4. RYAN #6
My blurry gaze flicks to the iPad’s dark screen.
The asshole. On standby. He couldn’t tell me himself.
And then there’s cold. Ice cold. Water creeping over my bare skin.
Lungs burning. After the way I spoke to him, I know I’ve already got at least one date with the most terrifying place anyone can put me.
Talking to him now won’t accomplish anything.
At least I can spare myself a little embarrassment and a second date with the tank.
“It’s not necessary, sir,” I grit out.
“Then you’ll cooperate?” He raises a brow.
“Is this because I punched your son?”
“It’s because it’s what’s best for you and your brother. You’re here to learn, become the best version of yourselves. That won’t happen for him with you acting as his shield. It won’t happen for you if you pulverize everything that threatens to harm him.”
The problem isn’t that Major Jarvis is an evil fuckhead—though, he is that—it’s that he’s an evil fuckhead who thinks he’s the good guy. That kind of evil is always worse.
“It wasn’t just any threat,” I argue.
Major Jarvis crosses his arms, leaning back. “Didn’t you threaten him life and limb the night before as well?”
I guess I knew he’d report to Daddy, and I don’t have much of a defense against his claim. “Fine, I won’t deny that I’m quick to defend my brother, but this morning was different.”
“I spoke with Cadet Jarvis. Now, it’s your turn. We’re officially separating you from your brother. Disobey, and life will be harder for both of you. Understood, cadet?”
That harrowing sensation grips me again, helplessness closing in.
Breathe, Ryan. “I can’t agree to that, sir.
You might be able to force the issue, but I won’t do it willingly.
” My words are empty. I mean them, but all it’ll take is a call to Father to get me to heel.
Still, I need to say them, so he knows I’m not a fucking dog.
He leans over the phone on his desk and presses a button. “Send him in.”
The door opens, and Griff enters. I don’t like the expression he’s wearing. Fear. He’s afraid of me.
“I’ll leave you two. I’ll need to speak with you afterward, Cadet G. Savage.” Major Jarvis waits.
Griffon takes a breath, throat working, visibly trying to unclench his jaw. His fingers twitch, the rest of his body tensing. “S-sir,” Griff scrapes out, barely audible, bottom lip wobbling. It’s painful to watch him struggle like that.
Major Jarvis puts a hand on his shoulder. “Good job, cadet.” Before he leaves the room, he spares me a glance as if to say, See? But that’s such fucking bullshit. Griff’s not healing, Jarvis has just actually managed to drive more fear into him for not speaking.
As soon as he’s out the door, Griff falls into my arms, shaking, his tears wet my shirt.
“It’s okay,” I say, even though it’s still not fucking okay. I squeeze him tight. “I’m gonna make it okay, I’m gonna make it fucking okay,” I murmur.
It’s a hollow promise. I can’t do shit. He’s going to spend the rest of his time at North Point dealing with this, without me. “They wanna separate us, Griff,” I say, knowing we’re not gonna get much time. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”
Maybe I do need to control my fucking temper.
“But I’m telling Dad how Rowan threatened you. He might be an asshole, but no way he’d stand for any of us getting sexually assaulted.”
I’m thinking, knowing time’s slipping away from us, not knowing how long we’ve got, when I hear the distinct sound of someone pecking out text on an iPad.
I turn. “Griff, what the fuck? That’s Major Jarvis’s iPad.”
He shrugs as if to say, his fault for not leaving it password-locked, and keeps typing. I don’t know why, but that sends wave after wave of relief through me.
Griff hasn’t been broken. Not yet.
When he’s done, he gives it to me.
Dad won’t care. You know he won’t. It’s time we were honest about this, Rye. Stop getting into trouble because of me.
He doesn’t get it. Stopping is death for me.
Griff relaxes his hands, staring at the place on my jaw that must be bruised to fuck
“I’m fine, Griff.”
His hands move quickly as he frowns. You don’t look fine. His hands pause. Which is why I think we should comply.
“Griff—”
His hands fly faster, cutting me off, fingerspelling my nickname with purpose. “We can’t win, Rye, and I hate seeing what this is doing to you.”
“And what do you think it’s gonna do to me to wonder how you are all the fucking time?”
You’re not, he signs.
“Impossible.”
Try. Please. For me.
“Have you met me? If you think I can be emotionally manipulated by you, you’re wrong.”
God, I can’t stop thinking about that asshole touching my brother—hell fucking no. I’ll kill him. They’ll never find his body.
The door swings open, and Major Jarvis enters unannounced, which I guess is his prerogative, considering it’s his office.
We’re out of time. I still have so much more to say.
More questions. And I don’t believe for a second he actually thinks this is the best solution, it’s the one that he thinks is gonna protect me.
But he’s not used to dealing with people like Major Jarvis.
If they can make you do one thing, they don’t stop there.
“Family time is over. If you can behave yourself and adhere to the rules, I’ll allow another supervised visitation.”
Another supervised visitation? Was he fucking spying on us? I lock my jaw so that what I think about him doesn’t come flying out.
“I’ll send you a comprehensive list via email, so we’re all on the same page with the rules. You’re dismissed, Cadet R. Savage. Cadet G. Savage, you stay.”
My heart races so fast. The worst feeling washes over me. “What are you going to do to him, sir?”