My Bloodline (Featherstone Academy Series Book 1)

by KC Kean

  “What are you doing in here all alone?” She quizzes, looking around the lounge, and back to me.

  “Minding my own business, you want to try it?” I sass back, which just gets me an eye roll.

  “Well to save you from being beyond boring we can either go to a little party, or I can have a sleepover here. What will it be?”

  How do I actually not get a say in any of this? The determination on her face tells me I can argue but I have no chance of getting rid of her, and a small part of me doesn’t want to. Deciding I like her a lot more than having to over socialize, I opt for the sleepover.

  “Perfect, so you go choose what movie we’re watching in your swanky lounge and I’ll get the pizza ordered while I run and grab my bag.” She doesn’t even give me a backwards glance as she heads back out again.

  Bossy bitch. Although I am loving her newfound confidence.

  She didn’t even shut the door properly. As I go to shut it, I see Roman come out of his room, and he spots me straight away.

  “Hey, we’re going for a few drinks at a party just off campus, you up for it?”

  As tempting as his black fitted jeans and loose white tee are, I already chose sleepover, so sleepover it is.

  “Thanks for the offer, but we’re apparently having a girl’s night,” I smile, as I wrap my hands around my throat pretending to choke myself out. Roman just laughs at my antics.

  “You mean Red cornered you, and you went for the easiest option?”

  Acehole. I just stick my tongue out, because apparently I can be playful, who knew?

  “You sure I can’t tempt you? I could get Parker involved to convince you?” he grins, as he steps in closer, leaning against the door jab.

  Oh, he thinks he’s funny, I see how it is. Placing my hand on his chest, I find myself leaning towards him, but before I have a chance to respond Red comes waltzing out of the elevator.

  “Nope, no, no way, go away Roman. She’s mine tonight, no dicks allowed. Now shoo. Go on. Get,” she shouts, as she starts flapping her hands around for him to leave.

  Fuck she’s feisty tonight, towards Roman too. I’m proud. Even Roman’s surprised if his jaw hanging open is anything to go off, but he nods his head.

  “Fine, don’t get comfortable though, I’m letting you have this one night,” he says with a wink, as he reaches his hand out and squeezes my waist. Fuck such little contact and it has me hot, but he’s already stepped back and heading for the stairs.

  “Have a good night ladies.” He salutes with a grin, and then he’s gone.

  “Please tell me you’ve chosen a guy already?” she calls as she saunters past and into my room.

  “What?” I can’t help but squeal. “You always been this nosey Red?” I fumble, completely caught off guard with her question.

  “You bet your ass I have, you just help my confidence. You’re stuck with me either way though, because you never declined the best friend statement. So, no takesy backsies, but you didn’t answer my question,” she giggles.

  Shutting the door, I turn to meet her gaze seeing the humor in her eyes, and I can’t help but grin.

  “Why choose?” I say with a wink, and she just laughs out loud.

  “That is such a Luna answer right there,” she chuckles, as she saunters into the kitchen. Apparently the conversation is over.

  As hard as life is right now, I find myself able to embrace some happiness amongst all the darkness. The guys and Red being a big part of that. So, I’ll accept this best friend business, even though she’s crazy as shit. Tricking me with her innocence, but secretly she’s as feisty as her nickname.

  “I swear to god Luna, all this food in here I better find some good snacks,” she continues yelling.

  I think I’m going to enjoy girl’s night.

  *****

  Monday rolls around too quickly. Probably because I struggled to get a moments peace with Red around, but I must have enjoyed myself if it went by so quickly. She allowed the guys entry on Sunday afternoon and we relaxed binge-watching Power on TV for hours, like normal people. Not people set to commit crimes to survive this crazy place.

  The guys always wait in the lobby for me in the mornings, but they still haven’t been able to get Wren to back off. She’s still hovering round Roman like a fly to shit, and her bitches are clawing at my other men. I refuse to show my green monster though, there are bigger battles to fight here.

  Monday mornings are slightly different, seeing as I have a free period to start the day, although I can’t help but worry about Red having L.F.G with Wren. Who knows what the crazy bitch will do next?

  I finally went down to the gym this morning and did a slower workout. My body is screaming a little, especially around my ribs, but I feel amazing. I feel focused again, and ready to work on my assignments. I’m going to go full Luna ‘Moon’ and get the blueprints first, while I figure out how on earth I’m going to force a special agent onto Featherstone’s books.

  I’m almost ready for classes, when I hear a knock on my door.

  The feed I see on my phone is my own CCTV set up, so I’m not relying solely on Featherstone’s facilities. Especially if Dietrichson has any access. I wouldn’t put it past them to mess with it. It’s not noticeable unless you’re really looking, and it’s so small I’ve never had one register when someone’s been scanning for bugs. They’re what I usually use when scoping out locations I’m about to loot.

  Checking the screen, I see it’s the guys and head to let them in.

  “Good morning senorita, how is my little lady today?” Oscar greets as he barges through the group, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

  I can’t get used to his touchy-feely personality, but I let him squeeze me for a moment, before I step out of his space. Which has him giving me his puppy dog eyes.

  “What are you guys doing here?” I ask, glancing around them all.

  “We were hoping to compare our assignment cards with you, seeing as all of ours interlink somehow,” Roman responds.

  I don’t really want people to know what I have to do, but I could also use the back up and their thoughts as well. I think I’m more scared that they’re going to screw me over, and I don’t want to admit how much that would actually hurt.

  “Okay, let me grab them. I read all yours first though, understood?” I ask firmly.

  “Whatever you need Princess,” he says, holding his hands up in surrender.

  There he goes with that nickname again. Never has anyone even remotely considered me a princess, but it doesn’t seem to grate on me like it used to do.

  Dashing off, I grab all three cards and walk back into the lounge where they are all sprawled out, like it’s their place and not mine.

  “Make yourself at home why don’t you,” I say sarcastically, which just gets me snickers in response.

  “I’d be much more comfortable with you sitting on my lap, baby girl.” Oscar says with a grin, which earns him a smack on the head from Roman.

  Parker and Kai are sitting on the other couch which leaves me having to choose which pair to join. I opt to sit closest to Parker.

  “No fair baby girl,” whines Oscar.

  “Oh, boo hoo Oscar, Kai gets to carpool with me, Roman gets me for B.I.C.E and you can be my partner for combat.” I counter without even looking up, but my tummy does a little flip at the fact that I just organized myself for everyone to have my attention.

  I will not get embarrassed. I will not.

  “But baby, I want to show you what I can do in private,” he begs, but I pretend I haven’t heard him which has Parker chuckling beside me, as he slips his arm around the back of my neck.

  I hold my hand out and they all become more serious, handing their cards over.

  Parker: to create six fully working grapplers and design an undetectable tracking device

  Kai: hack into DCM Tech systems

  Oscar: create stimulus shots to leave temporary paralysis (minimum of two hours) and destroy a safe house for th
e Agency

  Roman: confirm a business contract with DCM Tech and provide surveillance of Special Agent Dominic Bridge

  Holy shit, the tasks really do interlink. I wordlessly pass my cards to Parker for him to read and pass along, nobody mentions the third card until everyone has read it.

  “What the hell is The Pyramid? My father has never mentioned trials like this have been run here before,” Roman says, but I don’t know how to respond because I have no idea.

  So he gets a nice shrug from me.

  “I’ll put some feelers out to him okay? Mention that I saw a few people get it, but I won’t name you.” He offers, and I nod in thanks to him.

  “West and Rafe are looking into it too.”

  “Good, the more ears to the ground the better.”

  We all take a moment to further connect the dots between our assignments, and Kai is the one to give us a run through.

  “So, they want grapplers, tracking devices and stim shots from us.”

  “Oh, Red’s is to create gas explosives too,” I add, remembering her card.

  “Okay, then in regards to DCM Tech, they want me to hack into the systems, their HQ blueprints stolen and a business contract of some kind confirmed.”

  We all nod in agreement.

  “Then, they want surveillance of a special agent, who they want on their books. Which could be linked in some way to the Agency safe house they want rid of,” he finalizes. “How do you feel about this Luna?”

  “Honestly, getting the blueprints is fine. I just don’t know how I’m going to force someone into joining Featherstone, but I’m going to have to figure it out because I refuse to give them a reason to beat me,” I answer honestly.

  “What do you mean the blueprints are fine?” Roman questions, a frown on his face.

  I sigh not wanting to give too much away, but I also need them to know I don’t need to be babied.

  “You’re forgetting my bloodline, I have experience. You don’t need to worry about that.” Keeping my voice relaxed. I feel them all staring at me, trying to figure out what I just said.

  “How much experience?” asks Parker. Typical of him to ask, he’s the best one for getting into my head.

  “Enough experience that when I was being dragged here, I found out I’d already completed jobs for Featherstone.”

  Parker's eyes go wide, and he looks to the others. Me and my big mouth. I need to learn to shut the hell up.

  “Holy shit,” yells Oscar, gaining everyone’s attention.

  “You’re Moon,” he splutters, shaking a finger in my direction.

  “What did you just say?” I can’t help the defensive snarl, what the hell does he know?

  “I remember during the summer, my father was on the phone discussing some documents he’d acquired. He specifically said, it’ll be better when we have moon fully integrated. Keep me up to date on her arrival at the Academy.”

  His eyes taking me in with a new light. What does his father know about me?

  “I think you need to leave,” I say flatly, heading towards the door.

  “Hold up Luna, it’s okay. Calm down,” Roman says, jumping up to stop my march to the door.

  “Believe me they have had every single student here do something without them knowing. My father says they call it the right of passage, so they can see what level you’re already at,” he adds, as he gently strokes my arm.

  It’s clear I’m a deer caught in the headlights. I’m frozen to the spot. I don’t know how to handle that they know about my secret, and that it’s completely the norm for this place.

  Roman turns me to face him, stepping closer into my space and cups my cheek.

  “Luna it doesn’t matter what you did before here. It doesn’t matter what you have to do here. What matters is that we survive, understood?”

  Searching his eyes, I see nothing but the truth to his words, and I find myself nodding in agreement. His phone starts ringing and I move to step back, but his hand moves to the back of my neck holding me in place.

  “That’s my alarm, we need to start heading to Combat,” he says to everyone, but his eyes don’t leave mine.

  “Now let us help take your stress away,” he murmurs, as he inches closer, touching his lips to mine. As demanding as ever he tightens his grip and devours my mouth, having me claw at his shirt in retaliation.

  Just as quickly as it started he steps back, with a wicked gleam in his eye, and motions with his hand. In the next breath, Oscar has his hands on my waist and his lips against mine. Wow to say his mouth gets him into shit his actual lips have me melting. I can’t help but raise my hands to his face and graze his bottom lip with my teeth, and the moan he gives me hits straight to my core.

  Fuck. As soon as it escapes his lips, Roman is pulling him away from me.

  “Share Oscar,” he orders, and before I can see his response, Kai is in my space.

  He raises his thumb, tracing my lips and it has me mesmerized. He searches my face ensuring I want this, and it’s definitely clear in my eyes because my body is screaming for him. For all of them. I grab him by the lapels of his blazer, lifting my lips to meet his. Kai’s kiss is tantalizingly slow, but I follow his lead, such a contrast to the other two.

  He steps back and makes space for Parker, who rests his forehead against mine. He looks into my eyes, seeing my soul as always, it’s so willing for him to peer in. Our noses brush slightly as he gently moves where we are connected. His lips touch mine in the softest caress I have ever felt, but it wraps around my heart and squeezes. I have to hold on to him to keep myself upright. Damn, I could get lost in this.

  As soon as the thought crosses my mind Parker is stepping back too, and I can’t help the pout at the loss of contact. The lust in all of their eyes lets me know I’m not the only one. Roman wraps his arm around my shoulder and moves us towards the door. Stopping to grab my bag he leans into whisper.

  “Parker doesn’t like kissing, he finds it too personal. He’s different with you.” With that he steps back and leads everyone out.

  Parker's hand finds mine and I can’t help but enjoy this. This is a completely different level of intimacy and it has me wanting more.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  (Luna)

  Heading over to the academic buildings, I’m relaxing in the Rolls after our brutal session in Combat this morning. I’m ready for a nap already, Wednesdays are always the longest.

  I enjoy riding with Kai though, loving our newfound foreplay, where he caresses my hand between us like I’m a delicate flower. What I’d really like to do is get on my knees but somehow this is more. I’ve hinted for him to caress me elsewhere but he just smirks.

  Ian holds the door open for me to get out, and I’m surprised to find posters and flyers everywhere. The bright pink and yellow splashes of color dotting every surface, look like someone set off a giant confetti cannon.

  Stepping towards a giant poster, I’m handed an invite, Ace scrawled in gold boldly at the top of the card. I continue to read, so I can see what the deal is.

  FEATHERSTONE ACADEMY

  You are cordially invited to attend this year’s Fall Ball

  25th September 2020

  19:00 sharp

  Monte Carlo Themed

  This fantastic event will be held in the ballroom of the Main Hall

  Attendance is mandatory

  Fantastic, another event to look forward to. I flip it over, seeing that it stipulates the dress code requirements, and the menu that’ll be served. It’s just a load of fancy shit, caviar, white truffle and foie gras. I hope I can order food when I get back to my room.

  Red’s suddenly wrapping her arm through mine, all bouncy with excitement. I can’t help but roll my eyes.

  “You’re going to love this aren’t you?” I sigh, as we walk up the steps to our Business class.

  “Yep, it’s going to be brilliant. It’s only two weeks away so we can go dress shopping this weekend,” she offers, but I couldn’t think of a
nything worse.

  “Or, we can look through all the brand-new shit in my dresser that my mother bought.”

  That has her eyes lighting up.

  “Yes, definitely that, they’ll be extra fancy and free,” she giggles, as she gives my arm a little extra squeeze.

  “So, which of the guys do you think will ask first?” she asks, trying to be innocent, but she just loves the easy drama of the boys bickering over me.

  “That’s irrelevant, you’ll be my date Miss Sunshine. I’ll stay for the shortest time possible and have a party for one back in my room, deal?”

  “Deal, but boy talk isn’t over.” She fake scowls, as we walk into Business.

  Wren is sprawled all over Romans desk, making a nice show of herself, boobs in his face and her fingers running through his hair.

  It makes me want to smack a bitch.

  But I can’t, I have to keep myself out of it, even though the green-eyed monster is rearing its ugly head. Technically, we are anti-commitment and I need to remember that.

  “Come on Roman baby, the dance will be amazing. I need some alone time with you, it’s been forever. I’ll make it worth your while,” she purrs, for everyone to hear.

  “I already said no Wren, so you can move now,” Roman responds, keeping his tone uninterested.

  The glare she sends around the room has everyone on edge, except me because I know my names about to be dragged into it. I can see it in her sneer as she catches sight of me.

  “Is it because of that dumb bitch?”

  She doesn’t say my name, but everyone knows she means me. I don’t comment or cast my gaze her way, I just take my seat and pull my phone out like I’m oblivious to the whole thing.

  “Wren. Back. Off,” Roman growls.

  “No Roman, she shows up, and suddenly I’m a used doll and I won’t stand for it. Over my dead body will you go to the ball with her, do you understand? I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen, you’ve been spending enough time with that whore. I refuse to let it continue!” she screams, but I refuse to rise to her bait, even though it’s really fucking hard. My fingernails are cutting into my palm, I’m trying so hard to hold myself back.