Chapter 23
I leaned against the cold, stone wall of the university hallway, my phone pressed tightly to my ear. The conversation with my father was going about as well as I'd expected, which is to say, not well at all. His voice, sharp and cutting, sliced through the receiver, each word dripping with disappointment and thinly veiled threats.
"Logan, you've really fucked up this time," he growled, his tone leaving no room for argument. "A scholarship student? As your Consort? What the hell were you thinking?" I pinched the bridge of my nose, fighting back the urge to snap at him. It wouldn't do any good, and I knew better than to challenge him directly. Instead, I took a deep breath, steadying myself before responding.
"I understand your concerns, but Cadence—"
"Cadence?" he interrupted, spitting out her name like it was poison. "You mean Cadence Turner, the nobody from nowhere? The girl with no connections, no influence, and certainly no place in our world? That Cadence?" I gritted my teeth, my free hand clenching into a fist at my side. The way he dismissed her, as if she were nothing more than dirt beneath his shoe, made my blood boil more than I cared to admit. But I couldn't let him see how much it affected me. I wanted Cadence under my control for one reason, and one reason only. I wanted to break her, and my father wouldn't understand that.
"Yes, that Cadence," I replied, keeping my voice level. "And she's not a nobody. She's intelligent, resilient, and has potential that—"
"Potential?" My father's laughter was cold and humourless. "Logan, we don't deal in potential. We deal in power, in influence. And this girl has neither. I don't even see how she got a standard scholarship at Regents, let alone a Courts one." Well, I knew how she got the Courts scholarship, but I wasn't about to let on to my father that the only reason Cadence was in the Courts and in the running to be Consort was because Ryder forged her application and acceptance.
I closed my eyes, willing myself to remain calm. "If you'd just listen—"
"No, you listen to me," he cut in, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I've just gotten off the phone with Latters. You remember him, don't you? Julia's father?" My stomach twisted at the mention of Julia. Of course, her father would have called mine. The Latters family, while not as influential as ours, still held considerable sway in certain circles. And Julia, despite her many faults, would have been a much more politically advantageous choice for Consort. Which is why my father all but threatened Cole to make sure it happened. Shame I had other plans.
"What did he want?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
"What did he want?" my father repeated, his voice rising. "He wanted to know why my son threatened to kill his daughter in the middle of the fucking cafeteria!" I fought to keep the smirk off my face. Julia was a vicious bitch, I can't have been the first person to threaten her life. But maybe I was the first person who was known to go through with such a threat.
"The bitch fucking deserved it, Julia was—"
"I don't bloody care what she was doing!" he roared. I winced at the volume of his voice, pulling the phone away from my ear slightly. "Do you have any idea how this looks? The damage control I've had to do? And all because you couldn't keep your temper in check over some worthless scholarship girl?" His words ignited a fire in my chest, anger coursing through my veins. Before I could stop myself, I was speaking, my voice low and dangerous.
"She's not worthless," I growled. This wasn't about Cadence, this was about me, and yet again my father telling me how worthless he thought I was. "And Julia needed to be put in her place. She publicly disrespected my Consort, which is a direct challenge to me and to the entire Covenant House. If I had let it slide, it would have undermined everything."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and for a second, I thought I'd gone too far. But then my father spoke again, his voice calmer but no less threatening.
"Meaning?" he demanded. I took a deep breath, knowing this was my chance to turn the conversation in my favour. I had to choose my words carefully.
"You've always taught me that respect is everything in our world," I began, my mind racing to construct the most convincing argument. "That the appearance of power is just as important as power itself. Julia's actions weren't just an insult to Cade; they were a challenge to the authority of the Covenant House and, by extension, to our family." I paused, letting my words sink in before continuing. "If I had allowed her to get away with it, it would have sent a message that our power is waning, that we can be challenged without consequence. And that kind of perception could jeopardise everything we've worked for, including my chance of securing a position in the Trivium." The mention of the Trivium, the secretive and incredibly powerful organisation that even my father aspired to join, had the desired effect. I could almost hear the gears turning in his head as he processed my words.
"The Trivium," he mused, his tone thoughtful. "You think this could affect our standing with them?" I allowed myself a small smile, knowing I had his attention now.
"Absolutely," I replied, infusing my voice with confidence. "The Trivium values strength, unity, and absolute control. If word got out that this year's Regents weren't able to manage our own house, it could seriously damage our chances of being accepted."
There was another pause, longer this time. I held my breath, waiting for his response. When he finally spoke, his voice was calmer, more calculated.
"I see your point," he conceded, though I could still hear the reluctance in his voice. "But that doesn't change the fact that you've chosen a liability as your Consort. This Cadence girl has no connections, no influence. I can't find any information on her at all. How do you expect to use her to our advantage?" I leaned back against the wall, relief washing over me as I realised that I'd successfully redirected his anger. Now, I just had to convince him of Cadence's worth.
"That's precisely why she's valuable, Father," I explained, my mind working quickly. "She's a blank slate. No pre-existing allegiances, no family ties to complicate things. We can mould her into exactly what we need her to be." I paused, knowing my next words would be crucial. "Plus, her status as an actual scholarship student, not a Trivium legacy, gives us a unique opportunity. It allows us to present a more... benevolent image to the public. The powerful Bale family, giving a chance to a deserving but underprivileged student. It's the kind of PR that money can't buy." My father hummed thoughtfully, and I could almost see him nodding.
"Interesting angle," he admitted. "But can she handle it? The pressure, the scrutiny? Our world isn't for the weak, Logan. If she breaks, it reflects badly on all of us." I thought back to Cadence's defiance, her strength even in the face of everything we'd put her through. A small part of me admired her for it, even as another part relished the challenge of breaking that spirit. And I hoped she broke. I wanted her to break into a thousand pieces before the year was out.
"She's stronger than she looks," I assured him. "And if she does start to crack, well... that's what the Regents are for. We'll keep her in line. Plus, it's only for a year, then if she really is as worthless as you think, we can toss her aside."
There was a longer pause on the other end of the line, and I held my breath, waiting for his verdict. Finally, he spoke.
"Alright, Logan," he said, his voice stern. "I'll trust your judgement on this. For now. But I want to meet this girl myself. I need to see what you see in her, to make sure she's truly worthy of being associated with our family." I felt a flicker of unease at the thought of my father meeting Cadence. He had a way of intimidating people, of finding their weaknesses and exploiting them mercilessly. But I knew better than to argue.
"Sure," I agreed, keeping my voice neutral. "I'll arrange something soon."
"See that you do," he replied, his tone leaving no room for delay. "And Logan?"
"Yes, Father?"
"Don't disappoint me again. You know the consequences." The line went dead before I could respond, leaving me standing alone in the empty hallway, the weight of his words pressing down on me like a physical force.
I lowered the phone, my mind racing with the implications of our conversation. On one hand, I'd managed to deflect his anger over the Julia incident and even get him to see some potential benefits in choosing Cadence as my Consort. But on the other hand, I'd now committed to arranging a meeting between her and my father, a prospect that filled me with a mixture of anticipation and dread.
Nicholas Bale was not a man to be underestimated. He'd built our family's empire through a combination of ruthless business tactics, strategic alliances, and, when necessary, outright intimidation. Plus the occasional dead body left on the doorsteps of loved ones when everything else failed. He had a knack for finding people's weaknesses and exploiting them mercilessly. The thought of him turning that keen, predatory gaze on Cadence made something twist uncomfortably in my gut.
I pushed off from the wall, pocketing my phone as I started walking towards Cadence's Maths classroom. As I moved through the hallways, my mind drifted to the complexities of controlling Cadence. It was a delicate balance, one that was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. Ryder, with his growing obsession, was becoming more protective of her by the day. His possessiveness was starting to border on mania, and I knew it was only a matter of time before it became a problem. Then there was Cole, ever the diplomat, who seemed to be developing a genuine sympathy for Cadence's situation. His attempts to smooth things over, to make her more comfortable, were admirable in a way, but they also threatened to undermine the control we needed to maintain.
Their softening attitudes towards Cadence were beginning to grate on me. We'd claimed her, marked her as ours in every way that mattered. She belonged to us now, body and soul. And yet, Ryder and Cole seemed to be forgetting that fact, letting their guard down, allowing her small freedoms that could lead to bigger problems down the line.
As I rounded a corner, my mind drifted back to the incident at lunch earlier that day. A smirk played at the corners of my mouth as I recalled the way Cadence had squirmed under Ryder's touch, her body betraying her even as her mind rebelled against the public display.
I could still see it clearly in my mind's eye: Cadence, perched uncertainty on Ryder's lap, her eyes darting nervously around the crowded cafeteria. Ryder's hand, sliding slowly up her thigh, disappearing down the front of her jeans. The way her breath had hitched, her lashes fluttering as she fought against the sensations he was eliciting. The memory sent a jolt of arousal through me, my body responding to the recollection of her struggle.
The power I'd felt in that moment, orchestrating her humiliation, controlling her pleasure and her pain, was intoxicating. I'd watched her face closely as Ryder worked her over, noting every minute change in her expression. The initial panic in her eyes, giving way to reluctant desire. The way she'd bitten her lip, trying desperately not to make a sound as Ryder's fingers found their mark. And finally, the look of utter mortification mixed with unwanted ecstasy as she'd climbed higher and higher, teetering on the edge of release in front of everyone. But the best part, the moment that truly cemented my control, was when I'd leaned in close, my lips brushing her ear as I whispered that if she gave in, if she came, it would be her turn to pleasure Ryder. The fear that had flashed in her eyes, coupled with the unmistakable flicker of dark curiosity, had been absolutely delicious.
As I continued down the hallway, my mind continued to wander, imagining new scenarios, new ways to push Cadence's boundaries and reinforce our dominance over her. I pictured her on her knees beneath the dining table, her mouth put to better use than arguing or complaining. The image was so vivid, so tantalising, that I could almost feel the phantom touch of her lips against my skin, the warmth of her mouth as it swallowed my cock, and the feel of the back of her throat as I pushed my way in.
I made a silent vow to myself that I would make that particular fantasy a reality soon. The thought of Cadence, forced to pleasure me in public while maintaining a facade of normalcy, almost had me cumming in my pants right there in the University hallway. It would be the ultimate display of control, a clear message to everyone, including Cadence herself, about exactly where she stood in the hierarchy of Covenant House.
As I approached the Maths classroom, I forced myself to push these thoughts aside, at least for the moment. I needed to focus, to maintain my composure when I saw her. It wouldn't do to let her see how much she affected me, how much I craved the power I held over her. I leaned against the door frame, my eyes scanning the crowd of students rushing out of the lecture hall. For a moment, I didn't see her, and a flicker of annoyance passed through me. Where was she? She knew I was coming to collect her for the meeting at Courts House.
Then, finally, I spotted her. And what I saw made my blood boil. Cadence was standing near the back of the classroom, and she wasn't alone. Damien, that insufferable prick, had his hand on her shoulder. He was leaning in close, speaking to her in low tones, a look of concern on his face that made me want to rip his arm off. The audacity of it, the sheer nerve of him touching what belonged to me, to us, sent a wave of possessive rage surging through me.
Damien knew damn well that Cadence was off-limits. His actions weren't just friendly concern; they were a deliberate provocation, a challenge to our authority. I felt my hands clenched into fists at my sides, my jaw tightening as I watched the scene unfold. Cadence seemed uncomfortable, shifting slightly under Damien's touch, but she wasn't pulling away. Why wasn't she pulling away?
Just as I was about to storm over and put an end to this little meeting, Cadence's eyes met mine across the room. I saw the moment recognition dawned in her gaze, quickly followed by a flash of fear. Good. She knew I was furious. Cadence blinked, her body stiffening as she hurriedly disentangled herself from Damien. She began walking towards me, her steps quick but uncertain. But it wasn't fast enough. The damage was done. I pushed off from the door frame, ignoring the curious glances of the other students as I watched her approach. My hand shot out, gripping her arm with more force than was strictly necessary,
"We need a little chat, Princess," I growled as I began dragging her down the hallway.
I could hear her weak protests, feel her trying to pull away, but I ignored it all. The rage coursing through me cried for action, demanding that I reassert my dominance over her immediately. My eyes darted back and forth, searching for a suitable location. Finally, I spotted an empty classroom. Without hesitation, I yanked Cadence inside, slamming the door behind us with a resounding bang that echoed through the small space.
As I turned to face her, I could see the fear in her eyes, the way her chest rose and fell with rapid, shallow breaths. But beneath the fear, there was something else, a flicker of defiance that both infuriated and excited me. I advanced on her slowly, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl as I prepared to remind her exactly who she belonged to. The tension in the room was palpable, crackling between us like electricity. Cadence backed away until she hit the teacher's desk, her hands gripping the edge as if it could somehow protect her from what was coming. I placed my hands on either side of her, effectively caging her in, and leaned in close.
"So," I began, my voice low and menacing, "this is how you act when I'm not watching? Cosying up to other men? And Damien fucking McIntyre of all people?" I spat out Damien's name like it was poison, unable to hide my contempt. Cadence flinched at my tone, but to her credit, she didn't look away.
"H-He's just a friend," she said, her voice wavering slightly but still holding a note of defiance. Wrong fucking answer. I grabbed her chin roughly, forcing her to meet my gaze.
"No," I snarled. "You don't have friends unless they're friends I allow you to have. And Damien is far from a damn friend." I could feel her trembling beneath my touch, see the conflict raging in her eyes. Fear, anger, and something else, something darker that she was trying desperately to hide. A smirk tugged at the corners of my mouth as I recognized that look. It was the same one I'd seen in the cafeteria, when Ryder had his hand down her pants. The same mixture of terror and unwanted arousal that told me, no matter how much she might deny it, a part of her craved this.
"Do you need a reminder of who you belong to?" I asked, my voice dropping even lower, taking on a dangerous edge. I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against her ear as I whispered, "It's not Damien that's going to touch you, Princess. It's me. Ryder. Cole." My free hand snaked down to her waist, finding the button of her jeans and flicking it open. I felt her sharp intake of breath, saw the way her pupils dilated despite her obvious attempt to maintain her composure.
"You want to make contact with him again?" I continued, my voice barely above a whisper now. "You allowed him to talk to you, to touch you." I slid my hand down inside her jeans and into her panties. Cadence gasped as I made contact with her clit, while I smiled at finding her practically soaking. I began to rub slow circles around the bundle of nerves as her hand came up to grip my arm. "You think you get to decide who can or can't touch this body?"
"Please." Her whispered begging sent a jolt straight to my cock, and I couldn't keep the image of spinning her around and burying myself deep in her and fucking her raw right on the desk here out of my head. The need in me was so strong that I struggled to control myself. I jerked my hand from her jeans and grabbed her hand and pushed it against my pants.
"Let him touch you again, Princess..." I pushed her hand down my pants and wrapped my hand around hers as I wrapped them both around my cock. The feel of her hand on mine, the soft whimper she made as I pushed my cock through our entwined grip, made me groan so deep my eyes nearly rolled back into my head.
I pulled back slightly, just enough to meet her gaze, to let her see the dark promise in my eyes.
"I'll make sure everyone, the entire fucking university, watches you on your knees while you swallow this down your throat." The effect of my words was immediate and visceral. Cadence's eyes widened, a visible shudder running through her body. I could practically see the images flashing through her mind. Her, on her knees in the middle of the quad, sucking my cock while the entire student body looked on. The guilt, the terror, and yes, the arousal that flickered across her face was intoxicating. She tried to flinch away, but I held her firmly in place, feeding off her conflicted emotions. I pushed my cock through our hands a few more times before I loosened my grip and let her pull her hand free.
I grinned, knowing I'd struck a nerve. This was the control I craved, the power that surged through me as I watched her struggle against her own desires. Stepping back slightly, I kept eye contact, forcing her to hold my gaze as I delivered my final command.
"Now," I hissed, "get your ass out to the car. Tonight, after the meeting, you're in my room." The force of my demand seemed to reverberate through the small room, hanging in the air between us like a physical presence. I could see the moment it really sank in for Cade, the realisation that her night was no longer her own. I watched her closely, noting every minute reaction. The way her hands shook slightly as she smoothed down her skirt. The rapid rise and fall of her chest as she tried to steady her breathing. The conflicted look in her eyes as she glanced towards the door, clearly torn between the urge to flee and the knowledge that doing so would only make things worse for her. I allowed myself a moment to savour the victory, to bask in the knowledge that no matter how much she might resist, Cadence was mine, ours, to do with as we pleased. The memory of this moment, of her trembling before me, both terrified and aroused, would sustain me through the tedious meeting we were about to attend.
Without another word, I turned and strode towards the door, fully expecting Cadence to follow. As my hand reached for the doorknob, I paused, glancing back over my shoulder.
"Don't make me wait, Princess," I warned, my voice deceptively soft. "You won't like the consequences." With that final threat hanging in the air, I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.