Page 69 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

“Then get on with it.”

“Firstly–” He frowns. “Do not flirt with other guys. It’s disrespectful.”

My mouth drops because how the hell did he find out?

“Secondly, I have no interest in anyone else and if I am otherwise occupied, it’s only business.”

“Business.” I laugh softly. “Business – here at Rockwell? Don’t take me for a fool, Luca.”

“Then don’t act like one, princess.”

His eyes flash. “I told you the truth and if you choose to disbelieve me, then you are a fool.”

I stare at him open-mouthed and his gaze narrows. “This evening I must attend to business and I would appreciate not returning to discover that you flirted with half of the faculty merely to prove you arenotinterested in me. It changes nothing but your reputation.”

“Now you’re seriously pissing me off.”

I glare at him. “Who are you to tell me what to do? Nobody and I can do what the fuck I want to.”

“If you believe that, Summer, I pity your future.”

He shrugs. “I’m stating fact, and you are better than this. So–”

He leans forward and, taking both of my hands in his, he caresses my thumb as he stares deep into my eyes. “Sign up for The Claiming. I already settled our attendance with Frankie, who has given me permission to claim you.”

“He did?” It’s as if he has defibrillated my heart because it’s beating with more life than before.

“Frankie understands that you will be happier with me. I assured him of my intentions and he won’t stand in our way.”

His words change everything. I never realized how heavy the chains were that have been dragging me down all these years until they slacken a little. It’s as if I am finally free and the man staring into my eyes with all the darkness of hell is the reason for it.

“He really said that?” I seek to confirm that I didn’t just dream that sentence and Luca smiles softly. “He did and I will not give him cause to regret his decision.”

“But–” I make to protest. To tell him to go to hell, but I would probably go there and find him anyway. I can’t deny the inevitable because there is no other guy at Rockwell that interests me, even a corner of how much this guy does. I want to dance with the devil and that devil is Luca Romano, and he has manipulated his way into getting us what we both want.

“Sign up Summer and I’ll be waiting in the dungeon to claim your heart.”

“Fuck, Luca.” I am so turned on because how can I refuse such a kind offer? The guy holding my hands so sweetly and staring into my eyes with darkened lust is every dream I ever had, and as opportunities go, I recognize the perfect one when I see it.

“Okay.”

His smile forces a matching one from me.

“I’ll meet you in the tunnels, but if I get away, you have lost your chance.”

“You won’t.” He winks and I wonder if I should just give in now because it’s as if I’m waiting for Christmas day to unwrap the one gift I have coveted ever since I knew it existed.

32

LUCA

Ieat up the distance between the Academy and Jenna Sloane’s house of ill repute. My motorbike is the perfect way to get there and I love the sense of freedom it gives me. Last time I rode, it was with Summer clutching me fearfully from her position behind me. It’s a satisfying thought that everything is falling into place concerning her.

She wasn’t aware I watched her interaction with the jocks. I have made it a skill of mine to observe without being seen, and I know what she was doing. She wasn’t interested in those guys. Her body language told me that. She was pissed that I ignored her and sought attention elsewhere.

I was right to warn her because my queen doesn’t show interest in anyone other than me just to prove a point, and what happened back in the cafeteria was to send a message out to all the students. We are together and mess with that at your peril. Summer is mine and I am not interested in anyone else.

I think they got the message and so did she.

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