PROLOGUE
BERTRAM
“Breakthrough Academy, how can I help you?”
“Good afternoon. My name is Bertram Van Doren. My stepdaughter, Riley, is a new student of yours and I wanted to know how she was settling in.”
“Oh, Mr. Van Doren, what a pleasure. Riley has adjusted to life here quite well. There have been no issues so far.”
“I’m glad to hear that. “I want to send her a care package. Something to help her feel more at home.”
“Of course. Students are not allowed personal items in their rooms—we find regiment and uniformity help to keep everyone in line. However, you are welcome to write her letters, and we do, of course, have Parents’ Weekend twice a year, which you and your wife are welcome to attend. The first one of the academic year will be next weekend.”
“Unfortunately we will be unable to attend,” I state brusquely. Now that I have what I called for, I’m done with this conversation.
“Oh, that is such a shame. I know Riley was hoping to see Aurora.”
I pause. “Aurora?”
“Her, uh, daughter? God, I hope I remembered her name correctly.”
Daughter?
“Oh, Aurora, yes. Yes, of course.” The cover falls seamlessly from my lips. “Apologies, I was unaware that you knew of her. Thank you so much for your help. I’ll be sure to write to Riley shortly. Goodbye.”
I hang up before she can respond, staring at the payphone as the receptionist’s words drill into my skull.
Daughter.
“Aurora.” I say the name slowly, grinning slyly.
Well, isn’t this an interesting turn of events.
1
RILEY
My hands are shaking so badly that I struggle to get my key in the door. When I finally do, I stumble through it, taking in the sight of my apartment for the first time since Logan picked me up after work, drugged me, and proceeded to chain me to a stripper pole, all in the name of Grayson getting his revenge.
I fall to the floor, barely feeling the knock my knees take as everything crashes down around me.
The fear I felt when I woke up in that house.
The shock of discovering Grayson attended Halston.
That he’d known I was here.
That Logan and Royce were his friends.
It explained so much about why Logan had pulled away. Why Royce kept showing up at the club.
And now Royce knows my greatest secret.
He knows about Aurora.
I cave inward.
There wasn’t any other way. I don’t regret letting him find out; I just wish he didn’t have to.