Hollow Hearts (The Harkwright Trilogy Book 1)

by B C Morgan

  “I can’t quite work you out Luna,” he rolls my name over his tongue and goose bumps break over me. I really need to learn how to control my body’s reactions to this guy.

  “I can say the same for you, but then again I can’t make you answer my questions,” I point out, as I start playing with the napkins on the table.

  “True, alright then tell me. Which version of you is the real one?”

  I raise my brow at him, what is he talking about? He’s completely lost me.

  “The stammering girl who bites her lip and makes my cock jolt every fucking time,” oh, my lips part on that one. “The girl who has no fear and actually mocks me and dares to roll her eyes or the one who sits quietly in class and acts like being called on by me is the worst thing imaginable. Which one is real Luna?” My napkin is now a shredded mess on the table and his hand falls over mine and stops me from destroying anymore.

  “All of them,” it comes out low and I know when he grips my chin for the umpteenth time today that he couldn’t hear me. I don’t like this though, especially with the way he won’t let me look away from him.

  “Which one?”

  I dart my eyes down to the table and he growls until my eyes jolt back to his and I can feel my face growing red.

  “All of them,” I say a little louder this time and he releases me and relaxes back into his chair.

  “Okay, your turn. A question for a question, however if I don’t want to answer I won’t,” he crosses his thick arms over his muscular chest and I feel my mouth run dry, before I clear my throat and try to think of a good question that he won’t refuse.

  “How can we be sitting in here like this? Surely it’ll make a newspaper somewhere and then the powers that be will know you used my necklace to deceive them,” I point out and his eyes flash as he nods his head, almost as though in appreciation for the way my mind works. That can’t be right though, can it?

  “Do you remember my bio?” I nod my answer and he strokes his chin as he carries on with his answer. “It’s empty because I don’t like people knowing more than they deserve to. I keep to myself and I can guarantee there isn’t a single photo of me circulating around the public. Tucker Harkwright may as well be a myth, known by name and nothing more. I like my privacy and I intend on holding on to it for as long as I damn well please.”

  Darius drops our plates down in front of us and I take a sip of my drink and smile up in gratitude at the taste of the iced tea on my tongue.

  “How are you all of those people?” he doesn’t even look up from his food as he asks his next question and I’m just glad I have something to do with my hands as I try to answer.

  “I stammer when I’m nervous or upset although I’m working on overcoming it, the confidence rarely comes out unless I’m cooking or with my family but sometimes when I’m annoyed or angry I forget myself and just come out with whatever I’m thinking. Happiness is another one that has me forgetting myself and I can just be the best version of myself, but I doubt that will come out anytime soon,” I add and I pick up my burger and dig in before he can ask any follow-up questions.

  “I’d say I’ve made you happy a number of times,” he mutters and I have to hold in my laugh so I don’t choke on my food.

  “That’s a different kind of happiness wouldn’t you say, that’s just hormones,” cue Darius choking on his drink from behind me and my cheeks are aflame as I remember that he can hear every word of this.

  “Besides, you’ve ruined it every time except for one.”

  “Fair enough, your turn to ask,” he waves a hand at me as he takes a pull of his beer and I hate how my eyes are drawn to the way his throat moves as he swallows.

  “Why don’t you have a regular or regulars?”

  “I guess I haven’t found a girl amidst the bunch that I want to have as a regular, that and the majority have already done their rounds. No doubt I’ll find one but sex isn’t a concern of mine right now, I’m more in it for the classes,” his answer surprises me but I’m glad he doesn’t have a string of girls waiting to claw their way into being claimed by him.

  “How long has Liam been visiting you for? I know he’s tried to get into your room a few times when you were injured.” His food is all but forgotten as he waits for my response, and I wish I could refuse to answer. I don’t want him to get into trouble because of me.

  “I met him on my first official day, I didn’t realize he was cleaning my room and I bit his head off just a tad. I was emotional and I’d had a dreadful day and he was nice. He was really decent about accepting my apology and we became unlikely friends, there’s nothing more to it. He was just worried about me, that’s all,” I stress that last part, hoping I haven’t crossed a line anywhere.

  “Fair enough, but don’t get too used to him. And I would be careful who you choose as your friend.”

  “I am, I have two to my name in this place, one doesn’t talk to me anymore and the other is leaving in a week. You don’t need to warn me twice,” I say almost bitterly and I can feel my good mood slipping away.

  “It’s your turn Luna.”

  “I don’t want to play anymore,” I reply, knowing that I don’t really have the right to refuse so when he says, “okay,” I’m instantly on edge. What is his game and why can’t he just go back to being an asshole? At least that way I know where I stand.

  I am more than ready to head back to the limo and put an end to this day, it’s not even that it’s been bad. I’m confused by everything that has transpired and I don’t know how to act. Tucker is supposed to be a bastard and I hate him for making me see him in a new light. I also hate myself for preferring the bastard over the version he’s shown me today.

  “Were not going back just yet,” Tucker says as he leads me down the sidewalk and Darius follows obediently behind.

  I sigh despite myself and force myself to keep up with his long legged stride, I don’t know where he’s taking me but I hope we can call it quits soon.

  “Here we are,” he looks at the store he’s dragged me to and I’m not sure what reaction he’s hoping for, but I’m just standing here looking at him.

  “Seriously, come on Luna, don’t disappoint me now,” he scoffs as he drags me inside and leads me to the back. It’s a department store, what do I care about this kind of place?

  Only, as he grips my cheeks between his hands and guides my head to where he wants me to look, my mouth falls open and all I can see is row after row of cooking supplies.

  “I don’t understand, why have you brought me here?” Looking at him in wonder, he steps closer and his nose brushes against mine.

  “I’m in a good mood Luna, it won’t last but at least while it’s here let me enjoy myself. Pick something that you want and then you can stand around bored while I find something for myself,” he brushes his hands together and I shake my head with a faint smile on my lips as I look at the supplies and decide on a set of chef knives.

  “They look deadly, remind me not to piss you off the next time I come into your room uninvited,” he says with his signature smirk and I can’t believe he’s making me laugh.

  By the time we leave he’s got a new game for whatever console he needs it on and a set of legal books - that he dragged me into another store to get - before finally allowing us to go back to the limo.

  “So, Thirty-Four, did you have fun?” I hate that I’m back to being a number, but it probably is better this way.

  “I did, thank you,” I reply, tucking my hair behind my ears before I freeze and realize what I just did. What the fuck, no I am not tucking my hair for Tucker. No, no, no!

  Shit, this is not good, it’s very, very bad. Come on Tucker, say something to remind me of what a gigantic asshole you truly are. Come on, I’m counting on you here, don’t let me down now.

  “I did too, I wasn’t…” I turn to face him as he stops talking and I’m stuck between not wanting him to say whatever he was planning on, and wanting him to do nothing but finish it.

 
“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it. You’re a conundrum L… Thirty-Four and I can’t wait to figure you out,” he’s looking at me, his eyes trailing over my body as though the answers to all his questions are written across me.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “You just did,” he smirks but it drops when I just sit here, playing with the skirt of my dress. “I should say no after you stopped my fun, but go for it.”

  “What was the big deal with those dresses, you were spitting feathers over me trying that last one on and then when I picked you y-y-you l-l…”

  His hand rests over my mouth as his eyes heat up, I wonder if he’s remembering what happened in that changing area as well and if it’s as vivid for him as it is for me.

  “Three of us picked out a dress for you, that hideous gold one was Aeron, believe me I think he just liked how easy it would have been to grab a handful of you,” his eyes drop down to my chest and my skin flushes. “The last one I picked and I knew it would be perfect for you, I thought you’d pick number two despite it but you didn’t. I guess it made me… happy,” it’s almost as if he’s tasting that word on his tongue, the way he draws it out, testing it.

  “Who picked out the other one?” I ask, but I don’t think I need to.

  “Emmet, oh yeah he will be pissed that you didn’t pick his dress. But don’t worry, your decision doesn’t mean anything, only that I have better taste when it comes to… shit yeah maybe you should change your mind. I do not want to be known as the Harkwright who has good taste in dresses,” he shudders and I can’t stop myself from laughing and there’s an honest to god smile on his face. Fuck my life, if it isn’t one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen and he has dimples, life just isn’t fair.

  “Finding something funny there, are you,” his voice drops even deeper as he pushes me until I’m lying against the seat and he’s lying between my legs.

  My eyes meet his as his hand skims my thigh and delves between us, finding my nub instantly and slowly torturing me for the rest of our journey. Constantly bringing me to the edge, but never letting me find release.

  16

  A Short Goodbye

  Throwing myself down on the sofa with my dress hanging on the back of my closet door, I am more than done for the day. Tucker didn’t even look back as he dropped my necklace into my lap, climbed out of the limo and headed inside the Academy, and it was Darius who brought my stuff up to my room for me. In all honesty, I’m glad Tucker didn’t stick around, I enjoyed myself more than I should have and it’s dawning on me that out of all the Harkwrights he could be the most lethal to me and my sanity.

  Although I am dying to try out my new knives, and I’m not too proud to admit that I did a silly little dance when I got back and placed them in my breakfast area. I wonder if I can get away with squealing and not having it overheard by one of the other girls down this wing?

  My door sounds and I groan as I get back to my feet and pad over to it, my mouth dropping open when I open it to reveal Caitlyn standing on the other side. She looks sheepish and I’m not sure I even want to speak to her right now, but mom didn’t raise herself any petty daughters. I step back, holding the door open and she looks around before stepping inside.

  “Hey Luna,” she looks so fucking awkward but I didn’t slam the door in her face so that’s my good girl quota met for the day, thank you very much.

  I go over to my breakfast area and pour myself a cup of coffee and because I have manners, I’ll make her one too.

  “Oh sweet nectar gods,” she inhales the coffee as I pass it over and I have to hold back the snigger that her words are causing in me.

  “What do you want Caitlyn?”

  “Straight to the point, I admire that. I’m sorry Luna, you were the only person who was nice to me when we first got here and such a good friend until I was ordered to ignore you at every opportunity,” there are tears streaming down her face and she puts her cup down and buries her face in her hands.

  Well… fuck.

  “What do you mean?”

  L

  “Shane came up to me and ordered me to ignore you, I wasn’t allowed to talk to you, look at you or even smile your way. I wanted to say no Luna, but I couldn’t. I shouldn’t even be here now, but I couldn’t stand you going around and not knowing why. Please don’t hate me,” her sobs are getting louder now and I’m beyond uncomfortable but I can’t just let her cry… can I?

  No of course not. Stepping closer, I awkwardly start patting her on the back saying “there, there,” repeatedly and she soon starts laughing through her tears before throwing her arms around me and she doesn’t let go until I return the damn hug.

  “I don’t hate you, but it was touch and go for a while there,” I say with a laugh as we pull away and I pick up my coffee to keep her from hugging me anymore.

  “I really am sorry, but unless I’m claimed, or he revokes his orders, I’m stuck,” she says as she sips at her drink and her words don’t make sense to me until I remember the one sided conversation I listened to from Tucker.

  Finding the new list of rules sitting by the door, I bring them over to the coffee table and sit down on the love seat.

  “I better go, enjoy your reading. I almost got gray hair reading that shit,” she says before heading over to the door. “Luna, I’m still your friend, I’m sorry it can’t feel that way at the moment,” she gives me a lame wave before leaving my room and I’m left alone to peruse the new rules.

  Rules for a Harkwright Girl

  No authority is higher than the Harkwright men - other than SIR HARKWRIGHT HIMSELF.

  No unauthorized violence - self defense is permitted as long as it is not toward a Harkwright man.

  Refusals of any orders issued by the Harkwrights will be grounds for dismissal - the offended party will make this decision.

  No entry to non-permitted areas - unless invited by a Harkwright - these areas will be the North wing and the garden areas after 8pm.

  Clothing within your room is only your choice when a Harkwright is not in attendance

  You must always make yourself available to a Harkwright.

  Your door will never be locked to a Harkwright.

  You can not refuse if your attendance is called upon by one of the men and another girl or a number of girls are already present.

  Always be prepared, always be courteous and always show them the respect they deserve.

  Remember the Dossier - no Harkwright should have to introduce themselves and you should never confuse them.

  If a gift is purchased for you that is then yours and cannot be taken away - however said gift should remain between you and the Harkwright/s who gifted it to you.

  If you are offered a gift by one of the men, you are not allowed to refuse it.

  Personal items must be kept within your room.

  No unauthorized attire is permitted to be worn outside of your room.

  Rules for outside the Academy

  When out with a Harkwright man, we do not want it brought to the attention of a passerby that you are a Harkwright girl. Therefore you will be addressed by your first name or a nickname if the man chooses to adopt that method of addressment. You will still abide by the same set of rules, and must follow all orders given at any time. Whilst out in public, the Harkwright men will act on their best behavior and will not ask you to do anything that could prove dangerous to yourself or them or anything that could be deemed unlawful. If they should act against us, you are permitted to refuse their orders and will be given a fair hearing once you arrive back safely within the Academy walls. A bodyguard will be present at all times and will act as the eyes and ears of the Academy while you are away.

  You are required to wear whatever clothing the Harkwrights deem necessary.

  You are not allowed to question where you are going or how long you will be required for.

  If you will be required to stay away from the Academy overnight, then you will be given 24 hours notice prior to the event.<
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  You should have an overnight bag ready and you should be ready to go as soon as you are called upon to attend.

  No calls are permitted to take place while you are gone - anyone found breaking these rules will be handed an instant dismissal and expected to pay back an estimation of what you would have earned had you made it the full three years.

  Rules for Claiming

  Should a Harkwright deem you worthy of the honor to be claimed then you will become solely his. All orders given prior will be cancelled out and you will from here on out be able to refuse all Harkwrights except from the one claimer and Sir Harkwright himself. You will be expected to follow and obey all rules given by the claimer and you will not be allowed to be alone with any other Harkwright without his written consent.

  No one can revoke a claiming, not even Sir Harkwright.

  The claiming will last until the claimer absolves his hold upon you and will only be permitted to claim you once more, after the absolvement has taken place.

  Should the claiming last until your graduation day then you will be free once your graduation has taken place.

  Should a proposal occur from anyone other than your claimer, you will be able to accept should you so choose to.

  Additional Rules

  No girl should be seen to be showing any outward signs of jealousy, attitude issues or malicious intent towards the men.

  If one of the men has appeared to favor you this does not mean he prefers you to the others or that he is now ‘yours.’ - this attention is not guaranteed and will soon be placed upon another girl.

  If you have not been claimed then you are nothing special, do not begin to think otherwise.

  You CANNOT claim a Harkwright man and they can distribute their time however they please.