by Mallory Fox
“Pervert.” Flick says under her breath.
“Predictable.” I whisper back.
In my pocket, the unmistakable sound of my phone buzzing against the hard wood of the chair causes Flick to snigger again.
“Dildo in your pocket? Is that why you were late?”
I roll my eyes and reach for it while the chancellor’s eyes are averted. Not that I give a damn if he sees me anyway, the amount my company donates to the school provides some level of freedom, if not run of this place. It’s one of the reasons I’m the most hated as well as the most admired student here. Got to love the power of money, especially if you have nothing but deposits of it all over the world.
I breathe out a sigh as I scroll to my messages. It’s probably Tessa asking about something mundane, like what do I want to eat at some boring dinner. But when I get to the inbox it’s clearly not my PA, it’s an unknown number.
My first thought is Gladstone. We’ve been flirting all throughout the shared internship and although it was supposed to be a passing thing, I wouldn’t put it past him to want to a little light entertainment while we sit here for another hour. I open it only to be confused at the message...
Nice entrance.
Still causing trouble I see.
Around me, the ceremony continues. Even Flick is paying attention. I cast my gaze over the sea of faces but there’s no one looking my way and nothing to indicate anyone here sent it.
Another buzz.
I’m looking forward to taking you down, princess.
Davis Gladstone is staring straight ahead and as much as we fooled around, calling me ‘princess’ and ‘taking me down’ is not his style. Unless he means ‘going down on me’ which is another thing entirely.
I shouldn’t ignore the fact that the number is unknown either.
Well, that’s fine. I can get digital security to trace it.
I forward the message and number to Sully and then close my phone, ignoring the twitch in my jaw. Whoever it is obviously trying to annoy me. Probably some upstart freshman. It’s going to take more than a mystery message to ruin my day.
“Gladstone?” Flick whispers.
I smile and nod and she grins back. If she thinks it’s him then it’s better all round. I don’t want her worrying about me.
I’m still mulling over who could have sent the message when the chancellor ends his speech, but not before sharing the news that we have new student transferring in for the final year.
A murmur rises amongst those seated.
La Roche doesn’t take transfers.
Ever.
A feeling of dread settles over me as all eyes and heads turn including my own. I don’t see who it is at first since I’m in the middle row, but as he stands up at the chancellor’s request his aquiline profile comes into view. Then I lose all taste in my mouth as my heart misses a beat and drops in the pit of my stomach.
The new transfer student flashes a smile at the room but not before seeking me out, chilling me to the bone with those intense, deep blue eyes of his. He cocks his head at me, a devilish smile playing out on those full lips.
One I never ever thought I’d see again.
No longer the boy I knew. He’s all grown up. Except now he’s taller, with razor sharp cheekbones, chiseled jaw, and a full mane of black, tousled hair. Lips upturned like he knows a secret he shouldn’t tell.
My long, lost step-brother, Seth.
“Ow, Pearl! You’re hurting me.”
I glance at Flick and then down to her arm where I’m digging my nails into her skin. “Fuck, sorry.” I immediately let go and dig my nails into my palm instead.
“Are you okay? You’ve gone pale. You look like you’ve seen a ghost?”
She looks past me and at my brother, recognition dawning on her pretty face.
As the chancellor lists every one of Seth’s military accolades as reasons for him being here, which is about as convincing as why you would want to release a wolf among cats, all I can do is stare at my wretched step-brother and hope that all the hate inside that I have for him is somehow able to cross the room and burn him alive.
“Seth Darlington? Isn’t that your step-brother... but I thought he was dead?”
“He’s meant to be.” Is all I can say.
The bastard must have found a way to come back to life.
After the closing remarks, the ceremony is over and the room empties way too slowly into the foyer for my liking. Everyone is looking at me now but not with envy, no this time with veiled excitement. All I can hear are their whispers when they think I’m not looking.
Darlington? So that’s Pearl’s brother?
Did you know he was super hot?
Must be all the military training.
Didn’t she say he was dead?
Maybe the bitch was lying? I bet she was.
Seth is no where to be seen. I lose my patience and end up dragging Flick in the opposite direction of where my step-brother must have went, and where the parents of the students and members of the faculty are milling.
Drinks and refreshments are being served in the campus dining room but I’d rather not be trapped there for the rest of the day.
I need to get out of here.
“Pearl, can I speak to you in my office for a moment?”
I glance up, in time to see Chancellor Carmel approaching.
“I’ll see you later, in the quad,” I say to Flick, who gives me a pained look but takes her leave.
“Chancellor.” I paste on a smile to greet him. “Of course.”
I follow him out into the hall and along the passageway to where his office is located. Inside, I’m not so surprised to see Seth already seated, blending in well with an expensive looking, Italian-cut, navy blue suit. I’d forgotten how gorgeous Seth could be in real life and up close, it's hard to gaze at him directly so I don't.
I look ahead to where the chancellor takes a seat behind his huge desk, and at the portrait of La Rochelle’s founding saint behind him. I look everywhere but at Seth.
Eventually, I can't help but sneak a peek at my bigger step-brother.
He's broader than he was, filled out in all the right places. Seth has always been tall, but now he has the wide shoulders and muscled arms to match his height. I expect they drill you a lot at military academy.
I’m about to ask what this is about when the chancellor speaks up without me needing to.
“Pearl, thank you for joining us. I’m sure you understand what this is about, of course.”
I say nothing, sneaking a look at Seth instead. He still hasn't deigned to look at me. I could be anyone sitting here next to him and he wouldn’t care to know it.
For some reason that annoys me.
In my pocket my phone buzzes.
I reach down and slide my phone out of my skirt all the while keeping eyes on the chancellor
“As you are well aware, we are always delighted to accept students from the founding families at La Rochelle, regardless of the unusual circumstances.”
His eyes sweep back and forth between Seth and I. He doesn’t try to elaborate on what those circumstances are but I have an inkling he means Seth’s academic background. I can’t imagine his military qualifications meet the entrance requirements. “However, the course you applied for, the one that your sister is already on, is as you know in its final year and unfortunately completely full.”
The breath I was holding leaves my chest.
Thank goodness for that.
“I understand,” my step-brother says as I glance down at the screen of my phone on the chair next to me. It’s a message from digital security.
“That said, in light of your recent donations to the Institute, we were willing to make the allowances your guardian proposed.”
Allowances? Guardian?
I drag my eyes back up, glancing between Carmel and Seth.
“That is very kind of you,” Seth says, inclining his head. “As much as I would’ve been happy to accep
t any place at La Rochelle, we’re honored that you can accommodate us both on one of the institute’s prestigious honor tracks.”
Sullivan must have had a hand in this. Sully you little creep. You said nothing of this in the meeting!
“Yes, very kind,” I say, a smile on my face to imitate Seth’s.
“Well I'm glad everybody is on the same page, that makes things a lot easier. I know Pearl you had your heart set on partnering with Denise this year but I think family comes first don’t you? I’m happy to amend the study groups so that both of you can be study partners for the final year.”
Wait what?
“Study partners?” I say, through gritted teeth.
“Yes, as you requested. Seth, you’ll find that your sister is an exemplary student. Easily achieving the best and highest grades of her year. I have no doubt that she’ll help you stay ahead of all your classes. We had to move things around a bit so that you’re in the same lectures and share a director of studies, but it should make things easier for you both should it not? Since you’re living and working together?”
I stare down at the chancellor, unable to quite believe what I’m hearing. Not only has Seth barged back into my world, he has set about installing himself into my life too.
Not happening. Time to put an end to this charade.
“There must be some mistake Chancellor Carmel, Seth and I aren’t living or working together. Since you know… he’s not actually a Darlington.”
I shoot Seth a triumphant look.
Carmel’s eyes narrow as he looks directly at me and then Seth. “What do you mean…?”
“What Pearl means is that we’re not actually living together yet. I’m not moving into the family home until later this week. There are still kinks to work out with the board of trustees and my inheritance. Taxes and endless paperwork, that kind of thing.” Seth smiles, broadly. “You understand?”
The chancellor nods, as though he does and then everyone shakes hands. Seth beaming. Me with a clenched jaw.
On the walk back to the quad, I’m fuming inside. As soon as we’re alone I turn on Seth, fists clenched.
“What the hell... What are you even doing here? You’re supposed to be dead!” I hiss at him.
He smiles at me and not in a nice way.
“I knew you’d like that. You’ve been wanting me out of your life since the day on the bridge. Well newsflash princess, your evil step-brother is alive."
He comes closer but I don’t take a step back. The gap between us gets smaller and smaller.
“I can see that. I’m not an idiot. How?”
He shrugs. “Some mistake on the paperwork? How do I know? I’m obviously not dead.”
I scowl at him, eyes blazing.
“You can’t be here. This is... this is my life.”
“Your life? What about my life? The one you took from me?”
“I didn’t get you killed, you faked that all by yourself.”
The look he gives me could freeze hell over and back. “Like you gave me a choice.”
“I’m giving you one chance. Leave now or you’ll regret it.”
He sighs, eyes bluer than the sky behind him, and looks me up and down with something akin to sorrow or regret shining through.
Then he sighs.
“You’re a piece of work Pearl, you really are.”
“Me a piece of work? What about you?!” I splutter.
He shakes his head and walks off, leaving me to stare at his back as he strides off without me.
“Where are you going? Seth? I’m not done talking to you!”
He holds his hand up and waves me off like he is, as though he’s been done with me for long time.
“You’re bloody not moving in!” I shout at his retreating figure.
A piece of work? What the hell does he mean by that?
“Pearl, are you alright? You made us leave the post ceremony drinks as though your pants were on fire,” Flick exclaims, tottering after me on her heels as I storm my way towards the front entrance.
I have one task right now; find Henry so he can drive us home, to the house by the lake my company owns, before my brother can. It’s technically mine since Darlington Co. is also mine.
I need to call Sully and find out what he’s playing at. Maybe I can get him to talk about Seth’s motives, and why Seth thinks he can just turn up at my university and tell everyone he’s a Darlington.
He isn’t a Darlington, not now or ever.
I also want to have a bath and maybe lie down, my head is pounding. The last thing I want to do is endure small talk with the families of my business rivals. Or come face to face with my step-brother again.
How dare he just walk off. I was talking to him.
“I’m fine. I’m just want to get out of here. I’d rather go home and have a girlie catch up wouldn’t you?” I say, looking back at her over my shoulder.
I should change the locks. I doubt Seth has a key card to get in, but just in case. Sullivan might have given him the spare set.
Sullivan.
I really do need to speak to that slimy lawyer. He’s obviously hiding something from the board or why lie blatantly to my face? I keep calling him but for obvious reasons it just keeps going through to voice mail. Maybe he’ll answer to the estate landline?
“Yes, of course I would but maybe you could slow down? What’s the rush?” Flick asks, panting as she struggles to keep up.
She’s right. Seth isn’t going to materialize in front of me and it’ll take him a while to get over to the lake house. I slow down enough for Flick to catch up, texting Henry to meet us out front. “No rush, I just haven’t seen you since Paris. I want to hear everything.”
“Sure, but the Harpers’ are hosting their party tonight at their private member’s club in the valley. I thought we drop by after fresher’s fling. We’re still going, right?”
I love this girl. My supposedly dead stepbrother shows up she hardly mentions it and asks to party instead. But the last thing I want to do is get trashed.
“Are you serious? It’s first day back tomorrow?”
A horrified look crosses Flick’s face. “It’s the fresher’s fling! You can’t stay home in your pajamas on fresher’s week. We need to show the first years how it’s done. What will they think of us?”
“We’re fourth years. Why would we give fudge what first years think?”
“A fudge?”
“A fuck… I’ve been home. Can’t swear in front of my grandmother.” The white lie slips off my tongue easily. Flick wouldn’t know my grandmother curses more than I do. She just wouldn’t understand if I told her the truth.
No one would.
“Come on Pearlie. Davis will be there.”
At the mention of his name, Davis appears on the parade walk with his entourage just as we enter it on the far side. It’s the last part of campus to walk through before we hit the entrance car park, and the only part of campus that hasn’t been swamped with students and their parents.
He smirks as we head down the centre pathway toward him. I raise a brow in return. I bet the idiot thinks he owns me now. Well he can get lost. It was fun while it lasted but he’s just not that good a kisser. Not enough to get me into bed anyway.
“Pearl, got a minute...?”
Flick falters to a stop, no doubt wondering if I want to talk to the king of La Roche, but I drag her on past him and his friends.
“No.” I don’t even bother to make a facial expression. If he couldn’t elicit one out of me when his hands were down my pants, he doesn’t deserve one now.
He hurries after me just as I knew he would. Of course, he has a reputation to uphold. Not to be arrogant, but he’d do well to brag about me if he could. No doubt, he’s told everyone we’re an item now.
“Hey Pearl, wait a minute will you.”
A sigh escapes my lips. I falter to a standstill. “What Gladstone? Be quick, I’m in a hurry.”
A frown forms on his perfectly formed
face. I doubt any girl has ever said that to him which kind of makes me purr like a kitten inside.
“I was thinking tonight you and I could...”
“Sorry I’m busy.”
“Another night then?”
“Busy.”
He raises a brow. “You’re busy every night?”
“With assignments.”
“Are you turning me down Pearl Darlington?” The corner of his mouth curls up into a smirk as he says it.
“Permanently, yes.”
“Behind him, his boys make woah-ho sound, making the situation just a little bit worse.
The frown crinkling Davis’s forehead is even better.
“Excuse me, I really have to go.”
“That was cold,” Flick says once we’re out of ear shot.
“He’ll get over it.”
“I thought you liked him.”
“He was a nice distraction, but that’s all he can ever be. No Gladstone is going to get a hold of my company.”
“Why? Because he’s a rival?”
“Because he has a dick.”
Flick laughs and I can’t help but join in.
The truth is, my mother let a man into her life and look where that got her. Dead at twenty nine leaving me to pick up the pieces, along with my father’s debt and my step-mother’s slack.
Men are overrated, and women…
We can be too soft, especially when it comes to wanting something so hard.
Outside we find Henry who drives us to our house on the lake. Flick fills me in on all the gossip as we travel. I’ve missed a lot while I was in Paris. Too much. I’ve grown up and moved on. How can I go back to studying and partying like a year of working never happened? It’s almost like going backwards.
And I need to go forwards if am to be better than my parents, or even my wicked step-mother. I can’t put a foot wrong. My father’s last words have never rung truer. It’s time to grow up Pearl.
I watch the road behind in the rear view mirror as we drive along, expecting Seth to be following us. Any of the vehicles with blacked out windows that pull up next to us in traffic suddenly look suspicious.