by Ruby Vincent
“Thank you, baby.”
“And, Mom.” I turned and looked her in the eyes. “I need you to know that I never blamed you. Not once. Not for a second.”
The barest of smiles appeared on her lips. “I know, Val. You should have, but I know you didn’t. You always were better than me. You’re the one thing in my life I did right.”
Tears prickled behind my eyes. “Mom, don’t make me cry.”
She laughed as she pulled me in for a hug. I hugged her back just as tightly until Adam complained.
“Livia,” he whined.
“I’m sorry, little man,” she said, slightly choked. “Come on. Let’s get you more food.”
I let Olivia take him. I looked around as they wandered off and realized the courtyard had begun to fill. The college reps had arrived.
In their wake, buttoned-up students and their overeager parents followed. They claimed their targets in the game of mingling and small talk. I decided on another tact. I couldn’t wow the rep with stories of my summer in St. Tropez or tell them how I made my first million. It was better that I waited for the official event—when I could wow them with me.
I loaded up a plate with nibbles and took it out of the courtyard. There were dozens of booths taking up the lawn from every prestigious school in this country and a few from other countries. I bypassed them all as I looked for Somerset. I didn’t care about anywhere else. I was staying home, close to my son. Nothing else was an option.
I spotted a flash of light blue and white out of the corner of my eye.
There. In front of the fountain.
I veered off, practically running as I descended on the Somerset booth. It was a simple setup. A plain pop-up tent and beneath it was a table loaded down with glossy catalogs and the school flag taped to the front. Two chairs had been placed before the table and boxes were stacked in the back of the tent.
I placed my food down and reached for one of the brochures. Somerset wasn’t perfect for me just because of the location. It also boasted one of the best psychology programs in the nation as well as a minor in dance.
Smiling faces looked back at me as I flipped to the course section. Getting in here would be—
“Ah. Eager.”
I jerked and the catalog went sailing out of my hands.
“I like the eager ones. It shows that you want this.”
I raised my head to see a woman stand up from behind the stack of boxes. She pushed her wire-frame glasses further up her nose as she peered at me. “Decided to give the food a miss?”
“No,” I said when I found my voice. “Couldn’t say no to these mini quiches.” I pushed my plate toward her. “Do you want some?”
“Don’t mind if I do.” She picked one up and popped it in her mouth. Up close, I could see her name badge read Andrea Towne.
She dusted her fingers off when she was done. “Well, since you’re here. You can help me finish setting up. I’ve got more catalogs in those boxes, and school pens and pencils in that one.”
“Okay.” I walked over to where she pointed. “Sure you have enough? I heard Somerset on the lips of almost all my classmates last semester. They’re going to clean you out.”
She laughed. “Somerset is proud to have the highest number of Evergreen applicants every year. I’m assuming you’re going to be one of them.”
“That’s right. Valentina Moon. Get used to this face because you’re going to be seeing a lot of it on campus next year.”
She laughed again. “I like the confident ones too. So, since you’re here, tell me why you’d be a good fit for Somerset.”
I took a steadying breath. This wasn’t how I planned to give my spiel—while being used as free labor—but this was the perfect chance while I had her alone.
“Somerset is my first choice because...”
Andrea and I had a great conversation. She told me all about the courses I wanted to take and I even managed to make her laugh a few more times. Then she said the best thing I ever heard.
“I think you’ll be a great addition to Somerset, Valentina. We could always use more smart, ambitious young women.”
I bit my lip to stop me cheesing too hard. Over her head, I could see a mass of people leaving the courtyard. The unofficial mingling was over. It was time for College Day to start.
“Thank you. I’ve already started my application essay.”
“I look forward to reading it.” Andrea reached across and stuck her hand in one of the boxes. “Call me when you come to campus for a visit. We’ll meet for coffee.”
“I will.” I didn’t hold back my cheesing as I accepted the card. I stood and shook her hand just as Natalie Bard strode up to the booth. Flanking her was a heavily pierced man I had seen before and a woman that must have been her mother from the resemblance. Natalie didn’t so much as glance at me as she planted herself in front of the booth.
“Hello. My name is Natalie Bard. Former chess grand master and fifth highest grade point average in the academy.”
I slid away as Natalie launched into her resume. At least I was right about my classmates being on their best behavior while the reps were here.
I wandered around the lawn, eyes peeled for Mom and Adam. There was nothing for me to do now that I had impressed Andrea. What was interesting was seeing the parents of my classmates. They ranged from business people to celebrities to musicians to producers to models and everything in between. So many talented and famous people had given birth to these nightmares.
After a few laps around the event, I went back to the courtyard for some food. Our eyes met the moment I placed my foot on the stones.
Caroline patted Evergreen’s arm. “I’ll meet you in your office in half an hour. Thank you, Seamus.”
Evergreen looked like he wanted to say something, but Caroline glided away before he had the chance. Her bodyguard fell in step behind her and blocked the headmaster from view.
“Good morning, Valentina.” Caroline’s smile was beautiful for how genuine it was. She was so kind and generous with me. I guess because we both knew what it was like to suffer under the hands of Benjamin Shea. “Will you walk with me?”
“Of course.” I gestured toward the food table. “I was just going to get something to eat. Do you want anything?”
“I couldn’t.”
I accepted that without comment. I wasn’t in her company often, but when I was, I noticed that she didn’t eat much. Just like I notice her expensive clothes hung off her body and there was a gauntness to her otherwise lovely face. She looked like a strong breeze could snap her in two, but all the same, there was a strength to Caroline Shea. I saw it the morning after I killed her husband and found her at my dining table.
I quickly loaded a plate with food and then made my way back to her side. She held out a thin elbow for me to grasp. Jacob, her ever-present shadow, fell back a few feet without being asked. I glanced at him as we stepped out onto the lawn in the opposite direction of the crowd.
“Caroline, is it okay if I ask why you travel with a bodyguard?”
“My husband made enemies on his way to the top of the corporate ladder. Those that think his disappearance has left the Sheas vulnerable. There have been attempts made on my life.”
“What?” Horrible thoughts flooded my mind. “Is Ryder safe?”
“He is when he’s at home or here at Evergreen. Other times I employ a security team to trail him without his knowledge.”
I gaped at her. That she trusted me was something I had known for years, but still, it was odd how easily she told me the truth.
“Jacob has been my close friend since I was a student here,” Caroline continued. “There is no one I trust more.”
I looked back at the stoic man and met with mirrored lenses. She said they were friends, but I had never once seen them have a full conversation.
“How is everything with you?”
I focused back on her. “I’m good. Looking forward to my last year at the academy. Speaking of, I know
you and my mother talked.”
“Forgive me for not telling you.” She patted my hand. “We have our own relationship, but I did not feel right going against your mother’s wishes.”
“No, it’s okay. Mom is right. It’s time we stood on our own feet.” I stopped and faced her. “I’m going to give back the money in my account and, if it’s okay, I’d like to have a different relationship with you. I want us to talk and maybe I can come to visit when you feel up to it. I can sit with you and—” Doubt began to creep in. “But if you don’t want that—”
“I’d like that very much.” Her hand was still on mine, and my tension eased as she squeezed my fingers. “There will never be anyone who understands me as well as you do, Valentina. Do you know what I mean?”
“Yes,” I said softly. “I know exactly what you mean.”
There wasn’t any more that needed to be said.
Caroline and I walked through the grounds until Jacob’s pocket chimed. He placed the phone in her hand just as she lifted it.
“It’s time for my meeting with the headmaster. If it goes well, you should have no trouble coming to visit me this year. Goodbye, Valentina.”
I had a feeling it would go well. Caroline had secured me late entrance into school, a personal bodyguard, and who knew what else in the battles against the headmaster. I was reminded again that she wasn’t as frail as she looked.
I ventured back to the front of the school after she left. Stepping onto the front lawn, I could see the event was starting to wrap up. The booths and tents were coming down. Students were walking the reps to their cars for one last attempt at making a good impression. College Day was over.
“Saw you at the Somerset booth, Moon.”
Every muscle in my body went rigid.
“You don’t actually think you have a chance of getting in, do you? They don’t accept dark corner sluts.”
“Then I guess you don’t stand a chance either,” I shot back. I didn’t move or turn around to see, but I could sense they were all behind me. The new Knights.
“Clever. You always have a comeback. You never learned to keep that mouth shut.”
I heard the sound of footfalls and then they were in front of me.
Natalie Bard. Airi Tanaka. Isabella Bruno. Darren Rosewood.
Proof that Ace hated my guts, the four people who despised me most in this school were put in charge of running it.
Isabella tossed her head. She had no hair to flip over her shoulder but she couldn’t seem to help herself. “You should have some respect, Valentina. You won’t last at this school for long, but during your short stay, you’ll see we’re making a lot of changes around here. If you keep it up, it’ll only get worse for you.”
I rolled my eyes. “You four are in my face every other second like deranged stalkers. It can’t get much worse than that.”
Darren’s laugh made a shiver go up my spine. “Natalie’s right about you and that mouth, but...”
He sidled up to me and draped his arm around my shoulder. Revulsion twisted my stomach. Darren had gotten more handsy with me since he became a Knight. The result of which landed him in the nurse’s office with Ryder.
“If you take my offer and put that mouth to better use, I can make life a lot easier for you. Maybe even lift the mark again.”
“You don’t have the power to do that, Darren. Even if you did, you’re fucking disgusting for dangling it over my head in exchange for sex.” I roughly shook him off. “Besides, the last time you pulled that, it ended up on national news and Mommy tore you a new asshole. You really want to be trending again?”
His brows snapped together. “What? What are you— Are you fucking recording me again?!”
Darren dove for me. I let out a shout as he grabbed my chest, roughly groping my body.
“Get off me!”
“Adam!”
I reeled back to slap him when a tiny blur raced across my vision.
“Leave my mommy alone!”
I had enough time for my eyes to bulge before Adam raised his fist and hit the only thing he could reach.
“Argh!” Darren doubled over, clutching his crotch. “What the hell?! Where’d this kid come from?”
He lashed out and seized Adam’s wrist.
“Don’t touch him!” I surged forward. Darren released him just as I placed my hands on his side and shoved. He stumbled over his feet and went down hard.
I scooped up Adam and held him securely to my chest. My heart pounded against my rib cage as I lifted my eyes. The former Diamonds looked at me with twin looks of shock, and one look of glee.
Natalie’s face twisted into a horrible expression as she feasted on Adam. “What did he just call you?”
I trembled. I wanted to come clean, but not to these people, and certainly not right now. I clutched Adam tighter. They could do what they wanted with me, but I wouldn’t let them mess with my son. If they did, I would be responsible for three more deaths.
“You heard what he said,” I rasped. “You have a problem with it?”
“Problem?” Her smirk grew wider. “Why would I have a problem?” I could see the pieces clicking in her mind. “You’re that kid’s mother which means you had him... in middle school? Am I right?”
Isabella and Airi just kept staring like they were doing the math themselves.
Natalie shook her head. “That’s quite a secret you’ve been sitting on, but I can see why. Everyone was right about you. You’re nothing but a sl—”
“Stop.” Airi whipped out and caught Natalie in the stomach. Her expression was blank as she said, “Not in front of the kid.”
Airi turned her back on me and walked off. Isabella was right behind her. Looking confused, Natalie was slower to follow her friends.
Mom ran up to me just as Darren scrambled off the grass and took off. “Sorry, Val. He got away from me. Is everything okay? I saw the little scrapper got in a shot.”
“He did. Even though we do not hit, do we, Adam?” I smiled at him, taking the sting out of my scolding.
The toddler pouted. “He was mean.”
“He was very mean.”
Olivia looked after the new Knights. “Did Adam call you...”
“Yes, he did. It’ll be all over the school in an hour.”
“I’m sorry, Val.”
“Don’t be. I don’t have anything to be ashamed of. If anything, I should be proud I have a son who has my back.” I snuggled into Adam’s cheek. “Don’t you? Don’t you have Mommy’s back? Don’t you, baby?”
Adam’s giggling chased his pout away. Our little scrape would have no lasting effect on him which I cared about a lot more than the effect it would have on me.
“I think that’s enough excitement for one day,” Olivia said. “I should get him home.”
“You’re right.”
Together we crossed the lawn for the parking lot. I could have imagined it, but I swore I felt the weight of a hundred pair of eyes.
Apparently, it takes less than an hour for news of a teenage mother to spread around the school.
I was glad Olivia was taking Adam away from all of this.
We went out to the car and I buckled Adam into his seat. I kissed him a dozen times, told him I loved him a dozen more times, then I hugged Mom goodbye. It was good that I had full faith in Caroline because I was going home to see them whether Evergreen liked it or not.
I waved them off until their car disappeared down the hill. There was no way I was going through the crowd that lingered on the lawn so I took the back path for my dorm. I sat down on the steps with a strange feeling hanging over me. It settled into my bones as I noticed someone had the same idea to get away.
“Hey.”
“Hi, Ezra.”
The dark-haired boy took a seat next to me on the stoop. We were quiet for a moment as we watch the last dredges of the seniors leave for their new dorm.
“They know about Adam.”
I shifted my gaze to him.
&nb
sp; “Natalie was down there shooting her mouth off,” he continued. “I’m sorry. If you were keeping it a secret—”
“I’m not. Not anymore. I don’t like that Natalie is the one sharing my business, but people were going to find out one way or another. I want things to be different from now on, Ezra. I want to tell the truth. It’s the only way I can move forward with... the people I love.”
“So what is the truth, Val?”
“I feel like you’ve guessed,” I whispered. “That’s why you’re so upset.”
Ezra’s expression didn’t twitch. “Do I look upset?”
I reached out and took the hand resting on his knee. “I know you, Ezra. I know when you’re angry. Your mother did a great job teaching you to be the unbiased reporter, but you can’t hide from me anymore.”
He was quiet for so long I thought he wasn’t going to reply. When he did speak, his voice shook. “It may be a good thing in this case that I’m holding back my feelings. What is the truth, Val? What couldn’t you say in front of Adam?”
Tears collected in my eyes. They weren’t for me. Somewhere along the way, I had begun to heal from the trauma of what was done to me. These tears were for Ezra. For how I knew this would hurt him. For all the healing he still needed to do after what Scarlett did.
“I was raped, Ezra.”
A horrible keening noise ripped from his throat. It wrapped around my heart and squeezed as he sank his head into his hands.
“Please.” The tears spilled from my eyes. “Please, Ezra. I’m okay. It’s all o—”
“Who? Who did this?” His body shook violently. “I’ll k-kill him.”
I threw my arms around him. “Ezra, he’s gone. He’s dead.”
He jerked his head up. The mannequin blankness was gone. Everything he felt was shining in his eyes for me to see. “Dead?”
I nodded. “The man who did it is dead. He can’t hurt me or Adam or anyone else. Please, don’t let him into your thoughts because I’ve made up my mind to do the same. I’m focusing on the good in my life. I have Mom, Sofia, Adam, Maverick, Jaxson, Ryder, and you. No matter how bad it gets, I’m okay as long as I have all of you.”