by LJ Byrne
“Never again.” His eyes darken. “I won’t let him incapacitate me if it prevents me from protecting you.”
Conner chuckles. “You do realize, cousin, that she just gutted your dad with a phone call, right? It’s fine to think you’re protecting her, but it’s clear she’s the one protecting us.”
100000
On Monday, we witness a screaming match between Victoria Little and Ingrid Whitman. Victoria, who’d been pursuing one Emmett Solomon, has learned that Ingrid’s been doing the same with greater success. Daniel is nowhere to be found.
“Why couldn’t you leave Emmett alone?” Victoria shrieks, tears streaming down her face. There’s a nasty claw mark on her cheek.
“It’s not my fault that he prefers me to you,” Ingrid spits out in that childish voice of hers. She sees me and her face twists. “You bitch! Did you make Ryder do this to me? I’ll kill you!”
When she lunges at me, Connor and Ryder intervene. “You don’t touch Mira. You don’t harass her or address her,” Ryder says coldly. “You’re nothing, Ingrid, and Mira is everything.” He glances at the students watching. “Mira’s mine. She’s the queen I want by my side. Come after her again, and you’ll learn how brutal I can me. Don’t cross me.”
Xander and Nate back Ryder. “Don’t cross any of us. Mira’s the Queen,” Xander announces, nodding at Ryder.
I tilt my head. Part of me wants to point out how juvenile these titles are, but mad Ingrid is entertaining. She looks ready to pop a blood vessel. “Your mother’s a whore, Mira! My father told me all about her! She threw herself at him!” Ingrid points a painted nail at me. “And you’re just like her! Spreading your legs—!”
Celeste slaps Ingrid, breaking her tirade. Wow, go Celeste! “You’re a hypocrite, Ingrid! Just because you’ve slept with half the boys in this school doesn’t mean that’s what everyone else does!” A ripple of laughter comes from the student audience. “The worst part? You target guys your friends are interested in. That makes you all sorts of disgusting.”
Ingrid goes white. Celeste – sweet, kind Celeste – pokes Ingrid in the chest. I’ve never seen Celeste so indignant. “Tell me! Is there anyone that wants to stick up for this thing?” Celeste asks out loud. “She’s a terrible friend, a terrible role model, and a terrible person. Is it any wonder why Ryder’s repulsed by you?”
The ripple of laughter gains momentum. As the other students join in on jeering Ingrid, Ryder raises his hand for silence. He’s still King, after all. “You should leave,” he suggests, wrapping an arm around me. “You’re done, Ingrid.”
Tears of outrage roll down Ingrid’s face as Victoria and Judy distance themselves from their fallen queen. A hush falls over the crowd as two staff members approach Ingrid. “Miss Whitman, you need to report to the principal’s office now,” one of them tells her.
“You can’t order me around!” Ingrid screams at them.
“Miss Whitman, we would prefer not to make this public, but we have evidence that you tampered with security cameras last year and caused the injury of a student here,” the other person says. “Come with us now or we’ll have the police remove you forcibly.”
Ingrid looks ready to throw up. She’s terrified. I deliberately look away, hiding my face in Ryder’s chest. I’m not afraid of her – I’m hiding my smile as she’s dragged away.
Since I found that encrypted file containing the fuel-air explosive mix ratios, there hasn’t been any activity from that mysterious account. I discuss this privately with Liam.
“Have you looked into Ingrid’s emails?” I ask. “Is there a hidden message?”
Liam grimaces. “There are hidden messages there, but we’re not sure what they mean or whether it’s tied to the fuel-air thing you found. We’re sure he’s doing some sort of money laundering thing – we just don’t have enough evidence to make it stick.”
There’s a knock on my door and Ryder pokes his head in. He frowns because Liam is on my bed. “Chill,” Liam says. “We’re just talking. Go hug your girl instead of glaring at me.” He stands up and gestures Ryder over. “You need to trust Mira.”
“I trust Mira,” Ryder growls. “I don’t trust you.”
“You’re skipping the winter dance, then?” I ask Liam, changing the subject.
“I’m off to D.C. Besides, this guy,” Liam says, pointing at Ryder, “stole my date.”
Ryder positions himself so that he’s tucked around me. He’s unrepentant at Liam’s words – in fact, he’s downright smug.
“Can you set up alerts for me before I go?” Liam asks. “I want an alert if anyone accesses that lab or uses that account.” I agree to do so. “You be good to her, Cabot. And try to stay out of trouble until I get back.”
After Liam leaves, I poke Ryder in the chest. “Be nicer to Liam.”
Ryder has the grace to nod. “I know. But when it comes to you, it’s hard to remember. When you disappeared… The only thing that kept me going was hope. I can’t lose you again.” Running his fingers through my hair, he adds, “The dance. Then your birthday.” He blinks a few times. “I almost forgot. My father left a message. It just said to ask you what you want. He sounded ready to cry.” Ryder flashes me a smirk.
I giggle before I straddle him so I can give him a haughty look. “Your queen suggests you make a list of what you want. I think your father will agree to anything.”
Ryder’s eyes shadow. “I wanted to talk to you about that. I’m okay with him disinheriting me. The Cabot fortune. It’s tainted. I don’t want it. How do you feel about that?”
I squint. “You know that I’m worth a lot in bitcoins, right?” I respond with my arms crossed, enjoying my ability to still surprise him. “I’ve made a lot in bounties alone. I don’t care about your money, you idiot. I did this to teach your father a lesson. Do what you like.” I lean over him. “I have enough to take care of us for the time being.” I see the protest on his lips, but I shush him. “All that matters is that he leaves us alone.”
“You are a very dangerous young woman,” Ryder whispers, reaching up to caress my face. “I say you’re mine, but the truth is I’m yours. I’ve always been yours.”
100001
It takes a bit of courage, but I finally show Aunt Erika the pictures I retrieved from Ingrid’s laptop. I know the pictures will hurt her. After the initial slash of pain, my aunt takes a closer look.
“That’s Ernest,” she says with a heavy sigh. “He got married that year.” Then she pauses. “Look at the body language. Gwen’s hands.” Erika begins to look distressed. “I don’t think she wanted him to kiss her. She was revolted by him. I think he was forcing her to kiss him. She’s trying to push him away.”
On closer inspection, I notice the same things. My mom’s hands are clenched, and the angle of her shoulders indicates resistance. It would be consistent with mom’s journal, too. I show Aunt Erika the tiny photo Mom had hidden. “I found this in her old journal. She actually wrote a few pages right before she disappeared,” I tell my aunt.
Aunt Erika’s fingers tremble as she takes the photo. “I think that’s Ernest. I don’t recognize any of the other men. You think… You think that man there might be your father?”
“It’s the first Asian I’ve seen. She calls him SJ in her journal.”
Aunt Erika searches her memory banks. “Nothing comes to mind. Our father – there was always some sort of business deal at play. I wish I’d paid more attention, Mira. I’m so sorry.”
I shake my head. “You have nothing to be sorry about.” I gnaw on my lip. “You and Uncle Robert – I couldn’t have asked for better people to take me in. You gave me the freedom to leave this summer. And I needed it. You didn’t push.”
My aunt smiles wryly. “I didn’t push because you’re like your mom. When Gwen left, I always thought she’d get back in touch. I only made half-hearted attempts at first because – because I knew she left for a good reason.” Fingering the picture gently, she sighs. “Maybe it was wrong of me.”
We embrace, both shedding tears for the woman that connects us and a history we now share. Aunt Erika pulls back. “You and Ryder Cabot,” she begins. “Are you being… safe?”
I turn beet red. “Oh, God. We haven’t. I’m not ready,” I blurt, flustered. I bury my head. “I know about the birds and the bees.”
My aunt bursts into laughter. “Well, that’s good. But if you want to start the Pill or talk about anything…” She trails off expectantly. “You’re seventeen, and Ryder seems rather serious about you. And I think you’re serious about him.” She hugs my shoulders. “I’ll spare you further embarrassment, but please consider things before your hormones get the better of you.”
My dress is a deconstructed ball gown in pale pink. The V-neck bodice looks a bit daring with spaghetti straps, but the deep cuts in the front and back are an illusion. The skirt has flowers outlined in sparkling glitter with sheer and textured layers so there’s a dreaminess to the skirt’s movements.
Darcy helps with my hair, pulling it into a sleek side ponytail that goes over my right shoulder. Silver pins with crystal cut flowers help hold the style in place.
“We should’ve taken Ingrid down last year,” she muses aloud as she applies some translucent powder to my face. She steps back like a proud sister. “You look magnificent. He might not even wait until you’re eighteen to propose.”
“What?!” I squeak, ignoring her wicked laughter.
Darcy fluffs out my skirts. “I’m teasing. Maybe. Ryder’s never been so serious. Even Ethan notices how Ryder looks at you. He’s beyond smitten.”
I grow pale. “I need to ask you something awkward. Please don’t laugh.”
Darcy cocks her head at me. “I won’t.”
“How will I know when I’m… ready?” Feeling faint, I sit down. “I know a bit about Ryder’s past.” I wrinkle my nose.
Darcy is careful with her questioning. “Is he pressuring you for sex?”
I flush. “No. Oh, God. No. I mean. We kiss and stuff. But he’s very – restrained.” This is harder than I expect. “He’s never asked, but I’m going to be eighteen. At some point, it happens.”
My friend nods. “The timing is different for everyone. I can’t stress enough that you want to be ready. If you’re freaked out, then you’re not ready.” She waits for that to sink in. “Ryder should respect that. If he pressures you, you need to tell someone you trust.” She adjusts my hair. “The first time is often – awkward. It helps if you’re with someone that you have a connection to.”
I’m not clueless about sex, but this is a talk I expected to have with Mom. If Darcy weren’t with Ethan, I’d be asking more questions, but I have no desire to dig into my cousin’s personal affairs.
Ryder, formal in a tux, quietly converses with Ethan when I join them. They’ll never be best friends, but the animosity between them is gone. Darcy slips under Ethan’s arm, and they step back while my aunt takes about twenty pictures with her phone.
Ryder, conscious of Uncle Robert watching, takes my hands and presses his forehead to mine. “You’re beautiful,” he whispers, brushing my cheek with a kiss. He and Connor are back at the manor now that Clark Cabot has left the States again. His father has agreed to let Ryder live there until he finishes school, but Connor already has plans to purchase a place for them once he accesses his trust fund. (I know, tough life, right?)
With Connor’s assistance, Ryder splurges for tonight. It’s not enough to arrive in a limo. Nope, Ryder has us arriving in a Rolls Royce Phantom that I’m sure Connor paid for. The driver puts up the privacy screen once we’re inside.
Imagine two big seats with enough legroom to lie down. It’s quite luxurious. “You look nervous,” Ryder says with a chuckle.
“I don’t even want to know how much this cost,” I whisper, frowning when Ryder shrugs. “I won’t ask.”
“Only the best for you, Mira,” he murmurs, reaching over to kiss me solidly. He runs a hand down the nape of my neck.
My pulse beats a little faster when his lips follow his hand’s path. I feel very warm and confused.
“Too fast?” he whispers.
Great question. I don’t know. I’m filled with too many emotions to think clearly. “I don’t think so,” I whisper back.
He observes me, kissing the corner of my lips lightly, before sitting back. “You have that look on your face – the one that says you’re thinking about three things at once.” He rubs his thumb over my wrist. “Is something wrong?”
I hesitate. “I can’t go fast, Ryder. That’s not me, and I’m worried that you aren’t happy with that.” I’m not sure if that came out alright. And how bad is my timing?
Ryder’s thumb stills on my wrist. “Are we talking about sex?” When I turn beet red, he exhales slowly. “I guess we are.” He removes his hand and straightens in his seat to look at me directly. “I suppose I only have myself to blame. The day we officially met? Everything changed. There hasn’t been anyone since. We’ll take the next step when you’re ready, Mira. We have time. I’ll wait because I want you to be sure.” He reaches over to pull me against him.
I relax, leaning my head on his shoulder. “Thank you,” I say, feeling shy.
When we kiss, he lets me take charge, and we spend a good deal of the drive kissing. I hardly register the moment we enter the dance. Dimly, I’m aware that Nate and Xander clear the floor so that Ryder can dance with me alone. What stays with me is the expression on Ryder’s face, the soft smile on his lips, and the warmth of his eyes.
Everything else pales in comparison.
100010
I turn eighteen with Ryder, my best friends, and my family around me. Darcy, Brittany, Celeste, and I stay up all night exchanging stories and experiences. (Brittany speaks French like a native!) A moment of painful honesty occurs when Ryder, Xander, and Nate apologize to Brittany. It feels right that Ethan is there to oversee the apology, and I’m happy when he claps Ryder’s shoulder in support after Brittany tears into them for twenty minutes. It’s been a year of growth for all of us.
With Ingrid under suspension, Royal Bridge Academy is quieter and pleasant. Victoria and Judy keep a low profile. Daniel, once part of the Court, disappears when Ingrid implicates him for altering the school’s videos.
When I mention that to Liam, both our thoughts navigate to the encrypted file I intercepted. Liam’s investigation into Daniel provided few clues, but that doesn’t mean Daniel is not involved. If he’s anything like me and Liam, he’ll cover his tracks. But the bigger question is why?
In January, my tracking program in the computer lab room registers a surprise visitor: our mysterious person with the fake email account is back. Since I handed access fully to Liam, I only get told after Liam intercepts the email, which was not going to a “friendly.” (When Liam talks like that, I know he thinks he sounds all cool and government-like. He also likes to call our mysterious emailer “the unsub.”)
We work together to access the camera footage. I pull up the feed to the lab. “Look,” I show Liam. “The camera in there is wirelessly connected – the signal was jammed for an hour.” I check the feeds for the cameras in the hallway. They’ve been disrupted, too.
“What the hell,” Liam breathes. “Do you know if this happened before?”
“I didn’t have it set up before,” I reply, “so either the person knows someone’s watching or it’s a precaution.” I glance at him uneasily.
Liam’s brow furrows. “Maybe. What about the wired cameras? They’re not all wireless, right?”
I wrinkle my nose. “No, but I don’t have time to watch videos. The wireless ones capture feeds in spurts so it’s easier to filter. You’ll need to do that or get a lackey.”
Liam nods, leaning back on my bed. We’re in my dorm room since it’s midweek. “What are you doing after you graduate?”
This is a common discussion of late between me and adults. “Haven’t decided. I’ve applied to a few schools, but I may take a gap year.”
<
br /> “Come work with me,” Liam suggests. “We make an amazing team.”
I scrunch my face. “For the government? I don’t know. It sounds dreadfully dull.”
Liam doesn’t get a chance to protest. A quick knock announces Ryder’s arrival, and my boyfriend is not happy that Liam is so close to me on the bed.
Liam sighs dramatically, giving Ryder a cursory glance before rolling off. “It’s not like you found us in here naked, man. Chill.”
After Liam leaves, Ryder is semi-apologetic. “I’m trying,” he mutters. “What were you two talking about anyway?”
“Work stuff,” I reply. He knows I can’t go into detail about Liam’s investigation.
Ryder quietly wraps his hand around mine. “Is it dangerous? Is there a chance you could be in danger? Because if so, Liam shouldn’t be involving you.”
“I’m not in any danger. I’m just making it easier for him to find information.” I hesitate because there are really two things going on. One is the money transfers that got RReagan’s attention. The second is the strange email that went out followed by the fact that Liam’s traced activity from the school. Whoever is doing this is not being subtle. The noise is loud enough to get attention, but not so loud that we know who it is. “Ingrid’s father is involved in something weird,” I finally say. Ernest Whitman has been clever and quiet; the only reason why RReagan pinged him was by luck – an inside accountant providing information.
Ryder lowers his body next to mine, kissing me persuasively while running his hands down my body. When I kiss back enthusiastically, my response snaps something within him. Pinning me to the bed, his mouth fixes on mine until I’m a confused mess of emotions. With one hand, he tilts my head back as his lips continue down my neck. His other hand parts my uniform’s blazer and runs along the waistband of my skirt. When I gasp, he stops.
