Page 203 of Conquered

“At the meeting last night, Julian told us that we’re having dinner this Friday with all the Black Knight families,” he tells me, peering at me. He rubs the back of his neck whilst biting his lip in a way that would be very distracting if I didn’t suddenly feel butterflies take flight in my stomach. “And we’ve been told to bring you.”

“W–what?” I ask, my stomach dropping. “W–why?” I look at the others, but they all have matching looks of worry on their faces.

“We don’t know, Pretty Girl,” Loki answers, taking hold of my suddenly cold hand. “But we will be there, and I promise we won’t leave you alone, not even for a moment,” he tells me vehemently, rubbing his fingers across my knuckles.

“Do they...do they know about the bonds and shares?” I question, turning to Ash. His brow is once again deeply furrowed. Poor guy will have terrible frown lines soon if this keeps up.

“I’m not sure how they can, although that thought did occur to us, too,” he muses. “I looked at the papers. Laura was, and now you are, silent investors. Completely anonymous.”

“But I wouldn’t put it past them to have found out,” Kai states, his melodic voice full of concern.

“Maybe it’s just dinner, you know?” I say, feeling unconvinced. “I mean, Julian seems to have a bit of a...thing for me, right?” My nose wrinkles remembering his inappropriate looks and touches.

Ash’s upper lip peels back.

“I hope that you’re right, Princess,” he says, looking round at the others before settling back on me.

But as chills spread over my skin in the warm room, I can’t help the feeling that I’m wrong.

The first day back in class flies by, and before I know it, it’s lunchtime. Willow shared my last class, Interior Design, so we head to the dining hall together. I open the wooden doors, hearing a gasp next to me as Willow takes in the beautiful, light-filled space with a slack-jawed expression.

“We’re not in Kansas anymore,” I say with a chuckle, thinking back to the first time I stepped foot in here, and the awe I felt seeing it.

“We are definitely not in World’s End, that’s for sure.” She ruefully laughs as we make our way to a table next to one of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“Did you not come here for breakfast?” I ask as we take our seats, Willow facing the door, whilst I choose one looking out at the breathtaking view of the mountains and forest.

“I was too nervous to eat,” she admits, looking a little lost as a waiter, Gerald, comes over.

“Good afternoon, Miss Darling, Miss Anderson,” he greets us, Willow’s eyes going wider than even I thought possible.

“Hello, Gerald,” I reply, beaming at him. “Have a good Christmas and New Year?”

“Yes, thank you. And yourself?” he politely enquires. I decide against telling him that I went to Bali to see one of my boyfriends who's recovering from steroid abuse, discovered that I’m rich in my own right, have stocks and shares in a company of dubious intentions, and visited my mother’s grave for the first time.

“Lovely, thank you,” I say instead.

“Do you ladies know what you want today?” he asks, looking from me to Willow.

“Ummm…” she starts, looking all kinds of flustered as her cheeks heat up.

“I’ll take the steak, chunky fries, and side salad please, and a glass of full-fat coke with ice,” I tell him. My intention was to have a salad, but I’m suddenly craving meat.Snort. Not that kind of meat. Although…

“Of course. And you, Miss Anderson?” he questions Willow, who looks like a rabbit in headlights.

“Uh, I’ll take the same,” she quickly replies, breathing out a relieved sigh.

“I’ll put the order in and bring your drinks back shortly,” he tells us with a smile. I grin back, I like the old man. Not like that butler, fucking Crow. Speaking of, I haven’t seen him around for a while.

“What kind of school canteen is this?” Willow hisses at me, interrupting my thoughts, and I laugh at her.

“I know, right. The day’s menu choices are on your iPad. Or you can just order what the fuck you like, and they’ll make it for you,” I inform her with a roll of my eyes.Rich pricks.

“Jesus,” she murmurs, going still as the whole place goes quiet. Her eyes widen again, and it really is adorable.

I turn round, a huge smile lifting my lips as my Knights walk in looking all kinds of dark and dangerous. My core twinges atthe sight of them. They spot me and head towards our table. Having spent the past few weeks with them, I’d forgotten just how imposing they can be.

Ash in his usual pristine black suit, tie, and smoothly styled jet hair, his eyes the colour of steel. Jax dressed head to toe in black, his bulging muscles threatening to rip his T-shirt in a Hulk moment. His lips twitch ever so slightly when his sparkling blue eyes meet mine, and I savour that almost smile that’s meant for me alone. Kai is the epitome of geek chic in green chinos, a chequered shirt, navy bow tie, and a mustard cardigan. He looks so damn hot I can feel my temperature rise just watching him. Loki struts in like a fucking peacock, his auburn hair artfully disheveled, his low slung jeans hugging his toned legs, his white T-shirt sculpted to his torso in the most mouth-watering way. Today his shirt has a drawing of an eye in black ink, an anatomical heart in red, and an etching of a cockerel.