“I’ll make my confession in the morning.” He straddled his bike, “See you around, little fox.” He stared me up and down and licked his lips. “You can count on it.”
Only at school and never alone again. I didn’t trust that smile.
I slipped into the trees, waiting to leave until he drove out of sight, worried that he would try to follow me and do to me what he did to the man in the ring tonight.
I could defend myself, but not against someone like him. No matter how much Ben taught me, I knew my limits.
After I made my way back into the house and lay in bed, I thought back over our conversation.
I may have royally messed up. This man was going to be trouble. I’d observed him in class after that night, and nothing about his actions gave anything away. He’d acted like it was just a normal Tuesday. That’s why I’d waited so long to approach him. But the die was cast, so it was much too late to change anything now. Hopefully, he’d keep his word, or I’d handle him the same way I did everyone else.
Swift and with no mercy.
Only time would tell.
I put my doubts aside and began drifting off to sleep, picturing the look on Lucas Rowen’s face when the principal confronted him.
He’d think twice before messing with me again.
I hoped Adrian found out. That would be the cherry on top of the shit sundae I’d served up.
CHAPTER SIX
LUCAS
I’d always believed that intent mattered.
That if you didn’t mean harm, acted within reason, and followed the rules, outcomes would eventually align with the truth. Misunderstandings could be corrected. Being professional insulated you against certain things.
That belief was shattered at 2:17 p.m. on a Friday.
“Please have a seat,” Principal Morales said in a tone I’d never had directed my way.
I sat.
Her office was immaculate—glass walls, neutral tones, framed statements about student welfare and safe learning environments. I’d been here several times before—meetings about curriculum and testing benchmarks.
She’d always been the slightest bit flirty with me, as most of the female faculty were. I was a handsome viral man. It wasn’t vanity, just a fact.
Today, there was none of that.
“This is a procedural meeting,” Morales said, her tone one of disappointment.
“There has been a complaint filed,” she narrowed her eyes, “alleging inappropriate conduct with a student.”
The words struck me suddenly, as if doused by a glass of cold water.
“Inappropriate how?” I asked carefully, slightly in shock by her accusation.
Morales frowned in disapproval, “The student reported feeling targeted. Cornered. And said that boundaries were crossed during private interactions.”
I leaned forward. “Noneof this is true. I wouldneverbe inappropriate with a student!”
“That remains to be seen, Mr. Rowen.” Her tone was clipped. “Maybe that’s why you’ve remained single. You’re only attracted to young girls.”
This fucking bitch, “I demand?—”
She raised her hand. “Pending investigation, you’ll be placed on administrative leave.”
