Page 84 of Selling Innocence

Of course, he’d said the same thing the Quad always had, that if anything happened, if things went wrong, for me to run and not look back. No matter what, I was to escape, to go to our meeting point and wait. The one thing I was not to do was fight back unless it was to save my own life. Otherwise?

They wanted me to run.

I’d heard that my whole life. I recalled Colton’s serious expression as he’d told me, when I’d been so small that I had to climb to get into my bed, that my job was to survive. Maybe a child that young shouldn’t have had to worry about such things, but my life had never been normal. In our world, if we waited too long to tell people that, they might die in the meantime.

I’d been protected all my life, had others willing to use themselves as shields, all because of my name and my bloodline. Even Nem had done what she did not because of me but because she was my sister.

Had a single person given a damn about me because of me?

“Chin up,” Hayden whispered. “Don’t let people see you sweat.”

I swallowed hard then followed his advice. He was right.

Even if I hated my name, my family, my blood, that didn’t erase any of it. I came from some badass people, and though if I’d fallen far short of them, I could stand tall against anyone else.

We entered the large faculty building that housed offices for professors and staff at the school. In addition, they had conference rooms for meetings, which was the exact reason we’d come.

Given how the school wanted to keep Vance close, they’d been only too happy to offer him a room for a meeting when he asked. I didn’t love bringing trouble here, but from a security point of view, it made sense.

We had campus police, which meant making a move here would be foolish. Plus, I knew every inch of this school, giving us the home field advantage. Tor and Char had watched over the building for a few hours before the meeting, to ensure nothing happened, and Vance called Bradley to give him the location just before the meeting time.

So far, everything had gone smoothly.

And boy does that make me suspicious.

I entered the room that Vance had given us the information for to find the man himself already there. Vance sat at the large table, his phone set on top, screen up as if to make sure he didn’t miss anything.

His expression softened when he saw me.

It wasn’t affection, I was sure. Rather, I was integral to their plan. I was necessary. If something happened to me, they’d have no leverage to draw Lorien out.

I dropped my gaze, unwilling to look at him. It was too uncomfortable, between the stress of the meeting and the memories of the night before. Plus, we hadn’t really spoken much, not since I saw his hand. My gaze moved to that right hand of his, as though I could see beneath the gloves again.

He moved his hand down, to his lap, the action subtle as though not to draw attention to it.

I opened my mouth to apologize but shut it just as quickly. Sure, I’d been rude, but I had a feeling he’d hate me bringing it up—especially in front of Hayden—even more. It would only be for me, so I kept it to myself.

Hayden pulled the chair out beside Vance, then gestured for me to take it. I sat, and Hayden took the spot to my other side, closing me in between the two men.

It let me breathe more easily, their scents familiar and calming.

“He on his way?” Hayden asked.

“Yep. I gave him the location for the receptionist and left the room information there. Receptionist just called me to tell me he’s on his way here. No word from Tor or Char, so he must be alone.”

Everything was right on schedule, but that only made me tense. Nothing ever went entirely to plan, after all. When it seemed to, it was a sure sign things were going to go horribly wrong.

I tried to force that from my mind, since I couldn’t do a thing about it.

After about ten more uncomfortable minutes, the door opened. Bradley came in, looking so much like he had when I’d been in that cage. It took me back, my breathing tight and uneven. When he’d come to the college before, I hadn’t really seen him. Instead, I’d hidden behind Hayden’s back, content to allow him to shield me from view and harm.

This time, however, I couldn’t do that. I saw him, staring right at him, unable to shrink away and hide.

He took a seat at the far end of the table, leaving his security outside. Somehow, despite being alone, he still managed to look like the boss in a room of employees.

“You picked a strange place for this meeting,” he said. “Though I can’t fault you on the practical security of it. It feels as though you do not trust me.”

“That’s because we don’t.” Vance said that with a full smile, as though not trying to soften his comment at all.

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