Page 126 of Ramsay

“Because I’m the only one who can bring him down.”

Is this why Yates doesn’t want Ramsay at the penthouse? Either way, my chest clenches at the defeat in his tone, because he thinks this is about him but in all reality it’s about me. I bite my tongue on the denial because in this, I hope that I’m protecting him when I say, “And, are you bringing him down?”

“If it’s the last thing I do.”

That’s what I’m afraid of.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Willow

With more questions than answers and a blinding headache, I grudgingly join the guys at school the next day. I don’t know what they’re planning but caution is the name of the game, I can’t afford to play my cards too soon.

Why did I open my fucking mouth to a complete stranger? Those blue eyes get me every damn time.

We’re halfway to the door when Ramsay grabs my hand. Glancing at him sideways, I find his customary cool expression but when he looks down at me, he winks. Winks.

Holy shit. Speechless, I turn away, waving at Maeve who’s standing with Bone and Matt under the smoker’s tree. Her lips pull into a smile before she looks past me to Diem, I presume.

At the entrance, Ramsay holds the door open, and I precede him inside before stuttering to a stop. Oh, I forgot about Mr. G. Shit.

He smooths his tie down his chest and Ramsay’s hand spasms against my back before he steps away. The message is pretty fucking obvious, and I wince as Ramsay eyes me suspiciously.

“Willow? I thought we could meet earlier today. I have an appointment I can’t miss.” Mr. G smiles but the tension radiating around me does not inspire a similar response and licking my lips I mumble, “Okay.”

Mr. G nods and I look back at Ramsay to find him staring at me with a cool expression. Slowing, I search his gaze, realizing that I miss the wink and with a shrug, I give him a small smile.

His eyebrows twitch before I’m out of sight and I exhale heavily. Now that I’m not actively trying to torture the shit out of the guys, meeting with Mr. G is a waste of my time.

Unless he’s willing to tell me something good like, his guilt in whatever Yates is getting up to. Somehow, I doubt that will be forthcoming any time soon, but I’ll see this through and figure out a way to stop already.

“So,” he says once we’re in his classroom, “how have you been?”

“Um, okay,” I say, shifting where I stand. I don’t want to sit because I need to make this quick.

Nothing good can come from being here and I’m already worried that Ramsay is devising ways to punish me. Dick.

“Good. Anything you want to talk about?”

“No. Mr. G, I’m…I’m doing okay now. I think maybe I don’t need to chat anymore.”

He cocks his head and I wonder what he’s thinking before he finally says, “That's great. My door is always open.”

“Thanks.” I back away with a weak smile, visions of whatever he gets up to with Yates dancing before me. My hand is on the door and I’m eager to be free when he says, “Willow?”

“Yeah?” I say looking over my shoulder.

He smiles but for the first time, it doesn't reach his eyes and I suppress a shiver as he says, “Those boys aren’t your friends.”

My hand slides off the door and I turn to face him. “Even Oliver?”

He nods gravely and I stare at him wide eyed until the bell rings, breaking me from the awkward standoff. Okay weird.

When I step from the room, Ramsay is there, and he pulls me into his arms before pecking me on the lips. Dumfounded by this new version of him, I blink as he says, “What happened?”

“What? Oh, nothing. I told him I don’t want to see him anymore.”

“Good,” he says, pulling me away.

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