opened her mouth to speak but before she could say anything they were interrupted.

"Oh my god, Annette?!"

She whirled around to find a gapping Siobhan. Immediately a wave of guilt washed over her. Shit, she had been so preoccupied with their revenge against Sebastian she hadn't even thought to get in touch with Shiv to tell her she returned. Luckily, she didn't appear to put out about it as she immediately embraced her in a tight hug.

"Holy shit! Emily Nelson said something about seeing you on the quad, but I thought she was just out of her mind on mushrooms again. What are you doing here?"

"Shiv, I'm so sorry. I tried to call you, but I've just been so tied up since I got back."

Annette felt Kathryn touch her back. "I have to go take care of something." She offered up a fake smile at Siobhan who glared at her in return. "If you'll excuse me."

Annette watched her walk away but was quickly pulled into another hug by Shiv. "So, wait, are you really back?"

"Yeah, it looks that way. Full reinstatement and I got my scholarship back. Mrs. Rosemond even apologized."

Shiv shook her head in amazement. "Incredible. How did this happen?"

Annette didn't want to go into the story just now, there wasn't time and the middle of a busy hallway wasn't the place. Maybe later over a bottle of wine. "Um, it's a long story, I'll give you all the details later. I'm sorry I didn't tell you first thing—"

She waved her off. "I don't care, I'm just happy to see you. Girl, this place has been boring as fuck without you."

"Not half as boring as Kansas believe me."

Shiv looked down the hall where Kathryn was talking with a few girls gathered around the lockers. "Does she have anything to do with you being back?"

Annette sighed knowing what was coming. "Maybe."

Shiv groaned. "I'm going to say something—"

Annette held up a hand. "Shiv save your breath. If it hadn't been for Kathryn—"

"If it hadn't been for Kathryn you wouldn't have been sent away in the first place," she remarked with a pointed look. "You love her, I get it, but real talk? She's not good for you. The bitch nearly ruined your life."

"Okay you're being dramatic."

"Am I? The girl set you up on embezzlement charges because you embarrassed her."

"It was a little more complicated than that. Look, I know you're not Kathryn's biggest fan, I know she's difficult, but you know what, so am I. We work together."

"Except when you don't. Kathryn may claim to love you, but Kathryn's number one priority will always be Kathryn. And you can forget ever trying to run for anything ever again. If you stay with her you will always be living in her shadow, she will never let you outshine her."

Annette shook her head. "I don't care about any of that."

"Of course you don't right now," Shiv laughed. "You're in the sex bubble but give it time. Once the orgasms wear off, you'll realize Kathryn only cares about herself and she'll only let you succeed if it's convenient for her." She sighed, hiking her bag higher on her shoulder. "Look, I know you don't want to hear this, but I'm just looking out for you."

She did know that, which was why she didn't tell her to fuck off like she would anyone else trying to tell her what to do. It was hard to resent Shiv when she knew her heart was in the right place. It was even harder when she knew what she was saying carried more than a ring of truth to it. "I know and I appreciate it." Glancing down the hall she noticed Kathryn watching her, curiosity etched on her face. "Um, I have to get going Shiv. I'll talk to you at lunch okay? We can catch up. You can tell me all about you and young Mr. Clifford."

Something that resembled relief settled on her face. "Great, we're cool right?"

"Of course." Annette hugged her. "I missed you Shiv."

"I missed you too. I'll talk to you later?"

She nodded in agreement then headed down the hall to an awaiting Kathryn. As she walked she tried to shake off the conversation but she couldn't, Siobhan's words echoed in her head like some ominous prophecy. Was she right? Were she and Kathryn doomed? Annette couldn't be sure, but it was safe to say the bubble had been officially burst.


"What was that all about?" Kathryn strived to sound casual or indifferent, but she was afraid she landed on accusatory. Glancing over her shoulder as they turned the corner, she spotted Siobhan watching them with a disapproving pout. That bitch better learn to mind her own business or else Kathryn would gladly show her what happens to people who meddle in her affairs.

"It was nothing," Annette said easily her tone giving away nothing, "We were just catching up."

Aside from all the hugging it didn't look like a particularly friendly conversation. "So, she was warning you against me then?"

"Of course."

Annette smiled but Kathryn remembered the look that was on her face as she turned away from Siobhan, before she thought to mask it. She looked troubled. Even now as she watched her Kathryn was sure she saw something there, an uneasiness.

"Remind me to have a talk with that girl."

She chuckled. "Oh, I don't think so. Shiv poses no threat to you. She's my friend so you're going to leave her alone."

Kathryn's hackles rose at the remark that sounded suspiciously like an order. She came up short and cocked an eyebrow. "Am I now?"

"Yep"

"And if I don't?"

A wicked little smile curved around her lips, her eyes becoming dark. She stepped closer to her, too close than they should be in public and leaned in. "Would you like to find out?"

Before Kathryn could form a reply, she felt herself being shoved backwards, past a door, into an abandoned classroom. "You fucking moron," Kathryn huffed, "Anyone could have seen—"

Annette abruptly cut her off with a sharp, savage kiss. Grasping her by the face, she slammed her into the wall, her tongue thrusting into her mouth at the same time. Kathryn's hands came up to grab at her only for Annette to take hold of her wrists and his surprising force, pin her to the wall. She then pulled back, leaving Kathryn panting. "You're going to leave Shiv alone," she said her mouth hovering just over hers, "Because if you don't, I'm going to tie you to your bed…" Annette snaked her hand under her skirt and teasingly ran her fingers over her lace covered cunt. "Then, I'm going to shove these $500 panties you're currently soaking through, into your mouth…" Kathryn whimpered, squirming against her hand, making her smile. "And then I'm going to stuff your favorite dildo into your tight little cunny and then…I'm going to walk away."

Annette released her and stepped back, a smug grin on her face. "Behave yourself Kathryn."

"You goddam bitch," she panted, equal parts furious and turned on.

Of course, she only laughed. "Come on, we're going to be late."

Kathryn wanted to stomp her foot and demand she come back and fuck her, but she knew they didn't have time for that. Ignoring the ache that had begun to form between her legs, she followed Annette out of the classroom. "I'm going to get you for that," she hissed in her ear as they headed to the auditorium.

"I look forward to it."

As they entered the packed auditorium Kathryn took a deep breath. "Christ, I think the whole school is here," she muttered under her breath.

"All the better." Annette glanced back at her. "Are you ready for this?"

"More than ready. Let's head upstairs."

Glancing through the crowd of students, Kathryn noticed Ainsley and her crew of dipshit friends. It looked like they were holding a seat for her, but she pretended not to notice them, following Annette up to the second-floor balcony. It was considerably less crowded up there, with mostly burnouts and degenerates, hiding from the watchful eyes of the faculty. As she and Annette took seats in the front row, a few curious stares came their way. They ignored them.

Just as they were sitting down the headmaster took the stage to polite applause. The assembly that day was about school pride or some such shit, urging more students to sign up for booster club and the like. Basically, a pep rally minus the jocks and cheerleaders. It was the kind of thing that usually got half the attendance (even though it was mandatory). When the headmaster announced the 'unconventional' new student body president, Kathryn found out why.

"Please welcome our student body president, Sebastian Valmont!"

The room erupted in rapturous applause like Headmaster Hargrove had just announced Beyoncé was on her way out. Kathryn had never heard anything like it. Several people leapt to their feet, some cat called. A few girls down in front were even holding up signs. Even some of the druggie losers around them were applauding enthusiastically.

"Jesus," Kathryn muttered in disgust. "They all love him."

"Not for long." The girls shared a smile.

Sebastian took the stage like a rockstar, basking in the adulation and applause. He took the microphone from Hargrove then shoed him away. "How's everyone doing?"

The crowd roared and Annette made a disgusted sound.

"Look, I know this is lame and no one really gives a shit about school pride, but let's humor the old farts shall we?" This was met with laughter and shouts of agreement while headmaster Hargrove and the rest of the faculty stewed in agitation. "At least it gets us out of class! Now, if I'm being honest, I don't really believe in school pride. Sure, Manchester is the tits." More laughter and applause. "But what I truly believe in is having pride in oneself. Me? I'm the shit. I own it."

When this was met with another wave of cheers Kathryn rolled her eyes and imagined how this same crowd of imbeciles would react if she were to get up there and crow about her own greatness. She'd be labeled a stuck-up bitch no doubt.

"Now, in the past, I've been underestimated. Take this election for example. They said I'd never win, that I didn't have a chance against the phonies and suck-up's that ran this school." His gaze swept the auditorium and Kathryn knew he was searching them out. When he spotted them in the balcony he grinned, mocking and triumphant. "But look at me now and look at them. The lesson here folks, is never underestimate a winner. I always come out on top."

Kathryn smiled. "Now."

Annette removed a small remote from her pocket and hit a button. Immediately a video began playing on the large white screen behind her stepbrother. It was two people fucking, more precisely it was Sebastian and Annette. She was riding him into the mattress.

"You didn't come out on top that time mother fucker," Kathryn muttered under her breath.

The loud murmur swept through the auditorium. Some people laughed, others gasped. The headmaster turned several shades of red as he gaped at the screen before he began demanding loudly for them to turn it off. Sebastian meanwhile watched the screen amused and baffled. Kathryn thought she heard him mouth 'what the fuck?'

Annette made a show of throwing her hands over her face in distress for the few people who noticed her sitting up there. A moment later the image on screen changed. This time it was Sebastian fucking Megan Rollins, a pretty popular senior who had been dating the lacrosse team captain since freshman year. She had also made a big show of calling Kathryn a slut a few weeks ago. Now she was buck naked, on all fours getting ass fucked by the school man whore. Annette turned up the volume. Megan's screeches and demands to 'fuck my butt, fuck it harder' could be heard even in the rafters. A loud shriek of horror cut through the rising roar of the crowd that sounded distinctly like Megan.

They weren't done. The video proceeded to show a dozen more videos Sebastian had recorded of his various conquests, including the purity club president. There were even a few guys. The crowd at that point was livid and horrified, with people crying out for them to turn it off. Several faculty members ran around like chickens with their heads cut off trying to find out where the broadcast was coming from. Good luck losers.

When video of his fucking the innocence out of Cecile was shown, Court Reynolds shouted out, "Your dead asshole!"

Sebastian who was now looking up at them in shock barely seemed to notice as the taller, broad shoulder boy came charging after him. A gym coach tried to intervene, but Court shoved him away on his way to the stage. Before he could reach him however, Ronald cut him off, hoping on the stage. "You piece of shit!" He punched Sebastian, sending him reeling backwards.

From there on what could only be described as utter anarchy erupted. Half the audience began to charge at the stage. Angry boyfriends, pissed off girls, ran at the pile on, trying to get to Sebastian. Some people began fighting in the aisles. Teachers tried to put a stop to it, but it was a lost cost. Everyone was rushing around like the world was ending, screaming, crying, throwing punches. A group of girls began trying to tear down the screen themselves despite the fact that the video had ended. The balcony all but emptied out with everyone rushing to join the melee.

As they watched everyone lose their collective shit, Kathryn and Annette slowly rose from their seats and observed the chaos they wrought. Twin smiles of satisfaction spread across their faces. Annette reached for her hand and squeezed it. "I'd say our work here is done."


"How about a toast?"

Annette mouth paused on her glass of champagne. She had a brief flashback to Sebastian proposing a toast right before he gleefully explained how he had sabotaged their relationship. She made a face. "How about we have a moratorium on all toasts for the conceivable future?"

Kathryn was of course having none of it. "Oh, come on." Shimmying closer to her on the couch, eyes dancing with merriment and whatever narcotic she was currently on, Kathryn held up her glass. She was happy and Annette found her impossible to resist when she was like this. Reluctantly she held her glass up into the air as well.

"To my darling stepbrother, may the smug son of a bitch get what he deserves and then some."

"Here here"

They clinked glasses and sipped. Annette normally wasn't big on champagne, she was a whiskey girl, but damn was it good. Apparently, Kathryn thought so as well. She finished her glass in one gulp then carelessly tossed the crystal stemware aside before launching herself at her. Annette struggled not to drop her own glass as Kathryn kissed her into the couch cushions. Wrapping her arms around her she eventually gave up and gave in, kissing her back just as fiercely.

They were at the Valmont townhouse and for once it was blessedly empty leaving them free to make-out on the couch like the over sexed teenagers they were. Annette couldn't remember the last time she felt this good. Funny enough, she didn't trust it. She kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Laughing against her mouth, Kathryn pulled back. "I can't believe we pulled it off."

Annette caressed her flushed cheek. "Was there any doubt?"

"With Sebastian, one can never tell. He's wiggled out of tighter jams before."

"Yeah, well he won't be wiggling anywhere this time."

Thinking back on the events of the afternoon Annette had to admit things had gone better than she anticipated. Just as expected, everyone thought Sebastian was responsible for the video being broadcast at the assembly. After all, what girl in her right mind would release her own sex tape for the whole school to see? And besides, everyone knew this kind of stunt was right up Sebastian's depraved alley. He of course denied it adamantly, but no one was buying it. For once, that reputation he prized so much was working against him. Ironic that a boy who got off so much on destroying other's reps would be brought down by his own.

Following the riot in the auditorium (which according to her father would cost the school ten's of thousands of dollars to repair thanks in part to a small fire set by the overzealous cheer squad) Annette had been summoned to the headmaster's office, where an even more chaotic scene awaited her. The office was over run with angry, crying students and furious parents demanding Sebastian's head while her father stood in the middle of it trying to calm everyone down while alternately ragging about the horrors of pornography. Helen was there too, drinking in the scene with wide eyed surprise, standing guard at the small office where they had Sebastian stashed. Annette caught a brief glimpse of him, slouched in a chair, his pretty face, beaten and bloody, looking dazed and more than a little freaked out. Annette had almost felt sorry for him.

Almost.

They had pulled her into the office, along with a psychologist (clearly Helen's doing) who was offering counselling for Sebastian's 'victims'. Kathryn was there too, for moral support as Annette told her story how Sebastian seduced her, and she had no idea had recorded their coupling. She sobbed pathetically, trembling in embarrassment and shame. No doubt Helen and her father knew she was full of shit, but the other school board members present ate it up, apologizing profusely and promising Sebastian would be punished to the full extent.

Later, when she was heading home, Annette got into the elevator and Helen slipped in after her. She wasted no time getting down to business.

"Quite the circus. I hope you and my niece are proud of yourselves."

Annette smiled, eyes straight ahead. "I don't know what you mean."

"You know I have half a mind to rescind your scholarship young lady."

"I wouldn't recommend it Helen. Afterall, you wouldn't want to appear vindictive towards one of your nephew's victims. People might stop believing the sun shines out of your ass if you did."

Of course nothing more was said on the subject after that. They both knew Helen would have no choice but to expel her only nephew if only to save face in front of the public.

"You were incredible." Kathryn nuzzled against her neck. "When you started crying and whimpering, I actually started to get turned on."

Annette reached for the bottle of champagne and took a swig from the bottle, smiling. "I think I missed my calling as an actress."

"Ainsley texted me, they are calling an emergency meeting of the board to discuss the 'Valmont situation'. Between that shit storm of an assembly and the anonymous info dump they all received with the affidavits against him, they'll have no choice but to boot his ass. Even dear old aunt Helen can't save him now."

Annette drank in the triumphant look of glee in her eyes. "I wonder if they'll reinstate you as president now?"

Kathryn swiped the bottle from her and shrugged. "I hadn't really thought about it."

She wasn't all too convinced that was true. She herself didn't care either way. "You must be feeling pretty good. As the only prominent girl in school not to be caught fucking the school slut on video, you're back to being worshipped once again."

Kathryn's smile dimmed a little. "What about you? Everyone knows the manifesto was a lie or at the very least Sebastian made it a lie. Your reputation might not be what it once was."

Annette laughed. "Well seeing as everyone thought I was an embezzler up until a few hours ago, I think being viewed as one of Sebastian's castoff's is sadly an improvement." When she noticed Kathryn's brow furrow in concern she assured her, "It's fine, I knew what I was getting into. It was for the greater good. Besides, I'm in a rather large and crowded boat at the moment. I don't foresee getting singled out."

Kathryn leaned in and kissed her. "You're amazing."

"I don't think I can get used to all this fervent praise," she quipped.

"Enjoy it while you can. I'll go back to calling you a cunt in no time."

Annette laughed, pulling her into another kiss. They made out languidly for a moment, Annette giving her over to the sensation of being consumed by the most overwhelming person she's ever known. Then abruptly Kathryn pulled away, kneeling over her. "Let's go out and celebrate."

She groaned. "I don't think so, I'm happy where I am."

"But I got all dressed up."

Indeed she had. Kathryn was wearing a tight slinky, blood red dress, with a low cut front displaying an impressive amount of cleavage. The dress was nice, but Annette would prefer to see it on the floor. Running a hand over her breasts she hummed, "Let's stay in. We have a lot of catching up to do."

Her eyes, darkening in lust, Kathryn licked her lips and straddled her waist. Sliding a hand up her shirt, Annette whimpered as her thumb rubbed circles against her nipple. "Would you do that thing you threatened to do to me earlier?"

Annette cocked an amused brow. "Got off on that did you?"

"Uh huh."

She chuckled, and hooked her arms around her neck, dragging her down for a kiss. "Nasty little slut," she murmured against her before devouring her mouth. Annette's hand shot up under her dress to grope her ass, tug her closer. Kathryn groaned into her mouth, her hand pressed to the inside of her thigh. She began working her fingers into her panties when a familiar voice rang out across the room.

"Well doesn't this fucking figure."

The girls jerked apart, looking up to see Sebastian crossing the long parlor. If it was possible, he looked even worse than the last time Annette had seen him. His lip was busted open, he had a small bandage over his nose and his eyes were starting to blacken. Still dressed in his school uniform, his jacket was ripped, as were his pants, his tie hung loose around his neck. He looked exhausted as he dragged himself over to the wet bar, barely sparing them a glance. "Please," in toned his voice devoid of emotion "don't let me spoil the celebration."

The girls shared a bemused look, Kathryn appeared on the verge of giddiness as she untangled from Annette and kneeled over the side of the couch. "You're not looking so good brother dear," she cooed with false concern. "Is something wrong?"

Sebastian released a humorless laugh. He dropped some ice into a napkin for a makeshift ice pack. "What makes you say that? I'm crushing it. Life is awesome."

Annette stretched out on the couch, arm behind her head, coolly observing the scene before her. "Hard day?"

"You could say that." He filled a glass with something, scotch most likely, nearly to the top, then turned around to face them. Sebastian's lips were twisted in a sardonic smile that didn't meet his eyes. "Well, hats off, I honestly never saw this coming. You two out played me." He lifted his glass in salute. "Well done."

"Don't keep us in suspense." Kathryn demanded. "Did they boot you or what?"

"That they did sis. Not surprising given half the parents threatened to pull their kids out of school if they didn't. Aunt Helen tried to put up a fight on my behalf but apparently the school board got wind of some damaging information that I rigged the election and framed your girlfriend." He took a long pull of his drink. "I take it that was your handy work?"

"I was," Annette replied, examining her manicure.

"Well congratulations, you win. I even heard Hargrove rumbling about giving you your position back. It's a shame I won't be around for your victory party."

"Oh? Are you going somewhere?"

"The parentals have seen fit to ship me off to military school for the remainder of my senior year. Apparently, they are hoping it will beat some discipline into me," Sebastian explained dispassionately. "But really they are just hoping to appease the angry mob and limit the lawsuits."

Annette wasn't particularly surprised by this revelation. The only way the rich knew how to deal with their troublesome children was to ship them off somewhere where someone else can deal with their problems. The surprising thing was Kathryn seemed shocked by this.

Rising up from the couch to stand in front of him, her expression tense, she remarked, "Wait, are you serious?"

Sebastian nodded. "It seems your mother is getting her fondest wish realized. I have a feeling my father looks at this as an early anniversary present."

Annette felt indifferent to Sebastian's self-pity but clearly Kathryn did not. Her expression was etched with concern as she drank this in. "They can't just—"

"Oh, but they can. They are flying home tomorrow and I'm to be shipped out the day after next. I was hoping it would be to that co-ed one upstate but no dice. Apparently, it's in bumfuck Iowa or some such shit. All boys."

"Better get your dick sucking skills up to par Valmont," Annette quipped. Kathryn shot her a sharp look that gave her pause. Was she really that upset by this?

Sebastian didn't seem particularly offended by the remark, offering her a wan smile. "I have to admit, you two put up a hell of a fight. I thought I was better at this than you were, I actually thought I could destroy you." He laughed humorlessly. "Jokes' on me though. Even after everything I put you through, you still ended up together. I guess you two are the real deal after all." Setting his drink down he shuffled towards Annette who sat up a little straighter, half expecting him to attack her or something. When he thrust out his hand to her she stared at it a moment like it was diseased. She glanced over at Kathryn who appeared as bewildered as she was. Sebastian rolled his eyes until Annette reluctantly shook his hand. "You're a cunt Hargrove, but you're a hell of a competitor.

"Thanks?"

Annette eyed him wondering if he was on the level with this or if it was just another game. Oddly enough, something told her he was being sincere.

"Sebastian did you sustain some kind of brain injury during your beat down?" Kathryn asked, sounding genuinely concerned. "You're starting to freak me out."

"If only. No, I think this whole thing just delivered some much needed clarity." Standing before his stepsister he told her, "You were right you know."

"About?"

"What you said to me that night at my hotel room." He shrugged. "I was lying. I didn't mean any of that shit I said to you. I was scared and fucked up. Despite everything you've done, you didn't deserve that. I'm sorry."

Kathryn stared up at him, looking baffled. Sebastian wrapped her in a half hug and kissed her temple. He then murmured something Annette couldn't hear. She didn't know what to make of this defeated, apologetic Sebastian and clearly neither did Kathryn.

"You're taking all the fun out of this," she muttered, hand at his chest. "You were supposed to come in here, angry and threatening to destroy us—"

"Making a fool of yourself," she added.

He smiled, looking briefly like his old rakish self. "My apologies, but it's getting a little old isn't it, this back and forth tug of war bullshit?"

"You're not wrong," Annette muttered.

"I'm not having any fun, are you? It's time to move on." Sebastian picked up his drink and waved it in the air. "Consider this me waving the white flag."

Neither girl said anything for along beat as they silently stared at one another. Not sure what to make of any of this.

"What about your mother?" Kathryn spoke up. "Couldn't she intervene, talk to Edward?"

Sebastian laughed. "I highly doubt it. My father has never listened to her before I don't think, he'll start now." It occurred to Annette that she nearly forgotten Sebastian had a mother. She pictured a well coifed blonde version of Tiffany and made a mental note to ask Kathryn about it later.

"What if I talked to my mother?"

Both Sebastian and Annette regarded her with surprise. They both were more than aware of Kathryn's contentious relationship with the woman and her reluctance to stand up to her. Sebastian's brow lifted slightly and his battered lip twisted in a wry grin. "Thanks, but I think it's too late for that. Alea iacta est."

Kathryn snorted and leaned into him, letting her chin rest against his chest. "God you're a pretentious twat. Always showing off."

Sebastian caressed her hair, holding her against him. His gaze drifted towards Annette and she waited for the normal smug, arrogant smile of his to take hold. It never came, his expression remained resigned. Huh. "So, what now?" she asked, not really sure which one she was talking to.

Kathryn pulled away, looking up at him. "Want to get drunk?"

"Always."


"I can't figure you out."

Sebastian pulled the bottle of red wine he had been chugging away from his lips and regarded his nemesis lounging beside him. Annette was curled up on the other side of the couch, eye glassy, limbs loose, dress skirting up dangerously close to her thighs, betraying her obvious intoxicated nature. He had to admit he definitely preferred drunk Annette, to self-righteous bitch Hargrove. Sebastian himself was feeling no pain, despite the fact that his life was currently in free fall. He blamed all the shots.

Letting his head rest against the brass finish of the couch he murmured against the lid of the bottle, "Well according to you, I'm a painfully predictable, overhyped simpleton, so I don't know why you'd bother."

"You are, you are all those things," she agreed, wobbling slightly as she pulled herself up more. She didn't bother to fix her dress leaving her ass peeking out the bottom. It bothered him how cute she was to him at this moment. He pulled his eyes away to settle on her scrunched-up face. "But that's not what I'm talking about. I mean I can't figure out if you're on the level or not. Is this whole-sad-defeated thing an act?"

"If it was, you can't honestly think I would tell you," he teased.

"This is true"

"You're pathologically cynical Hargrove. I can't believe you didn't grow up around here."

She beamed a little bit at that. She would take it as a compliment. "You could be just waiting for our defenses to go down and when we're least expecting it, bang."

He chuckled at her exaggerated facial expressions. "What would I have to gain from that?"

"What would you have to lose?" she countered.

Sebastian released a huff of air from his nose then let his head lull in the direction of the wet bar where Kathryn was sloppily making martinis. She was clearly drunker than both of them, her hips swaying enticingly to the music pumping loudly through their expensive stereo, Prince was wailing about Nikki grinding. Fuck she was sexy.

"You want to know a secret Hargrove?" he asked, his gaze still on his stepsister. "Victory is boring, not to mention fleeing. In most cases it's not worth the inevitable casualties it produces. War is not fun."

"How profound," she mocked, taking the wine bottle from him. "You better not let her hear that. It's like telling a kid Santa isn't real."

He snorted. "You're funny when you're drunk."

"I know." Pointing the bottle at him she remarked, "You're still holding a torch."

"For you?"

"Ew. No." She nodded at Kathryn.

Sebastian swiped the bottle back. "Can you blame me?"

Annette smiled, for once devoid of cynicism. "Not really."

He sat up a little. "Hargrove, do me a favor? Take care of her when I'm gone."

Her brow furrowed a little and she opened her mouth to reply but whatever she was going to say died on her tongue when Kathryn trotted back over, holding two martinis. She handed one over to Annette and downed her own in nearly one gulp. "What are you two losers gossiping about?"

"What a pain in the ass you are," Annette replied without missing beat.

"Oh please," she huffed, flopping down on the couch between them. Laying across Hargrove's lap, heedless to the fact that she was disrupting her drink, she remarked, "You'd be bored out of your fucking minds without me." Her head swung in his direction and she added, "Both of you."

While she was no doubt completely right, Sebastian argued, "Or we would be living completely normal, healthy, productive lives."

"Exactly. Boring."

Sebastian shook his head and smiled with affection. She was nearly impossible to despise when she was like this. Reaching up, Kathryn touched his bruises mouth, and her inebriated mood darkened a little. "I don't want you to leave," she murmured.

Taking a pull of his drink he sighed, "Then you probably shouldn't have thrown a grenade into my life."

Her frown deepened. "They were just supposed to kick you out of school, not the state."

"Well neither one of us has ever been very good at forecasting the consequences of our actions, have we?"

"Do you hate me?"

"Yes"

She smiled at that and pressed harder at his wound like a child burning an ant under a magnified glass. "Liar."

"Ow." Sebastian swatted her hand away. "Bitch."

Kathryn laughed, rolling against Hargrove's lap. "Who will Annette and I torment, if you're not here?"

He looked up and met the blondes amused stare. "Oh, I'm sure you'll find some poor son of a bitch." Sebastian wanted to make a remark about them needing a third party to maintain their demented union but his alcohol-soaked brain couldn't come up with a pithy enough comment. Besides, despite the fact that they had literally ruined his life, he wasn't feeling all that much hostility towards either of them. If anything, all he was feeling was an odd affection. Staring down at the empty shot glasses from earlier, he wondered if Kathryn spiked them with something.

"Give me some of that." Kathryn made a grab for his wine bottle and Sebastian held it playfully out of reach. "Give it!"

He laughed at her, his chest filled with warmth, as he held the bottle over her mouth and teased, "Just a drop. Open up."

A few scarlet drops rolled out, dropping into her mouth. Before Sebastian could stop her, Kathryn reached for the bottle, causing a healthy amount to spill out onto her face and Hargrove's lap. Both girls squealed and shrieked which soon gave way to laughter.

"Serves you right," he laughed, "Greedy little thing."

Kathryn pulled herself up. Still laughing, she made a half-hearted attempt to clean the mess off her lover. Tugging at her black top she tutted, "You should take this off."

Annette laughed. "I don't think so."

His stepsister playfully tugged at her shirt, rustling it up, as Annette shrieked and giggled, twisting away from her. At some point their mouths found each other and they began kissing. It was all eager and sloppy, the two of them pressing up tight against one another, drunken silliness giving way to lust.

Sebastian observed silently, knowing he should probably excuse himself, but he didn't want to. Nothing left to lose as Hargrove thoughtfully reminded him. His gaze dropped to where Kathryn was still clutching his leg. Kissing her and touching him. He wondered if she even realized she was doing it. God this is a weird fucking night, he thought.

It was about to get weirder.

Kathryn pulled off of Hargrove and looked over her shoulder at him. The look on her face was pure filth. "I want more wine."

He arched a brow. She clearly wasn't referring to the fucking wine. "Haven't you had enough for tonight?"

"Never"

Sebastian let the wine bottle slip from his hand, landing on the carpet with a thud, as he sat up and leaned in closer to them. As soon as he was within reach, Kathryn grasped on to his neck and pulled him into a kiss. Her swollen lips were wet and lasted like vodka and they burned his injured mouth but oddly enough he liked it. It felt real. Her tongue danced against his lips before seeking out his, making him whimper against her. Sebastian cupped her cheek, wanting to draw her in further, but she was already turning away. His eyes opened, finding Annette watching them. He expected to find hostility or at least annoyance, but there was neither. If anything, she looked curious, maybe even turned on.

Huh

Kathryn resumed kissing the blond, her hand still fisted in his shirt. Realizing he had been invited into whatever the hell was happening there, Sebastian shifted behind her and taking hold of her waist, he pressed up tight against her. She whimpered in response, her hips grinding against him. Fuck, he was already hard. Grasping a hand full of her hair, he leaned in and kissed down her neck, letting his teeth scrape the delicate skin.

"Shit," Kathryn gasped, breaking away from Hargrove's mouth. She arched against him, her head resting on his shoulder. Sebastian's mouth found hers again, as his gaze fell to Annette, who was working a hand beneath his stepsisters' dress. She was more into this that he initially would have suspected. Sebastian jerked the garment up further so he could watch as her fingers disappeared into her panties. His dick twitched in his pants, his body thrumming with unreleased tension, that threatened to undue him.

"Fuck, touch me," she panted. It was unclear which one of them she was referring to, but it didn't matter. Neither one of them was going to stop touching her anytime soon. Sebastian's hand slid down the front of her dress to grope her tit, rubbing her nipple until it became a hard little stone between her fingers. He pinched it, drawing a sharp intake from her followed by a whiny demand for more.

She was wet, he could hear it as Hargrove worked her over. Could smell it too. It made him salivate and want to hold her down and fuck the shit out of her. Evidently, they were on the same wavelength as Kathryn reached between them and began working his pants open. Sebastian gasped as her hand wrapped around his throbbing cock and tugged.

While she jerked him off, her other hand tugged at Annette's shirt. "Take this off."

The blond sat up a little, obediently removing her shirt and tossing it carelessly away. Valmont's gaze fell to her tits, encased in a black mesh bra. Now totally driven by instinct and lust forgetting for the moment he mostly hated her, he reached for her, hand groping her breast, while Kathryn squeezed the other. Hargrove fell forward a little bit, eyes fluttering shut, lips parting. Sebastian had a weird flashback to that summer, with Annette underneath him, that same expression on her face as he touched her. Unable to resist, he leaned in and kissed her. Her eyes opened briefly in surprise and her mouth went tight before slowly yielding under his. He felt her hand settle on his neck, drawing him in tighter.

He could feel his stepsister, against them, kissing Hargrove's neck, her hand still working him over. He broke away from Hargrove, only long enough to take a deep breath before Kathryn was kissing him again. He was vaguely aware of Kathryn unbuttoning his shirt and Hargrove's nails on his chest, but he quickly lost track of who was touching who as everything melted into sensation. The music was still blearing loud and insistent, but it felt far away. Everything seemed far away except this.

Maybe that's why when another person entered the room, they were all completely oblivious until he called out, "What the fuck is this?"

The three of them drew up short, their mouths breaking away from whatever body part they were kissing, sucking or biting. Their heads simultaneously swiveled in the direction on the unwanted party.

Court fucking Reynolds.