Chapter 33
Taking a deep breath I close my eyes to calm my unsteady heart.
My dreams, it’s like they’re coming to life. That night plays over and over in my dreams each time with a different scenario and outcome.
Deep down I knew Silas could never find out that I truly want to be used and taken advantage of.
I’m pretty sure the others would be no different.
Whatever this is happening, I can’t let them know.
But maybe they already do?
Cranford’s been keeping my mother busy, I guess it’s better than her smothering me. But a part of me wants her to worry about me, check on me.
Chewing the inside of my lip my thoughts turn to my father.
Surely Cranford knows more about my fathers so-called death than he lets on.
My father would never have left me, not like that.
I need more information, something I can use. Show my Mom proof that Dad didn’t leave us.
Knowing Cranford took my Mom to another fancy dinner party and won’t be back for hours I decide to go investigate. What could it hurt to do some digging on Cranford Creed?
I slide from my bed, tip-toeing across the room until I get to the door, I open it quietly hoping Silas is too preoccupied to hear me.
Music plays behind his door, so I know it’s safe.
With soft steps I make my way down the hall toward Cranford’s office, reaching for the handle, I'm in luck as the door clicks open.
Closing the door behind me, I make my way to Cranford’s desk and begin searching for anything that will give me any clues.
Starting with his drawers I lift papers and folders trying to find anything he might have on my father.
I stop seeing my fathers name on a folder. Why does Cranford have this? Frowning, I pull it out and open it.
I gasp seeing image after image of me, some with Mom, some with Dad and then there's everything from my birthdate to my deepest fears.
There’s everything from my father’s death records to his latest bank deposit.
Has Silas seen this? Is he the one who shut me in that closet?
I continue to flip through it wondering why Cranford Creed has a file on my father with information on our entire family? I shove it back inside and notice the file is suspiciously thin.
What the hell.
Something clinks on the side of the desk, bending. I pick up what looks like another one of those pledge coins Rain told me about.
It has two letters imprinted on the front.
S. C
Furrowing my brow I try to think what the letters could mean but come up empty.
Pocketing it I hope Cranford won’t notice it missing.
Finishing up I head toward his bookcase, it’s full of old books, certificates mostly from Monarch Prep and dusty old photographs.
One in particular catches my eye. It's of a group of people and both my parents are in it along with Cranford and a woman next to him that I assume is his late wife. I didn't know much about Silas’ mom, only what I’d heard from my parents.
She’d gone missing a few months before my father’s death only to be found in a shallow grave her body completely untouched except for her lips had been cut off like they were silencing her.
It’d been horrible hearing that someone could actually do that, hurt someone to that degree.
I look up spotting my father in another photo only this one is just of him and Cranford. They’re both smiling, seeing my father’s face brings tears to my eyes, God, I miss him.
Something sits behind the photo, quickly grabbing it I open the back and pull out the small envelope. Tucking the photo back into the frame I put the envelope in my pocket before I lose it.
Behind the frame sits another pledge coin. This time the letters J.T are carved into it.
Wait, Z.A, J.T and S.C. Zephyr, Jagger and Silas. That means Neo would have one too.
A sudden noise outside the office startles me and I drop the pin in my hand causing it to clutter to the floor.
Scurrying I quickly collect it and then head to the door, this has to mean something, doesn't it? They can’t just be pledge coins?
Listening for any noise, I hear nothing and slowly open the door peeking out before I open it fully.
I tiptoe back to my room, being as quiet as I can be before I open my door and head straight for the bathroom.
Cranford is hiding something and I’m going to find out what.
“Hey Tenley, “Max smiles, greeting me at my locker.
“Hey Max,” I say, grabbing the books I’ll need for class.
Slamming my locker door shut, Max walks beside me, Rain catches up to us wrapping her arm through mine.
“So what are we doing tonight?”
“I have dinner with my mother and Cranford.”
“Bummer,” Rain grumbles.
Her words are exactly what I’m thinking.
“Hey Bambi.” Neo says sneaking up beside me and wrapping his arm around my neck tugging me into his side, pulling me away from Max and Rain.
“Neo,” I tilt my head to the side, eyeing him. His lack of personal space infuriates me.
He chuckles softly placing a kiss to the side of my neck, I shiver with the feel of his lips against my skin.
I pretend not to enjoy it.
But I do.
So fucking much.
I stumble, losing my footing as he stops us midwalk.
My eyes flick to Neo eyeing the way his blond hair falls down his face, the smirk covering his all too handsome face is charming yet vindictive. I notice his nose now has a piercing in it, oddly enough it suits him.
“What do you want?” I ask him, wanting him to leave me alone.
“Oh, come on, Bambi don’t be like that.” he says, tightening his hold on me.
I sigh dramatically waiting for whatever it is he has to say.
“So will I see you tonight?”
I frown, eyeing the way Neo’s grin grows as his gaze flicks over me .
“No, Neo you will not see me tonight, in fact I couldn’t be happier if I never had to see you, Silas or the others ever again.” I snap, throwing his arm from my shoulder and pulling Rain by the arm, Max goes to follow but Neo stops him with an arm across his chest.
“I’ll catch up with you later,” Max gives us a side grin before he lets Neo hold him in place as they watch us walk away.
Whatever plan he has up his sleeve, I’m hundred percent certain he isn’t the only one behind it.
This has havoc written all over it and all I know is I won’t let these boys bring me down.