Chapter Thirteen
Jemma
Lousy timing is my curse. Fear had me mulling over telling them too long and now my father’s face is blowing up my phone.
Damn it all to hell. I guess the secret is out. All three guys look at me like I’ve grown horns and a tail.
Some consider it bad manners to throw a phone on the floor and stomp the life out of it. But this thing has brought me anxiety attacks twice now. A girl can only take so much. I grip it tight and stare at the screen, weighing my options.
Answer and admit to all my sins to both sides—get expelled.
Or, answer, admit to nothing, live in denial and never acknowledge the feelings I have for three fantastic men—lose all three and go back to my monochromatic life.
Another chirp splits the deafening silence in the room. I know I have to pick it up or he will continue to call.
Reluctance brings the phone to my ear. “Hello, Father.”
I peel myself out of Warren’s lap and lean against the table for added support so my shaky knees give out.
There’s a pause before a voice dripping with judgment carries over the speaker. “Have you seen the news?”
“No.” Keep it simple and direct. I put it on speaker so I don’t have to repeat this whole conversation to the guys.
Another pause and this time I hear a disgusted grunt. “Don’t lie to me, girl. Is this your way of retaliating? What the hell are you doing in Europe with three of my professors?”
An injection of rage and disbelief washes over all three almost simultaneously and I feel no better than dirt. Erik is confused at first but the hurt in his eyes smooths out to understanding and just as quickly, to my surprise, relief.
Daemon and Warren aren’t as understanding it seems.
I turn and head down a short hall beside the kitchen in this massive hotel suite.
“I’m working.” I’m not about to give up my men that easily.
I push open the master suite and head straight for the bathroom.
“Working? Does working involve kissing?”
“What?”
“Check your phone.”
A ding signals the arrival of an image and I thumb over to see Warren’s mouth on mine.
My jaw drops. I can’t believe he would do this. “Are you following me? I didn’t realize you cared so much.” I feel a shock so deep hurt doesn’t begin to describe the pain welling inside me.
“I didn’t do this. Someone plastered the picture I guess taken by some tabloid on all those social sites you like. Didn’t take long for the student here to be talking about you.”
I throw a few of my toiletries in a bag and snag a change of clothes.
I feel a solid wall of power step up behind me but I can’t turn around to face them. Instead, like a coward, I can only stare at the phone in utter shock.
I fall silent. Oh, God. This all just turned infinitely worse. The guys. They’ll lose their jobs. Not that they need the money, but they enjoy teaching and giving back. And I ruined that.
“I can explain. Please don’t punish—”
“As of an hour ago you are no longer a student of Westmoore University. You have been expelled. I’ll deal with the professors next.”
I stumble past them and drop to the edge of the bed.