Page 24 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

I almost detect relief soften his eyes as he shrugs, “I would prefer her to be with one guy than many. Someone who respects her and treats her like the lady she is. My job is done.”

“And you, Frankie. Is that how you treat me?”

I’m teasing but part of me is desperate to discover his true feelings about me and his lips graze mine as he whispers, “You are my lady, Cassie and I treat you accordingly.”

He bites my lower lip softly and I moan against his mouth. Frankie has the ability to melt any resistance, emotion or wall I erect between us, with one act alone. He is my obsession. A dangerous, depraved demon who commands my soul against my wishes. He is my nemesis and my best friend, and I am still nowhere close to figuring him out.

“If it wasn’t the first party of the season, I would show you exactly what I want to do to you right now.”

His husky whisper is pure torture and yet I don’t have the inclination to answer him as his lips fasten on mine and he demonstrates to everyone watching exactly what the nature of our relationship is.

His kiss lights parts of me I never knew existed. He fires my soul and captures my heart and as I kiss him back, the only man who fills my mind is Frankie Majerio.

By the time we come up for air, it appears we weren’t the only ones.

My lips are swollen from Frankie’s dark kisses and the blood runs hot through my veins and the first thing I focus on is Jack and Siri making out not far away. For some reason I don’t experience the pain of before and as Frankie grasps my hand, he pulls me along with him and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

The second surprise is Imogen. She is chatting to Jesse, who appears to be on a charm offensive, judging from the happy laughter that hits me from across the room.

“I don’t understand.” I nudge Frankie, who follows my gaze, and he grins.

“It appears that Imogen is Jesse’s perfect woman. If he wrote a wish list, I’m guessing God would have made her from that.”

“But he’s–”

My heart almost fails me because Jesse is into all kinds of serious shit and is the last person I want targeting my friend.

“Otherwise occupied.” Frankie finishes my sentence, a thoughtful gleam in his eye.

“She may be the weapon we need to save him.”

“The fuck I’m letting you use my friend. She deserves more than that.”

I glare at him and he laughs softly. “Relax, I won’t allow Jesse to mess her around, but if she likes him, then why not? Especially if we steer them into The Claiming challenge. Then he can’t mess her around, or he will suffer the consequences.”

“What are the consequences?” To my mind, I have never known anyone back out of the deal, and he grins, a ruthless gleam in his eye.

“I may have a few ideas and they involve a dungeon, a lock and chains. The monks had it all figured out, so why mess with a tried and tested method?”

He is referring to the monks of the past who created the dungeons and held their prisoners there until they died ofstarvation, or worse. I doubt Frankie is quite so machiavellian, but I wouldn’t put it past him.

Frankie studies our two friends with a thoughtful expression. “I wonder what Miss Sloane will think about Jesse’s new interest?”

I don’t get a chance to question what he means by that before Kennedy finds us, holding hands with a completely transformed Amos Sams. Gone is the slightly creepy nerd who slunk in the shadows and stared at all the girls with a hopeful grin. In his place is a stylish, self assured guy, who has replaced the creepy smile with a confident one.

It’s as if another guy entirely was waiting to come out under the right direction and I’m aware he has a fan club forming of girls who wish they’d got there first.

“Frankie.”

Kennedy wastes no time in directing her question to her former hook up. “Have you a date in mind for The Twist ceremony?”

“A week on Friday.” Frankie tightens his hold on my hand and I wonder what’s unsettled him.

“Then we have one week to make our decision.” Kennedy smiles. “It will be interesting to see if people stick or twist. I’m hoping Autumn drags some strength from somewhere and ditches that River creep.”

She regains Frankie’s attention, and he scowls. “I heard what you told Cassie. Tell Autumn she has our full protection.”

“I will. Thanks.”

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