Page 72 of The Prom

“Same.” I cling onto him and bury my face in his chest and he groans. “I usually have all the answers, Imogen, but I’m struggling with the questions this time.”

“Then take them one at a time, because the answer may be easier than you thought. It doesn’t always have to be complicated, Drake. Not when you take things slowly and think about it carefully.”

“I guess.”

He pulls back and sighs into the darkness. “This place is creepy as fuck. It suits the academy perfectly.”

He releases me and grasps my hand. “I need to get the fuck out of here. Are you up for that?”

“Where?”

My heart rate increases as his smile catches on my uncertainty.

“Wherever the road takes us.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Meet me in the lane as before in twenty minutes.”

“I’ll be there.”

He dips his head and as his lips find mine, it’s like a sigh of relief for my heart. Kissing Drake puts all the problems right, and nothing can interfere with us. We are a team—at least I hope we are and whoever that girl is, she is a problem that Drake will solve. I have no doubt about that.

THIRTY-FOUR

DRAKE

I need to get the fuck out of here. The academy is messing with my mind and I’m not leaving Imogen behind. I need her where I can see her - care for her – protect her – love her.

Love isn’t something I’ve experienced before. Not in this way. I love my Reaper brothers, the life we have and the job I do. I love my family, my friends and my life, but I have never loved a woman. Not in this way. Not where I ache when they aren’t with me and they consume my thoughts. I shouldn’t be with her. She is my forbidden obsession, and I’m shocked at how easily I disregard that. It’s as if none of that matters. She is mine and I must protect her. We are a team no matter what anyone says and if her father has something to say about that, I’m prepared to argue our case to the bitter end.

I respect Flash. Fuck, more than most guys, but I fell in love with his daughter, which is a huge problem for me. She is in danger, and I’m not known for treading carefully. I’m liable to burn this fucking cesspit down if anyone lays one finger on my girl.

I see her waiting in the lane and my heart clenches. She is so beautiful. The perfect woman in every way and today is a selfish act of taking what I want and fuck the consequences.

“Hey.”

Her smile blinds me as she slips into the passenger seat and I breathe a sigh of relief. “Hey.”

My smile is gentle as I note the concern in her eyes. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”

“Of course.”

I steer the car toward the open road and the tension fades with every second we leave the academy behind.

“Last night was an education in more ways than one.”

“What happened?”

I don’t miss the anxiety in her words and hate it.

“It appears that The Claiming isn’t as undetected as you all think.”

“They know!” Her horrified gasp echoes through the car and I nod, my expression grim.

“The principal has her own club and while you are all occupied, so is she.”

“Club?”

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