Chapter 46 #2
“Fair enough.” He walked back to the desk and stared down at me from the other side.
“The decision has been made that your life and the lives of those who participated will be spared. You are never to speak about it or the school’s involvement.
You’re just as confused and concerned about his disappearance as everyone else. ”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Yes, I agree.” I swallowed and decided to press my luck. “Why? Why are you letting me go?”
Dean Henry smiled. “Because Ren is under our protection, and this happened on our watch and our property. Your actions, although reckless, merely sped up the process and did not take place on school grounds, and I believe, were for noble reasons. I do not condone vigilante behavior from my students…Ms. Davies, however, is a unique case.”
I wasn’t sure if he meant because of how the attack happened or because Ren was unique. I really wanted to press him about it, but I had a feeling I was going butt up against a stone wall, and I’d just gotten away with killing someone when they had all the evidence needed to slit my throat.
“Thank you.” I wasn’t sure what else to say at that point, so I set my cup down, ready to get the hell out of there before he changed his mind.
“Two more things, Nash,” Henry said as I slid forward in my seat and froze.
“First, there will be a very tragic accident in the coming days. Sadly, a number of people are going to lose their lives. I trust that when you see this gut-wrenching report, you will act accordingly with all the appropriate responses to the situation.” I swallowed the dry, scratchy lump in my throat. Were they going after the Lindberghs?
“Whatever I hear, I promise to keep my head down and my mouth shut,” I said, and the corner of his mouth twitched up.
“Good to hear. Secondly, I would very much appreciate it if you and your friends stopped taking Ms. Davies off school property. In fact, if you don’t stop, our conversation is going to end with you becoming her bodyguard and spending every waking moment with her.
Don’t think this is an easy task, your life will literally be tied to hers.
The choice is yours: keep her here, or you stay with her all hours of the day and night.
” The second option shouldn’t have sounded as hot as it did, but the look on Princess’s face when I told her I would be with her all the time was enough to make me want to jump at that option.
She would be livid, and I would need the bodyguard, but fuck… .
“I didn’t expect you to take this long in deciding when, despite your earlier surprising proclamation of being friends, you seem to dislike Ms. Davies so much.” The look in his eye made me squirm.
“Can we strike a compromise?”
“Color me intrigued. What do you have in mind?”
“Princ…Ms. Davies doesn’t exactly like to listen.” Dean Henry chuckled, and I didn’t think I’d ever heard the man laugh before.
“You don’t say? Right now, she is traipsing around in the forest as she tries to run off. I assume the goal is to bring her back, and that is why Mr. McCoy and Mr. Hicks have gone after her?” What the hell? Was there anything he didn’t know?
“Yes, and they will.”
“I’m sure they will. Mr. McCoy is quite smitten, but if there is no word or sight of them in the next twenty-four hours, then I will have no choice but to send a team after them, the helicopter and trackers are already set to go. We are off track. What is your compromise?”
I rubbed my lip as I thought. “I can’t be with Ren all the time, but I do recognize that there seems to be something swirling around her that’s not safe.
” He nodded. “Have either myself, Myles, Blake, Theo, or Liam scheduled in all of her classes. That way, one of us can discreetly escort her at all times. Also, she can’t stay cooped up here, or she will do something reckless.
I know I would, and I’m assuming I can’t tie her up? ”
“Unadvisable unless she asks you to.”
My mouth dropped open. Why the fuck did he have to go and say that? My blood heated at the thought of tying her hands above her head and making her scream my name. Shit. My fucking pants were suddenly too tight.
“So what if we only take her off property if all five of us can go, and you’re notified so you can keep an eye on things? She travels with us, and we never leave her alone. She mentioned wanting to go shopping and to feel somewhat normal, and so far, her experience here has not been good.”
“You do know you’re part of the reason for that?” Dean Henry placed his hands on the desk.
I really didn’t want to admit this out loud. It would solidify everything that Ren had said to me in the art room, but there were certain things I did that I would do again, and I couldn’t deny that.
“I’ll take partial responsibility. But not for Axel’s actions,” I growled, and Henry smiled.
“Alright, I’ll take the deal. When Ms. Davies leaves campus, all five of you must be present, you will not let her out of your sight, and you will notify me before leaving.”
Why was I doing this? Keeping her here and never needing to go near her again would be ideal in a perfect world.
“Okay then.” I stood and felt like I’d just negotiated my first real business deal as I walked to the door.
I paused with my fingers touching the handle and looked at Dean Henry.
“Can I ask a question?” He nodded. “Can you tell me who Ren is? I know she can’t be Ms. Davies. That doesn’t make sense.”
Dean Henry sighed and leaned back in his chair.
“I can’t tell you that Nash,” he said, but that single line confirmed so many suspicions.
“What I will tell you is that the Curators see the work you and your group are doing, but more importantly, why. Let’s say that when the appropriate time comes, the Curators will help facilitate an outcome in your favor.
” My heart tripled in time. The most powerful secret body of killers was going to back me? Henry held up his finger.
“I thought the Curators didn’t take sides? Why me?”
“They are a natural body, but take a special interest in the side of prosperity and peace. When the table becomes dirty, and people no longer want to eat at it, problems arise, and they can’t have that.
But let me be very clear with you, Nash.
This is not a carte blanche offer. You must not lose yourself in the weeds, as did the person who left the scar on your face.
Even in this world, we have honor and respect.
Lines have been crossed and are causing a stir among many families. ”
“Anyone in particular,” I asked, not expecting an answer, but the humor in his eyes said I’d amused him in some way.
“Perhaps you would like to take a trip to Sicily this summer. I hear the weather and food are amazing.” He smiled at me, and I knew he wanted me to meet up with someone, but who he meant eluded me. It didn’t matter. I would find a way to get there and figure it out.
“You said when the time is appropriate. When will that be?”
“You will know when the time comes.” Like that wasn’t cryptic. I nodded as his phone rang by his hand, but he never twitched as we stared at one another.
“Have a good day, Nash.”
“Thank you, Dean Henry, you too.”
Stepping out of the office, I closed the door, and it felt like I’d just escaped a snake pit without being seen.
My heart was hammering in my chest, but more from the prospect of joining forces with the Curators.
Even if it was only to take my father down, I would keep them in my back pocket as a checkmate.