22. Claire
22
CLAIRE
M y Wyvern House invitation lets me through the gates again.
I didn’t pay attention this morning, in my rush to leave, but the houses’ lane looks very different in broad daylight, like a well-to-do gated neighborhood. If it were my first time walking up here, I’d expect kids riding their bikes, happy little dogs, minivans. Instead, the street’s empty.
Call me paranoid, but I think I feel eyes following my progress.
I take forever to get to the tower at the end of the road.
Making myself cross the drive takes all of my strength. I keep my eyes downcast, because I can't bear to watch his stupidly beautiful face or that infuriating smirk, like he hasn't already destroyed my former life and spat out the pieces.
Keller opens the door before I get anywhere close, a grin curving his lips as he leans in the frame.
"The maiden returns. How unexpected," he deadpans, everything in his demeanor saying that he absolutely expected to see me again.
Of course he did.
He walks inside as I reach the threshold, and I follow him without a word, past the now-empty lounge, study, library, and into a vast, deep blue kitchen I haven’t seen yet.
"Coffee?"
Angry, afraid, stressed to no end, I want to snap that I want nothing from him. But that's not exactly true, is it?
I bite my tongue hard enough to bleed. "Please."
I watch him make it just how I like it; more milk than coffee, and he adds two pumps of caramel, then a pump of vanilla, pointedly displaying a fact that would have made my blood run cold if I didn't already know it. He's been watching me. Or had me watched, as the case may be.
Since when? For how long? Did he plan all this the moment I came to Thorn Falls?
But no, that's not possible. How could he have known I'd open my big mouth Saturday and make it oh so easy for him to manipulate me?
That bit, if only that, is on me.
"So," I begin, refusing to make small talk, "I'm allowed in the school, but I don't have anywhere to live?"
Part of me wonders if he's going to play it like he doesn't know what I'm talking about.
"If I take a job to pay for an apartment in this town, I won't have time to study, so I won’t be able to maintain the grades I need to keep my scholarship," I say.
I checked every job posting online. There seem to be plenty of bartending gigs available, but there's no denying that I wouldn't be able to pay for an apartment unless I take a minimum of thirty hours. How am I supposed to do that and do well in each of my classes?
Keller takes a sip of the dark sludge he's drinking without even a hint of sugar. "Yeah. It truly sucks to be you."
My jaw tightens. "I need back in the dorms."
We made one deal so I'd have my scholarship back. We can make another.
Fuck, I hate him for reducing me to this...but if that's what's necessary, what other choice do I have?
The dick who ruined me laughs, like all of this is just a big joke to him.
Thirty-six hours ago, I thought I'd lost my scholarship, everything I worked my ass off to earn, and had to go back to Michigan with my tail between my legs and nothing to my name. This afternoon, I learned I still have it, but I no longer have a roof over my head. And he's laughing.
I want to scream .
"Darling, it's sweet you think I control everything around here, but actually, the order to expel you from the dorms came from above."
My heart starts to race.
Fuck . "There must be…"
To my surprise, I see something not unlike pity in those cold, pale eyes of his. "You proved yourself untrustworthy and the board doesn't want you around their children until you've shown them you've changed. That takes time and consistency."
He's reminding me it's my fault. My consequences. Because telling the police what is going on is a crime in this part of the world.It’s not like I incriminated him or anyone else. In fact, I did my very best so the wyverns would be left out of it.
A little voice I refuse to pay attention to whispers that I didn't have to tell them everyone had been drinking, or that there was probably drugs, too. I should have held my tongue. It's common sense.
Seems I don't have any of that.
"And in the meantime, I'm homeless ."
These people are horrible. They must know how desperate they’ve made me. They must know how much it costs to live in this town. This is another punishment.
"Don't be dramatic," he replies with an eye roll. "Look for apartments in southie. I'm sure you can find flatmates."
"Yes. For fifteen hundred, if I don’t mind bed bugs,” I snap. “ And waste hours every day—hours I have to spend studying to stay here—on commuting and work."
I'm wasting my time, and losing my temper. To cut to the chase, I ask plainly, "Is there anything you can do?"
"What makes you think I'll help?"
I stare at him wordlessly, as his amusement grows.
"You know," he teases, "when people beg for favors, they usually offer something in exchange."
And here we go.
"You already had something from me."
"So sure it was me under the mask, huh?" Keller challenges.
I lift my chin.
Honestly, I don't know what gives me that absolute certainty. Sure, I thought I recognized the blond hair, a little wavy, on the longer side under his hood, but he's hardly the only one with blond locks at Rothford.Maybe someone else heard him call me little ghost and repeated it.
And yet, I am positive. He just…wouldn't let anyone else do that to me. I can’t explain it. But I’d bet anything I’m right.
"Wasn't it?" I volley back at him.
Keller holds my gaze wordlessly for a few seconds before replying—and avoiding the subject all at once."That deal got you your scholarship back. A couple of hours of work for over fifty thousand dollars. You're saying that sweet ass of yours is worth more?"
That’s an answer in itself. I find myself blushing.
"I'm saying," I grit between my teeth, "if there's a way to help, please do it."
He seems to consider my words.
"I can't get you your room back in the dorm."
My heart drops.It’s all I can do no to sink to the floor and just cry, after everything. I think the only reason I don’t is the numbness.
What next?
Maybe if I take a bartending gig and limit my sleeping hours to four a night, I'll be able to juggle everything. Just maybe…
"What I can do…" Keller adds as I put the mug down, unwilling to remain here a second longer than I have to—not when I'm about to break into tears.
I lift my eyes to his, knowing they're red and wet and desperate.
"Is give you a room here, in the Vesper House."
What?
I look around at the rich, warm dark wood, the leather, and the expensive everything.
He can't mean that.
"Provided you're happy to pay for your stay.The guys pay a thousand per week."
Ugh. I should have known.
"I can't afford that. That was my whole point, as you've clearly missed it."
"I know," he retorts with that smile.
The one that starts in one corner, before spreading, and showing his perfect teeth.
Predatory . That's what it is.I’ve finally found the right word for his smile, that never reaches his eyes, and the look he gives me all the time. Like a wolf who spots juicy prey.
"What do you want?" I force out.
Although I know.
"You can guess."
I narrow my eyes at him, crossing my arms over my chest. "I want you to say it out loud. I want you to hear yourself say that you're happy to take advantage of a girl who doesn't have any other choice."
"All right. Claire Fairmont, I am offering you a suite in the Vesper House, and in exchange, you're going to be my cum dumpster for the rest of the year."
He doesn't so much as hesitate, perfectly comfortable with the idea.
"I'll cover your room and board, and throw in any expenses you might have. Your duty will be to let me come inside one of your holes twice a day, every day. When I want, where I want."
I was so, so wrong. He wasn’t done this morning. He just didn’t have any way to bend me to his will yet.
And I thought I could shame the man into doing the right thing.
He likes this. He loves having power over me.
"Don't worry. I'll either fuck your mouth or your asshole. We can leave that virgin pussy of yours out of the deal if you'd like. I'm not much for bloodsports."
"You're disgusting ."
He shrugs indifferently. "Take it or leave it. But I doubt you'll get a better offer, even in this town."