Julian (Trinity Academy 4)

“I made you a promise, Jamie.”

“You’re not breaking it,” I plead.

With a torn expression, he looks at Della.

“We can move her in with Layla and Kingsley,” Mason offers.

“What about Preston?” I ask. “I don’t want to upset how things are at Trinity.”

“Preston won’t mind,” Julian answers.

“I’m sure it’s hell for him to live with Kingsley and Layla,” Mason adds, the corner of his mouth lifting.

“Yeah, we might be driving him slightly round the bend,” Kingsley jokes.

“You really won’t mind?” I ask, just to be certain I won’t be intruding.

“Of course not,” Layla says. “Your safety comes first.”

Looking back to Carter, I give him a pleading look. “I’ll be fine. Living with Layla and Kingsley, I won’t be alone at night.” I quickly remind him, “And there will be increased security.”

“I also spend some evenings at the music department,” Julian says, then looking at me, he continues, “I could take over with giving the piano lessons you wanted?”

“You want to teach me how to play the piano?” I ask skeptically. Even though things have calmed down between us, I didn’t think Julian would want to spend time with me.

“Just until we get to the bottom of what’s happening,” he quickly adds. “Trinity Academy is our responsibility, after all.

“Nah, admit you just want to spend time with me,” I tease, not able to resist the chance to mess with Julian.

Everyone begins to chuckle, except for Carter, who’s eyes are darting between Julian and me.

“Geez, I’m joking,” I mumble at Carter. “Don’t go into overprotective big brother mode.”

After a moment, Carter finally agrees, “Fine, we’ll let you stay on the condition of increased security and that you’ll move into the suite with Layla and Kingsley.”

Smiling gratefully, I lean over and give him a tight hug. “I’ll even drive you crazy and call every night.”

A warm smile settles around Carter’s mouth. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

Knowing I can finally go back to the dorm, I’m filled with a weird sense of relief and dread.

I hope I’m making the right choice, and I don’t end up dead in a ditch because I refused to stop studying.Chapter 14JulianI’m relieved Preston is okay with swapping suites with Jamie.

“We appreciate it,” I say to him as he carries a box out of the room Jamie will be moving into.

“I don’t mind, Sir. I’ll do anything to help keep Jamie safe.”

“Call me Julian,” I tell him for the third time.

“Yes, Sir.”

Falcon lets out a chuckle. “Give him time to get used to the idea.”

Preston places the box by the front door, then shoving his hands in his pockets, he looks down at his feet. “Honestly, I’d feel uncomfortable calling you by your first name. You are the chairman of CRC Holdings.”

“I’m no different from Falcon,” I try to reason with him.

Falcon laughs, “We’re nothing alike, Julian. You scare people for a living. I’m the loving and caring brother.”

“Says who?” Layla jumps in. “You’re intimidating as well. It’s a family trademark y’all have.”

Falcon leans closer to her. “Am I not loving enough?”

“Ah… that’s a conversation for another time,” Layla quickly puts an end to the topic.

I find myself smiling, and when Jamie walks into the suite with a box, I rush over to her. “Why are you carrying this? Let the staff take care of moving the boxes.”

“Aww… it almost sounds like you care about me,” she taunts me.

“I just don’t need you getting injured again on Trinity grounds,” I mutter as I place the box down by the bedroom door, but instantly regret my words. “I mean, we just want to keep you safe.”

“Hmm… right.” Jamie smiles at me, but the worry she’s been carrying around with her dims it.

Miss Sebastian comes walking into the room with a little, colorful unicorn sculpture. “Where can I put this?”

“Trust you to make sure I don’t forget to bring my Christmas gift you gave me,” Jamie teases her.

“Of course, you need some color in your life, now more than ever,” Miss Sebastian defends her actions.

Rhett follows after Miss Sebastian with another box, which has me saying, “Let’s sit down while the staff takes care of moving everything between the two suites. Mason and Lake will be back any moment with the take-out we ordered.”

Only Rhett and Miss Sebastian stayed behind. The rest of Jamie’s family and friends needed to get back to work.

I had to reassure Carter I’d protect Jamie before he and Della would leave to catch their flight back to New York. They mentioned they would fly out again this coming weekend to spend some more time with Jamie.

Miss Sebastian begins to look around the suite, saying, “This place could do with a little color. I need to add my dazzling touch, so all this blandness won’t mess with Jamie’s juju.”

Jamie takes hold of Miss Sebastian’s arm as if to keep her from getting started on giving the luxurious suite a makeover. “That’s not something you need to think about right now. Come sit and rest a little.”