Page 112 of Saint

“And from what I’ve seen, now you’ve been spending some time with his friend. Kole… I think his name is.” Professor Perry leans forward on his desk, looking up at me. “You’re a smart girl, Violet. You have a lot of potential. But you need to be careful how you associate with Sigma House.”

He doesn’t elaborate, and he doesn’t need to. Associating with Sigma House is dangerous, especially with the rumor circulating about me.

I’m the girl who was dating one of their members. Liam’s semi-long-term girlfriend. One of the last peopleto see him face-to-face before he disappeared. And now I’ve moved on with his best friend.

People have a lot to say without actually knowing anything. A fact that might be for the best, given how things between Liam and me ended.

“Thanks.” I force a tight smile. “But I’ll be fine.”

Professor Perry looks like he believes me as much as I believe myself, but he lets it go. “Good. Because Professor Gray called me personally to ask about you, and I’d hate to see you ruin the opportunity of a lifetime. He was impressed, very impressed, with your essay.”

“He was?”

“Yes.” Professor Perry nods. “And your letters of recommendation certainly didn’t hurt.”

My eyebrows pinch because I didn’t know anyone submitted a letter of recommendation on my behalf, but I don’t say that to Professor Perry.

“He was interested in your views on criminal mindset. Specifically, your thoughts on rehabilitation, and how the fact that even if it looks different with someone who lacks empathy, it doesn’t mean it can’t exist in some form. Where did those theories come from?”

“Research.”And setting myself far too close to the subject matter.

“Well, it’s fascinating.” Professor Perry nods. “I’m curious to see what else you come up with over the summer. Be sure to come see me next fall to tell me about it, whether you take my class or not.”

“I will.” I grip my books tighter to my chest. “Thank you for everything.”

Professor Perry pushes his glasses back up his nose and turns to his computer.

Summer is still a few months away, but the minutes on the clock feel like they’re counting down on me. I should be excited. This is the opportunity I’ve been working for. But it means facing why I’m truly interested in criminals. And it means leaving Kole for a few months—assuming we get past this investigation in one piece.

Tucking the acceptance letter between my books and my chest, I make my way out of the classroom. A lead weight sits on my chest from the conversation in more ways than one. Finances are no longer my biggest concern, it’s that I’m a fraud.

How am I going to be objective in my studies when I’m this deeply involved?

Stepping into the busy hallway, I’m instantly surrounded. It reminds me of the summer before freshman year. I was hanging out with a few of my friends, and we came upon a wasp nest. One of them thought it would be funny to hit it and see what would happen.

I wasn’t as fast… or maybe I ran in the wrong direction.

Wasps were buzzing all around. Stinging, swarming. My throat closed in on itself. Like it does now when I’m surrounded by people and can’t catch my breath.

“Violet.” An arm wraps around my shoulders, and I jump before realizing its Kole. “What’s wrong?”

He pulls me to his other side so I’m between him and the wall, like he can read my thoughts and knows I don’t like being in crowds. He acts like my shield to the rest ofthe world when I’ve never told him how large groups of people make me nervous.

He becomes my bubble.

“Nothing.” I shake my head. “I’m heading to work, and I was just lost in thought.”

I clutch the paper tighter to my chest, not ready to tell Kole I got into my summer internship program when I don’t know how he’s going to react.

He’s made it clear we’re exclusive, but that doesn’t make us a traditional couple. We don’t talk about the future or where this is headed. He doesn’t share his summer plans or make any set in stone commitments. So it feels safer to keep mine to myself until I have a clearer picture of how he’ll respond to the idea of me leaving for the summer.

He doesn’t let me out of his sight when we’re in the same town, so I can’t imagine he’ll take it well if I tell him I’m going to be living in another state for two months.

Kole holds me tight against his side as he guides me through the busy hallway. His arm is protectively cradling my shoulders, drawing people’s attention.

Even when I dated Liam, we didn’t spend much time together in public. And when we did, he wasn’t overly affectionate.

Kole is the opposite. He’s possessive, touching me whenever we’re near now that our relationship is out in the open. He doesn’t care that we have the entire school’s attention or that it’s made worse with the rumors circulating so long as everyone knows I belong to him.

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