Page 56 of Wicked Knight

I pray he’s not fucking around with any of the students like the last Lord Chancellor. That’s not his style, but one can never tell.

“Matchmaking would be a lot easier if Dmitri showed some sign of life.” Father’s lips press into a thin line, and he glowers at me.

"I’m here, aren’t I?" I bite out, my voice low and edged with defiance.

Pat chuckles. “Maybe my star athlete here is just unsure. It’s a tough year with the championships coming up.”

I give Pat an appreciative smile and nod. “And I want to make sure I’m even better than last year.”

He raises his glass of wine, looking proud and pleased with me. “Hear, hear to that. You were a force to be reckoned with. I can’t wait to see what you’ll do this year.”

“Me too, but rest assured, I’m bringing it to the table.” That’s the most words I’ve said since we got here.

“I believe you.”

I cast a glance at my father, who’s giving me his arrogant smirk.

“Football aside, I can assure you, my Alina is top tier, so you’ve got nothing to worry about if you two want to get to know each other.” Pat slips an arm around his niece and gives her a little hug.

“Thank you, uncle. You’re the best,” Alina replies, awed at her uncle’s praise.

“You’d have to be top tier to go to Harvard,” Father chimes in. “Dmitri actually got a scholarship offer for Harvard.”

Listen to him—hypocrite. He hated that I got a scholarship for Harvard. His actual words weredon’t even think about going there.As a Knight family, we’re expected to attend Raventhorn. We never argued about it because I already had my heart set on Raventhorn.

“That’s so impressive.” Alina’s eyes glitter with interest as she looks me over, admiring my tattoos.

“Thank you.” I spare her a glance.

“Shame you didn’t go there. Harvard is amazing with a fantastic football team.”

“Duty called a Raventhorn. But that doesn’t stop him from visiting Harvard to see his friends,” Father rattles on like a door-to-door vacuum salesman.

He’s such a fucking hypocrite. Although it’s allowed, he knows it’s undesirable for me be with anyone outside of the Knights. He’s just doing this to piss with me.

“Well, maybe you’ll seemesometime when you’re there.” Alina gives me her flirtiest smile.

I’m done with nice. I’m not the guy who will be bullied into doing shit I don’t want to do, so I give her a small smile. It’s not rude and it’s not encouraging. It’s just a smile. One that hopefully conveys she’s not going to see me anytime soon.

Thankfully, Yuliana shifts the conversation to Bradway shows, of which Alina is a huge fan.

It’s times like these when I’m grateful for my stepmother.

As for my father, I don’t know what his angle is.

He only ever acts like this when he’s got some shit on his mind. He was like this after Tommy died and he wanted to make sure I didn’t go anywhere near Mackenzie.

He didn’t even care about what happened to her or that I did.

My worry now is that I don’t know if this dinner thing tonight was because he suspects that something is going on between Mackenzie and me.

I don’t think my mindless staring at her at the assembly tipped him off. I think this is just him being himself and taking precautions.

I’ll have to wait and see. Watch his movements and try to figure out his next move.

I assumed being Lord Chancellor would keep him occupied. I didn’t think he’d have time to run after me. It seems I was wrong.

Another agonizing half an hour passes before the waiter comes by to clear away our plates and take orders for dessert. I don’t order anything, but everyone else does.

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