Page 45 of Heirs of Havoc

The hell …

Eve’s eyes dart between them and dare I say she looks a little hurt? But with a flip of her head, she clicks away in designer heels, following Nicholas.

My eyes bounce between the twins, their glare on Nicholas. “What was that?”

“Let’s get you to class in one piece, Merlo.” Vlad ignores my question, his hand coming to my back. He says my last name low and I really don’t need anyone finding out who I am. As far as they know, I’m just someone who kisses their fucking TA.

How did that photo get leaked? Was it Eve? Was she there?

Was it Dom?

Students whisper and cackle, but hiding behind the muscles of the twins makes me feel protected. They stay with me all the way to class, the one with William and … what am I doing? I can’t go in there.

“I’m skipping this class,” I say to the twins but before I can turn around, William calls me.

“Mia!”

My heart skips and I’ve never felt better having the twins on each side. Turning around, he’s about to say something, but before he can, a firm voice comes from behind me.

“He’s right there, officers.” It’s Dean McQueen.

Wait.

Officers?

“Mister Romano?” Turning to the voice behind me, a couple of police officers stand in our midst, their eyes on William.

“Uh, Dean McQueen,” William stammers, straightening the silver tie that matches his grey suit.

“We have a warrant for your arrest.” The officers approach him, pulling his hands behind his back.

“Wait, no, she’s not a minor,” William protests.

Is this about the photo?

The entire class watches and whispers as they push William towards the door. My heart pounds as he calls to me. “Mia! Mia, tell them!” They’re almost at the door when they stop at me, as if they’re waiting for an answer. When my eyes fall to the floor, they take William away.

McQueen sighs, ushering the students back to their classes. He turns to me and I already know what this means.

Regardless of William leaving, there’s no way I’m staying here. Things are too crazy. Everyone already thinks I’m a problem and Eve is on a vendetta to prove that. “Dean McQueen,” I start before he can. “I know I need to—”

“You should have come to me, Mia,” McQueen cuts me off, his eyes softening. “Is this why you acted out? We have no tolerance for predatory professors or TAs. If you said something sooner, I would have handled it. I’ll make sure everything gets settled and while we gave up your spot in the dorms, if everything is alright in the Murphy House then things can stay as is.”

That’s the thing, things can’t stay as is. Not in the house with those men. Not when my father knows where I am. Things are spiralling. Fast.

Shaking my head I straighten up, owning my decision. “Dean McQueen, I need to tell you something.” But the smell of tobacco and leather distracts me.

Dom?

“Ah, there’s our new TA now,” McQueen says, but I hardly hear him. “I got a perfect application in the last few weeks.”

Confirming my suspicion, Dom saunters down the hall in a black dress shirt and grey pants that match his eyes.

Then it all comes flooding back. Dean McQueen's office. The application.

Was this him? Was this his plan?

“Meet Cyrus,” McQueen holds a hand out to Dom as he comes to stand beside him. “I’m happy you could join us at the last minute.”

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