Page 3 of Be My Traitor

Something told me no one was really interested in celebrating anything Jenny was doing, but I’d met people like her before and it was always best to smile, nod, and ignore.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I had no idea.”

“That’s because it was asurprise,” Jenny huffed. “What am I supposed to do with it now?”

“Why don’t we put it in the fridge?” I suggested. “I’m sure it’ll keep over the weekend and everyone will love to start their Monday off with cake. I’ll be sure to let them know it was your treat.”

“See that you do,” Jenny snapped before going off to the kitchen to put the cake away.

I rolled my eyes once I was sure she couldn’t see me. I was glad I wasn’t going to have to work alongside Jenny. I could just imagine what a nightmare she’d been for all the teachers while she was interim head.

Well, I was here now and things were going to be very different – at least until I’d found what I was looking for. Or rather, who.

As it was, after a day of listening to Jenny tell me all about the amazing systems she’d put in place, systems I knew I was going to have to throw out and replace with ones which actually worked and improved the academic attainment of the students, I was tired. I was glad I didn’t know about the cake she’d bought. The last thing I needed was to stand around making small talk with people I knew wanted nothing more than to get home after a long week.

I walked out of the staff room, not bothering to say goodbye to Jenny. I’d had enough of her and now she’d officially handed over the reins to me, I was under no obligation to be polite to her.

It was weird walking through the halls of the Academy I’d last attended as a student under the mentorship of Solomon Archaic. It almost felt like Archer Knight was going to ambush me to confront me about my relationship with Ivy. Solomon never really appreciated the strength of her connection with the three men in her life. At first, I thought I’d be able to win Ivy over, but it soon became clear that I didn’t stand a chance. Her heart was already filled by Archer, Romeo and Declan.

But that was the past. I was here to take care of my future and that started with the girl I’d come here to find: my sister. I had no idea she even existed until recently when my family lawyer had called me in for a meeting. My mother had left a letter with him with strict instructions not to give it to me until my 30thbirthday. To say that that letter had turned my world upside would have been an understatement.

I’d always known I was adopted. My mother had always been very clear about that fact and how grateful I should be to her for rescuing me from the life of poverty I’d been born into. I’d always thought my biological mother was dead, but instead, I found out that she’d placed me in care at an early age with the intention of coming back for me when she’d cleaned her act up. Instead, when Penelope Donatello offered her a hefty sum to adopt me, my biological mother was happy to sign away all her parental rights and never attempt to contact me.

My mother had gone on to have another child, a daughter this time, my sister. A sister who was apparently attending King Academy and would be in her final year. I didn’t know her name. I didn’t know what House she was in. But I had a private investigator on the case and when the head teacher position came up, I knew it was the best way for me to find my sister. I’d have access to all the students’ files and I’d be able to figure out who she was if the PI didn’t come through.

It was time for me to build a real family, one based on ties of blood. One which came naturally and wasn’t forced for the sake of House politics and a desire to crush my enemies. It was time for me to enjoy a normal life for the first time.

I left the Academy building by the staff exit which led straight out to the car park. As I went over to my Audi, I saw Milly on the other side of the car park talking to the man she’d been sitting next to in the staff room. As I walked, the two of them looked over at me. I raised my hand in greeting, but although the man waved back, Milly just glared at me.

Whatever. If she had a problem with me, she was going to have to get over it pretty damn quickly. It wasn’t like I’d broken her heart or anything like that. What happened between us all those years ago was a one off, a bit of fun for both of us that let us release some of the sexual tension that had been brewing between us after my marriage to Ivy was annulled.

Oh, who was I kidding?

I got into my Audi, but paused before starting the engine, gazing over at Milly again. Part of me wished things had been different. If Solomon hadn’t pushed me into marrying Ivy, maybe I would have gone after Milly. I’d always thought she was striking with a figure that I’d fantasized about many times.

But I was determined to make my relationship with Ivy work because I trusted Solomon knew what he was doing. If I was honest, I wasn’t exactly thinking straight either. After my mother died, I had my first taste of freedom and a fortune to fund the lifestyle any young man would kill for. I was the perfect target for someone like Solomon to take advantage of. Presenting me with someone like Ivy on a plate? Yes please! I believed Solomon when he told me she’d fall in love with me given some time and patience.

Instead, I wasted my time on a woman who loved three other men and by the time I realised I was interested in Milly, she was dating someone else. Then I went back to Italy for a few years and it felt like the universe was telling me that we just weren’t meant to be.

That night in the club could have changed everything. She looked so vulnerable, sitting on her own at that table. I wanted to take her in my arms, let her know that I was there for her if she needed. Instead, I played it cool, not wanting to let her know how I felt until I was sure she felt the same way.

We’d gone back to my place and made love until dawn. We had a sexual chemistry that was electrifying. The way she made me feel was like nothing I’d ever experienced – and I’d had quite a lot of experience by that point. When I woke up with her in my arms, it felt right, like this was the start of something special, something life changing.

And then Archer had to go and spoil everything.

Milly’s brother had come round to see her and when he discovered me sitting at the kitchen table wearing nothing but my boxers, he wasn’t happy. The cunning weasel that he was, he didn’t say anything in front of Milly. Instead, he waited for me to leave and ambushed me as I was getting into my car.

He’d never really forgiven me for forcing Ivy to marry me, so maybe that’s why he was so angry. I’d always wondered whether what he did was his way of getting revenge on me for that rather than it being an expression of brotherly love, but whatever his motivations, it didn’t really matter.

He shoved me up against my car and got right in my face. I’ll never forget his snarl as he warned me to leave unless I could promise Milly forever.

What could I say? Although I liked Milly, it had been one night, hardly enough to know whether we could have a strong relationship or not. After the mistake of marrying Ivy, I wasn’t going to rush into anything, so I told Archer I would leave and that’s exactly what I did. I left town and thought I’d never come back. If it wasn’t for my sister, I’d have stayed away, but it’s funny where life takes you.

Part of me wondered what would happen if I invited Milly out on a date. She’d probably say no, but maybe she still thought about me the way that I thought about her.

But I wasn’t going to risk it. Archer had warned me to stay away from her unless I was ready to commit and I knew what he was like. He’d follow throw on his threat to put me in the ground if I abandoned his sister.

Milly Knight was more trouble than she was worth, even if she was more beautiful than ever. I couldn’t promise her forever back then and I didn’t think I could now either. No, I was going to have to keep things professional. If she was dating that other teacher, good luck to the pair of them. I hope he made her happy.

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