Tristan’s movements still, then he asks, “Will you join us then?”
I nod. “Will you be okay with it?”
“Of course,” he murmurs, his mouth curving up again.
“I want an increase then,” I demand playfully.
Tristan laughs. “Decide on the amount and run it by Alexei.”
I let out a huff. “Burst my bubble, why don’t you.”
“I can always settle the balance with orgasms,” Tristan murmurs.
“Oooh… I can work with that,” I tease him.
It’s been three weeks since I’ve returned to the academy, and everything still feels out of place.
I miss the penthouse and Tristan. I miss the guys and working with them. I miss everything. The only comfort I have is knowing Nikhil and Sacha are close by.
I let out a sigh as I walk to class with Fallon, Mila, and Jade.
“What’s wrong?” Fallon asks.
She and Kao got engaged and moved in together. She now drives in for classes, and it has me saying, “I’m going to move in with Tristan. Staying in the suite isn’t working for me.”
“So things are serious between you and Tristan?” Mila asks.
I nod, a smile forming around my lips. “Very serious.”
Jade and Mila let out shrieks before they hug me. “We knew you weren’t telling us everything.”
“I just wanted to keep it to myself for a while,” I admit.
I haven’t spent as much time with my friends as I’d like to, but we’ve all been busy with our own lives. Even Jade and Hunter are looking for a house. Mila and Jase will probably move in together soon, as well.
“We actually celebrated our first anniversary a couple of weeks ago,” I add.
“As long as you’re happy,” Fallon says as she gives me a sideways hug.
“I am,” I murmur.
Except for the damn studies. I need to talk to my parents.
Nathan, one of the seniors, approach us, and I quickly make a peace sign because Nikhil and Sacha don’t know him.
“Hi ladies, how was the summer break?”
Nathan is harmless. His family has business ties with CRC Holdings, so it’s only normal for us to interact with him.
“It was good,” Fallon answers, then she adds, “Kao and I just moved in together. I’ll arrange a little get together to celebrate.”
“Let me know when,” Nathan says before another student grabs his attention. “See you around.”
I go to class and struggle through the hour before I walk to where Nikhil and Sacha are watching me from under a tree. “Let’s go, guys,”
“Where?” Sacha asks as we head toward the car.
“To Tristan.”
Climbing into the car, I send Dad a text.
H: Can we come over for dinner tonight?
Dad doesn’t take long to reply.
D: Of course. xxx
Knowing I can’t continue a life that’s not mine any longer, I’ll just have to bite the bullet and tell my parents that I’d rather start working.
I have no idea how they’re going to react, though, and it makes my stomach tighten with nerves. Mom should be okay, but Dad, I’m not so sure about.
“Everything okay?” Nikhil asks from the passenger seat.
“Yes.” Then I tilt my head. “I want to quit college.”
Nikhil glances over his shoulder. “Yeah?”
I nod again. “This life isn’t for me anymore.”
The guys nod, then Sacha says, “You have to do what makes you happy, Hana. Life is too short for anything else.”
My mouth curves up. “Does that mean it makes you happy to spend your days with me?”
He lets out a burst of laughter. “There’s no one else we’d rather guard.”
They’ve become close friends, rather than guards, and his comment fills my chest with warmth.
Chapter 30
TRISTAN
The moment Hana walked into my office, I knew she was done with college. I’m not going to force her to do something she doesn’t want to. My sole purpose is to protect, care for, and make Hana happy. Nothing is more important to me.
Parking the Maybach in her parents' driveway, I’m ready for a fight.
If it even comes to that.
I take hold of Hana’s hand, and bringing it to my lips, I press a kiss to the back. “Just to be clear, we’re not telling your parents about the Albanians, and what happened?”
“No. They’ll lose their minds and blame you,” Hana answers with determination. “I don’t want them knowing anything about that part of our lives.”
I nod. “Okay.” Smiling at her, I ask, “Are you ready to do this?”
She nods, and then we climb out. I meet her at the front of the vehicle, and linking our fingers, we walk to the door.
After entering the house, Mrs. Cutler hugs the shit out of both of us, and then I shake Mr. Cutler’s hand before he sweeps Hana up in a fatherly hug.
“Let’s have a drink before we sit down for dinner,” Mr. Cutler says.
Everyone follows him into the living room, and I watch as he pours two bourbons. He hands me a tumbler, then takes a seat next to Mrs. Cutler. “How are things?”