Protecting His Pregnant Lover - Leslie North Page 0,23

there’s something else bothering you, we can talk about that too.”

The kid frowned and lowered his head. Now that Olive had brought it up, Franklin did look troubled, though Levon was sure he was doing his best to hide it. There were dark circles under his eyes and a tightness around his mouth that suggested a boatload of stress simmering inside the teenager.

Levon waited to see if Olive had successfully worked her magic, but unfortunately, nope.

“Nothing,” Franklin replied, looking away from her. Levon had expected as much. This case couldn’t be that simple. Besides, if Franklin Monroe had gotten himself involved with the Reapers, then he was in a world of shit and he probably believed that nothing Olive said or did would make a difference. Levon hadn’t caught much of what they’d said last night on the football field, but he suspected the gang was at least harassing the kid, if not trying to recruit him. He needed to know more. Sooner rather than later, if Levon had his way.

“Just… I’m just nervous about the scholarship. That’s all,” Franklin said.

Olive glanced up from their textbook, then removed her glasses and polished them on the front of her plain black dress. Tiny wrinkles covered the front of it, and Levon knew that had to be driving Olive nuts. She always looked impeccable. “Oh? You want to talk about it? I know it’s a lot of pressure, but…”

“But what if I’m wrong for it?” Franklin interrupted her. His dark eyes shone with a sudden fervor that surprised Levon.

Good. If he genuinely cared about school, genuinely wanted to succeed, then that was something they could use to pull him back from the Reapers. Being the good teacher she was, Olive seized on that. “You’re not wrong for it,” she told Franklin point-blank. “And the anxiety you’re feeling now is totally natural! I’d be worried if you weren’t worried, Franklin. This is a huge opportunity for you.”

“I know it is,” he cut in again. “But, I mean… why wouldn’t they consider somebody else for it?” He dropped his gaze, and his mouth worked miserably before he continued. “You know what my first year was like here, Miss Owen. You know I was in and out of Principal James’s office. You vouched for my ass more than once.”

“Language,” she said mildly. “And Franklin, everybody makes mistakes. Especially at your age.” She pushed some papers toward him. “But don’t let doubting yourself become your biggest regret. You can do this. I know you can.”

“And you’re a pretty smart lady,” Franklin said with a small twist of a smile. Olive grinned as if in agreement, but it didn’t escape Levon’s notice that the boy’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. Levon knew from experience that even all of Olive’s support academically couldn’t banish all those worries and preoccupations. Still, having her as an ally had made all the difference in the track Levon’s life had taken. He hoped it would do the same for this kid. Franklin took a deep breath. “Think Principal James’ll still write me a letter of recommendation?”

“If I’m as smart as you think I am, will a ‘yes’ from me count for something?” Olive’s gaze flicked to Levon and she raised a brow at him as if to ask if he was going to stand there snooping all day. Dammit. He would have liked nothing more, but given that things seemed safe here for now, he had other things to attend to while he was here—and he’d draw too much attention if he hovered over her all the time.

Reluctantly, he gave a curt nod and ducked out of the classroom to head toward Principal James’s office. Unfortunately, he knew exactly where to find it, since he’d been there a time or two before in his career as a student.

Now, at twenty-eight, he was hoping for a more pleasant experience.

Twenty minutes later, he sat across the desk from the guy and saw that other than a sterner expression and a few new worry lines, nothing much had changed with Terrence James.

“I appreciate you being here, Mr. Asher,” James said, his brisk tone making the SEAL in Levon snap to attention.

“Yes, sir,” he said.

His whip-quick response seemed to please the older man. “The police have briefed me on the situation—I know we need a presence here who can monitor any student involvement in gang activity without drawing the attention that would come from bringing in one of the local officers. We’ll get you settled