Page 36 of Ruthless Deliverance

“Well, look at it this way—that scene helps your cover because no one would ever think a cop would get in a food fight in middle of the café.”

“Exactly. It shouldn’t have happened, and I shouldn’t have been involved in it, or with you.”

My phone vibrates with a message as I look to the screen. “Fucking fantastic.” I hold the phone up to Creed. “It’s my dad telling me we’ll discuss the food fight incident when he gets back tomorrow.” So at least now I know where Cabot is. He’s not running my credentials, he’s calling my guardian, who is most likely ready to choke me. At least his business trip will give Philip a night to cool off before we have to have yet another Ways Dani Screwed Up the Case seminar.

“He’ll get over it.”

“Yeah. Just like you do, right?”

“This isn’t about me. It’s about what you’re willing to put yourself through to save your real daddy.”

“When I said keep his name out of your mouth, I meant it.” I can’t handle him using my dad against me. Not right now.

“Not a daddy’s girl but still protecting him. Almost like you’re seeking some kind of approval or something.”

“No, dumb fuck. You already know everything, so you know I’m trying to keep him out of jail. If you don’t have to pay for your crimes, why should he?” Folding my arms across my chest, I look away from him. “At least his antics only hurt himself.”

“I wish it’d been me.” His pained words scrape across my nerves. I want to hold onto my anger at him. But when I turn to see the torment on his face, I know he’s cracking my defense. The only armor I have is my animosity towards him, but it’s slipping way too easily because I don’t like the pain my jab exposed.

We remain silent for a few minutes until the door swings open, Cabot steps through and closes it behind him before making his way over to his desk and having a seat behind it. “Okay. So, which one of you care to explain that display?”

“Does my story really matter? Because you’ve already informed my dad of what you think occurred.” Which confirms it doesn’t matter what is said in this sham of a meeting. He already has his mind made up and even knowing Creed was the instigator, he won’t get served any consequences. It’s good, being that the reason we’re here has nothing to do with the flying food, but it’s frustrating as hell to think that Creed could burn the entire school down and no one would bat an eye.

“Yes, Miss Graham, I’d like to know what possessed you to throw food and assault your fellow classmate.”

“You’ve met him. Do you really need me to answer that question?”

A chuckle comes from Creed, but I still don’t find any humor in this clusterfuck.

“It was my fault.” The idiot takes credit because he knows there still won’t be repercussions, and he’s clearly enjoying this as he turns a smile to me. “I’m sorry, baby. I should’ve been more concerned with your needs.”

I’m gonna choke him.

Creed nods to the door at a shocked Cabot. “Give us a minute. She just needs to cool off because I ruined her favorite skirt.”

“Sure thing. But I really need to see less of you two in here.” Cabot rises and wastes no time exiting the office, pulling the door closed behind him.

“I still think you could find out more from him. You all but have his nut sack in a vice grip.”

“Yeah. Well, even when someone has our balls, they don’t always have complete control.”

“Whatever the fuck that means.” I rise from the chair, and step behind the desk. Pulling the drawers open, I scan through the contents of each quickly, but nothing looks out of place. Clicking on the computer, the screen lights up as a box for a password comes up. “Do you know it?”

Creed replies without hesitation, and it works.

“You know the principal’s password. Nothing odd about that.”

“Some people are just predictable. But you won’t find anything on that system. He wouldn’t link it to something that the administration has access too.”

“So what? A home computer? It’s not like we can add breaking and entering to the rap sheet. I can only get so many passes before I’ll have actual consequences to deal with, unlike some of us.”

Swiftly, Creed is behind me as I turn, my ass hitting the desk as he places a hand on either side of me. “Just because I don’t have the consequences you think I deserve doesn’t mean I don’t have any.”

“Then it’s not enough. Because most people learn from real penalties that are suffered. But maybe you just need more time since you’re all of eighteen.”

He shifts forward, one hand rising to my face as his thumb brushes over my lips. “And what were those consequences for you, ma’am? What valuable lesson did you learn that you can pass on to me?”

“There’s no point in wasting time. Because even if I tell you anything, you’re not changing. You’re set in your ways. And that is your way or the highway.”