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As Professor Toscano speaks, I can’t help but notice he’s looking in only one direction. The student who’s seated right in front is staring at him, and he’s talking directly to her. The connection is clear—they’re attracted to one another. And when he makes a move to hand out the assignments, he lingers at her table just a bit longer than at anyone else’s.
There’s something strange about the interaction, and a niggling in my gut has me wondering about the professor himself. As the class continues, I can’t help allowing my mind to wander back to my new home. I didn’t think I would ever call the Venier mansion home, but here we are.
Perhaps I’m still in shock. My shower fantasy has taken on a surreal turn. I never believed something like that could actually happen to me. I don’t judge the three Princes. I can’t think negatively about their feelings towards each other. If I’m being honest, I find it rather sexy, butthoughts of what the future holds keep taking over my mind, and I know I need to talk to them about our complicated dynamic.
As the day passes, I’m still not sure what to do, and that’s bothering me.
Can I survive being with three men?
My mind continues to dwell on the situation I’ve found myself in, so when a hand grabs hold of my arm and spins me around, it takes me a moment to focus. When I do, I realise I’m now face-to-face with the guy Kai threatened for approaching me at the restaurant. His gaze drags over me, slowly, deliberately, and it causes a shiver of revulsion to course through me.
“What are you doing?” I bite out as I attempt to tug away from his hold, but he’s got a grip on me that makes me wince.
His fingers dig into my flesh as he pulls me up against him. No one around us bothers helping, they don’t seem concerned that this arsehole has a fierce hold on me.
“Your little boyfriend isn’t here to protect you now, princess,” he sneers down at me.
The bastard thinks I need a bodyguard to keep me safe. But when I told Judah I can take care of myself, I meant it. I’m not a helpless child.
I recall my classes of self-defence. When I turned thirteen, I was sent to learn how to protect myself from any attack. Papa always made sure I knew how to fight off anyone who wanted to hurt me. He knew I would be in danger when people learnt my identity. He said, should anything happen to me, I would have the skills to defend myself. He knew, deep down, I might need it one day because of who I am.
I spin around, taking the arm of this bastard with me. Then pulling him closer, so his front is slammed against my back, I step backwards with one of my heeled boots and make contact with his trainer. Before I tug his forearm over my shoulder and jerk his hand down. The groan from behind me makes me smile, and I apply more pressure to his arm. It doesn’t break, but I almost wish it did.
When I finally release him, I turn around and pin him with a glare.
“Don’t ever think I need a man to stand up for me or to protect me.” My words cause his eyes to widen in shock. “I may be a princess, but I’m not weak.” I turn and leave him nursing his arm.
“That was amazing,” a female voice catches my attention and I turn to see one of the girls from my history class. “I’m Emilia,” she tells me with a small smile, holding out her hand.
I take it, and we shake as I introduce myself.
“Brielle,” I tell her. “He’s just an arsehole who thinks he can scare women because he’s taller, stronger, and a man.”
“As do most of the men on this island. That’s why they’re here, to learn how to exert their dominance,” she tells me as we make our way to the parking lot. “You’re new here?”
“Yes, I arrived a couple of weeks ago,” I tell her with a nod. I’m living at—”
“The Venier manor,” she finishes. “I know. Everyone’s heard about the new girl on the island.”
I can’t help but groan at that piece of information, even though I know it’s true. The guys told me I’d be the talk of the campus.
“I honestly don’t want to bring any attention to myself. I just want to study.”
“Unfortunately, now that you’re with Judah Venier, there’s no hiding, especially on this island,” she tells me with a shrug of her shoulders.
We stop at a sleek, black Porsche that has a matte finish, shiny silver rims, and the windows tinted so dark I can’t see inside.
“I’m not really with him,” I say, but she laughs.
I know it sounds like a lie because I am his fiancée. Soon, I’ll be saying my vows and agreeing to be his wife. But we haven’t ever been intimate, and he hasn’t kissed me yet. So, it doesn’t feel like I’m trulywithhim.
“Oh, trust me, you are.” Emilia laughs as she opens the door. “Need a ride home?”
“She already has one.”
I didn’t expect to find Judah standing behind me, but his voice is clear, and when I do glance over my shoulder, I’m knocked breathless. He’s not in his usual attire. He’s in a deep green polo shirt with a pair of black jeans.
“Right,” Emilia says. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Brielle.”
