by Dakota Lee
We land and my thoughts still haven’t steadied. Today I want my brushes and canvas, and the familiarity of Logan’s studio, but he’s at some kind of charity event. Plus, what right do I have to ask anything of him after the fight we had before I left? He was choosing to spend time with me, but I pushed him away to pursue my story. It’s my own fault I’m heading back to campus a day early, and alone.
Logan
I’m a nervous wreck, waiting for her flight to land. It’s only been thirteen days since the last time we were together, but it feels likes it’s been months. I’ve never missed anyone as badly as I missed her. It’s crazy how much she means to me. Crazy and scary.
I’m standing off to the side of the escalator, watching her descend towards baggage claim, with a silk flower in my hand. She takes a hesitant step forward, a small smile ghosting her lips.
“What are you doing here?” She asks, taking the flower from me, brushing it against her chin. “Isn’t tonight some kind of important party for all the founding families?”
“You said you thought my family obligations and legacy were too ingrained in me to ever do anything other than what’s expected. I wanted you to know you’re wrong, so I ditched it.”
“I’m impressed at your rebellion, sir. I like it.”
I step closer, pulling her against me, kissing her hello. Deeply. Hungrily. Her pupils are blown when we break apart. We grab her bags from the conveyor, and I quickly usher her to the car.
I keep stealing glances at her while I’m driving. I’m desperate to have her under me. There’s no way I’m waiting until we get back to campus. I pull over into Govan’s Cove, backing my car into a spot close to a canopy of trees.
Tugging on her pants, I motion for her to take them off as I push mine down to my ankles and push the driver's seat as far back as it will go. She scrambles across the space, climbing into my lap. We haven’t kissed. Haven’t touched, and already the air is thick with lust.
“This is crazy,” I say, pressing my forehead to hers, just breathing her in.
“What’s that?”
“How much I want you. I should have more control than this, but I can’t wait until we’re back on campus or at our studio.”
She pulls back slightly, looking at me. “Our studio?”
Shit. When did I start thinking of it as ours? But I see her there even when she’s not. It’s the only place I feel I can truly be myself with her, without worrying someone’s going to do something stupid to fuck things up. It’s where we’re a normal couple. Living our lives, even though it’s not big enough to live in, but maybe…
“Yup, ours.” I free her hair from the elastic, loving how the strands feel in my hand. “Until we find a bigger place and move off campus.”
Did I just say that? I’ve never considered living with anyone I wasn’t related to, and that’s been a small crowd. Dad, mom and the little ones. Outside of that it would be Simon, but he’s so caught up in coding and developing it would be just like living alone. But never a woman. Until Jordy. Everything different in my life starts and ends with her.
“You want to move in together?”
“Next year, we’ll get an apartment together, instead of staying at the dorms.” I can’t read the look on her face. “Jordy, I’d pay the rent, of course. So if you’re worried about the money, I-”
She slams her mouth against mine, sinking onto me seconds later. “Is that a yes?” I whisper against her lips.
“So much, yes.”
Thank god. I was starting to feel like an idiot. But it was worth it, just to hear her say we’re on the same page. She braces her hand on the seat, moving slowly against me. My skin burns where her fingers touch me under my shirt. I push hers up over her breasts, circling my thumbs over her diamond hard tips. One day these beauties will feed kids. “Shit.” Tumbles from my lips.
Nodding, she murmurs, “So good,” before kissing me again, having no idea of the direction my thoughts have traveled. This girl is fucking with my head. Living together and kids? I need to pull back, that’s not…
She pulls up, hovering over me, then sinks back down on my cock, stealing my breath and thoughts. It’s hot in the car, our breathe fogs the windows, the damp hairs around her forehead stick to her skin. Those damn hypnotic eyes pull me in. I grip her head, wanting to see into her soul, just as surely as she’s seeing mine.
“Jordy?” Her eyes shine bright as a single tear slides down her cheek. “Baby, what’s wrong? What are you feeling?”
“Everything. Oh god.” She swipes her lips across mine, kisses my palm, then presses her forehead against mine. “I love you.” She whimpers, riding me faster. “I love you.”
How long has it been since she’s said those words? Not since before. Before I destroyed us. She flew to Europe without me and I was pissed, but she came back to me. This is what I’ve been waiting to hear.
“I love you.” She repeats as she shatters around me. Watching her fall apart, I admit to myself there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for this girl.
Thirty-Nine
Logan
“You’re late.” Bella says as I slide into my seat.
“I didn’t know we were meeting, since I didn’t call a meeting.”
“You’ve been distracted a lot lately, so we thought we’d gather on your behalf. Go over the quarterlies, make a plan for our next party or takedown.”
Something in Bella’s tone puts me on edge. “I’m on top of things, but I like the initiative.”
“Are you really? Because, we’ve lost two factions within the school.”
She’s talking about the Englewoods and Saints. New money, still trying to find their place among us. “They’re not lost, they’re exploring life away from the security being in alliance with us brings. Everyone tries at some point and everyone eventually returns to the fold.”
“Never-the-less, it’s been several weeks and they show no signs of changing their minds. They’ve even pulled a few groups to the parties they threw, at Steven Englewood’s lake house over spring break.”
“I’ll have a chat with them to see where their heads are at.” I say, dismissing her fears. I’m not worried, she shouldn’t be either.
“Don’t bother. I already sent Hal to do that, and told them their little bout of identity crisis, ends this weekend or there will be consequences.”
I look at her over my coffee. “You approached them, without permission?”
“You weren’t here to give it, so I did what needed to be done.”
I see what this is now. Bella’s taking a run at the crown, and if she got Hal to agree to this asinine plan without mentioning it to me, it means she has enough support from the others in our group to back her play.
“We have rules for a reason, Logan. It’s like I said, you’re way too distracted with your cum toy, so some hard choices have to be made. You can’t govern the school and date. Not the way you’re doing it.”
“You’re telling me to choose between Jordy and my leadership position?”
“There is no choice. Send the bitch packing again.”
“That’s not gonna work for me.”
“And seeing her on your arm and letting this school go to shit doesn’t work for us.” She snarls.
“Bella, if you’re trying to push me out, it won’t work. I still have the support of the student body and the faculty. Just because you gave a few orders, over the break, doesn’t mean you’re in charge.”
“I have the support of this group. That’s what makes me in charge.”
No one speaks up to contradict what she says. They follow Bella in my absence, but I’ve taken the time to cultivate relationships with the most influential students, and I know they’ll support me if put to a vote. Time to nip her little power trip in the bud.
“My relationship is none of your concern, and you’re not in charge. I’ve delegated some responsibility to you but that can be taken away too.”
“What are you saying? You’re gonna cast
me aside for some fuck toy?”
I grit through my teeth, “What I’m saying, is that whatever happens after this conversation, is entirely up to you.”
“I’m glad you said.” She smiles coldly, the malice in her eyes on full display. “Because I think it’s you that should be thrown out like trash.”
I laugh because it’s funny she thinks she really has any clout other than what I give her. “Good luck with that.”
“Well, then, kiss me. I’m Irish and full of luck.” She holds up her phone, showing me she’s already called for a vote. “While you were mooning over your runaway piece of ass over the break, I reached out to some people to find out how they really feel about the shitty job you’ve been doing lately. As you can see, things are heading in my direction. So if you want a fight, Logan, I’ll give you one. But think about this. A power struggle will get messy and put Jordanna right in the center of it. Your protection won’t mean shit until they make a decision, and it only takes one lock down or blackout for everyone to turn her into the slut they think she is. Power or your pussy, Logan. Those are your choices.”
Everything in me is screaming to crush Bella under my shoe, but I can’t risk it, because I have no doubt she would manipulate a situation to put Jordanna in danger while we’re fighting for control. Jordy always said it would come down to this choice. But how did I not see the signs that Bella was stacking the deck in her favor?
“I retain my place in the group, of course, but the throne is yours.”
Hal’s jaw hinges open. “You wanna put Bella in charge? You can’t be serious.”
I stand, flicking my eyes to him. “You’re already taking orders from her, so let’s not pretend it’s a hardship to do it full time.”
“Logan, you don’t have to do this,” Tabitha says getting out of her seat.
So they’re not fully onboard. Good to know I’m not being completely stabbed in the back by everyone I know. But still, I won’t risk Jordanna just for another year of leadership. “It’s fine Tabby. It’s already done.” I officially end my reign by walking away from them.
I thought giving up control would be harder. That it would make me feel different, but instead, I feel. Free. For the first time since unseating Noel, I feel like I’m facing unlimited possibilities. This is where true power lies. Making choices because you want to, not because there’s an expectation for you to be a certain way. Why did I ever think I needed that control? Yes, I like control, but I get more of a thrill from the way Jordanna bends to my will in bed. I get that rush when I’m sliding in and out of her heat. I feel untouchable when she tells me she loves me.
Now, we’re truly free to be together without the stifling weight of Bella and all my bullshit obligations weighing over our heads.
Jordanna
I breeze passed Roff with a terse hello heading directly for the study. I would’ve come sooner but I had to do damage control with Logan. I’m still ticked off that I had to fly halfway across the world to get answers I suspect Pepper’s had all along.
“Did you know? Or should I say, how long have you known?”
Lowering her paper, and pushing her glasses to the top of her head, she says, “About your family’s history? I told you the first day we met, that I knew more about you, then you knew about yourself.”
“Then why send me on a wild goose chase, when you could’ve just told me the story over afternoon tea?”
“I gave you tasks, and challenges to help you, because I find easy answers are seldom cherished. And more than that, I needed you to be invested in the history you uncovered.”
“Pepper, don’t you get it? I flew to Italy to look inside a safe deposit box, when you could have just told me what was in it.”
“Would you have believed me? Trusted me? More than that, would they believe you? You needed proof to withstand what happens next.”
I slump into my seat. I thought confronting her would mean the end of her lessons and cryptic ramblings. “What do you mean next?”
“As I’m sure you’ve figured out. Your family comes from money.”
I think of the scroll with all the names on it. “If you and Daniella Rossi are to be believed, the branch of the family tree I come from was disowned.”
“Hmm. Yes. Sad story. Daniella’s great-grandmother and my grandmother were good friends.”
“That much I’ve now gathered. The compact was Judith’s, right?”
“Yes. Mrs. Shaw wanted to make sure her baby sister had financial security when the family cut her off, so she gave away a few of her possessions. Back then banks issued loans against valuables just like our current pawn system.”
“But the sister never put them up for collateral?”
“Oh, she and her husband sold the items right away and worked for years to get them back. There are still quite a few items out there. I have five, which are the ones my grandmother reclaimed, hoping to return them to Mrs. Shaw. She never mentioned it to my grandfather, either. She just passed them down to my mother on her wedding day with a note; and then they finally came to me for safekeeping before mother passed away. I think my grandmother knew one day, someone would show up here.”
I think of the items in the little town in New York, with the candle stick I know I’ve seen before. I can picture it so clearly now, in the attic of our old house, but I haven’t seen it in years. I need to go through the rest of the things from storage.
“How could she have known that?”
She answers my question with one of her own. “Did you know the initial scholarship at Van der Borne University was created for men only? Women had no rights, and could barely work outside of a domestic capacity.”
“Sounds about right,” I say rolling my eyes. She already knows how I feel about men thinking women are inferior.
“Imogen Summer is the sister who was disowned, and it was Bruce Shaw who suggested her husband get a job at VDU, before the family moved away.”
Her brows pinch, and her lips tip down. “Sometimes, I think the only reason they created the scholarship in the first place was to keep men on staff, by dangling a chance to mingle with the wealthy in their faces. Allistair Miller, Imogen’s husband, would have needed that job since everyone refused to acknowledge his wife came from money. When he died, his daughter was lucky enough to get a job there, and then her daughter.”
“All this time, I thought the scholarship was a new program.”
“No, dear, it’s an old unadvertised program. It’s gone through several formats but it’s always been offered to the family members of employees. Your connection just goes back a few more generations than others.”
“I’m sure there are other family members out there that could have benefitted from an education at VDU. So why am I the first person in my family to ever go to this school?” I’m sure the BP’s would’ve bragged about running everyone else off if I wasn’t.
“Because you are the first descendent I’ve come across who needed the opportunity.”
“Step-fucking dick.” I mumble under my breath.
“Precisely. His actions put you and your sister in an untenable situation. I know your father provided for his family, just like I know the money he set aside for you was confiscated when Penn was arrested.”
She sips her tea before continuing. “Your father was researching your family history, too. He and his aunt worked together on it for many years before she passed away.”
“You knew his favorite aunt?”
“Yes, I did. I grew up hearing the stories. We all did. No one else in town would admit to what happened, but I felt compelled to keep an eye out on the family of my grandmothers oldest friend. I had Lillith over a few times for tea. You remind me of her, you know. She told me she was researching the history of the town and was quite adamant about trying to prove your family had a claim to being here, even though all traces of her line have been wiped away. The accident happened before they could finish their project. She kept at it, and I believe she was corre
sponding with Daniella’s mother. Then she unexpectedly passed last year and Daniella’s mom passed a few months ago. I’m sure they’d all be happy to know you’ve finished what they started.”
This is insane. Everything that she’s saying is 100% insane. “I didn’t get proof. That incomplete scroll of paper with the list of names doesn’t mean anything. None of this will hold up in court.”
“That’s why I’m working on getting certified copies of the marriage license, birth records, census reports and last will and testament of every family in New York from 1797 up until now. There’s a bunch of records missing though.” She pinches the bridge of her nose. “I haven’t seen this many official records missing since the fire at the national archives for the military back in 73.”
“Library fire, sixty years ago.”
“What’s that dear?”
“That’s what Mr. Grenier said. That the hand written records for three towns were destroyed, by a library fire, so you won’t be able to check at least three places.”
“My PI is one of the best. He’ll find something.”
My head is spinning, but I need to make sure I understand it all. “So let me get this straight. You think I’m rich and that my family descended from one of those towns where the records no longer exist?”
“No dear, I know you’re rich and your family descended from one of the founding families in this town. Back then, the boundary lines weren’t so precisely divided and the records could anywhere. That’s why we’re searching the trig-state area.”
“If I’m from a founding family, does that make me related to a McKay, Rutledge, or Hansen?” With my luck, it’ll be McKay, and I’ve already graduated to blue blood status by sleeping with Logan.
“Those are the families that are left. I believe your family line is from the Bendevires.”