Page 453 of Filthy Elites

“It’s taking her a little time to adjust to being my fiancée and all that entails. We were having a heated discussion when her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she slumped down into the seat.”

“I see,” Dr. Harris says, his tone almost snippy. “How old is she?”

“Sixteen.”

“Sebastian, I’ve been your family’s doctor for thirty years, but I feel in good conscience that I need to remind you that the legal age of consent in Florida is eighteen. You’re young, in love and engaged, but if someone were to report you…” he trails off and I smile reassuringly at him.

“I appreciate your concern, but I am more than aware that Starling is younger than me. We’re taking things slowly on that front and I have no intention of compromising either her or myself. Right now, I’m more concerned about her immediate health. Will she be okay? Does she need bed rest, more tests?”

“She needs to rest tonight, but she should be fine in the morning. Her mother is on her way over?”

“Yes,” I lie, not allowing any doubt to cross my expression. “Perhaps you could administer a mild sedative to make her more comfortable for the night?” I suggest, forcefully.

His eyes widen a little and I can sense a hint of reluctance, but in the end he nods. “That might be a good idea, a restful night’s sleep can do wonders.”

“She can’t swallow tablets, perhaps you have something that could dissolve in water so she can drink it?”

This time his reluctance is more obvious and he starts to shake his head, but I speak before he can say anything to piss me off, like tell me no. “How is your granddaughter Amelia? Is she still hoping to attend GAA next year?”

Heat fills his cheeks, but he nods. “Yes, she’s hoping to get a partial scholarship.”

“A partial scholarship? Wouldn’t she be better applying for the Hayes Millard award, that’s a full scholarship for all four years. Do you remember my friend Clay Janson? His mom is the one in charge of picking the recipient, I’m sure I could ask her to have a second look at Amelia’s application, ensure she’s aware of how splendid a choice she’d be for GAA.”

This is complete coercion. I know it and so does he, but we both know that a full scholarship is worth tens of thousands of dollars, and that kind of motivation is enough to have him walk into the bathroom, fill a glass with water and add a sachet of white powder that instantly dissolves.

With a smile I take the glass from him and cross the room to Starling, sitting down beside her and handing her the glass. “Here you go, little bird. The doctor says you’re fine, but that you need a good night’s sleep. Drink this and then lie down and take a nap until your mom gets here.”

Starling looks dubiously from me to the doctor. When he smiles and nods at her, she lifts the glass to her lips and takes a deep pull. She goes to put the glass down on the nightstand, but I push it back into her hand. “You should drink that, you look a little flushed. Are you hungry? I can go and get you something to eat.”

She shakes her head. “I’m fine, I’ll have something to eat when I get home.”

I don’t agree or disagree, instead I nod my head toward the glass in her hand and watch as she brings it to her lips and drinks the rest of it. Smiling, I take the glass from her and place it on the nightstand beside me, then I lift my hand and slowly and carefully smooth my fingers over her hair. “Why don’t you lie down and close your eyes. Dr. Harris will stay with you while I go and keep a look out for your mom.”

Warily she nods, shuffling down the bed a little and exhaling into the cushions as I stand up and move away. The farther away from her I get, the more she relaxes. I fucking hate it, but I don’t want to risk her passing out again if she gets too riled up.

“Could you stay with her for a little while? I want to get her a sandwich in case she gets hungry.”

Dr. Harris nods, then busies himself packing up his supplies into his bag as I step to the door and move out of the room.

“How is she?” Hunter asks as I close the door quietly behind me.

“She’s fine, the doctor gave her a sedative to help her sleep.”

My friends all fall in step with me as I stride away from Starling’s room and head downstairs to my father’s office. The door’s closed when I reach it and I lift my fist and knock, waiting for my father’s voice to invite me in.

“Come,” he booms.

Pushing open the door, I step into the room, Clay, Evan and Hunter trailing behind me.

“Sebastian, how did it go? Can we meet her? Your mother is very excited,” he says, standing from his seat behind his desk and moving toward me.

“She’s okay, she fainted in the car on the way over here, so Dr. Harris is just checking her over. He suggested it might be a good time to fit her nano.”

Dad’s smile broadens. “Good thinking, saves him having to visit again. I have hers in the safe, let me just get it for you,” he says, pushing a large picture on the wall to one side and revealing a modern-looking safe.

Typing in the code, the safe beeps a moment before the door springs open. I don’t know exactly all that’s inside, but I can guess. Probably some deeds, confidential documents pertaining to some of his more lucrative business deals and a pile of cash, just in case we need it. There’s also a stack of nano tracking devices. We all have one, me and my friends, our parents too, this is just a part of being one of us, and now Starling will too.

Dad offers the small black case out to me and I smile, taking it from him and gripping it tightly. “Thanks, I’ll take this up to the doc. Starling’s mother Cassidy will be here shortly, perhaps you should gather all the parents so she can meet everyone in one go,” I suggest.

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