Eden

28

Saint’s invitation, or rather order, to go on spring break with him fills me with anxious butterflies all week. I’m so nervous, in fact, that I put off calling Carley to ask for permission to go with him. By Friday, though, I know I can’t wait any longer. Saint has started asking me what her answer is, and the guy is the most impatient person I’ve ever met.

When I call her in the afternoon, she doesn’t answer, so I leave a message and go about the rest of my day as normally as possible.

That mentality doesn’t really work for me because later than evening I’m pacing my room, just waiting for her to call me back. She’s going to be shocked when I ask her for permission to leave campus for spring break, and even more so when I tell where I’m going and with who.

I pause in my pacing and have a moment of panic, wondering what she’ll think when she finds out I want to go on a trip alone with Saint, of all the people on this campus. Carley’s a pretty chill, trusting guardian, but even she might have a problem with me jetting off with the boy who’d publicly humiliated me.

When I think about it like that, I can’t say I blame her.

As I’m stewing in my erratic thoughts, a sudden knock on my door makes me jump. My first thought is that it’s Saint, come to find out if I’ve gotten a response from Carley yet. I don’t really want to face him until I’ve heard from her, but a second knock sounds, harder and more insistent than the first. I groan, knowing I have little choice in the matter. If it’s Saint he won’t give up until I answer the door.

Shoulders slumped in defeat, I drag my feet across the room and twist the knob.

My blood runs cold when I see who’s standing on the other side.

It’s not Saint.

It’s Ghost.

“What now, minion?” I hiss.

He gives me a cold smile. “With a greeting like that, it’s no wonder all these rich fuckers hate you.”

“I’m sorry, let me try again,” I bite out, my voice dripping with sarcasm and contempt. “Killed anyone lately?”

He chuckles. “Not anyone you need to worry about.”

I can’t tell if he’s joking, but the very real possibility that he isn’t makes me shiver with dread. “What is it?” I demand. “What does Nora want now? We just had di

“I’m not here to take you to Nora,” he says, his gaze twinkling with dark amusement. “I’m here to take you to see Je

I blink. “Je

He nods. “Yes, Nora has very generously arranged for you to meet with Je

I want to snap that nothing about Nora is generous, but I keep my mouth shut. That’d probably just anger him, and I don’t really want an angry Ghost escorting me around.

“Why is she letting me see Je

He just shrugs. “Not my business to know. My job is just to get you there.”

I bite back the snarky reply bubbling up my throat. My need to see Je

“All right, fine,” I huff. “Can we just go then?”

He steps out of the way, extending his arm and bowing slightly at the waist. I roll my eyes and clench my hands into fists as I move past him. My shoulders remain tense and my gaze is constantly swinging back and forth as we make our way through the building. I pray no one sees us. I’m not ready to try and explain Ghost to anyone, and I don’t even want to think about what Saint would do if he discovered us together.

By some strange stroke of luck, we make it to his Charger without ru

“You’re certain you don’t know why Nora is letting me see Je

He shakes his head and shrugs. “Nope. Not a clue.”

“Will Nora be there, too?”

He shoots me a look. “She’s busy.”

That helps ease my mind somewhat. Maybe I’ll actually be able to have an honest conversation with Je

I slide my eyes toward him and study him as subtly as I can. He seems calm. Not on guard. Not at all like someone meant to be keeping a close watch over me.

If he is just driving me, I might have a chance of shaking him enough to get Je

Releasing a small sigh, I shake my head. That might be too much of a stretch.

Ghost and I don’t say a word to each other the rest of the drive, and I quickly realize that he’s not taking me into the city. A ball of nerves tightens in my gut.

“Where are we going?” I question, breaking the silence between us.

“Don’t worry,” he answers with a dark chuckle. “I’m not taking you anywhere to murder you. Nora just wants to ensure you and Je

“I feel so much better now,” I grumble, sarcasm thick in my voice.

He shrugs and grins, clearly enjoying fucking with me.

“Happy to help put your mind at ease.”

I grit my teeth and turn my gaze out the window. Minutes later, we pull into the small parking lot of a semi-secluded beach. Ghost parks and turns the car off.

“All right,” he says, leaning back in his seat and looking at me. “We’re here.”

When he gazes at me expectantly, I frown.

“Are you not coming?”

He shakes his head. “You’re a smart girl. I know you won’t do anything stupid.”

The barely concealed threat is clear and I bob my head.

“Yeah. You’re right,” I assure him. “Nothing stupid.”

He jerks his chin toward my door. “Then you’d better get going. She’s waiting.”

I only hesitate a moment before I open the door and slip out onto the pavement. With quick steps, I dart down to the beach. It’s starting to get dark, and I’m feeling a twinge of unease as I gaze around, searching for Je

Is this some kind of setup?

“Hey, baby girl.”

I nearly jump out of my skin at the soft voice at my back. Whirling around, I find Je

But rather than put me at ease, it terrifies me.

If Je

“Momma,” I sigh cautiously. “Glad to see you’re okay.”

“Hmmm, yeah,” she murmurs. “I’m okay. For now, anyway.” That piques my interest, but before I can say anything, she plops down in the sand and pats the space beside her, asking, “How’s school?”

I almost blow the question off, but she sounds earnest, and guilt tugs at my gut. She’s probably asking for the same reasons Nora always does, but in Je

Somewhat reluctantly, I tell her that I’m doing well in school, and even tell her about some of the activities I’ve been involved in. I don’t mention swim team, though I’m sure she knows I was kicked off. I also don’t mention the fire that burned down Saint’s dorm, which I was accused of setting. Again, I’m sure she knows, but those aren’t the topics I really want to talk with her about anyway.