Page 76 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

“Fuck!” Frankie huffs. “Everything is wrong about this.”

“I feel your pain.”

“Do you?” He sighs. “You’re lucky, Luca. You don’t have a sister here and are not expected to protect her from bastards like us.”

“We’re not the bastards, Frankie.” I remind him. “Not to women. If anything, we are the only option because knowing the guys at Rockwell and I include Jesse in that, their morals are in the gutter as they work their way through any willing girl who smiles their way. I am not that guy and I never will be. I have been raised to respect women and I don’t force them into situations they are uncomfortable with.”

Frankie sighs, slamming down his phone. “Then tell that to my father when he finds out his daughter is seeing a rival family’s son.”

“It mirrors his situation. Who knows, it may even bring our families together.”

“Hold that thought, Luca, because if you hurt my sister, it will end badly for all of us.”

“I won’t.” I fix him with a determined glare. “I respect your sister. We will be perfect for one another.”

“But you have to catch her first.”

Frankie chuckles softly. “I’ll add both of your names along with Jesse and Imogen’s for the challenge this Friday. It will be interesting to see if you both get your girl.”

I’m surprised at the relief that hits me as I gain his acceptance. I don’t want to fight Frankie Majerio. I never did. If anything, I’m interested in cultivating a friendship that goesway past the academy because I’m not a fool. We tread the same footsteps and having him as a friend and ally would definitely make life easier for me in the future. Dating his sister is probably a risk, but I wasn’t kidding when I told him I liked her. I do. Summer is everything I am looking for in a partner, both in the short term and the long one, and knowing where she comes from makes life a lot easier for me.

When I headto art later, it will be the first time I have seen Miss Sloane since that night and it will be interesting discovering her views on that—if she can remember anything that is.

Summer is already there when I head inside the classroom and, rather than pass her by, I take the seat beside her.

She slides her gaze sideways and rolls her eyes. “That seat’s taken.”

“By me.” I lean closer and whisper, “Get used to having me by your side, princess. After Friday, we will be a lot closer than this.”

The way her eyes ignite with sudden lust causes a wicked smile to flash her way and she frowns. “Fuck, Luca, you’ll be the death of me. Anyway, I may not be on the list.”

“You’re on the list.” I lean closer and brush my lips to hers and whisper darkly, “You better practice running, princess because I am playing to win.”

She pulls away and smirks. “Who said I wanted it to be you? If I’m correct, there will be four other centurions giving chase in that tunnel. May the best one win.”

I say nothing and settle back in my seat as Miss Sloane exits the store cupboard and stares around the room.

“Places everyone! Today, we will finish our preparations. Your paintings are required as part of your exam and you will begin them today.”

She glances around the room and when her gaze settles on me, she smiles softly. “Luca. May I have a word?”

She points to her desk and I nod, wondering what this is about.

As the other students start their preparations, she pulls me to the side and whispers, “Listen, I believe you could make a good grade with your painting and I wondered if you were up for some extra tuition.”

The way her eyes shine tells me she’s having this conversation for the first time – in her mind, anyway. If anything, it amuses me because if she could only remember what happened that night, she would be looking at me with a very different expression right now.

She is waiting for my answer and I shake my head. “I’m good thanks, Miss Sloane. I’m not interested.”

I say nothing more and turn, heading back to my place by Summer’s side. When I get there, she smiles with curiosity. “What was that about?”

“Nothing at all.”

I wink and Summer rolls her eyes and turns her attention to her prep and as I do the same, I wonder who will be the next entry in Jenna Sloane’s little black book. It won’t be easy for her because now we know where it lives, it will be easy to keep tabs on her and cut off one line of entry into The Serpent Society.

35

SUMMER

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