Page 3 of Ella's Masquerade
Shit. He noticed and now—
“You must be the infamous Trayton Nacht,” Charlie drawled, his shoulders tightening beneath his blazer jacket as he faced the front of the room.
“I’m not sure aboutinfamous” was the reply. Goose bumps pebbled across my skin, the newcomer’s voice deep and masculine with a slight lilt. “And I prefer Tray.”
A glance around the room confirmed I wasn’t the only female affected.
Gleams of interest came from the feminine population, while jealousy mingled with curiosity on the male faces. I couldn’t see the new guy, but he clearly had a physical impact.
Which explained Charlie’s defensive stance.
He didn’t take kindly to men who threatened his position as the hottest guy in the school. Only Dash could share it with him.
Although, some would argue it was Charlie who actually shared the spot with Dash. Not the other way around.
Regardless, this new guy clearly provided some competition.
“Charlie Anderson,” Darlington Academy’s prince informed the newcomer. “Son of Jackson Anderson.”
Silence.
After a long beat, Tray said, “Oh, sorry. Was that supposed to mean something to me?”
My lips quirked up.Wrong thing to say, buddy.But admirable at the same time.
“Owner of Anderson Motors,” Charlie replied, folding his arms. His back was still to me, blocking my view of the new guy. But I could sense the tension rising between them.
“Yeah, sorry, I’m not familiar with the American automotive industry. But congratulations on the relation.” He stepped around him, providing me with my first look at the guy who dared defy Darlington royalty.
Reddish-brown hair.
Square jaw.
Strong neck.
Lack of an understanding on how to properly wear the academy uniform—a leather jacket was not the same thing as a blazer.
He plopped down at the table in front of me, everything about his lazy sprawl saying how he felt about Charlie’s little inquisition. “I do not give a fuck” was practically plastered to the dude’s forehead.
Well, this would make things interesting.
How long would his little rebel act last against the princes of Darlington Academy?
I gave him a week before they recruited him into their circle. He had just the right amount of arrogance to qualify, and his looks certainly guaranteed him entrance to the female elite’s bedrooms. This was all just a glorified interview to see how quickly he succumbed to their power. Once he did, he’d be given a status. And the rest would be history.
Professor Montgomery entered with a flourish, dispelling Charlie’s chance to follow up with the new guy. “Be seated, be seated,” she said, waving her arms around with the words. The woman always did have a flair for the dramatic. With her wiry white hair pulled back in a severe bun, she resembled a strict woman. But kindness lurked in her bright blue gaze.
I adored her and her crazy methods.
Such as now. She narrowed her gaze at Trayton Nacht and snapped her fingers. “Well, on with your introduction, then.”
Straight to the point, as always.
I smirked as he sat up a little straighter and cleared his throat.
Yeah, Montgomery doesn’t play.
“Tray,” he said.
