Page 49 of Bad Boy Billionaire Protector

I recognized them all from various events, such as the mixer ball and the bacchanalia, especially Foxy, who had been Adam and Amber’s friend.

Foxy came forward and folded his arms. “Look, Christos. Nothing is going to happen to you. We just want to know why you were asking questions about the dead students.”

I looked at him and smiled. “So, you’re in the inner circle, Foxy. Nice. Must feel so good.”

“Yeah, it is actually.”

“So it must have been heartbreaking when your best friend Adam didn’t make it.”

“It was heartbreaking when he died, yes. But I’ve learned to get on with my life.”

“How convenient for you.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Well, you don’t seem all that bothered about Adam, truth be told.”

“I can assure you I was very upset about Adam’s death, but you are digressing, Christos. We’re not here to question me. We’re here to question you. How about you start answering those questions?”

I shrugged. “I knew one of the students and I thought there was something suspicious about his death, so I started to investigate on my own. That’s all it is.”

Foxy nodded. He seemed to be happy with my explanation. I let out a relieved breath.

“Now, if you can take me back to my apartment, I would appreciate it. I’ve got a dinner date and I have to get ready for tonight’s final games.”

Foxy’s mouth curved into a smile. “Oh, we’re not ready to take you home just yet. We’ve been given instructions to take you to Professor Owens’ residence. He wants to talk to you.”

“Couldn’t you have just taken me straight there instead of going through all these theatrics?”

Foxy didn’t reply. Just nodded and the hooded guys hustled me towards another car that was parked at the edge of the clearing. I was pushed inside and we drove back towards the campus. We arrived at the professor’s residence and I was strong-armed inside the house. I had been there once before when I was late handing in a paper. I was ushered to the professor’s office, where he was waiting for me to arrive.

He looked hostile as I entered the room. I realized I needed to turn this thing around or I would be in danger.

“Welcome, Mister Ianthos. I trust the inner circle made you feel welcome.”

I snorted. “Welcome is not a word I would use.”

Professor Owens crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, when you go around asking questions about things that are not your business, it can ruffle a few feathers.”

“I wasn’t aware it wasn’t my business. I was just interested, is all.”

“Just interested…How…interesting,” the professor replied, amused with himself.

I sighed loudly.

“I’m sorry, am I boring you?”

I shrugged. “I’m just impatient to find out what’s going to happen tonight at the games. You’ve gotten all worked up about me asking a few questions. I’m just doing my due diligence by educating myself about The Order. I wouldn’t be worthy of entry if I didn’t do the basics of researching what this is all about. What I really want to know is how I’m going to get into your inner circle. I don’t want to dick around anymore. What do I need to do to make this happen? Where is all this power and influence you say you can give me?”

The professor’s smile reached his eyes this time. He seemed genuinely pleased with what I’d just said.

“Ah, the inner circle. Such a beguiling and tantalizing prospect for you. You can almost taste it, can’t you?”

“To be honest, I’ve sailed through your selection process, and was thinking the whole thing was a little bit boring…” I replied, arrogantly.

He smirked. “Yes, so far it has been rather mundane. We do that to weed out the weak. But I’m happy to see that you’re intrigued about going further.”

“Yes. So, what do I have to do to accelerate my entry. I’m a very wealthy man, Professor Owens. I’m not used to being kept waiting.”

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