Page 64 of Payback

“May I return to the academy, please?” I held my breath.

Rudolph glowered at me with a cold glower that chilled me to the marrow. “Of course, Emilia. We’ll be staying at Elfwynn House until the end of term. In the meantime, please try to stay away from bad influences and don’t break your mother’s heart.”

He nodded at the guard outside, who opened the limousine door, letting in warm, fresh air. Henry stepped forward, but the guard held out his palm, indicating for him to proceed no further.

Mom raised her head and mouthed, “Go.”

“Ummm… Bye.” I stepped out onto the curb and passed Rudolph’s guard. My legs shook so much, I practically collapsed on Henry’s chest.

“What happened?” He held me up with his strong arms.

“Let’s go back to Elder House,” I whispered.

“What about your Mother?”

“She told me to leave.” I glanced over my shoulder. The guard stepped into the limo, and the vehicle pulled out. “So far, Rudolph only wants to hurt those closest to her.” I pulled on his arm, and we hurried toward the main teaching block. “Where are Blake and Edward?”

“They took a jeep to the gatehouse in case they needed to follow you through the streets.”

I blew out a breath of relief and pulled my phone from the pocket of my blazer. My hands shook so much, I couldn’t tap in my passcode.

“Do you want to call them?” he asked.

I nodded.

Henry pulled out his phone and called Blake, who said to meet them in front of Elder House. I clamped my lips together and didn’t speak. It would take ages to make sense of what had just happened and to explain the reason behind Rudolph’s machinations. We walked through the main teaching block in silence. Henry stared down at me, as though waiting for me to say something.

We stepped out of the building, into the busy sports day fete. The sounds of younger children whooping mingled into the cheers of the crowds watching a race on the lawn that I couldn’t see. I met his green eyes and forced a smile, even though nausea churned in my belly.

In the shock of seeing that compilation of stills and video, I’d forgotten to mention that I had a copy of Rudolph’s Skype-sex session. We continued down the path of magnolia trees toward Elder House.

Charlotte jogged after us. “Henry, did you see—”

“Not now,” he snapped.

She overtook us and blocked our path, eyes blazing. “What’s wrong with you?”

Henry pulled me to his side and continued past her along the magnolia path.

“If you walk away from me, you’ll regret it,” her voice shook. “I’ve spent years trying to get your attention. You were aloof and unattainable, and the few flirty glances you sent my way kept me going.”

“Charlotte,” he said in a weary voice. “Give up. You were never my type.”

“Because you like pretty boys. Like Blake Simpson-West and Emilia Hobson,” she snapped.

Charlotte’s petty digs slid over me like a breeze, and I stared straight ahead, gaze fixed on Elder House. She was nothing compared to Rudolph, a madman who would keep coming at me until I was no longer in a state—mental or otherwise—to fight back. Then there was no telling what he would do to Mom.

As we continued past, she spat, “You wouldn’t know what to do with a real woman if she sat on your face!”

Pausing, Henry glanced over his shoulder. “I hope you find what you’re looking for because it isn’t me.”

Charlotte staggered back and sat on a bench with the brass plaque dedicated to Nicodemus Underwood. Up ahead in the distance, the jeep pulled up outside Elder House. We didn’t stick around to see what she would do or say next.

I wrapped my fingers around the hand propping me up by the waist and exhaled. “Right now, I need you, Blake and Edward to take my mind off this mess.”

Chapter 18

Blake reversed the jeep round to the side of Elder House. He and Edward hurried out and met us at the end of the path of magnolia trees. Edward’s posture relaxed a few inches, presumably from relief, and Blake pressed his hand on his chest and sagged.