The Order: Hit and Run by Emma Cole Page 0,12
over the changes now. What if they say no? What if they want to change something else? I need to call Mr. Basham.
I’m just reaching into my pocket to get my phone when a man in a suit comes out carrying papers. He’s looking right at me, and I’m going to guess he’s one of the attorneys. He extends his hand for mine when he gets close enough, and I grudgingly let him have it, pulling back and giving it a surreptitious wipe on my jean-clad thigh when he lets go.
“Hello, you must be Miss Cora. I’ve heard so much about you!” What the hell? He’s heard about me?
“Umm… yes, I’m Cora, but I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are.”
“Oh, yes! Please forgive me. I’m Damien’s uncle Chaz, a partner with the firm here. Terrible thing that happened. If you’ll follow me, please.” Dude is an odd duck, and I’m tempted to walk out. Instead, I try to stall, really not wanting to go in the back with him.
“Maybe we can stay here since I didn’t bring my attorney. I was just dropping the papers off.” Polite seems the way to go in this situation.
“Yes, of course, My apologies, again. I’ve consulted my client, and he’s amenable to all the changes you proposed. If you’d like to sign it now, we can.” They accepted them all? Even the money? It sounded too good to be true.
“I’d feel more comfortable calling my attorney first.” Not waiting for his agreement or otherwise, I whip out my phone and cross my fingers that he answers. Thank goodness he does. “Mr. Basham, it’s Cora. They want to accept the changes and have me sign the papers?”
“Cora, that’s excellent. Bring them back here and let me look them over again just to be sure, and we’ll get them done and filed this afternoon.” He hangs up, and I relay the directive to Chaz. He seems slightly disappointed, but I ignore his peculiarity.
“Don’t forget, Miss Cora, once it’s filed, you have seventy-two hours to report to the university and complete your enrollment. Have a nice day now.” He ushers me out of the office, and I feel like I just escaped being the fly in a giant spider web.
Chapter Five
2 Days Later
I’m here, at the gates to my new school. It’s not terribly far off from where I’d lived most of my life with my parents. Blackbriar University, more commonly known as Blackbriar Academy due to the set-up and requirements demanded of the students, is as imposing as it is elite. I know I had the grades to get in, and most likely would have, had I applied and had the funds to attend.
Fuck, I miss Kael. And I miss my baby. This isn't where I was supposed to end up. Stifling the urge to break down, I center myself and pull up to the booth.
Driving through the open gates after showing the attendant my identification, I park in the visitors’ lot. My small SUV is a lot more economical on the gas in regards to mileage than my big truck had been, and it’s also easier to park. Paperwork in hand, I lock up and hike my purse strap on my shoulder. It’s a bit of a walk to the entrance, and I take in the pristine courtyard, fountain included, as I pass through it. There aren’t any students roaming, and I’m not sure if that’s due to the term not having begun yet or if it’s always this sedate. I hope not, or it’s going to be a long few years.
It takes a few minutes of waiting at the office to get in to a counselor for registration, and I use the opportunity to try to memorize the headshots of the staff with their names. Some are dour as I’d expected, but they’re all middle-aged or older. Which is why it’s a surprise when a youngish man comes out to greet me.
“Hello, I’m Mr. Jacobsen. You must be Cordelia,” he greets me, with an outstretched hand that I feel comfortable reciprocating as his manner is so easygoing. “Let’s head on back and get everything squared away. I’ll have one of the students on site show you to the dorms when we’re finished.”
I follow him through a door and down a few offices until we reach a door marked Alexander Jacobsen. “Here, take a seat, and I’ll take your papers.” He rounds his desk, and I sit while he brings something up on his