Page 12 of Crown of Thorns
We both glance at the one in my hand, but it stays silent.
“That yours?”
She shakes her head. Drying her hands, she walks up to my briefcase and slides out a phone. A brand-new iPhone 16, silver and gleaming.That’sthe one ringing with a text.
“What on earth...” I stare at the phone.
Anonymous: I own your world now, Professor.
No emojis. No name. Just that one sentence.
My heart kicks. The hum of the fridge becomes a roar in my ears. My fingers tremble above the glass.
It’s Louis, I know it is. But how the hell did he manage to sneak the damn phone into my briefcase?
“Nooms, you alright?” Melody asks.
I swallow. “Yeah. Yes. Just a late message from work.”
“Hmm. Well, it’s a nice phone.”
“Yeah.” I get up and press a kiss to her forehead, trying to shake off the unease. “Nothing important. I’m off to bed.”
“Bonne nuit.”
I brush my teeth, change into my oldest shirt, and crawl under the covers. Melo's light clicks off a few minutes later.
But I can’t sleep.
The silver phone gleams on my dresser like a loaded gun, silent, smug, waiting. Daring me to reach for it.
I’m in trouble. Not just with my job. Not just with the rules. But with him.
Louis Deveraux.
My thoughts circle like vultures. I keep replaying it. His eyes, his words, that look like he already knows how this ends.
I need a plan. Because that text wasn’t a threat.
It was an invitation.
And Louis? He doesn’t play to lose.
4
NOAH
My eyes snap open at the sound of an unfamiliar tune. It’s still dark behind the curtains. Clutching my blanket, I turn to grab my phone. No notifications. It's not even six in the morning. My alarm isn't due for another hour. What woke me up?
There’s that tune again. No.
My heart jumps to my throat as I slowly grab the other phone. Two unread messages:
Anonymous: You know what I’m thinking of? That gorgeous body of yours. Don’t make me beg for a little preview.
Anonymous: Make it worth my time.
I roll back onto my back with a groan. That little menace. That smug, insufferable menace. That bloody nuisance.
