Page 43 of Killing Me Softly

His thoughts spiralled, a storm of questions and emotions he couldn’t quiet.

“I’d like to introduce you all to a new member of the faculty.” Kenny gestured to the woman standing just behind him. “Dr Laura Pryce will support you on your final journey here, and with your dissertation projects.”

Aaron’s heart plummeted as Dr Pryce stepped forward, her presence commanding without effort. She squeezed Kenny’s shoulder. Too familiar. Too intimate. And Aaron tightened his grip on his pen until it snapped with a sharp crack. Shit. That pen probably cost a fortune. Mel turned to him, concern in her eyes, but before she could say anything, Dr Pryce’s voice cut through the tension.

“Thank you, Dr Lyons. If I may…” She gestured to the class with a polished smile.

Kenny stepped back, his face giving nothing away as he yielded the floor to her. Yet as he shifted to lean against the wall, his gaze fell on Aaron. It was brief, subtle, but enough to makeAaron’s chest tighten. He stared back, wishing desperately that he could read Kenny’s thoughts, that all those nights tangled in each other’s arms had given him some psychic insight. But no amount of studying psychology, or being fucked by a doctor of it, could give him that.

Dr Pryce clapped her hands. “Thank you, Dr Lyons, for the introduction. He and I actually go way back, don’t we?” She turned to Kenny with a knowing smile, and he gave her a polite nod, nothing more. “We’ve crossed paths at several conferences over the years, most recently the one we’ve just returned from in Barcelona.”

Aaron’s stomach churned as he watched Kenny nod again, his face neutral, unreadable, and Aaron closed his eyes briefly, only to open them again when Mel nudged him.

“Hey.” She leaned closer. “He was in Barcelona, too? Weird.”

Aaron didn’t respond, his focus stayed on Dr Pryce as she continued. “Barcelona is a wonderful city. Wouldn’t you agree, Kenny? What was your favourite part? Perhaps a suggestion for any students who might visit?”

Kenny hesitated, the slightest shift in his stance betraying him. “The Bunkers del Carmel is a beautiful spot. Especially at sundown.”

Aaron fluttered his eyes closed, feeling Mel’s eyes on him, heavy and bruising, working it all out.

“Take note, students, if any of you are thinking of travelling after graduation,” Dr Pryce said with a saccharine smile. “But, now to business. I’ll be here to assist Dr Lyons with your final projects. As I’m sure he doesn’t mind me sharing, he’s recently had some upsetting personal news and may take compassionate leave. But don’t worry, I’m here to ensure you all get the support you need.”

Aaron clenched his hands into fists under the desk as he saw the irritation flash across Kenny’s face. Kenny cracked his neckfrom side to side, jaw tightening as though biting back a retort. But the punishing jab of Mel’s boot crushing down on his foot sent a shockwave of pain up his leg before he could analyse what the fuck was going on.

“Ow,fuck!” The curse tore out of him before he could stop it and suddenly every head in the room turned on him.

Glaring at Mel, he offered no apology. And Mel offered no reprieve as she glared right back at him. So he sank lower in his seat and waited for Dr Pryce to continue.

“Let me give you a brief insight into my background.” She perched on the edge of the front table, eyes down. “I’ve spent my career working in various settings focused on understanding and treating the minds of individuals with severe psychological disturbances. My longest tenure was as the lead psychiatrist at Ravenholm Children’s Psychiatric Hospital. A facility some of you may recognise. It’s one of the few institutions dedicated to housing and rehabilitating some of the youngest individuals involved in criminal activity, many of whom face profound psychological challenges.”

Ravenholm. Aaron froze at the name. He’d heard of it. Too many whispers and half-formed stories to ignore. The place where his sister was sent after their parents’ arrest. Her last known residence. Kenny had given him that information himself. And after months of badgering his own case officer at the UKPSS, all she’d given him was that single line after months of waiting. A prior placement. Just enough to confirm she’d been there, nothing more. His thoughts spiralled out of control until Mel’s boot pressed down harder on Aaron’s foot, and he silently pleaded with her to stop. She only stared him down with growing intensity.

Pryce prattled on.

“So,” Pryce concluded an hour later, tone bright and final, “I’ll be setting up one-to-one meetings with you all in the nextfew days to discuss your projects. Let’s go in alphabetical order by first name, shall we?” She clicked her fingers at the master’s student, who handed her a list. “The first person I’ll be meeting with is…”

Aaron closed his eyes. Offuckingcourse she’d go alphabetically. He should have known choosing the first name on that list they gave him would bite him on the arse.

“MrAaronJones.”

Aaron’s heart thundered as she scanned the room, eyes landing on him. She knew. She fucking knew.

“Don’t be shy.” She grinned. “Give us a wave so I know who you are.”

She knew who he was. And just like back during their first meeting over a breakfast bistro table, Aaron remained mute.

But Mel jabbed her knee to his, and Aaron shot her a glare before reluctantly raising his hand. Pryce’s gaze lingered for an agonising moment too long.

“Ah, good. Expect my meeting invitation to come through to you shortly.”

Aaron turned back to Kenny, watching. Their gazes met, locked, and Aaron wanted the world to stop spinning. To freeze so he could launch down there and demand an answer. But before anything could pass between them, Pryce’s voice sliced through the air again.

“Thank you, class. Expect your meetings soon and have a wonderful start to your final year.” She turned to Kenny with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Dr Lyons, a word?”

Aaron sat frozen, his pulse pounding in his ears, as Kenny pushed off the wall and followed her out of the room.

“Holy mother of fuckingGod!” Mel slapped Aaron hard on the arm. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

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