“I think so.” From what he was saying, it sounds like I need to handle my shit with Alice and Quinn, but also sounds like they’ve been given carte blanche to deal with me however they see fit. It’s exhilarating…and a bit terrifying.
“Good. Then let’s make a deal, shall we? This is just between the two of us. You figure out whatever your problem is at Trinity Prep and get it under control. I have no interest in hearing about it. If you can’t, and you end up in my office again, then you’re gone. How do you like that?”
My fingers are picking at a weak spot in the fabric on the chair. I slip one inside and swirl it in the stuffing while I think about what he’s said. Even though he phrased it like it was something I could agree or disagree with, I have the distinct feeling that it’s nothing something that I have a choice on.
Finally, I nod. “That sounds great. Thank you, sir. But, just so that I’m clear on things and I don’t have to come back for clarification, students are allowed to take matters into their own hands, no matter what?”
This gets his attention and he sits up a bit straighter, locking his eyes on me. “We do not condone violence at Trinity Prep.” Before he sounded like someone I was having a conversation with, but now he suddenly sounds like he’s reading from a pamphlet. “Any violence against another person at this school will result in expulsion. Does that make sense?”
Not at all.
“Completely. Thank you for the clarification. I stand up, reaching to shake his hand, but he doesn’t move. Instead, he leans back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Good. Then back to Professor Thiel’s class with you, Abigail, and remember – if you show up in here again then you had better pack your bags and be prepared to leave. You’ve had your meeting with me. If there is another then it will be me making sure that you leave your key to your room so that another student can move in without worry.”
What he says resonates with me and I pause. I know that I need to leave as quickly as possible, especially if I want to avoid an ugly scene with him, but I have to ask one more thing. “Sir, has anyone ever left with their key? What happens then?”
“Goodbye, Abigail. Stay here much longer and we’re going to have to count it as our second meeting, and you know what that means.”
He gestures to the door and I don’t hesitate. I let myself out as quickly as possible, practically tripping over Quinn in the hallway.
“How did it go?” He sounds too eager for information as he stands up and walks next to me, but I ignore him.
Mr. Britton may not realize it, but he’s given me a lot of information. I have to figure out how I’m going to survive the rest of the year if Quinn and Alice have the freedom to do whatever they want to me. But first, I have to pass an accounting test.
Chapter Fifteen
I haven’t been alone with Quinn since he had to walk me to the headmaster’s office. This has taken a lot of careful doing on my part to make sure that I don’t accidentally run into him in the hall or that we don’t’ linger after class together without me knowing it.
In fact, the past few days have gone by so smoothly that I’m whistling as I walk through the art department. Madeline and I decided to each work for two hours and then meet up for a movie in her room.
She turned off a few doors ago, but I have to walk to the end of the hall before I make it to the painting room. Turning the corner, I give a little sigh of relief when I see that the lights in the room are off. I really wanted to be here on my own.
Reaching around, I feel my way along the wall as I search for the light switches. I know that they’re back here on the wall somewhere, but the room is so dark that I’m having trouble finding them. Before I find them, something grabs my wrist, pinning me up on the wall.
Immediately, a hand clamps down over my mouth, stifling any chance I had of screaming. My heart starts to pound, but even though I’m unsure of what to do right now, I know exactly who it is that has me pinned up against the wall.
I can feel the bandage on his finger.
Quinn.
“Hi there, Abigail. What in the world are you doing down here all by yourself?” He smells delicious, like a mixture of turpentine and really expensive cologne, but it’s hard for me to breathe with his hand holding my mouth shut. I know that after last time he’s not going to make the mistake of putting his finger anywhere near my teeth.
I don’t answer, and he leans forward, using his knee to separate my legs. My skin suddenly feels hot and clammy, but he doesn’t seem to notice when he reaches out and runs his tongue up my neck. I shiver at his touch, but as much as I want to pull away from him, something pins me in place.
My body is turning on me. Every second that I spend so close to him makes me want him even more. I can feel my core tighten and a low throbbing between my legs.
It’s what happens every time I get close to Quinn.
“I’m ready to collect on our bet, Abigail.” His voice is soft, like it’s just for me, and the thought both thrills and terrifies me. “You ready?”
At this, I squirm away, twisting my head so that I can speak. “Never. You told me that you’d wait until I wanted it, Quinn, until I begged for it, and that’s
