Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
As it turns out, she isn’t my primary concern as the helicopter begins its descent. I should have known he’d be waiting. He is probably telling himself he’s making sure I do the right thing. When Delilah spots Xander waiting near the helipad, my hackles rise.
“He’s not going to do anything to me, is he?”
The anxiety written on her face when she turns to me, searching for reassurance, is enough to make me wish he was one of those men in the alley. He’s hurt her much worse than a single punch to the head ever could.
“I won’t let him do anything to you. You have my word on that, always.” I reach for her hand and wrap my fingers around it, squeezing tight. “Don’t let him intimidate you. Yes, he’s powerful and dangerous, but I promise you, I won’t let him do anything to you.”
She offers a brave if shaky smile. “Easier said than done.”
Yes, I can see how that would be true. And it’s more of a reason than ever to hate him.
“So you saw fit to finally return.” There’s Xander in a nutshell.
Always stating the obvious. Ren stands a few steps behind him, his expression unreadable, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. I want more than anything to demand he tell me the truth about why he helped Delilah follow me, but I’ll bide my time. I don’t want to appear too eager.
Xander makes no effort to conceal his disdain for her, sneering when I help her descend from the helicopter. “And you. You would do better to return to your room, where you should have been all along.”
I have to bite my tongue before I remind him I’m headmaster of Corium. I don’t want her to see us argue like that. Besides, I’m sure every moment she spends in his presence is torture.
Ren steps up, and now I understand why he’s here. “Ren will escort you back to your dorm,” Xander tells her coldly.
“Wait a second.” I hold out an arm, barring her from stepping forward. “She can find her own way back to the dorm.”
“Forgive me if I don’t trust her—but then you already knew about that, didn’t you?”
Delilah places a hand on my arm, then lowers it. “I’m fine. I’ll go.” I shoot Ren the filthiest look I can manage—a slight dip of his chin tells me he gets the message, but he’s still unreadable.
What’s his play here? What’s in it for him?
“Now that we’re alone,” Xander continues as we walk toward the castle. “I’m going to tell you straight out, man to man. It’s time to get your shit together, or else you need to step down from your position. I know you’re going through a lot, but Corium needs to be your main priority. If it can’t be, then we need to consider hiring someone else.”
We step through the front doors, and I turn to him, waiting for him to meet my gaze. “I’m going to tell you this straight out, too. You can fuck off. I love my job here, and I’ll figure this shit out on my own. My main priorities at this moment are Corium and my daughter.”
I didn’t think that would hit him hard, and I was right. He only smiles wide like that was exactly what he expected.
“And Delilah? Is she one of your priorities?”
“She’s none of your concern, and if it wasn’t obvious before, I care about her greatly. I’m not asking for a handout from you. I’m not even asking that you don’t show concern. I’m asking that you trust me and let me do what I need to do without interfering. If I thought Delilah was a risk to anyone, the first person to know would be you.”
“But would it really? I get the feeling it wouldn’t, and I don’t know if I can trust your judgment anymore.”
I shake my head. “Then why the fuck am I even here?”
Xander ignores my statement altogether and instead changes the subject. “Your daughter is waiting for you in the conference room.”
His previous comment jars me, but not as much as us all meeting in a conference room. I thought we would meet up at my apartment, at least. Since this is a private matter and not school related.
What is this, mediation? Does she plan on bringing a lawyer with her, too? I have to fight to keep my irritation at bay—I don’t want Xander to see how this rattles me as we walk side by side down the hall.
I want to ask exactly what the hell business this is of his, but again, I know better. He’s looking for the first opportunity to strike me down. I’m not going to hand him the ammunition that easily.
Xander opens the door to the conference room. Aspen is waiting, as promised, sitting at a long table with Quinton standing behind her like a guard dog, waiting to attack at any given moment.