Page 25 of Dean's Delinquent

“No!” The strident note in her voice cuts me to the core as she stands back up and shoves a finger in my chest. “You listen. If you think one frat overdosing is the end of it, you’re wrong. Dead wrong. There are more victims than him. All I have to do is uncover them. Then you’ll have no choice but to listen.”

My gut clenches as my mind drifts back to the body we recovered in the hedge maze. Could she possibly know about that one and is just waiting for the right time to bring it up? Hell, is she wanting to sit on this to make yet another sensational article? Something to stir the students to riot?

As much as I hate giving her any leeway, I have to back down for the moment. I need her to feel safe enough to let things slip. Then, and only then, will I be able to trap her.

If she does have any information on the actual confirmed murder, that means she either had a hand in it, knew about it, or was in contact with someone who does. Possibly all three. It might also mean it’s not as simple as one of Louis’s boys playing ‘protector’ over Marnie.

“I’m listening.”

“No, you’re not,” she spits out. “You’re just placating me. I won’t stand for it. I’m not an idiot here. I know exactly what’s going on.”

The hairs on the back of my neck rise as she paces in front of my desk. She knows something. In my gut, I know it as if it’s a confirmed fact.

“I’m not your father. I’m not merely trying to get you to shut up. Please. What information do you have? I’m sure it can be very helpful in this investigation.”

For a moment, she stops and stares at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Yep. Hit a nerve. And dammit all, I’ll do it again if it gets her to open that mouth of hers.

“There’s still an investigation? You haven’t swept this under the rug yet?”

“Things like this don’t go away so easily.” Granted, with having members of the local police also be members of The Society, it certainly helps things. Not that she’ll ever know that.

“Funny. I thought you would have squashed it by now.” She tilts her head to the side, as if confused. “Unless youdothink there was foul play also.”

This time, it’s my turn to be confused. So she’s not talking about the murder at all. Does this mean she really doesn’t know? “Are we still talking about the overdose?”

Her nose crinkles in that adorable way that never fails to make my balls clench and my dick pulse. “Yes. What else would I be talking about? Wait. Did something else happen? You have to tell me. Off the record, of course.”

A smirk lifts the edges of my lips. “I don’t think anything I ever say to you will be off the record, my little fae loopholer.”

Though it’s wildly inappropriate of me to call her my anything, I hope such a small endearment might offset her enough that she’ll forget all about this exchange between us. The very last thing I need is for her to get mucked up in all of this. Especially if the Ravens and Wolves were involved.

As I hoped, a soft hint of red washes over her cheeks as she ducks her head a bit. “I’m not all that bad. I promise. I really need to know. Please.”

That one word is like a punch to the gut. It nearly trembles from her lips as she leans forward, her gaze trained on me as if I hold all the answers to her unspoken need. A fucking wet dream come to life.

“Is that a hint of desperation I hear in your voice?” Unfortunately, I can’t seem to keep the growl of satisfaction out of mine.

How I so long to hear that sound again but in a far different capacity. It doesn’t take my imagination long to picture her underneath me, body red from a disciplinary session I’m sure she deserved, her eyes shining with need. ‘Please.’ Just hearing that soft beg in her tone, that needy whine at the back of her throat.

God, I have it bad. Forget her seeing Doctor Andrew. I might have to make a visit as well. I can’t allow myself to keep getting pulled under her spell. And yet, when I look at her, all I can see are her wide eyes just silently begging me.

“And if it is?” This time, her voice is soft.

Long gone is the strident, argumentative tone. That’s enough to help me sober up.

A heavy sigh flits from my lips as I make my way back around to sit at my desk. How easy would it be to scoop her up into my arms and have her just sit on my lap as I rock away whatever demons chase her?

“I can’t help if you don’t talk to me.”

“It’s Marnie. I mean. I know you don’t know her-“

“Dupire?”

Please. Please don’t let this be about Marnie Dupire. The last fucking thing I need is for an innocent girl like Ashleigh to get caught up in all this secret society Ravens and Wolves mess. Again, her nose scrunches, giving me just a glimmer of hope as she pulls out her phone.

“Yes. Dupire. But how did you-“

“She pulled out of her classes so she could deal with a family emergency. With all students who leave, I’m made aware so I can decide whether or not to cut them completely or hold things until they can come back.”

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