The Claiming (Rockwell Academy #1)

Chapter 1

ONE

CASSIE

This is what freedom looks like and I expected no less. I gaze around the dark hallway; the lightbulb flickering above me as it hangs onto life. The paint is peeling and the wood rotting, and I wonder how Rockwell Academy is still standing.

A shiver passes through me as a dripping tap sounds in the direction of an open doorway.

The chair is hard against my back as I wait with anticipation for my parents to vacate the office of Principal Constable.

As I wait, a sudden movement at the end of the hall diverts my attention from the lightbulb and I watch with interest as three people step into my view.

The man is tall, dangerous in appearance, with a gaze that pierces my soul from several yards out. He appears to be taking everything in and I’m no stranger to that.

My attention flips to the woman holding his hand. A strikingly beautiful blonde, far more anxious than the man slightly ahead of her.

Behind her is a girl who I stare at with interest. I’m guessing she is new, the same as me, and yet she shows none of the nerves of her mother. Her gaze collides with mine and a friendly smile stretches across her pretty pink lips, her eyes shining with friendliness as they approach. They stop at three chairs positioned on the opposite side of the Principal’s door and as they sit, the group smile at me politely.

I return it with interest because I’m curious about them. That’s nothing new. I’m curious about everything.

I listen as the woman sighs. “I’m not enjoying this.”

The girl laughs and as she catches my eye, she grins, rolling hers in an exaggerated fashion, causing me to chuckle softly.

“I’ll be fine, mom.”

Her voice is light, excitement wrapped in the words and her father ruffles her hair.

“Of course she will. Siri can look after herself and I don’t need to remind you of that, Charlotte.”

His voice is husky and edged with an accent I can’t quite place. He called her Siri. That’s unusual, possibly a nickname.

“I can worry if I like. It’s what moms do.”

The attractive woman catches my eye and winks, her soft smile causing me to reward her with one of the same.

Siri slides her gaze to me and grins and if I believed in fate, this would be the second our friendship began. Two like-minded souls who will share the greatest adventure and in the future I will remember this moment as the beginning of our story.

The door opens and my father’s husky tones make me smile—they always do.

He steps outside and his sharp gaze lands on the strangers before he connects with mine. I have never known any different. It’s his training, instinct, or a curious mind, but he searches for danger before safety and that will never change.

He nods to the man respectfully and holds out his hand.

“Ryder King.”

That is all he says—all he ever says and the man replies, “Ivan Volkov.”

It’s as if they are acquainted as mutual respect flashes in their eyes and I am mesmerized. Then mom follows him and smiles at Charlotte, Siri’s mom.

“Hi, I’m Ashton, and this is Cassandra, our daughter.” She turns her attention to Siri and offers her hand.

“You must be the girl Principal Constable spoke about. Cassandra’s roomie.”

My ears prick up as mom smiles in my direction and I jump up to join them.

Siri grins and, leaning in, whispers, “Well, that’s a good start, anyway. I’m Siri, otherwise known as Serenity.”

“Cassie, otherwise known as Cassandra.”

I return her smile and then the Principal calls, “Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Volkov. Please step inside.”

She steps to the side as they smile and pass her into the office, Siri dropping a cheeky wink in my direction as she resumes her seat. Before she joins them, the Principal extends her hand toward me and says brightly, “Cassandra. Welcome to Rockwell Academy. Your parents will escort you to your dorm and then please head to the great hall at two pm for the induction process.”

Her gaze is fleeting as she follows the Volkovs into the room and as the door closes, I raise my eyes.

“Short and sweet, I suppose.”

Daddy heaves a sigh. “I’m not–”

Mom interrupts. “We are fully aware you’re not happy, Ryder, but you can’t deny Cassie the education she deserves. You can’t keep her with you forever. People require space to grow and Cassie must find her way in the world outside of the compound.”

I’m interested as always when mom challenges him. She’s the only person who has that right and despite his obvious irritation, he gazes with affection into her eyes and reaches for her hand.

“I still don’t have to like it.” He growls and mom winks as we follow him as he strides down the hall, filling it almost entirely with his overbearing presence.

* * *

Rockwell Academy is far enough away from home to require boarding and yet close enough if I need to escape home for the weekend. Not that I intend on leaving this place because, as mom said, the compound has clipped my wings for too long already. When you live in a motorcycle club with close to fifty bikers, no move you make is unseen. It’s all-encompassing and yet I wouldn’t have it any other way because, despite the unconventional way we live, it’s always been home to me.

Every single biker and their old lady is family to me, even the whores who work the bar and seek sanctuary within our steel-clad walls. My father is the president and is the most respected of them all, as well as being the most feared. But he’s always been daddy to me and that will never change and yet for the first time I will be away from his protection. I’m excited about that, curious and expectant, and the only reason I’m here at all is because I’m not alone.

As we make our way to the dorm, I ask, “When will Jack arrive?”

Jack is my best friend, brother from another mother and the one who’s been beside me since birth. He is also coming here and if I know my father, he only agreed because of it. Jack will be tasked with looking out for me, which is no different from what he has done his entire life, and the same goes for me. We are and always have been tightly bound together and yet when this chapter ends, he will begin a new one in the military.

Mom replies, “Next week, after the funeral.”

My heart sinks. Jack’s grandmother passed last week, and they made the trip to Connecticut to attend the funeral and deal with the legalities, along with their grief. She was in a nursing home and past ninety years old, but it’s still terribly sad and I hate knowing they are grieving.

We reach my block, set before a bank of trees and daddy hisses, “Security could be better. I’ll arrange for more lighting and some cameras.”

“Don’t you dare.” Mom rolls her eyes. “You’ve got to let go, Ryder. Trust Cassie to look after herself. You have taught her well enough. She has Jack if she needs help, but Cassie is more than capable of dealing with anything that this place throws at her.”

I flash her a grateful smile. She may not be my birth mother, but she is the only mom I have ever known and I couldn’t love her any more than I do. My heart is full of love for them both, as well as Caspian, my younger brother, who is currently at home.

Once again, excitement passes through me like a lit fuse as I contemplate my new freedom. Rockwell Academy – I’m coming for you and I can’t wait to discover the secrets you’re hiding behind the dark, depressing walls and dilapidated exterior.