Page 106 of Holy Hearts
“Aw, that’s too bad. When I was your age—before I met Melanie, of course—I had dates every weekend. You’re young. You should be out on the town.”
My teeth ache from grinding them so hard. “Yes, well, my job keeps me busy. Did you have something to discuss, or is my dating life an agenda item at our next board meeting?” I ask, not bothering to mask my annoyance.
Rod huffs a laugh. “Apologies, Malakai. It just pains me that a good, Christian man like yourself isn’t married with kids yet.” I sit down behind my desk and rest one leg over the opposite ankle, leaning back and narrowing my eyes, waiting for him to continue. “Anyway, I’m just here to discuss Bradleigh Evans.”
No surprise there.
Leaning forward, I pin him with a hard stare. “No offense,Rod, but don’t you have better things to worry about?”
His smile falls off his face, and suddenly his expression is what I can only describe asugly.
“I do, actually. Which is why I want to move forward with moving her to another school. This issue has already taken up enough of my time, and I want her gone.”
My nostrils flare, but otherwise I keep my composure. As much as I want to tell him to fuck off, that won’t help her or any of our other marginalized students.
Because he certainly won’t stop with Bradleigh.
I have to get my point across now, because as much as I hate it, heison the board. Unfortunately, his opinion matters. If I lose my cool on him, it will only give him ammunition to pursue his campaign of hate against my other students.
If a society is too tolerant of intolerance, it will eventually be dominated by intolerance, which will therefore undermine the principle of tolerance itself.
“Bradleigh is staying at Saint Helena. I have a meeting with Victoria Evans next week. End of discussion.”
Rod starts to open his mouth to retort, but I cut him off, my tone sharp and unyielding.
“Let me make one thing abundantly clear, Rod. Saint Helena stands for inclusivity, dignity, and respect for all students. If you cannot uphold those values, you are welcome to step aside from your position on the board. I will not tolerate any actions, overt or covert, that seek to marginalize or harm any student under my care. Not Bradleigh. Not anyone. Not ever. Do I make myself clear?”
The silence between us is thick, but I hold his gaze until he nods curtly. The message has been delivered.
“You’ve made yourself more than clear, Ravage, and it’s given me a lot of insight into what you stand for,” Rod says, eyes narrowing just enough to suggest he knows more than he lets on. “Let’s hope the board appreciates your forward thinking as much as you think they do.”
Just then, my phone chimes. I glance down, brow furrowing when I see that it’s a text from Julian. Picking it up, I give Rod a hard look before opening the message.
Everything inside of me grows hot, and I nearly drop my phone when a picture of Sophie on the ground comes through. Rubbing my mouth, I take in the way Julian posed her to show off her spread legs—and his cum visibly dripping out of it. The caption makes me hard instantly.
Julian
I did taste you. Thanks for the appetizer.
Fuck.
My.
Life.
Locking my phone, I set it down and look back at Rod, who is watching me curiously.
“Everything okay?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.
“Everything’s fine, Rod.” I gesture at the door. “If you don’t mind, I have some work to do before leaving for the day.”
Rod stands slowly, straightening his too big suit and giving me a pointed look. “This isn’t over, Ravage.”
I meet his gaze with an unwavering calm that I know will infuriate him more than any retort.
“You’re right, Rod. It isn’t over, because as long as I’m headmaster, there will always be someone here to stand between your hatred and my students. Good evening.”
He glares at me as he turns and walks out without another word.
