King of Corium (Corium University Trilogy 1)

“Hacker?” I choke on the remaining liquid in my throat.

“Yeah, it’s kind of a family thing.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, and really it isn’t. Hackers aren’t a new thing, but it’s a big deal to me. An idea takes root in my mind, growing to life right before my eyes, and I can’t stop it.

Ren slaps a hand on my back while laughing. “You going to make it?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I lean across the table and look Sillas in the eyes. He seems like a straight shooter, but you can’t judge someone by their appearance and know they’re worth trusting. Still, I’m not afraid. My father knows that I want answers. I’m not hiding anything or doing wrong by asking someone to find information for me.

“I need you to do something for me, and while you probably don’t need it, I’ll sweeten the pot by throwing some money in too.”

Sillas’s face becomes serious in an instant, and he sheds the all-American boy image right before my eyes. “What do you need done?”

I keep my voice low as I say, “I need you to help me find someone… my mother.”

Sillas visibly gulps, and he looks like he might be sick.

“Your mother is missing? Wouldn’t your dad—”

“Ella Rossi is not my biological mother. I want you to find my birth mother,” I explain and watch as pure shock forms on his features.

“I can try. I’ll need as many details as you can give me, and then I’ll reach out to my dad.”

I shake my head. “No. I want you to do it. Don’t involve anyone else. This is between you and me. Prove yourself to me, and you won’t have a thing to worry about in this place.” I add the last little bit for effect, even if it is true. No one will mess with him here, not if he’s walking alongside me.

We finish up our lunch, and I let Sillas know that I’ll text him the details about my mother that I know. Which isn’t much of anything. On the way out of the lunchroom, Ren nudges my shoulder.

“Are you sure about this? Going behind your dad’s back?”

I stop in my tracks and pin him with a stare. “Nothing I do here is a secret, and it’s not like he doesn’t know I want answers. He refuses to give them to me, so I’ll find another way, my way.” The venom in my words must stop Ren from pushing forward with any other questions because instead of continuing the conversation, we move on to discussing Luna and how excited she is to visit Ren.

“I miss her like crazy but really wish I could spend time with her somewhere else.”

“She’s coming here when she graduates, right? Why not let her come and get a feel for the school? That way, she’s not just dropped on her ass out in the middle of nowhere like us.”

Ren shrugs. “If I’m being honest, I don’t want her to come here. I don’t want her to have anything to do with this life. I want her to go to school, get a good job, live her best life, and get married and have kids if that’s what she wants.”

I almost laugh. “You’re going to let your sister date?” I can see it now, Ren murdering so many guys our family can no longer cover it up.

“No. It will have to be an arranged marriage kind of thing. I’ve got to make sure he is perfect for her and that he’s not going to hurt her or make her cry. I mean, you’ll probably be the same with Scarlet.”

The mention of her name reminds me of how soon she will be an adult, and before long, here alongside me.

“I don’t mind Scarlet coming here because it will be safer than any other place. Plus, I can keep an eye on her here. At least until we graduate.”

Boys will be interested, and she’ll be able to make her own decisions. Decisions that could get her hurt or even killed.

The lack of control I have over the people I love terrifies me. I block out the rest of the conversation, and when we reach our dorm, it’s right as one of the maids is walking out. She moves out of the way and starts pushing her cart toward the next room.

I’m reminded of the condition that I found Aspen in and the way her bedroom looked. I know she’ll be released soon, and by making sure her room is clean, she’ll owe me an hour of her time. Stopping in front of the cart, I force the maid to stop or hit me. Thankfully, at the last moment, she looks up at me through her lashes and stops moving.

“I need you to clean Aspen Mather’s room.”