He glances between Rizzo and me. “Are you sure you want me to mention it in front of Bianchi?”
“Carry on. I’ll meet you back at the dorms.”
Rizzo’s fists clench as he glances between me and Finn. After a few moments, he nods. “See you later.”
Finn smirks at me and it makes me want to punch it right off his face. “You should be more careful about where you keep your information, Elias.”
“Information?” I ask.
He nods. “Yeah, I got in your room and found the file on Natalya.” He flashes the folder at me and I launch myself at him, trying to snatch it out of his hand.
Finn dodges me, shaking his head. “I’ll give it back to you, for a price.”
I clench my jaw, knowing that even if he gives it back to me, her secret is out. “What do you want?”
“Name me king of the academy and step the fuck down.”
I roll my eyes. “Are you fucking serious?”
“Yeah, it’s what I want for my silence.”
This kid is pathetic. He could shake me down for money or much more, but he just wants to rule an academy that won’t mean shit in a few months’ time when we graduate.
“And if I announce that, you will never tell anyone about Nat’s family?”
He tilts his head slightly. “I didn’t say never.”
I launch myself at him then, grabbing him by the collar and shoving him against the wall of the corridor. “Listen to me, you son of a bitch. If you even utter a word to anyone, I’ll rip your fucking beating heart right out of your chest.”
Finn pales then, eyes widening as I wrap my hand around his throat and squeeze.
“Perhaps I’ll take your fucking tongue as insurance to make sure you can’t fucking speak to anyone.”
He struggles to breathe, face turning pale as he fights against me.
“What reason should I allow you to fucking live when you are blackmailing me?” The rage starts to bleed into my veins, overwhelming me as I continue to choke the air from his lungs. My vision is red as I strangle him, wanting nothing more than to eradicate the threat. I know I should stop, but he’s threatening the one thing that matters to me. Nat would blame me if this got out and she would be in danger.
“Elias!” Natalya’s voice echoes through the corridor as she runs toward me, shaking her head. “What are you doing?” Her hand lands on my arm and she squeezes, forcing me to look her in the eye.
And the moment I do, it brings me back to reality. I release his throat.
Finn falls to the floor on his knees, gasping for air. “What the fuck, Morales?”
I snatch the file out of his hand while he’s down, but I realize now I’m backed into a corner with nowhere to go.
“What the hell is going on here?” Nat asks, glancing between the two of us.
Once Finn recovers, he manages to stand and then glares at me. “I was just telling Elias that I know all about your secret, Natalya.”
Natalya’s eyes widen and then move to me, searching my face. “How?” she asks.
I don’t know if she’s asking me or Finn, but Finn is the one to answer. “Broke into his bedroom and found that file.” He nods at it. “It’s very valuable information. If my uncle knew the truth, he’d use it against you.”
Natalya meets Finn’s gaze. “What do you want to keep quiet?” She holds her head high, meeting his gaze.
Finn smirks, glancing between me and Elias. “I want Elias to name me king of the academy.”
Nat snorts at that, but then turns quiet when she sees Finn is serious.