Thankfully, I didn’t recognise any of the other names on the short list. But that didn’t really matter. The only one who did was him.
And he didn’t show.
I shouldn’t have been surprised. From what Jodie has said, he’s barely shown his face in Knight’s Ridge recently. But there’s a part of me that hoped he would have just turned up and got the inevitable over with.
He’d have found me here, the truth would have been out, and I’d have already seen his reaction.
But as it is, I’m still sitting here fighting with the tight knot in my stomach that’s threatening to make me vomit all over the ridiculously clean carpet beneath my feet. Seriously, since when did classrooms have floors that resembled hotel rooms? Since the little darlings’ parents have more money than sense, I guess.
I can’t help but wonder how much of the Cirillo blood money has paid for this place. I might not know all that much about the Family’s businesses, but it’s no secret they hold huge power over this place. And power means money, so…
“Is that okay?” Melissa asks, dragging me back to reality.
“Umm.” I stare up at her with a wince.
“I’m sorry, I’m sure today has been more than overwhelming and here I am, throwing more at you. Forget about it.” She shakes her head. Curiosity burns through me, but I keep my lips sealed in case I really don’t like whatever her suggestion was. “Is there anything you need to prepare for next week?”
“N-no, I don’t think so.” Reaching for my folder, I flip it open to my new timetable.
“Okay, next week, you can meet the staff whose lessons you’ll be in, and I’ll ensure they’ll get you up to speed with where they are.”
“Thank you, I really appreciate everything you’ve done. I know I was kinda dropped on you last minute.”
“It’s really nothing. I’m excited to have you here. And not just because you can take over a few of my classes in the rundown to summer.” She winks.“Do you think you’ll be able to find your way back to the car park from here?”
“I’m sure I can manage,” I say, gathering up my things, more than ready to escape for the weekend.
I all but run from the room, and the second I turn down the hallway, I collide with a brick wall—well, not literally.
“Oh my God, I’m so—”
“Anyone would think you’re trying to escape, Miss Andrews,” Toby says as he steadies me with his hands on my upper arms.
“Anyone would be right,” I mutter under my breath. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Thought you might like a lift home. Must have been a hell of a journey this morning.” His brow quirks knowingly.
“It was fine. Gave me time to think.”
“Sounds dangerous,” he mutters, gesturing for me to walk with him.
“You’re telling me. But you really don’t need to take me home. I’m more than capable of—”
“Brianna,” he chastises. “The walk off the grounds is longer than necessary, let alone what, the bus and three tubes you need to get here.”
“Four,” I whisper.
“Fucking hell, come on.” Taking my heavy bag from my shoulder, he throws it over his own and continues forward as if nothing just happened.
“Flirt like this with all the teachers, Tobes?” I tease. If I’ve learned anything about these boys, it’s that one way or another they’ll get what they want and really, it’s just easier not to fight.
Unless it’s Nico. Then I have full intentions of fighting until the bitter end, because I know the kind of benefits my defiance can be rewarded with.
Shit.
I shake my head.
I can’t. I can’t be thinking about that kind of shit while I’m working here. While he’s still a student.