10. Talon
Talon
The creativity of my brain never ceases to amaze me.
I knew the moment it crossed my mind that it had to be done. I found a heavy metal beam in the workshop out near the athletic center. It was surprisingly easy to take, along with a few extra dollars to have one of the mechanic wannabes to actually attach it to her door. Watching her scale the building with just a sheet was… interesting to say the least.
She seems to be handling my tactics well, which perplexes me. I thought she’d melt down, miss class, have someone in administration in a tizzy to come get her out… something to prevent her from keeping her spot here.
And yet, there she goes, walking with her head held high into the academics building. My phone rings, yet again in my hand and I see the name flash on my screen, fuck.
Step-mommy dearest.
“Fern,” I answer.
“Why are your brothers all calling me to tell me about a girl that you’re harassing?”
Covering my mouth and looking around I pause, they called Fern? Did they really think that would stop me from getting this girl gone? Also, fuck them, we’re supposed to be brothers.
“Harassing is a strong word choice, step-mommy.”
“Don’t be cute, Talon, why do you need a file on this girl?” Her voice is stern, and it makes me want to laugh. I can even imagine the wrinkles between her brows.
“I’m curious as well, kid,” fuck , Creed is on the call too?
“Not cool, Fern,” I grumble.
“Oh, Creed’s here too,” she belatedly informs me. “Now answer me.”
“She’s a menace, have you seen her?” I ask.
“Is it because she put you on your ass?” Creed laughs, and I can hear Fern slap him, “he probably deserved it.” Along with my previous life.
“Thanks,” I roll my eyes, “something isn’t right with her, Toby thinks I’m barking up the wrong tree, but I swear she’s got something going on that’s shady as fuck.”
“She’s a girl, a pretty one if her pictures do her any justice,” Fern starts in, “are you sure that’s not your problem? Does cold hearted Talon have a crush?”
I know she’s trying to get a rise out of me, and I have to bite my bottom lip to crush the immediate rage that starts to simmer under my skin.
“She would be so lucky,” I scoff.
“I think you’d be the lucky one, kid,” Creed’s deep voice invades my ears, “lay off, if your brothers call again, I’ll have to make a visit with your father.”
That makes me laugh, because they haven’t ever visited campus, other than the one day they came to tour it with me.
“Be nice to her, Tal,” Fern’s sweet raspy voice fills my speaker, “but even if you’re not… sounds like she’s tough enough for you.”
“I don’t have any use for a girl, other than her holes, step-mommy.” I smirk, knowing she’s probably cringing on the other side of the line. Creed growls something about respect and I hang up. I don’t need their warning, nor do I care if they visit.
I’m not a child, and I don’t need their permission to act as I wish.
Heading to class, I anticipate our verbal sparring. She’s got to be in a mood since having to scale her dorm to get here. Especially since I didn’t respond to her when she hit the grass.
Cody is sitting in the chair beside her, but she’s not sitting, she’s standing, arms crossed over her breasts looking out the window. I wonder what she’s looking for, or who.
“A little exercise this morning, Spice?”
She whips her head in my direction and shrugs, then turns back to Cody and laughs at whatever he says.
I take my seat and keep an eye on her throughout the hour, she checks her phone religiously, as if she’s waiting on something.
She bolts right when Mrs. Lynx dismisses class and my curiosity gets the best of me. I follow her to the main building where a tall man in a suit greets her formally and follows her back to the dorm.
I can’t hear what she’s telling him, but I can see his side profile, and he’s not happy. His lips are turned down, and his eyes are hard on her face.
“Does your mother know?” I catch his question and watch as she shakes her head. There are students milling about everywhere so I don’t worry too much about being caught watching them. Hell, most of the students are looking at them anyway.
A grown ass man in a suit with a full duffle bag doesn’t look suspicious at all.
Scanning the yard, looking for any of my brothers, because I figure they will have to admit this is weird. Then maybe they’ll see what I’ve been trying to tell them.
He follows her into the girls dorm and a spark of something I can’t identify lights up my stomach. Does the administration know where he’s going?
I call Toby in hopes that he’s with Gemma somewhere.
“What Tal?”
“Your little charity case is bringing a man into the girls’ dorm.”
He laughs, “good for her.”
“Not like that jackass. He’s in a suit, and has a duffle bag.”
He sighs into the receiver and I can hear sheets rustle and a door open, “he’s removing the metal bar from her door.”
I squint against the sun, and hang up, why is he dressed that way to work? Usually suited up men don’t do manual labor. Or at least in my world they don’t, not with the kind of tools you’d need to remove welding from a door.
Cin appears at her window, zeros in on where I stand, and winks before shutting the window. She knew I was watching, which means she’s more aware of her surroundings than I gave her credit for.
Good to know.