Page 1 of The Beast's Heart

1

JONATHAN

“This is a bullshit plan,” Zane says. “You’re going to get arrested. Who’s going to bail you out of Scottish prison?”

I know he means well, but this isn’t the pep talk I need right now. I tuck my phone under my chin while I shove my suitcase closed and sit on it for good measure.

“They wanted a teacher, they’re getting a teacher,” I say.

“They wanted a teacher with 40 years of experience. You don’t even have four months’ experience.”

“What do you suggest I do?”

There’s silence on the line. He seems to really consider it, but all he comes back with is, “Not this.”

Thisis my best attempt to protect my father.Thisis me traveling over 800 kilometers to be private tutor in a lockdown bubble in The Middle of Nowhere, Scotland.Thisis me stealing Dad’s identity to do so.

I know this is a ‘bullshit’ plan, but it’s the only plan I’ve managed to come up with.

My father is ill. When they found the little lump in his brain last June, the doctors said it was slow-growing and unlikely to cause any more problems for years. Well, they were wrong.

He was due to start this new job—the one I’ve stolen—in September. Just as well the timeline was pushed back because the lump started growing again in December. And would Dad call and quit? No. Despite my pleading, despite numerous arguments, he was determined to take this job. Now, in late March, he remains just as determined. He wants to stay independent, to keep our big, rambling house—despite the fact that the rest of my siblings moved out years ago. He wants to continue to do the job he’s so good at for as long as he possibly can. And maybe, if it was any other job, I would have let him.

But this isn’t any job.

Adam “The Beast” De Villeneuve, the famous ex-wrestler, has taken it upon himself to foster four children in the lap of luxury. Said lap being a Highland estate where their every need will be met—including a private tutor. Said Highland estate? Two hours away from the nearest doctor.

So, when Dad refused to budge, I took the choice out of his hands.

The thing is, we both have the same name. We both graduated from the same course at the same university. We both have the same career. We’realmostthe same person, give or take a few decades (and a sexual orientation). We’re similar enough on paper that when I made some calls to the De Villeneuve foundation and changed a few profile and contact details, no harried staff member blinked an eye. Yes, it’s fraud. I absolutely, one hundred percent, social engineered my way to stealing my father’s identity.

Hence the Scottish prison.

Zane is Dad’s best friend, even though there’s a 30-year age difference between them. I guess it’s the type of bond that can only form in combat (where combat is teaching at the same school for nearly six years). Since Dad’s health problems started, Zane’s hardly left his side. When Dad realizes what I’ve done,Zane’s going to be the one on damage control. I want him to at least have the full story.

And it’s now or never. In a few minutes, a driver is going to collect me from the BnB where I’ve been in quarantine for two weeks.

With the pandemic, not only is De Villeneuve’s estate isolated but it’sisolated. No one in or out without quarantine. And, from what I hear, cell reception is spotty. It would be a great set up for a gothic horror.

My gut twists. Now I’m confessing everything to Zane, it’s actually starting to feel a bit horrific. It’s more real now that he knows. More real and more insane.

“Look,” I say. “This whole thing De Villeneuve is doing is just for the press. They won’t really care who the tutor is as long as they haveatutor. And I am a teacher. My nameisJonathan Belle. If they realize they’ve got the wrong one, they’ll put it down to a simple misunderstanding.”

“Ifthey realize?” I can picture Zane pacing across his classroom, but the schools are empty and the little ones he teaches will be at home now. He must be pacing across his new living room. “Your dad went through an interview process. There were phone calls. Probably video calls. What century do you think this is? No, really, I mean that. I’m concerned you really think it’s the 1800s and don’t just dress like it.”

That stings. I look down at my suspenders and paisley tie. Zane wears designer brands and turns heads wherever he goes. If there is a direct inverse version of ‘gay man’ to Zane, it would be me. Awkward, nerdy, fair-haired and foppish.

I adjust my glasses. “The people actually at the estate won’t be the same people who hired Dad. I’ll be one member in an army of staff giving the children the fairytale treatment for the cameras.” I stand and lift my suitcase. “Don’t worry about me, worry about Dad.”

Dad’s going to be furious. He’s going to be so disappointed. He’s never going to forgive me. The knot in my stomach tightens.

“Iamworried about your Dad.” Zane sounds exhausted. “Your heart’s in the right place, Babybel. It’s always in the damn right place.” I cringe at the moniker. He thinks it’s fun because he calls Dad ‘Belle’. It feels both affectionate and incredibly patronizing. “But there has to be a better solution than this. One that doesn’t put your head on the chopping block. I don’t know how much you’ve read up about your new employer, but The Beast isn’t someone you want as an enemy.”

I did read up about him. A little. Small town boy from Wyoming turned famous pro wrestler. Was at the height of his career, about to be crowned champion, when his husband passed away suddenly. He quit and disappeared from the spotlight. I’m tempted to ask Zane what he means. But no, I’m not going to take the bait. I’m nervous enough as it is.

“It’s going to be fine, De Villeneuve won’t even be there. I’m sure he’s got better things to do in New York or London” (he has apartments in both cities according to his Wikipedia page). “He’ll probably jet in for a photo op once or twice and I’ll just lay low when he does.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to reassure Zane or myself. “This solution is a bit… offbeat. But it’s really win-win. Dad’s safe and he gets the money. If you think about it, it’s really win-win-win because I’ll get some excellent work experience too.”

“You’re as stubborn as your old man.”

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