26. VERENA GRAVENHURST
TWENTY-SIX
VERENA GRAVENHURST
Gathering my books and placing them in my bag, I just about run out of the lecture hall once my class has concluded for the day. Reed is waiting for me in the corridor, a cheeky grin on his handsome face. He slings an arm over my shoulders as we begin our walk down the hall.
“Where are we off to, Sully?” The name causes his eyebrows to lift and a smirk to tug at the corner of his mouth.
He leans in, brushing his lips against the crook of my neck, dusting small kisses up to my ear and whispers, “It’s time for your first task, Gravenhurst.”
Excitement rolls through me. I’m nervous, but it’s exhilarating. I have no idea what this task is going to be, but I’m ready to race it head-on, to prove to Reed, and maybe even myself, that the society is where I belong.
We roll through the iron gates, and my curiosity has piqued on what brings us to the manor.
I sit patiently, my nerves getting the best of me as I wait for Reed to break the silence.
The burn on my shoulder stings with every slight movement of my body, and it’s a painful reminder that I shouldn’t underestimate what the society is capable of, or what they may expect from me.
Reed parks the car a few feet shy of the manor’s entrance and shifts his body to face mine.
“Your first task is one without much challenge. Are you ready?” He gives me a pointed stare, twisting in his seat to face me, and I nod, nervously biting my bottom lip.
“There’s a folder we’re looking for. It’s a dark purple with the Hollow Iris Crest embossed upon it. Have you seen it before?” Reed studies my expressions, and I shake my head. “Do you think you might have an idea where it could be?”
I ponder his question for a moment. “I might.” A folder with such value would likely only be found in one place—my grandfather’s office.
“Good. No one must know that you have it in your possession, and no one can know you’re out to seek it, understood?”
I mull over his request, but it feels wrong. “Why do you need it, anyway?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
My eyes narrow on him. “I thought we were trusting each other?"
“Trust is earned, Gravenhurst,” Reed simply says, reaching over me to open my door.
I watch him, waiting for more of an explanation, but he doesn’t show any more emotion.
He just turns to look out the front windshield.
Taking his response as a dismissal to begin my task, I hesitantly exit the vehicle.
Walking towards the large doors, I place my hand on the door handle and peer back at Reed, looking for any indication of encouragement or confidence in my ability to do as he’s asked, but there is none.
He’s staring out the window, as if no longer acknowledging my existence until I’ve completed his task.
I enter the manor and close the doors behind me, quick on my feet and silent as a mouse, hoping I can get by unnoticed by the staff—or anyone else, for that matter.
Tiptoeing my way up the stairs and through the halls, I reach my grandfather’s office and stand there, racking my brain for my next plan of action.
Straining my ears, listening for footsteps nearby, I’m greeted by a ghostly silence.
I exhale a breath and crouch down, examining the door handle.
Running the pad of my thumb over the keyhole, an idea comes to mind.
Plucking a bobby pin from my hair, a few loose strands fall free onto my face.
I huff out a puff of air, scattering the hairs so that my vision is no longer compromised.
Bending the bobby pin open, I hold it up, inspecting the tiny ridges and pray that this will work.
I plunge it into the keyhole, tilting it to just the right angle—
“Good afternoon, Miss Ren. Home so soon?” Archie’s voice echoes in the long hallway, and I swear I feel my heart stop for a moment. My posture goes rigid, and I hide the bobby pin behind my back, feeling a sudden sense of guilt wash over me. Archie checks the time on his watch.
“Hi, Arch, yes, my lecture concluded early today.”
“I see.” Archie holds my gaze, and I feel like he can see right through me. “Very well, run along. Dinner will be ready by six.”
He steps to the side, gesturing me in the opposite direction of the office. I’m relieved when he doesn’t ask any questions. I tip my head down, slipping past him and offering my best smile as I scurry back to the vehicle.
Busted.
Feeling defeated and a little embarrassed, I exit the manor, letting the doors swing shut behind me with a loud thud, no longer trying to keep my presence a secret.
Reed’s eyes are glued to my hands as soon as I approach him, and I can see the visible disappointment on his face when he realizes I’ve shown up empty-handed.
Pulling the door closed behind me, I wait for Reed to say something. Anything to cut the tension in the air.
“Archie saw me. I couldn’t risk trying to break into the office,” I explain, because the silence is killing me. Reed purses his lips into a thin line and starts the ignition. We drive off in silence, and I slump down in my seat, feeling like a complete failure.
As we’re approaching the iron gates, I avert my gaze out the window.
My eyes snag on a plume of smoke curling into the air, leaving the lips of the dark-haired, broody man who refuses to leave my mind.
His deep blue eyes watch me intently as I exit the estate with Reed.
A sinking feeling forms in the pit of my stomach by the look that says more than any words could. He’s disappointed in me, too.
Hollow’s Peak is the notorious hook-up spot in town.
It’s known for its beautiful sights, where college students park their cars and get hot and heavy under the glow of moonlight.
Reed and I sit parked at the peak, in the back seat of his Mercedes.
The windows are rolled down, and the stars glimmer, illuminating the sky above us.
On any other night, this would be a romantic evening spent together, but tonight it feels tense.
Reed hasn’t said a word, but he nips at the edge of my jaw, working his way up to my lips.
He devours them, like he’s hungry for a meal my lips refuse to satiate.
Reed is usually gentle with me; he takes his time working on my delicate skin, savouring every kiss, every lick.
But tonight, his touch is belligerent and demanding.
A flash of his facial expression from earlier today flickers in my mind.
I saw the annoyance on his face, the disappointment etched in his brow when I returned from the manor without the folder he requested.
I had failed him, and he made sure I was fully aware of his disappointment.
His mood has shifted into something foul.
It’s like his attitude took on a life of its own.
Reed lays me down, hovering over my body as he firmly grabs my wrists, yanking my arms over my head and pinning them down.
His grip is rough, and he holds them down with such a force I nearly wince.
I’m at his mercy, incapable of moving. He deepens our kiss so brutally that I’m struggling to find air between each moment our lips part.
I begin to squirm beneath him, fear and panic twisting within me.
His hard length strains against his slacks and grinds himself against my centre, rougher than he normally would.
My skirt rides up, and though there’s a thin layer of underwear covering my flesh, the zipper of his pants rubbing against me is unpleasant to say the least. This feels entirely wrong tonight.
It’s difficult to return his affections when there are so many unsaid words lingering between us.
I attempt to tell him to stop, try to rip my lips away from his and scream his name, try like hell to get out from under his grip, but he just holds me tighter, and I think of the marks his hands will have left on my flesh by the morning.
Instinct takes over, and my leg kicks out, catching Reed in the balls. His body drops on top of me, his full weight making me gasp out what little air I was able to suck in.
“What the fuck, Gravenhurst?” he spits out, his words laced with venom as he sits up, cupping himself, anger flaring in his eyes.
Coughing, I try to catch my breath as tears spring to my eyes, threatening to roll down my cheeks.
“You wouldn't stop!” I shout through ragged breaths.
“Why the hell would I stop? You’re my girlfriend, Verena; it’s nothing we haven’t done before.”
I’m baffled by his audacity. Anger flickers through me, something akin to rolling thunder in a brutal storm.
“You don’t just get to take what you want, when you want it, Reed. I deserve better than that.”
He scoffs. “Don’t be so fucking pretentious, Gravenhurst. That name will only get you so far.”
“Take me home,” I demand, no longer wanting to spend another moment alone with him.
A wicked laugh ripples through him, fueling my anger further.
“I said, take me home,” I grit through my teeth.
“As you wish, princess.” His tone is malicious and cruel.
He leaves the back seat, slamming the door behind him, and I jump at the sudden noise.
I don’t know what the hell has gotten into him lately, but it’s left a sour taste on my tongue.
He slides into the front seat and starts the engine.
Adjusting my skirt, I stay seated in the back and buckle my seatbelt.
Reed presses on the gas, and gravel kicks up from beneath the tires.
We sit in silence, and I peer up at him in the rearview mirror.
He doesn’t meet my gaze, doesn’t say a word, just stares ahead, his expression cold as he flexes his jaw.
Folding in on myself, I tuck my knees into my chest, protecting what’s left of my faulty heart.
You are Verena Gravenhurst. You’ll be home soon. You’ll be okay.