Page 105 of Verses and Blooms
“I’m so sorry,” I told her, meaning it. How could anyone blame her knowing the details?
“I’m starting to work past it,” she said, but glanced at Rydell. “Not sure how it can help you, though?”
“All of that should help us,” I reassured her. “We just need a witness to say that his behavior wasn’t unpredictable.”
I rushed out of the room, searching for Ares. He was chatting with a few guards nearby.
“She wants to speak on Rydell’s behalf,” I said quickly. “She was a witness, proof that he’s not dangerous.”
“I just managed to get word that they already started questioning,” Ares said. “They’ve pulled in Kane and Caspian. Ledger’s next, but his dad just showed up and is causing a scene.”
“What?” I gasped. It was truly one of those days.
Rydell was already behind me. I grabbed his hand and we rushed toward the cafeteria, trusting that Ares would make sure our new witness would help. It seemed we were out of time.
The yelling was loud enough it echoed down the hall.
“I can make all this go away, son.”
I nearly threw up in my mouth. Rydell’s father had the creepiest voice I’d ever heard.
“I don’t want your help,” Rydell snapped. “You left me here to fucking rot, and you have a lot of balls walking into this place with a reputation like yours. Don’t worry, I already promised to hand every fucking secret I know over to these people. I can’t wait to watch your world burn.”
His father laughed. A big, condescending sound that made my skin crawl.
Ledger shoved past but his father’s eyes landed on us as we approached. They were right outside the cafeteria doors, likely drawing in a crowd.
“I heard you had a little plaything here.” His eyes ran up and down me, slow and disgusting.
Rydell moved me behind him. “Watch your fucking mouth,” he snarled. “I’ve had about enough today, and I’m pretty sure Ledger told you no. You have no business being here. You need to leave.”
“Oh, but I haveeveryreason to be here,” he said with a chuckle. “I’ve been funding my son’s stay this whole time. I’m his direct guardian.”
“Actually, sir,” a woman’s voice cut in as she stepped from the cafeteria doors. Her heels clicked sharply against the polished floor. Everything about her screamedpower.“That will be determined by this meeting.”
He snorted, dismissing her, but she didn’t so much as blink.
“Get your ass in the car!” Ledger’s father barked one final time. His face was nearly purple with anger.
“Actually, Ledger,” she said calmly, “I think your meeting is next. If you’d like to head in, we’ll speak with you.”
The veins in the older man’s neck pulsed. He looked seconds from bursting as she dismissed him entirely.
“You need to leave,” Ares said, stepping forward.
“And who the fuck are you?” the angry alpha sneered. “Do you even know whoIam?”
“Actually, I do,” Ares replied coolly. “I’ve got an entire file on you. Unless you want me to open it and bring you in for questioning, I suggest you leave now. Your son won’t be going with you. He’ll be released, and even if he wasn’t, your money isn’t good here any longer.”
“You should listen,” the chief’s voice boomed down the hall. “We have a few people whodowant to talk to you. Convenient of you to walk right in.”
For the first time, Ledger’s father faltered.
“I’m going nowhere with you,” he stammered.
David snorted. “That’s okay, it wasn’t a request.”
Guards swarmed in, surrounding him before he could move. Within seconds, he was cuffed and being hauled off, still ranting.
