by Ruby Vincent
I winced. It hit me what I had said.
“No,” I whispered. “I’m sorry, Derek. Your dad— I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Wetness leaked down my cheeks. “I didn’t mean to say that. I just— I don’t know what to do.”
“Hey. Shh.” A soothing hand stroked my hair. “It’s going to be okay.”
Derek crouched on the floor. He pressed his forehead to mine. “I’m here for you, Zela. When... you’re forced to accept the truth and it threatens to rip you apart. When pain leaks into every part of you and you can’t breathe for it.”
I stopped crying as Derek recited the words I said to him that day on the basketball court.
“I’ll be there for you through everything like you were there for me. I’m not going anywhere.”
He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. “I promise.”
Tilting back, I offered him a wobbly smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re going to get past this soon, and when you do, I’ll help you find your real father if that’s what you want.”
A minute ago, I wouldn’t have been able to hear that, but now, Derek’s promise reached inside of me and beat back the pain—just a bit.
I kissed his cheek. “I don’t know where I’d be without you,” I whispered. I kissed him again. “I’ve turned your life upside-down and you’re still here. Why?” And then again.
“You know why, Zela.” His nose bumped mine as we gazed at each other. “Don’t make me say it again. I can’t. Not if you won’t say it back.”
I slipped my hand out of the blanket. My touch was feather-light on his forehead, tracing the lines and furrows of his perfect skin. My heart pounded in my chest. The warning bell that should be ringing had fallen silent.
Derek’s eyes fluttered shut as I traced his lips.
“Say it,” I said softly. “Please.”
“I love you, Zela.”
The pain retreated further still.
“I love you too, Derek. I—”
Derek surged forward. Our lips clashed together in a wild kiss that set my nerves alight with electricity. I clung to him as he lifted me off the couch and carried me where I didn’t know.
Nothing existed outside of him. The way it has always been and would always be. He was mine. My obsession.
My Derek.
WE SPENT THE REST OF the weekend in our hideaway. Eating, talking, watching movies, and just being together away from the world. The only thing we didn’t do was have sex. It was too soon for so many reasons. Even so, my swollen lips carried his kisses.
Sunday morning, we drove away from the little house for the real world. Our parents would be waiting for us at home to reinforce that everything we thought we knew was a lie. So we drove to Breakbattle.
“I won’t be able to hide here for long,” I said. The gates of the academy loomed in front of us. “My mom will pull me out of school.”
“Are you ready to talk to her?”
I shook my head. “I’ve been lying to her for years. This won’t be— Derek, look.”
The car jerked to a stop. Taking up most of the parking lot, was an ambulance and three police cars.
“Oh my goodness,” I said. “What’s happened?”
“Maybe they caught For All.”
Derek reversed and found a parking spot on the street. Together, we got out and approached the school. We passed through silent hallways to the cafeteria. There weren’t many people inside. Most of the school left for the weekend. Of those that remained, they sat around with grim faces that caused my hair to stand on end.
“Hold on,” I said to Derek. “I’m going to ask someone what’s going on.”
I walked over to a familiar face and sat across from her.
“Shannon? Shannon?”
Zach’s girlfriend started. She squinted at me like she was trying to figure out where I came from.
“What happened?” I asked.
She sniffed. “You might as well know. Everyone will soon enough.” She expelled a shuddering breath. “One of the Elite boys was killed. They found his body this morning.”
I rocked back. “What? Who?”
It can’t be one of my guys! It can’t be! They all left campus. Please, tell me it’s no one I love.
“Who was it, Shannon?”
She jerked her chin over my shoulder. “The cops are right there. Ask them.”
I twisted around. Sure enough, two uniformed officers entered the cafeteria, looking around.
“Excuse me.” I raced up to them. “Excuse me, I’m one of the Elite students. Can you tell me who was hurt, please?”
“What’s your name?” one of them asked.
“It’s Zeke Manning.”
“You’re Zeke Manning?”
“Yes. Can you tell me who—”
“Zeke Manning.” A rough hand seized me and spun me around. I cried out as my arms were twisted behind my back. “You’re under arrest for the murder of Cameron Dupre. You have the right to remain—”
“What the fuck are you doing?!”
Derek rushed at them and one of the officers stepped out to meet him. I didn’t see them clash. I didn’t see anything. The world faded.
Faintly in the distance, I heard Christmas music.
If you would like the read next book in the series, The Elites, click here!
The Elites
Final Year, Final Battle
I thought my biggest problem was being kicked off campus, but I'd rather trade my blazer for a skirt than an orange jumpsuit.
There's a killer on campus and they think it's me. I have my boys on my side, but this might be one fight we can't win.
Someone is determined to bring us down, but with enemies on all sides, the suspects are endless and I'm running out of time.
I'm not the only one who came to Breakbattle with a plan.
A legacy of deception, sabotage, and death will no longer be ignored, but this time the innocent may pay the price.
Mailing List
Join my mailing list for info about new releases and treats. No spam ever.
Mailing list: https://www.subscribepage.com/rubyvincentpage
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ruby Vincent is a published author with many novels under her belt but now she's taking a fun foray into contemporary romance. She loves saucy heroines, bold alpha males, and weaving a tale where both get their happy ever after.
