THREE #4
Kieran had copied my movements, so we faced each other again, this time with his hands on his hips. I noticed he was blocking the doorway, adding an extra barrier I’d need to cross.
“Please just go.”
“In a minute. What about your mother? Do you know why she was arrested?”
He was in full interrogation mode now, and I realised I didn’t have the tools to respond.
I dashed a nervous hand over my hair. I so hoped he didn’t repeat the question about my loyalty.
How could I be loyal when both my parents had treated us so badly?
But of course, this boy didn’t know that.
I wasn’t even sure if my aunt and her husband were fully aware of the facts.
If I said something whilst he was in this type of mood, he would probably accuse me of playing the sympathy card.
“Why are you really here, Amelie?” he echoed from earlier, whilst glaring straight through my skull.
“I already told you. My aunt is my guardian. That’s the only reason.”
“So, you have no ulterior motives?”
Shrugging, I released a breath. “Not really. Well, apart from the usual one, which I’m sure is hardwired into all of us,”
That smirk I’d seen earlier reappeared. “And what’s that?”
Staring across at his gorgeous features, I raised my chin and stated firmly. “To survive.”
Kieran didn’t blink as he contemplated me in silence. “Well, that won’t be hard for you, being thrown into the lap of luxury. At school, however, now that’s a different story.”
“Vanessa told me about it in the car, Northridge Academy? Is it nice there?”
He shrugged. “School is school, it’s never nice.”
“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t been to one for years, and even then, it was short-lived.”
Shock flashed in his eyes. “If you haven’t been to school for so long, how were you educated?” His expression switched to disbelief. Did he think I was lying?
I shrugged. “Books and stuff.”
“Books and stuff? Fuck.” Kieran had dropped his hands to his sides. “So, you have no idea how to behave in high school?”
“I’ve seen some stuff on YouTube. High School Musical and all that.”
Kieran barked out a laugh. Once he stopped, he peered across at me, his face baffled again. “Believe me when I say, Amelie, the real deal is fuck all like that.” The way he said my name sent goosebumps down my skin.
There was a beat of silence, like a standoff between us. I didn’t know what he expected me to say.
A myriad of emotions flickered in the depths of his eyes; one I recognised as pity. That wasn’t what I wanted to see.
“Look, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Just keep your head down. Be a sheep.”
“What does that mean?”
“At Northridge. Toe the line like everyone else does.”
My brow furrowed; that was an expression I hadn’t heard before. “Toe the line?”
Kieran groaned, dashing a hand through his hair.
I watched as the locks bounced back into place, a clump falling across his forehead.
“Yes, if you end up at Northridge Academy. Make sure you don’t antagonise the hierarchy, those who rule the school.
” Even though his words were cocksure, he looked less like a threat and more like a frustrated boy.
“Do you toe the line?”
“Hell no. I am the hierarchy, sweetheart.”
“So, I’m expected to do as you say?”
“You catch on quick.”
Kieran barked out another laugh as if sharing a joke with himself, and it made me jump.
I still wasn’t afraid of him. I hated loud noises and used to wear ear defenders when I was little to hide from thunderstorms and my father’s temper. I remembered how he and Adam would yell at each other. That had started to happen more over the last couple of years as Adam got bigger.
“Do I scare you?” Kieran suddenly questioned, scrutinising my face. Not as much as the thought of starting Northridge Academy did. If I had a choice, I had zero intention of going there.
“No. But you’re bossier than my brother,” I muttered under my breath.
Kieran’s lips twisted from that smirk to a full, devastating smile, and it was outrageously alluring. He could probably charm the devil into giving up his seat in hell. “You have no idea.” I imagined the Rook Prince could charm even the toughest of characters.
“Anyway. Thanks for the pep talk. I should get back to unpacking,” I said, thumbing toward the space behind me.
The charm vanished as quickly as it had appeared as he retorted aggressively, “Unpack your shit—or don't bother. You won't be here long enough for it to matter.” He went to leave, tossing the final blow over his shoulder. “Dinner is at eight.”
“I’m not hungry.”
Kieran whipped back, his top lip curling into something cruel.
“Tough. You’ll come downstairs and eat something.
God knows you look like you need it.” I hated the way he motioned towards my slight frame with a clinical kind of disgust that would have upset most girls.
“On Sunday, we always eat together. It’s one of those bullshit family traditions.
For the short time you are here, you may as well get used to it and play the part.
” Sunday was clearly not his favourite day.
So, it was all for show: their picture-perfect house with its large beds, swimming pool, and massive TVs was a ruse, window dressing, just as I had assumed.
“Understood,” I replied quietly, my eyes wide.
Kieran gave me one last intense stare-down before he added. “Good. As I said, toe the line. I’ll see you at dinner, Amelie Thorn,” he drawled, full-naming me.
The confusing tower of muscle that was Kieran Rook then scowled and left my room without looking back, taking his moody energy with him.
Releasing a huge puff of air, which I must have been holding in for at least the last minute, I plopped down onto the bed. The quilt was like sitting on a cloud.
Dinner? I couldn’t stomach the thought of being at the dining table with him or his family. What if I spilt a drink on their expensive thousand-thread-count tablecloth?
I swept a despairing look around the room; everything was so neat. At that moment, I preferred the filth of my own home. At least that was real and familiar.
After Kieran’s comments about his family, I accepted that the Rook house was what I hated the most—a rotten foundation built on a bed of shiny lies.