Page 51 of Ashton

I turn to Roan. “Then why bring the dick along? Gonna give him a blowjob on top of the fresh grave?”

“Watch your mouth. You don’t speak to your mother like that,” Roan grits out.

I spit on the ground next to his glossy black shoes. “I don’t listen to assholes. Certainly those who sleep with my mom. You know she’s only with you for your money. Once she gets what she wants, she’s gone.”

Mom opens and closes her mouth like a fish out of water. “I do not.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, and I’m a golden child. Get the fuck out of here.”

Jinx’s cry of grief grabs my attention. I spin around to see her lying on the ground, shaking. I rush over, dropping to my knees and hauling her into me.

“I’ve got you. You aren’t alone.” I try to soothe her.

She wraps her arms around my neck and releases her sorrows. From the corner of my eye, I see Roan watching with something dark in his eyes. He’s lucky I never threw him in that fuckin hole and buried him. The nerve to show up here but to keep watching Jinx; it’s like he wants to get caught.

“Ash, we should get out of here. It’s getting cold, and the last thing we need is for Jinx to catch a cold.” Atticusleans down, swiping a piece of hair away from Jinx’s forehead.

“Can you take her back? I have something I need to do.” I look up at Ace and exchange a silent plea.

He bends down and scoops her up. “Don’t take too long. I’ll bring her back to our dorm.”

I watch Atticus and Maddox leave with her and notice Roan finally walking away. Being back in Grovedale doesn’t bring back the best memories. Too many horrible things happen in this town, so it’s no wonder Jinx wants to get out so badly. I head out of the cemetery toward the college, where most of the demons lie, not only for me but also for Maddox.

This school wasn’t supposed to be where I was meant to go, and I know that now. I should’ve fought harder at the time and told Prescott no. RWA was where I should’ve gone from the start. But I wanted Jinx to have her freedom. She needed to get away from us. More so, Atticus.

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if we brought her stalker to her. She never had an issue until we showed up. Maybe it’s for the best if we don’t return at all. Now that her dad is gone, what will happen? She will have a challenging journey ahead of her now, the owner of an entire school that no one knows about. That’s one huge secret to keep.

I need a way for Roan to leave. That’ll keep her safe. I hope.

Grovedale College is the simplest college to break into. They never did fix their security for the aqua center. And to blow off steam, I need a good swim. The smell of chlorine is like home to me. Swimming soothes me, and seeing Mom today, I need the water more than anything.

The first dive into the water reminds me why I love this and am so thankful for Prescott. Even if it was Atticus that got us into trouble in the first place, I’m glad swimming was our punishment. Without it, I’m not sure where I would be. I would probably be high as fuck buying random shit still.

It hasn’t sunk in that Prescott is gone.

“Boys, Odette will show you around the school tomorrow. It’s different from your last one. The rules are stricter. Don’t give me a bad name.”

Jinx stares at Prescott from across the dining room table. “Dad, we talked about this.” She hissed.

“That’s enough. They are your brothers. Treat them as such.”

Atticus grinned. She may be our stepsister, but he wouldn’t treat her as such. Fuck I won’t either. The way Ace keeps staring, I won’t dare get in the way.

“What’s so great about this school?” Ace asks without taking his eyes off Jinx.

Prescott groans. “It will set you up for your future, Atticus. You can’t be a lowlife forever. Don’t you have plans for the future?”

“Sure. Not to be like my father.”

“Yeah, he was a good magician, but it’s not for us,” I add.

Jinx shakes her head. “That’s not what he means. Don’t you have ambitions?”

“One,” Is all Ace says.

I kick him from under the table. He needs to cool it with the hints, or Prescott will have our heads, and I’m rather fond of both of mine. If he finds out we want to ruin his daughter, we're fucked.

“This school has a wide range of clubs you can join, and I’m sure you’ll find something to love. Now, I’ll leave you three alone, and it will be you three for a very long time. Don’t start shit if you can’t finish it.”

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