Chapter 30
LUCA
S ummer is pissed and rightly so. I ignored her for a reason, but she won’t know that. It was necessary because I have business to conduct and placing myself on Jenna Sloane’s radar is my top priority right now.
I hang behind as instructed. She whispered to remain seated when the bell goes. As the classroom empties, she follows the last student out and then returns, locking the door behind her.
”Luca.” She pouts as she heads my way, her skirt tight and the split in the side revealing a pair of long slender legs. Her tits are crammed into a short fluffy sweater and her baby blue eyes sparkle as she perches on the edge of my desk.
“I was hoping to catch you alone.”
I lean back and fix a blank expression on my face.
“Why?”
“Because–” She leans down, her tits crushing against my arm.
“Because I may have something to offer you.”
“Like what?”
“Experience.”
She takes the charcoal from the desk and spins it between her fingers and says breathily, “Extra tuition if you like, away from the academy.”
“Where exactly?”
“A little place I call home. I offer my most gifted students mentorship and it’s best away from the confines of the academy. It unleashes the creative urges and many students consider it worth every minute of their time.”
She leans down and whispers seductively, “Shall we say in the lane at six, after lessons? I can drive us there and bring you back afterwards.”
“After what?”
“Your lesson.” Her soft smile reveals a set of perfect teeth and my eyes flash, causing her to bite her lower lip and groan. “So much darkness, so wicked inside. I could unleash your creativity and the demon inside you.”
“How?”
“By taking your darkest thoughts and making them a reality. Painting a masterpiece that transcends barriers.”
She crosses her legs. “So, do we have an agreement?”
“Sure.” I reach out and grasp her wrist hard, causing her to groan.
“Are you sure about this, Miss Sloane?”
“Positive.”
I force venom into my smile and she gasps, almost high with pleasure.
“So, your students. How many do you mentor every semester?”
“Does it matter?”
“I like to be the only one.”
“I can’t guarantee that.”
“Then I’m not interested.”
I release her wrists and stand, casting a disappointed glare her way.
“Let me know when you can meet my terms.”
“But–”
I head toward the front of the class and she says quickly, “You are asking the impossible. I am a teacher. I teach.”
“Then teach, Miss Sloane, but teach someone else.”
I turn the key in the door and make to leave and she says quickly, “Okay.”
I regard her coolly. “Okay what?”
“I’ll offer you a crash course. For one week where you get my undivided attention.”
“Six o’clock it is, but I’ll make my own way there. What is the address?”
She grasps the charcoal and my work and scribbles on the back of it before heading toward me with a sultry smile. “You had better be good at earning my undivided attention. Don’t let me down.”
I regard the drawing I did of a serpent wrapped around a dagger and smirk. “I’ve always loved snakes, Miss Sloane. Remarkable creatures, wouldn’t you agree?”
She chews on her bottom lip and nods, her eyes heavy with desire.
“We will work well together, Luca. You will be happy with your progress.”
“I already am.”
I fold the drawing and tuck it inside my leather jacket and with one last smoldering glance at the depraved teacher, I head out of class, mission accomplished.
“Good work, Luca.”
Frankie stares at the address and smirks.
“Does she realize the devil is coming to play?”
“I doubt it. Then again, she’d pretty much get off on that. She is seriously deranged.”
“Can you handle it?”
Frankie raises his eyes and I nod. “I have back up remember? I can’t fail.”
He grins. “Let the game commence.”
Cassie enters the kitchen and Frankie immediately changes the subject as she heads to the fridge and pulls out a root beer.
“I hate math. Why is it important to understand algebra? What use is that in the real world?”
Frankie shrugs. “It’s useful to the teacher making a living from it, I guess.”
“Have you ever used it—once, even?”
She raises her eyes and Frankie grins. “If I am A and you are B, we make L.”
“What does that even mean?”
She rolls her eyes and Frankie grins. “Lust, I’m guessing.”
She heads to the door. “Trust you to make a sex equation. I’m not sure it will be in the exam, though.”
As she heads outside, Frankie watches her leave with a longing expression and I hate that it conjures up images of the way I stare after Summer. Once this is over and Miss Sloane is out of business, I will be free to pursue his sister.
Call this a test of allegiance. Our own algebra equation, if you like.
L plus F equals S. A secret shared that will merge our dynasties.
I wasn’t kidding when I called this business.
It always is and Summer is no different.
I saw her, I wanted her, and I made her keeper an offer that he couldn’t refuse.
The perfect business formula that has never failed our organization.
Now it’s up to me to keep my word and make it happen.