Page 24

TWENTY-THREE

DRAKE

I’m caught between a rock and a hard place because lying to Angela means I can’t stay here. I told her I was heading to town and if she sees my car she’ll realize I was lying.

With a sigh, I grab my keys, intending to drive around the block and park it somewhere before heading back to be here if Imogen needs me. It’s torture knowing she is currently with him. Jesse. The same man I must protect her from.

As I head to my car, I glance in the direction of The Elusive House and torment myself with images of them making out inside.

It doesn’t take long to stash my car on a side road and jog back to the academy, slipping inside the perimeter without being detected by the security cameras.

If Angela studies the cctv footage, she will see me leaving but not returning until morning.

The perfect alibi ensuring I avoid unwelcome questions.

As I hug the shadows, I make out a couple sitting on a bench by the fountain and my heart stills when I note how familiar they are.

Fuck.

I blend back into the shadows and stand still, watching them, grateful for the opportunity to be on hand if she needs me, but hating the possibility of watching them make out before my eyes.

It’s obvious they are having a serious discussion and then I’m distracted as my phone lights up with a call from Imogen herself.

I glance over and note her listening intently to Jesse and as I answer it, it’s his voice on the other end.

I press the receiver to my ear and listen in, my mouth twitching as I realize exactly why Imogen should never be underestimated.

This is a classic Reaper move, and she has learned her craft well and as I settle down on the floor, I prepare to listen to a conversation that may reveal another piece of the puzzle.

“It’s been a lot to deal with, baby.”

He sighs heavily.

“When Jenna first showed an interest, I was merely in it for the kick. I heard stories of Frankie’s father and uncle screwing a teacher in the supply cupboard and I wanted that on my resume, I guess.”

Fuck, why not tell it to her straight and leave out none of the gory details? Jesse is sinking lower in my estimation with every word he speaks.

“It didn’t take long either.”

Imogen is silent and Jesse falters a little in his speech.

“You, well, you probably hate me for admitting it, but I want to be honest with you.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

Imogen’s voice is soft and forgiving and despite the situation, I smile to myself. She always tugs that reaction from me because she is the kindest soul I have ever met, aside from Ashton, Ryder’s wife.

“I didn’t expect what happened.”

He falls silent and I flick my eyes to the scene and note he reaches for her hand and my chest tightens.

“It soon spiraled into a crazy, destructive path I wasn’t prepared for.”

He heaves a huff of frustration. “She fed me drugs in my drink, forced me into situations I would never have done had I been conscious, and then threatened to leak the videos online if I told anyone.”

“Jesse, I..,”

“It’s okay, baby, I should have been stronger, but every time I attempted to cut ties, she came up with another threat. Soon, she controlled me, calling me to her home, plying me with drugs and, well, using me for sex.”

“Using you?” Imogen’s voice shakes. “But you could have said no, walked away, surely.”

“Not when you’re as high as a kite and desperate for more. Not when you are so addicted to what she’s providing, you can’t even think straight. The most shocking thing of all was how quickly it happened. What started out as a kick soon became an obsession.”

They fall silent and I notice Imogen reach up and stroke his face and I can only imagine the caring smile she is giving him right now.

Jesse leans into her hand and whispers, “I tried so many times to break the tie. To ignore her calls, to tell her I was done and to threaten to expose her myself. That one worked well.”

His laugh is bitter. “She played her trump card.”

“Which was?”

“Threatening to tell my folks.”

He falls silent and slumps forward, his forearms resting on his knees as Imogen pats him reassuringly on the back.

“I’m not sure who I’m more afraid of. Jenna Sloane or the place I call home.”

“Tell me about that?” Imogen’s question is encouraging, and he groans.

“I told you how it is. When I graduate, I must marry a local girl and work a farm for the good of the community. I will only receive a standard wage for my efforts and it’s a lifetime commitment.

Do you know what’s it like to face years of hard labor with little reward?

To lie with a woman chosen for you by the town council and produce no more than two children. ”

“Why only two?”

“Because it’s all that’s allowed.”

“What happens if more than two come along? I mean, twins or triplets or just a mistake?”

“You don’t want to know.”

My blood chills as Imogen’s voice falters. “I do.”

Jesse‘s voice is delivered wrapped in steel as he scoffs, “They are sold at auction.”

Imogen’s shocked gasp spears my heart and my anger is sharpened as I imagine the scene played out several times over the years.

Couples forced to give up their babies with no say and a lifetime to wonder if they are even alive.

It’s sick as fuck and a small part of me understands exactly why Jenna Sloane targeted him.

He has nothing to lose and everything to gain and is the perfect student.

“Did you tell Miss Sloane this?” Imogen voices my thoughts, and it strikes me at how in sync we are.

“Yes.” Jesse’s voice is loaded with regret.

“We talked about it a lot. She was appalled, devastated for me, and told me she would help. That she knew a man who could help me and to leave it with her to arrange a meeting, if I was up for it.”

I stiffen as the picture enlarges to reveal another image and Jesse hisses, “It turns out the man she was referring to was an even bigger monster than the one I am running from.”

“In what way?”

“If you think Jenna is depraved, allow me to introduce you to Christian Duprey.”

Thank God I am recording this call because Ryder will be extremely interested in this.

Imogen asks, “Why, what happened?”

“I’m sorry, baby.” Jesse heaves out a sigh. “I really don’t want you to hear any details about that man. Just understand I am no longer interested in his solution, Jenna’s help, or any of the sick games they play. I’m out and–”

He falters and my heart lurches when he turns to her and cups her face in his hand and stares into her eyes.

“I want you, Imogen. I want to be the college guy who has the hottest girl on campus. I don’t want the dried up old hag with a deviant mind or the future I am destined for.

I want an uncomplicated relationship and the freedom to make my own choices after graduation, and so I’m drawing a red line in the sand and starting over.

I want to devote all of my time to us and being good enough for you, so please accept my apology baby and be sure that is all behind me now. ”

As I watch him kiss her softly, deeply and with more right than I have, a sudden pain spears me through the heart. Jesse is right. This is the time when their life should be easy, the only complication being the usual ups and downs of student life. Not this shit show that has exploded around them.

I am no better than Jenna Sloane because I am corrupting Imogen’s mind. I have no right. In the eyes of Rockwell, I am her teacher and I should slot into that role and push aside my infatuation with her. Jesse was right when he spoke of obsession and Imogen is fast becoming mine.

The call ends, and it’s the final blow to my heart.

She cut me off mid kiss with the guy she is chained to for the semester under the rules of their Claiming ceremony.

I understand exactly how it works and Jesse has more rights than me to be beside her now and if she is honest with herself, she will know that I am right.