Page 40 of The Prom

“Any ideas”’ Flash asks and Ryder shakes his head. “Not one, which is why I need more intelligence rather than risk defeat.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Flash is trying not to sound anxious, but it’s obvious he is fast losing his shit.

“We follow Jesse and Jenna Sloane. They are our only leads, and we allow them to do what comes naturally while protecting our own.”

“That’s your fucking plan!” Flash yells with frustration and I’ve got to hand it to him. He’s a braver man than me to raise his voice against Ryder King.

The air stills as he realizes his mistake and as Ryder fixes him with a hard glare, he holds up his hand.

“I’m sorry, prez. I trust you, of course I do, but Imogen is up close and personal with a fucking maniac and I’d rather just pull her from the situation along with Cassie and Jack.”

Ryder nods, understanding heavy in his eyes.

“And you think I don’t?” He huffs a frustrated sigh before saying wearily. “Ever heard the saying, keep your friends close but your enemies closer?”

“Of course.” Flash answers and I nod my affirmation.

Ryder sighs, “Ashton reminded me of that when I blew my shit when I found out in the first place. She told me to trust my daughter’s judgment and possibly the safest place for her is in the eye of the storm. Frankie Majerio may be born into a fucking deranged dynasty, but they have a moral code I respect when it comes to their own. Jack assures me that Frankie is protectiveof Cassie and that was enough to set my mind at ease. Imogen, however–”

He offers Flash a sympathetic smile. “She is nothing like Cassie. She’s soft, compassionate and doesn’t like to take risks. Her heart is spun from pure gold and many view her as a vulnerable option. But we know she is not. She has a skeleton of steel inside her that will serve her well.”

“But unlike Cassie, she is tight with a fucking deranged maniac.” Flash groans, and I’m surprised when Ryder shakes his head.

“Jack assures me that underneath it all, Jesse is a good guy who is just easily manipulated. He believes they can divert him away from Jenna Sloane and that may be true, but the lady herself may have other plans.”

“So, what are your plans, Ryder? Because the sooner this is over the sooner I’ll sleep at night.”

I detect frown lines on the face of a usually easy-going guy and my heart spears me from inside. I’ve let him down and I should come clean but instead I fall silent as Ryder huffs, “The plan is to wait for Jenna Sloane to make her move with Jesse. Imogen is aware of the danger and has her guardian angel in place.”

He turns to me and a thoughtful gleam lights his eyes. “Keep her close and eyes on Jesse. If you haven’t already, tell her never to be alone with him without help a call away and to be on her guard in a crowd.”

“Fuck!”

Flash’s tortured groan doesn’t help the situation, and Ryder sighs. “So, we will monitor Jenna Sloane’s movements and you do the same for Jesse. They will lead us to Christian at some point and, if I’m guessing correctly, it’s only a matter of time before we learn the identity of the snake charmer himself. Jenna is in danger and we must deal with that and Drake–”

Ryder’s eyes find mine and he growls, “Your mission is to keep Imogen safe and discover if anyone else is involved. A new teacher or an existing one perhaps because it’s doubtful that Christian would let a gold mine for recruits like Rockwell be without an officer installed.”

I nod and as he wraps the meeting up, he nods at Flash. “Join the others. I need a word with Drake.”

Flash nods and before he leaves, he thumps me on the back and whispers, “Take care of my little girl, Drake. I’m depending on you.”

He leaves me feeling like the biggest asshole who ever lived and as he disappears into the darkness, Ryder fixes me with a hard glare.

“Anything to tell me, soldier?”

Fuck and double fuck. Of course he knows.

He leans against the wooden strut, holding the veranda up and I stand before him like a naughty kid caught stealing apples from the farmer’s field.

“Imogen.”

I don’t know where to begin, and I sigh heavily. “I may have overstepped the boundary.”

It’s always best to come clean to Ryder. It’s not worth hiding the gruesome facts, especially as it’s obvious he already knows something went down.

He remains silent and I add, “How do you know?”

The fact I’ve admitted nothing is inconsequential. It’s as if we are speaking telepathically as he shrugs. “You were uncomfortable around Flash. You told me yourself by your actions.”

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