Page 24 of Forbidden Hearts

Liam laughs. He looks around the table and notices nobody else is laughing with him. He rolls his eyes and retreats to his lunch.

“Anyway,” Gianna says. “A couple of art students are hosting a party this Friday. One last party to close out the summer before we get too busy with classes. We were thinking of going. You should come, Alex.”

“This Friday? I think I work Friday night,” I say.

“What time do you work? You can stop for an hour or so,” Abby says.

“I work at nine,” I tell them.

“See? Perfect. We can meet up around 7 PM, and you can hang out for a bit,” Abby says.

I turn to Isabella for help. Instead of helping me get out of it, she says, “Come on, Alex. It’ll be fun. It’s my first college party!”

“I guess I can stop by for an hour before work,” I reluctantly say. I don’t have the guts to say no. Isabella and her friends have been so nice and friendly to me that I can’t find it in me to reject them. I’m not particularly looking for friends, but a few drinks with people my age will be a pleasant change of pace.

???

I wait outside the university library. It’s almost 6 PM, and I just came out of my last class. It’s been a long day, and I’m ready to go home and relax, but there’s one more thing I need to do.

Alonzo appears in the distance. He waves hello when he sees me. He’s wearing his signature suit, which I’m starting to think he wears even in his sleep. The breeze blows his jacket to the side, partially revealing the tight-fitted button-up shirt and making him appear sexy as hell. He runs his fingers through his hair, fixing it after the wind left it messy. Honestly, he looks hotter with messy hair.

Chill out, Alex,I remind myself.Remember who he is.

After class this morning, we agreed to meet outside the library at 6 PM. Alonzo is going to prove to me that the money hegave me is clean, though I’m not sure how he’s going to do that. Fifty grand is a lot of money to pluck out of thin air.

“You showed up,” he says when we’re finally face to face. There is a hint of amusement in his voice.

“I was curious to see what you would show me,” I say. A small, devious grin appears on his face. At first, I’m confused. But then I realize what I said. What heheard. “That’s not what I meant,” I clarify.

“I know,” he smiles. “Come. My car is this way.”

“Your car? Wait, where are we going?”

“I’m going to show you where the money I gave you came from,” he says.

I follow him to the staff parking lot, where we approach a sleek black Audi. I don’t know much about cars, but I’ve seen a few Audis in town, and this onedoes notlook like any of them. It’s a lot fancier and sporty.

“Hop in,” Alonzo says, opening the passenger door for me. Reluctantly, I get in and sit on the uncomfortably comfortable brown leather seat. Alonzo looks at my feet to make sure they’re in the car before closing the door. He walks around the car and gets in the driver’s seat. Like I said, I know very little about cars, but I bet this one cost him at least two or three college tuitions combined.

“I didn’t know college professors could afford these types of cars,” I say, buckling my seatbelt and glancing at Alonzo.

“They don’t,” he smirks. “It’ll all make sense by the end of the day.”

We drive out of the university parking lot and head southeast to the highway, which we get on and drive north.

“Where are we going?” I ask, reading a sign that says LEAVING SAN MARQUEZ.

“I told you,” he says. “I’m going to show you where my money comes from.”

“Couldn’t you just show me on your phone or something? It feels like I’m getting kidnapped. Luckily, I always carry my pepper spray,” I say, shuffling my backpack on my lap. I’m only half joking. I am carrying a pepper spray, and I will gladly use it on him if he tries something funny. Just because I have to seduce him doesn’t mean I’m going to let him take advantage of me. If we do anything, it’ll be under my terms.

“Noted,” he smiles. “By the way, what did you end up telling Jacob?”

“I told him I was feeling sick.”

“And what did he say?”

“He was okay with it,” I lie. Jacob gave me shit when I called him to tell him I wouldn’t make it tonight. I never call in because I need the money, which he knows. That’s why he reluctantly believed me when I told him I’m feeling sick.

---