Falcon (Trinity Academy 1)

“I’ll call her right now,” Lake answers, and he begins to reach for his phone where it’s lying on the coffee table.

“Wash your hands first,” Mr. Cutler orders while shaking his head.

“Ah… yes.” Lake rushes to the restroom.

Mason takes a step closer to Grayson. “Do I get the honor of escorting him off the property?”

“Dear, God,” Mr. Cutler sighs. “It pains me knowing our future is in your hands, Mason. I can only imagine what the board meetings will be like. Walk me out and let Falcon take care of the problem.”

Mason jogs over to Mr. Cutler’s side and throws an arm around his shoulders. “Admit it, you can’t wait for me to join the board meetings. I’ll liven the place up.”

“Like a dynamite stick in a chicken coop.”

I wait for them to leave the suite, then turn to Grayson. “You have ten minutes.”

“Or what? I’ll take my fucking time,” he sneers. “I meant what I said. I want that video.”

I close my eyes for a moment, trying my God’s-honest-best to not lose my shit. “Fuck this,” I growl, and stalking toward him, I pull my arm back. The relief I’ve been looking for rushes through me as my fist connects with his skin. “You will get off my property before I kill you. The video should really be the least of your worries.”

With the arrogant smirk wiped off his face, Grayson begins to look panicked, which is about fucking time. “You’re not fucking untouchable, Falcon,” he yells.

With the whole of CRC Holdings standing behind me, I slowly begin to smile. “Yes, I am.”

The confidence in my voice rattles Grayson even more, and he begins to stutter, “F-fine… T-this place is h-highly overrated anyway and not t-the only Academy I can attend.”

I follow Grayson out of the building and watch him get into his car. When he drives off, I call security at the front gate to update them to never allow entrance to Grayson Stateman again. Ending the call, I stand in the parking area beside the dormitories and glance from one building to the other until my eyes stop on The Hope Diamond.

Whoever said money can buy you status was grossly mistaken.Chapter 7LaylaKingsley fell asleep a couple of minutes ago, and the silence has started to gnaw on my frail nerves. I glance down at her peaceful face where she’s out cold on the bed. I might not have known her for long, but today she proved her friendship to me in a way no one should have to.

“Thank you,” I whisper, unbelievably grateful for everything she did for me today.

I walk to the window in my bedroom and stare at the dark night outside. I feel edgy, as if I’m being caged in by the walls of my room, but I’m too scared to go outside.

This morning I felt safe as I walked around campus. It never crossed my mind to be on guard. And now…

My eyes follow the path down below until it fades into the night.

Now I’m not sure I’ll ever feel safe again.

I know I shouldn’t let the incident taint my entire life, but it’s hard to not let it. Falcon said he’d deal with Grayson but how can I stay on the same campus as that guy? How many of the students are like Grayson, and I foolishly trusted them with my safety?

Trust. It’s such a fragile thing. One blow is enough to obliterate it.

I hear the door to my suite opening, and for a second, my body stiffens, and my heart begins to beat faster. Only when Lake walks into my room do I let out the breath I was holding.

My eyes meet Lake’s, and the warmth I see in them chase some of the chill from my body. He walks to where I am and without saying anything, wraps his arms around me.

There’s no urge to pull away. Not when it comes to Lake.

“Thank you for helping me,” I whisper against his shoulder. Closing my eyes, I focus on the fact that I feel safe with him. I remind myself not all men are like Grayson.

Lake is safe.

He presses a kiss to the side of my head, then asks, “Do you need anything?”

I shake my head, and when he begins to pull back my hands shoot up to his sides, and I grab hold of his shirt. “Just one more minute.”

His arms tighten around me again, and it’s so comforting, I struggle not to cry from the relief it brings.

“How does Kingsley manage to sleep after tonight?” I hear Mason ask. Lifting my head, I peek over Lake’s shoulder and see both Falcon and Mason staring at Kingsley who’s lying haphazardly across the bed.

This time when Lake pulls away, I let go of him, even though I’d be happy to hug him right through the night.