Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,85

you get a job here, Gwen? Interstellar Records can’t be too popular with your family.”

“It’s not,” she replied. “Even so, James made his choice. You guys didn’t force him out. He quit. That didn’t mean I had to do the same.” She leaned off the table, moving around me. “I’ve wanted to work for a big record company since I was old enough to understand what a record label was. I’ve applied to a dozen all over the country. Scored an interview here and, I admit, I was curious. Were you a bunch of fuck-ups coasting on your good name, or was the leak just a freak accident? My brother deserved an explanation if nothing else.”

I held still as she circled me. “I thought I’d spend a year here and then move on. I didn’t expect us to become real friends.”

“We’re not friends.” I flashed out, stopping her in her tracks. “You lied to me every fucking day and you’re lying to me now. Admit what you did, and then get the hell out of my building.”

“I’m not admitting anything.” Gwen sounded amused. “I haven’t done a thing wrong. Unless you’ve got proof saying otherwise, you need to back down.”

I bent until our noses brushed. “No, you need to listen close. It’ll never work, Gwen. Valentina is out of your reach and the two of us are stronger than ever. You can’t break us up and you can’t touch her. She’s not going anywhere, but you are.”

My voice dropped to a low growl. “I’ve got a private security detail that is now your detail. They will follow you everywhere you go from the moment you step out of your apartment until you walk back in. They’ll clock everything you see, do, and eat. If you blow your nose funny, they’ll report it to me.”

“I’m pretty sure you can’t do that.”

I looked around. “Go ahead. Complain to someone. Call the police. While you’re at it, be sure to explain the threats and attempted murders.”

The corner of her mouth quirked into a smile. “Fine, Jaxson. We’ll do it your way. When your hired guns come back and tell you that you’ve got it all wrong, I’ll forgive you.” She gripped my shoulder. “It’s what friends do.”

I stepped out of her grasp. “You’re the one who has it wrong, Gwen. I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect her even if it means following you myself.”

Voices sounded in the hallway, signaling the start of the workday.

Gwen’s eyes trailed me out of the door, that smile hanging on her lips.

VALENTINA

“I’m not surprised she didn’t confess and let you lead her away in cuffs. That whole thing where you lay out the crime and the criminal gives themselves up out of respect for your genius, only happens in murder mysteries.”

I was on the phone with Jaxson, coming out of my psych diversity class. I woke up, discovered he was gone, and knew instantly where he went.

“I told her that our guards would be following her from here on out and she acted like the whole thing was a joke.”

“Where are you now?” I asked.

“Home. I’m picking up a change of clothes for Papa VZ and bringing him and Fernanda some decent food. They’re supposed to be let in to see Meyer soon.”

“Pick up some chocolates from me,” I said.

“Where are you?”

“Flanked by my guards and on the way to the car. I’ll be home in an hour, snuggling with Ryder, Maverick, and Adam on the couch. I’ll have you next to me as soon as you finish looking after your dad. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Hadley and Juliet drifted closer after I hung up the phone. They tried to give me as much space as possible. There was only so far they could go when an active threat to my life was still kicking around.

Guards on her or not, I won’t stop driving with one eye on my rearview mirror until they put her away.

We arrived at my newest parking space. A small student lot behind the communications building.

My guards circled the car, peered inside, and checked beneath for good measure. They’d follow behind me in their cars and then head to their homes after I passed through my gates.

Peeling out of the parking lot, my mind turned to dinner. If I got in there quick, I could whip up my famous movie-night meal. Quesadillas, nachos, chicken wraps, and a plate of veggies, so my son had something healthy to munch on. We’d take it