Page 22 of Facing the Music

Leaving the bed proves to be a chore, Cairo groaning at the loss of body heat before flopping over and dragging Tia into his arms. A small smile plays on my lips as I shower and change. I’ll need to return to my dorm room at some point. The fraternity brothers are probably wondering where I am, although no one has bothered to text or call. I haven’t even been in class and no one has checked up on me. Well, Kelvin sent one this morning. He's the only one who cares.

I ignore whatever feelings come with that, intent on making it through a full day without any lingering effects. Last night’s fight left me a little worse for wear, that pounding headache returning the moment I step out into the courtyard. I really thought that shit was gone and while it’s nowhere near as bad as it was the first night, it shouldn’t be here at all.

The brisk fall air whips through my hair as I keep my head bowed and push into the STEM building, just off the main hall. I take the long route, hoping to clear my mind of everything except finishing this degree when the click of heels echoing in this hallway stops my stride. Students unaware of who is standing there pass by, waving at me or ignoring us altogether.

Ada saunters up to me, wearing a freshly ironed, dark blue suit, her blonde hair hanging around her shoulders. I don’t know how she has the money to do any of this but her proximity is unwanted. “You take directions very well, Paval. Much better than Rhys ever did. I even got to see my daughter thanks to you! No, no. I didn’t meet her but I saw her across the arena. She was all worried for you because you couldn’t keep your emotions to yourself. Now, tell me, who’s her boyfriend? You or that lovely fighter she was wrapped around last night?”

I clamp my mouth shut, wrapping my hands around my backpack straps to keep from doing anything I shouldn’t. In a crowded hallway, everyone will see me as the aggressor.

“She takes after Rhys, doesn’t she? Falling in love with more than one man. Not that it’s any of my business. You’ll be saying goodbye to her soon enough.”

“You said you wouldn’t—”

“Wouldn’tdreamof breaking a promise, Paval. Especially when I know she’ll be able to use that money for important things. Tonight, though, I’d like you to lose.”

That’s not an option. Tia and Cairo need to be protected and I can’t do that if I lose. A hit to my head might render meunconscious and Ada would most definitely break her promise the moment I’m no longer at Tia’s side. My fingers itch to dig out my phone and alert my fathers but I don’t know who Ada will steal from me if she knows I broke my side of the deal. As stupid as it is to keep quiet, I have to. The only person she didn’t mention is the police. I’ll be calling them right after Ada fucks off.

“Don’t pout, Paval. It’s not that serious and if you’re thinking of setting your fathers on me, this won’t go the way you think it will.” She steps closer, patting my chest so that her words are only for me. “Because I happen to know that you’re just as infatuated with Cario as my daughter. It would be a shame if you lost both of them.”

How does she even know that?A growl tears from my throat as I step back, hating the way she believes she owns me and my decisions. “Why is it so important to you? When you get caught, you’ll be back in jail without access to your daughter all over again! Only Tia will suffer. She doesn’t want you.”

Ada throws her head back, cackling. “You’re adorable. Paval, if I thought I was at risk of getting caught, I wouldn’t be so fucking brazen to step onto your campus. But tell me, where are all the little police officers or security guards that should be taking this threat seriously? I shouldn’t be anywhere near this place because Tia goes to school here and yet… not one person has made an effort to remove me from the grounds.”

I rack my brain for answers, confused and a little terrified. There isn’t any security on this campus, definitely not enough for how much we’re pouring into this place. However, despite the multiple reports of seeing Ada on campus and my fathers stepping in, there should have been some activity from the local precinct.Something.

Nothing has changed here.

In fact, I haven’t even seen a janitor recently.

The halls aren’t filthy so they’re around but they seem to always just be out of eyesight.

“What did you do, Ada?”

“I ensured my safety. Tonight, I expect you to lose. Tia will have enough money to pay for her last semester if you do.” She offers me a wicked smile before turning on her heel and disappearing down the hall. Not believing all of her claims, I whip out my phone and panic-dial 911, whispering that Ada has been on campus and that she’s searching for her daughter.

Their response?

“We’ve sent a few officers to the campus to ensure Tia Fraser's safety. They should be stationed around the buildings and you can approach any of them to discuss your concerns.”

What officers? I’ve seen no one. I head back outside, eyes peeled for any evidence of those claims. And just as I believe they’re lying, I see one lone individual standing against the science building across the courtyard. The very same one Tia had escaped into and the one I found myself alone with Ada. The man I see, though, isn’t police. Security,maybebut the suits and the bulk of that man remind me of twenty years ago.

Whoever was sent was either bought off or switched out.

We don’t have help here.

And yet, if I sayanythingI might lose Tia, Cairo, or my fathers.

Or all of them.

I spin on my heel and head back to the apartment, no longer able to concentrate on studying. There’s no need to do that if Ada’s always lurking around, waiting for me to slip up. When I return, though, the silence confuses me. Tia is sprawled across the couch, reading through a book and Cairo is standing in the kitchen, stuffing his face with what looks like a sandwich.

Tia sits up, her brows furrowing in confusion. “Babe, what happened to class? I assume that’s where you went.”

“Erm, yes. But it’s done.” Lies, both of which they seem to catch onto but I’m not explaining that I just saw Ada. There’s no point. I also won’t be explaining about how the police think we’re protected but we’re just sitting ducks. I shrug my bag off my shoulders, letting it thunk onto the ground before stepping further into the room. “What are you studying, Cairo?” Hopefully, changing the direction of the conversation will keep them from asking questions.

My fighter stands there looking like a monstrous chipmunk, Tia giggling as she approaches me. “How did we get to my classes?” Cairo mumbles as he continues to chew.

“He’s creating your profile. He needs to understand you and it’s what he does. Pav, he’s studying business and is supposed to go work for his father after he graduates. However, I know for a fact that Cairo won’t be doing that.”

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