Page 33 of The Consequence of You (Heathley Academy #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

CALLIE

S ecurity at home is still tight. Rossi’s been on edge for weeks, and I haven’t asked him about it again, as I don’t want him feeling torn between me and my father.

Luca has been busier than usual. He’s on the phone until late at night, talking in both Italian and English.

Many of the conversations sound heated, and I’m tempted to ask them both outright what’s going on, but I know it’s pointless. They won’t tell me.

So, I put up with the tighter measures and do as they ask, ignoring the extra guards I see on the university campus.

Ignoring the feeling of being watched as much as I can.

The constant feeling of eyes on me. It never goes away.

One night, earlier in the week, I closed my bedroom curtains, and I saw something outside, a flash of light and then nothing.

But I soon realised it was most likely the guards doing extra patrols .

Things between Asher and I are good. We see each other most nights, even occasionally snatching an hour in-between lectures, and every time has left us both, for want of a better word, satisfied.

My cheeks heat remembering what happened a few days ago when he’d given me a lift home from university after a late-night study session.

He’d parked away from the streetlights, and his windows were, in the main, blacked out, but in the moment I didn’t care.

Straddling his lap, I squirmed as his thick denim covered cock rubbed at my throbbing core.

Clenching, I tried to find relief, but I needed more.

I squeezed my eyes tight as I used him to get myself off but before I could, he gripped my chin.

“Open your fucking eyes, Calliope. If you want to come, you’ll at least have the manners to look me in the eye, so you don’t forget who owns your pleasure,” he growled at me.

It should have been enough to bring me to my senses, to stop me doing this in a public place, but all his deep drawl did was hit me low in the stomach, desire curling and making my core tighten.

I met his gaze, and his forest green eyes darkened.

He shoved his hand under my skirt, quickly finding me damp and wanting.

He licked his lips and rubbed me through the damp silk.

Pushing the delicate scrap of fabric to one side he thrust a finger into me roughly.

I ground down on him harder, and he thrust in a second finger, stretching me in a way that verged on painful.

“Fuck, you’re so tight, princess,” he hissed, and I felt his hard length swell below me as I tried to relax to accommodate his thick fingers.

His thumb found my clit and it almost had me blowing instantly. He saw my reaction, and eased the pressure off. Of course, the bastard was going to edge me .

“Greedy girl” he whispered, and his words only made me wetter.

He curled his fingers, finding my most sensitive part, and he rubbed.

I let out an audible sigh of pleasure and he grinned smugly, I shut my eyes, but he instantly stopped his ministrations.

“Nope. Remember what I said? Eyes on me.” At his demand I met his gaze again, and something in his expression triggered my orgasm.

Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t keep my eyes open.

I was utterly lost to the sensations. My thighs and pussy clamped down on Asher’s fingers, and my whole body shuddered with pleasure.

Most days last week we’d found time to fulfil urges I didn’t realise needed fulfilling, and I had no complaints. This arrangement seemed to suit both of us, and I’d happily reported back to Dahlia that all was fine for both of us. She still seemed a little wary, but I had no such worries.

I’m volunteering at the nursing home again today, and Rossi had just pulled up outside.

I open the door as dark clouds gather, and rain starts to fall.

Running indoors, I tell Rossi to stay in the car.

He watches me in, and I know he’ll stay outside being vigilant for my entire shift.

It’s going to be a cold one, so I decide to ask Susan if there is somewhere he can wait indoors today.

I’m not sure what she’ll say, but I can’t leave him outside, freezing his arse off.

I sign in quickly and go in search of my manager.

However, all thoughts of Rossi are forgotten when I see some of the nursing staff standing together outside one of the bedrooms.

They’re visibly upset. My heart sinks. I know what that means.

I’ve only seen it one other time since I’ve been here.

That was right at the beginning, before I had got to know any of the residents.

Since then, I’ve got to know them all, and the thought of anything happening to any of them has my heart lurching.

As I walk closer, I realise whose room it is.

Mrs Hughes.

She was suffering from a chest infection the last time I saw her, but she was getting over it.

She was improving. I bite back a sob. Please not Mrs Hughes .

I’d be upset if any of the residents passed away, of course, but she’s the resident I spend most time with.

I consider her a friend. We bonded over our love of art, and I hope against hope that my assumptions are wrong.

Stealing myself, I walk over to the nurses. When they see me, their faces fall further, which just confirms what I’m dreading.

“We’re sorry, Callie. We have some bad news for you. Mrs Hughes’ pneumonia worsened over the last few days, and she passed away in her sleep last night.”

Tears threaten as I try to keep my emotions in check.

“Was she in any pain?” I choke out. I’m not sure I’ll be able to bear it if she suffered.

“Oh sweetheart. It was peaceful.” One of the nurses leads me over to sit on a chair. “I promise.”

“Did she get a chance to speak to her children?” I know how precious her grown-up children and her grandkids were to her. They live abroad, but they did their best to visit when they could.

“Yes, we arranged video calls during the week. They’d hoped to visit this weekend, but unfortunately it was too late.”

“I can’t believe it.”

“It’s terribly sad. She was a wonderful lady, and she really will be missed.

” Nurse Margaret pats my arm. “I just have to make a few arrangements, but if you want to go home, I’m sure Susan will understand.

” I nod, not sure if I want to go home, or be here, around people who knew her. For now, though, I need fresh air.

Walking to the back of the building, I let myself out into the nursing home’s private gardens. The rain is falling harder now, but I can’t find it in me to care.

We aren’t supposed to have favourites, but I loved Mrs Hughes.

When we first met, I hated that I couldn’t communicate with her.

She’s the reason I’d learnt BSL. I wasn’t particularly fluent, but I’d learnt enough to get by, and Mrs Hughes never got frustrated with me when I made mistakes.

We’d laughed over the years at some of the signs I got wrong.

I’ll miss her so much. I sniff, suddenly realising tears are cascading over my cheeks, mixing with the rain. I’m soaked through now; my thin cardigan and vest top are clinging to me, and I begin to shiver uncontrollably. I need to go back indoors and find something dry to wear.

My eyes blur, and I swipe at them unsuccessfully with my damp sleeve. Blinking, I try my best to clear my vision. That’s when I see it. The glint of light reflecting off a long silver blade.