Page 86 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

“All he wants is your safety, your reputation to remain and for you to be happy.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“It’s what I want, so yes, I’m positive.”

She smiles, and it catches me in the heart. That surprises me more than anything because I’m only just beginning to realize I have one. It’s laid dormant over the years. Operating but not living. It beats to keep me alive, but that is all. Now it beats to keep what I have with Summer alive because since meeting her, I have never wanted anyone as badly.

We reach my bike and she groans.

“Why did I guess that our escape involved a ride on this beast?”

I chuckle softly. “It’s the best way to reach our destination.”

I toss her the helmet. “It’s not far.”

“Thank God I’m wearing jeans this time.”

Her soft laugh drags a smile from my lips and as we settle on the bike, I prepare to reveal another corner of my mind to another human.

It doesn’t take long and as we approach the mansion nestling behind an iron gate, I flip the remote I keep in my pocket. The electric gates creak open and as we tear through them, Summer grips tightly on my waist.

The mansion is in darkness and has been for some time because there’s been no need to visit—yet, anyway.

As I cut the engine by the steps leading up to the huge front door, I remove a set of keys from my pocket and smile.

“If you want to leave at any time, just say. I’m aware this is a lot and it may not be the right time.”

Summer smiles her appreciation. “I’ll bear that in mind.”

I open the door and as soon as we head inside, I tap in the code on the alarm, because the last thing we need is to raise any kind of alarm with the authorities.

“What is this place?”

As I hit the lights, Summer gasps as she stares around at a decadent palace. The white marble gleaming under the chandeliers, a huge staircase stretching up magnificently in the center of the room.

“It’s my home away from home.”

“Seriously?” Her eyes widen as she takes everything in. “Since when?”

“Since I agreed to come here.”

“I don’t understand.”

I love her reaction and never expected the sense of freedom I’m experiencing in sharing this secret. It’s right that we are here – both of us for the first time and I shrug.

“When I agreed to come to Rockwell, my parents weren’t sure it would be a good fit for me.”

“Why not?”

I shrug. “I hate people.”

She laughs out loud. “I’d never have known.”

I grin as her face softens. “You told me you don’t mix well, but I’ve seen no evidence of that.”

“Because I am mixing with the right people, I guess. People who get me and where I’m from. It makes it easier.”

“I suppose.” A flicker of concern lights her face.

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