Faithless: A High School Bully Romance (The Privileged of Pembroke High Book 3)
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Copyright
Faithless – The Privileged of Pembroke High Copyright © 2019 Ivy Fox
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of all word marks, products, brands, TV shows, movies, music, bands and celebrities mentioned in this work of fiction.
Editing by Heather Clark
Cover image, formatting, and edit courtesy of X-Factory Designs
For more information, visit:
Ivy Fox - Facebook
Ivy Fox - Official Website
ISBN: 9781674391571
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Table of Contents
Dedication
Faithless Playlist
Caution
Epigraph
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
Ivy Fox Novels
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Dedication
Faithless Playlist
The Privileged of Pembroke High - Part 3
Listen to full list on Spotify Here
“Dark Paradise” by Lana Del Rey
“Him & I” by G-Eazy with Halsey
“Broken Roots” by Michl
“Leftovers” by Dennis Lloyd
“Different by Hippie Sabotage
“Wave(s) by Lewis Del Mar
“Think About It” by Dennis Lloyd
“Be Your Love” by Bishop Briggs
“Luxuries” by Folded like Fabric
“Demons” by Dennis Lloyd
“Champion” by Bishop Briggs
“I Feel Like I'm Drowning” by Two Feet
“Alone” by Lund
“Hope Is A Dangerous Thing For A Woman Like Me To Have - But I Have It” by Lana Del Rey
“White Flag” by Bishop Briggs
“Team” by Lorde
“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star
“Wait” by NoMBe
“The Bones” by Maren Morris
Caution
Dear Reader,
First of all, thank you for continuing to read The Privileged of Pembroke High.
The Grayson crew and I so appreciate it.
As always, whenever I feel the subject matter of one of my books might touch on some sensitive issues, I like to make my readers aware so they aren’t taken off guard.
If you’ve read Heartless and Soulless, then the following 100k plus words won’t come as too much of a surprise for you in regards to the underlining issue its surrounds.
I ensure you that graphic details of abuse are not included in this book, as I kept most of those scenes off-page. The feelings they provoke, though, are still very raw and profoundly honest. This means that for more sensitive readers, the subject matter of Faithless may be uncomfortable or even triggering.
Therefore, I thought it best to bring to light that the series The Privileged of Pembroke High, may contain scenes where impressionable audiences may struggle with its content.
Having said that, this book in its whole is still very much a love story—however unconventional it may be—so if you’re still on the fence, read reviews and get feedback before giving it a go.
I genuinely hope you enjoy Snow’s happily ever after with her privileged Grayson men.
Sincerely,
Ivy
“When you are Ashes remember this,
They will insult you, hurt you, defeat you, betray you, injure you, set you aflame and watch you burn.
But they will not, shall not, cannot destroy you.
Because you, like Rome were built on ashes.
And you, like a phoenix know how to rise and resurrect.”
― Nikita Gill
Chapter 1
Holland
‘Breathe, Snow. Breathe.’ I hear his faint, loving whisper hush in my ear, always soothing, always protective.
He sings the same words that, at the lowest point of my troubled life, kept me tethered to the ground when the dark abyss so viciously craved to swallow me whole. And just like it did back on that horrid day, my mind and heart hold on to these words, letting their comforting tone wash over me—empowering me to get a hold of my sanity and do what needs to be done.
“Breathe, Snow. Breathe.” The soft voice repeats, entwining our fingers together, while I feel another pair of consoling hands hold my shoulders, giving me the same whispered strength with their light touch.
My eyes start to clear through the tumultuous tears that had refused to be kept at bay, while my trembling body begins to obey their gentle order. As I continue to breathe in slow spurts to calm myself down, I realize the person gently coaxing me back from my frantic state is not my Rome, but the sister I treasure and adore.
“Elle,” I hiccup, grasping onto her hands as if she’s the lifeline I need right now to get me through this new hurdle the universe has decided to plague me with.
“It’s okay, Holland. You’re okay,” she tenderly reassures, unlatching only one of her hands from my hold to wipe away the tear streaks from my cheeks.
The warm, nurturing body at my back pulls away and takes the seat next to me, placing an arm over my shoulders, enveloping me with the same love and compassion that only Ollie has always been adamant about showering me with. He rubs the back of my neck, and I turn my head to the side, sucking in a pained breath when I meet his troubled, hazel eyes, mimicking my own inner turmoil.
“They took him, Ollie. They took him. What have I done?” I break down on his shoulder, giving myself permission for one more second of vulnerability.
“We’ll figure this out, Snow. I promise you. We will find a way, and soon everything will be back to normal. It’s going to be okay,” he repeats in a loop, holding me even tighter to his side while his fingers trace over my hair.
As much as I want to dive into his optimistic waters, my past tribulations surely remind me that in life—at least in mine—nothing is ever okay.
I’m not sure how long we stay like this, but once my tears have dried up, I somehow find the strength to pull away from Ollie’s embrace and withdraw my hands from Elle’s loving grasp. I wipe the remaining vestige of sorrow that rained down my cheeks, ready to face the war that knocked on our door today.
With my resolve now intact, I straighten my spine and look for the boy who shares my cold views of the world, only to find him pacing back and forth, losing his own m
ind as he yells over the phone at who I assume to be the Grayson’s lawyer. Unintimidated by his incensed outrage, I get up from my seat to confront Ash, preventing him from taking another step until he deals with me first.
“I’ll have to call you back,” Ash states harshly, before hanging up the phone and giving me his full attention.
“You should have let me tell the truth, Asher,” I censure, my anger overthrowing any sadness still dwelling inside of me. “I know you’re not perfect. God, how I know you aren’t! But not even when you were at your worst, did I ever believe you would be capable of something so cruel,” I spit out, livid he pulled me away when I could have stopped the NYPD from taking the man I love. “Rome is your brother, Asher! Your brother! Why did you stop me? Why?!” I shout, pushing his chest with all the strength I can muster.
Ash looks deep into my eyes, and I don’t see one bit of regret in his determination for not allowing me to tell the police the truth and prevent Rome from being dragged out of his own home in handcuffs like a common criminal.
I curl my hands into fists beside me, trying to control my temper as best I can and not punch his face in. I’ve never been a violent person, at least not until I stepped foot into this house. But right now, I feel like I could destroy everything in my way with the maddening fury I’m being possessed by.
Worst of all, even under all my loathing and anger of how Ash condemned Rome to such a gruesome fate, I can’t find the will to hate him. Not even a little bit. How can my heart still love a man like him, when he was capable of letting Rome go to jail for a crime that I committed?
I should hate him.
More than anyone else in this room, Ash deserves my wrath. I should want to inflict on him the same pain I’m feeling right now. The same agony Rome is going through at this very minute. But all I have inside me is rage—burning fury from the fact that a good man is paying for the sins his father committed.
That I committed.
Hate hasn’t visited me yet, but if Ash doesn’t let me make this right somehow, I know it will show up soon enough, and I’m not sure anyone will be immune to it.
Before I have time to accuse and curse Ash some more—throw at him all the bitterness and resentment I feel smothering my very breath away—he closes the small gap between us, taking me into his strong embrace. He holds me with such fervor that my defenses begin to cripple, if only for a split second.
“I need you to hear me. Before you say anything else you might regret, I need you to hear me out first,” he whispers into my ear.
Ash releases his tight hold from me when he feels I’ve simmered down enough, so he can say his piece without my indignation getting in the way. He cradles my face in his hands, while I keep my arms frozen at my side, my fists still balled-up ready for a fight, unable to show him the same care and affection he seems intent on giving me.
“I love you, Snow. I love you so fucking much that I almost went insane for not being able to protect you as I should have. But don’t ever, ever, think I love my brother any less,” he affirms steadfast, his transparent stare locked with mine, portraying the truth and conviction in his words. “It took me a while to accept it, but my brother loves you just as fiercely as I do. I know that now. I believe, with every fiber of my being, that his love is just as ferocious as my own. So you need to believe me when I tell you that letting you turn yourself in to save Rome was never an option. Not for him and not for me.”
Ash leans in and places a tender kiss on my forehead, letting those words sink in. He then pulls my chin up, to take another deep look into my soul, the earnestness and honesty in his as clear as day.
“You know Rome as well as I do, maybe even better. Do you honestly believe he would let you go if he could stop it somehow? That he wouldn’t move heaven and earth to keep you safe?”
I close my eyes shut, and a rebellious tear sneaks from its corner upon realizing that Ash is being genuine. Rome would rather forfeit his own freedom if it meant I wouldn’t have to surrender mine. He’s committed his whole life to protect those he loves, so of course he would make the ultimate sacrifice for me. It’s just the person he is—selfless and loyal to the very end.
“We can’t let him do this, Ash. We just can’t,” I plea, this time raising both hands and frantically grabbing his shirt, so he understands that I won’t let Rome do this for me.
Not him. Not anyone I love.
Rome, Ash, and Ollie might be willing to fall onto a sword to protect me, but what they haven’t gotten into their thick heads yet, is that I’d do the same for any one of them if the circumstances called for it. And right now they do because we wouldn’t even be in this mess if it wasn’t for me.
“Snow,” he murmurs, pained by trying to reason with me, but I just shake my head. I know his next words are going to reflect Rome’s wishes again, and I won’t allow it.
“No. I won’t have it, Ash.”
“You won’t have what?” Elle asks from behind us, confused by my statement.
Both Ash and I freeze in place, our lips slamming shut once we realize we’ve already said too much in front of her.
“What the hell is going on?!” she yells, her eyes manic with accusation. “All three of you know something. What is it? Did Rome really kill our father as that detective said? Did he? Is that what all of you are hiding from me? Tell me the truth!” she barks out, stomping her foot and demanding the answers she should have gotten ages ago.
I look over at Ash, my stare begging him to finally let me tell her the truth, but it’s Ollie who comes to my aid.
“Sit down, Elle,” he begins, walking over to the dining room door and closing it, making sure the conversation we are about to have is kept within this room.
Thankfully, all the curious guests from the wake have left, but to our chagrin, the police are taking their sweet time searching the manor, while we are here stewing with worry, afraid of what they’ll find.
As per Detective Gomez’s orders, we’ve been confined to the dining room for over an hour, so we don’t interfere with the ongoing investigation. The search warrant in her possession gives the men in blue permission to ransack our home, trying to find anything that can be used against Rome in court. The no-nonsense detective made sure of telling us that two of her deputies would be in the hallway in case we needed anything, which is her polite way of telling us to stay put, or her officers would use any means necessary to make sure that we do.
Elle remains on her feet, refusing to sit down as her brother requested. So Ollie walks over to his younger sister, placing his hands over her shoulders, hoping he can calm her down. But Elle, being the girl she is, won’t be subdued by pretty words or comforting promises. She’s too smart for that. She slaps his hands away from her and points her finger straight in Ollie’s face.
“Ollie, don’t even try it. You know something. You all do! What is it? Now, Oliver! Out with it!” she demands again, her amber eyes turning to a familiar, darker shade, reminiscent of Rome’s when he’s at his wit’s end.
“Rome didn’t kill our father, Elle. This is all a misunderstanding,” Ollie explains softly, trying to defuse the bomb that is Elle Grayson.
“I did it,” I hear myself stutter, making her neck snap my way in an instant.
I swallow dryly, hoping that what I’m about to say doesn’t damage or end our relationship—a precious one that I’ve been able to build with this sweet, determined girl. Telling anyone I’m responsible for taking a life will never be easy, but admitting to Elle’s face that I’m the reason she is now an orphan, is suddenly making me nauseous. I’ve kept this from her long enough, though. I can’t continue to keep the truth hidden away from her.
It’s time she knew.
‘It’s time they all knew,’ my soul screams out, but I push that thought to the back of my head, knowing that I need to confront Elle first before revealing my truth to the world.
“I killed him,” I repeat, resolute in my decision to
admit my sins, even if only to one person today.
I observe Ollie’s confident, tender smile appear on his lips, encouraging me to proceed, while through my peripheral vision, I see Ash’s shoulders deflate with my declaration, obviously not agreeing with me in coming clean once and for all. But I’m tired of lying—especially to Elle.
“What?” Elle croaks out hoarsely, her gorgeous, amber eyes inundated with confusion, instead of the heated blaze that resided in them moments ago.
“Jesus, Snow, this is so not the time for this,” Ash interjects, looking aggravated, summoning us with a tilt of his head to trail behind him to the other side of the room, far away from the door, which is the only thing separating us from the cops guarding post outside.
He’s right to be cautious. I wouldn’t put it past the police to eavesdrop on us the minute Ollie closed the dining room door on them. If I weren’t so caught up in the moment in trying to pick the right words to explain to my best friend what happened between her father and me, then common sense would have slapped me in the face, reminding me of our dire surroundings. But I guess logic and reason left me the minute I watched Rome being dragged away in handcuffs.
We follow Ash’s silent command dutifully, as we wait for him to open the large floor-to-ceiling glass door so we can step foot outside on the balcony, away from prying eyes and ears. The winter air is chilly and unforgiving, but so is the environment inside our heated home.
The little curse Ash lets out from under his breath as he closes the door behind him, confirms my suspicions that he would have preferred Elle to be kept in the dark a little while longer, at least until the Grayson manor was free of cops, who are itching to find incriminating evidence.