Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1
“It’s so beautiful, isn’t it, Lenora?” Alice Constantine was showing us a ring her boyfriend bought her. I watched stoically, but I kept that dazzling smile on my face when her boyfriend came waltzing in like a Titan from the cafeteria side, filthy rich with every feature he contained.
Alice grinned, standing and smiling up at him while I glanced at my stilettos with a pause, the tag was hanging out, and I was leaning down to slide it under the sole of my foot as Lenora Fleming stood in her short Chanel dress. She hugged Axel McLaren and kissed him like that in itself would melt him.
He pecked her and moved to sit down as the two other Royal elite members, Kaiden and Griffin, took their seats on either side of Alexander Harrington. The golden boy with icy silver oyster eyes. Bloody prick thought he ran this place with a silver spoon in his mouth...and up his arse.
He was a global phenomenon in the software programming business, even had his own bloody brand. His silver eyes glanced over in boredom. Specifically at Alice. They didn’t even look at me, considering the top I wore tightened against my breasts. None of the Royal elite boys of this prestigious academy looked like that.
They preferred elegance.
Something Alice began wearing when the arranged marriage between her and Alexander was announced between the families. I’d known them and been here for all of six years, and I knew every dirty little secret about each of them. Everyone else here thought I was just a rich bitch and a manicured, dumb slut of the century.
Bloody ridiculous, “How was economics, my darling?” Alice asked him sweetly. Pulling her napkin down on her lap while I glimpsed around social media, making sure to check that my wig was still in place. I looked like a ginger with blue eyes and no freckles, the amount of bloody make-up I wore each day was sure to give me some sort of skin irritation at some point, but not yet, thankfully.
I became Candice Brooklyn six years ago.
“Candice, you got enough photos, I need an ice tea.” Lenora held out a wad of cash to me, dropping it carelessly on the table.
“Can’t you see I’m busy?” I snapped with the stupidest American accent that made most of the guys wince.
“Pretty please.” She begged me. Huffing, I grabbed the case and slid out a twenty, handing the rest back to her before my phone buzzed, grabbing it, I stepped down in my ridiculous heels. Whistles were disgustingly sent my way. I stepped in line, still hating the fact people will move aside for me, terrified of my ‘apparently’ bratty stature.
I ordered her iced tea, glancing at my phone when an encrypted message came on.
I deleted it, but not before memorising each letter, the only reason why tests and exams weren’t a problem for someone who forgets nothing. A chemically induced manufacture that I had worked on in my previous years. I mean, it was still the senior year of high school after all, but I had more than just a fake name and look under my sleeve. I grabbed the iced tea, thanking the staff member and telling her to keep the tip. It’s not like Lenora would miss it. I moved back to the grand table, still with my phone in hand.
I handed Lenora her iced tea, she grabbed it, not looking at me. I sat down in my seat, and returned to my phone, “...Alex, are you proposing that everyone come to the cabin this weekend?” She giggled, sounding excited.
I blinked, “I can’t, Mother’s got a fashion show I’m attending.” I said.
“We didn’t mean you.” Griffin Khan said to me, disgusted with me and Kaiden glanced at him over his book on quantum mechanics, smirking under his breath. That was before he glanced at Alexander, who was in fact staring at me, though it was obvious he didn’t want to. At least his narrow eyes and pinched lips said something akin to it. The disdain on his face was way too prominent to ignore. The man hated me.
“Are you included in the fashion show this time or just another accessory?” His deep voice echoed, making Alice giggle next to me while I smiled and nodded enthusiastically. I was surprised he addressed me of all people.
“I get to wear one of her blue mermaid dresses, it’s going to be so gorgeous.” I laughed like the stepsister of Cinderella. Alice scrunched her nose, taking a sip of her lemon water.
There was no fashion show, the shit I had to pull last time was extensive after I hired Miranda Brooklyn to act as my mother all those years ago, the fashion artist that only shot up with my help considering how close she was to drowning in her debts. I knew Alexander’s family and the families of the Royal elites were surprised by her rise back on the podium, and the fact she had me, had a daughter.
It was Griffin that reminded everyone, but me to be ready to leave by dinner. I was seated alone at the table as they drove off and the student body didn’t look at me with pity. I was crowned a real bitch around here.
After dinner, I received a text from Alice, checking if I was okay. It was only her who cared with that soft heart of hers.
Ignoring the text, I got dressed to go clubbing instead, photos were shot and given out to the press while I looked like I partied all weekend. Yet not a single photo was posted by them of their time in a cabin.
By Sunday evening, I nodded to the bartender, who made it look like he’s giving me whiskey, when in fact it was apple juice, flashes of cameras were sent my way while I made myself look drunk and stupid.
A thirty-year old asked for a dance, getting handsy and he pulled me towards the front where the car park is, many cars with the light on us. He smiled down to me drunkenly, I recognised him, not only because he was a male predator, but because he was a mafia worker too.
He didn’t kiss me on the lips, but against my neck as he unzipped his pants while I made it appear as though I’m digging my fingers in his neck, before I stabbed the serum I needed straight into an artery.
He convulsed and dropped to the floor of the concrete next to me. I tensed when I felt an intruder spin around, screeching falsely, but I knew Alexander’s personal driver had been on my tail the past couple days. He stepped forward, “Miss Brooklyn, step aside. Are you alright?”
“He just...fell. What happened?” I sobbed out with a fake cry on my tongue, hand against my chest. He checked me over stoically, before checking the predator.
“Overdose most likely. I need you to come with me now, we’ll talk this over with the station.” He sighed, sounding annoyed before he called what sounded to be a friend on the police force and I’m forced to sit in an ambulance car while I told the officers what happened.
They checked me, surprised that not an ounce of alcohol or evidence of cocaine was on me. They let me go after my statement and ruled the death as an overdose.
Steven Shannon led me to his SUV, or rather Alexander’s SUV. I sat in the car, fixing on lipstick and eyeliner. He side-glanced me in the back mirror, “Are you certain I shouldn’t call your mother, Miss Brooklyn?” He asked me, blue eyes that stay on the road ahead.
“Oh, yes. I’m just shaken up, I need a lie down or something. I really thought he was fine, and he just collapsed. It happened so fast.” I feigned a sniffle, lying down in the seat.
He pursed his lips, not saying anything. I didn’t expect him to.
Stepping back into the academy, I’m slapped with a suspension the next day, and an order to stay away from the school for the next week. That gave me more than enough time. Not a single one of the elite came.
Though I’m even more surprised when Steven stands at my doorway, “My boss has offered my services to drive you back to your mother’s apartment.” He muttered, grabbing my bag while my eye twitched, but I allowed it.
He pushed my bag in the boot, slapping it closed before glancing behind me. His eyes held a look of conflicting emotions for a minute, before he nodded, “She’s ready to go, sir.” He said stoically, looking and sounding like Lurch from the Addams family.
I filed my nails, turning around. Alice stared at me, I only looked at her, “You lied about a fashion weekend for partying and ended up being with a paedophilic rapist and predator of child assault?” She asked me in horror. Even Lenora looked mortified at the situation.
I paused in my task, looking at my nails as I blew on them once, “He’s dead though. Good kisser.” I shrugged, giggling manically with my lips twitching up.
The men narrowed their eyes on me.
Steven folded his arms by the car, squinting at the concrete when I looked at him for a second. I glanced back up at the school.
Alice blinked at me cautiously, “You really need a week off, sweetie. Take care of yourself.” She told me, gripping her notepad that she blocked over her stomach.Sweetie?
“You see a dead body, cry and then proceed to ignore it like it didn’t happen? Did he go too far? We’re not the police, Candice. What the hell is going on? Why did you lie about your mother’s fashion show? And why isn’t Miranda here with you?” Lenora demanded, glaring at me, “Do you have any idea how serious this is?” She snapped at me.
I blinked at her, “Like—what the fuck, Lenora? You guys were all going to the cabin anyway. I’m never invited so I just...fooled around. The guy was a weirdo, but he’s gone, so like—get over it.” I said to her, giving her a weird look.
Lenora just stared at me, the guys didn’t even know what to make of the situation. Alexander’s follower, Steven, stepped around the car. He looked at me with pursed lips, “The car is ready.” He stated.
I looked him up and down with lustful eyes, “Are you, handsome?” I smirked at the nickname.
He looked disgusted, “I’m married, with two children.” He spat at me like I’m such a predator too. I was a hot predator, he could’ve at least given me a look with more finesse. Especially for a navy man.
I winked at him with a giggle, “That hasn’t stopped me before.” I felt the deadpanned looks of cold air on my skull. He clenched his fists at his sides, moving with a dark precision to the driver’s side and turned the car on.
Alice cupped a hand against the back of her neck, fiddling with her precious blonde curls, “Stay safe. We’ll video chat.” She said to me, sighing as if this was a throw to charity. I smiled at her with a glint in my eyes, waving my fingers at them before stepping around the car and Steven was on the road before anything could be said.
I ran my finger over the car door, “I’ll open my own door then.” I scoffed as I stepped in. He rolled from the curb and turned on the main road.
I scrutinised him from the back seat. He’d been following me for months under Alexander’s orders, “Which district of the navy were you in?” I asked him, keeping the American accent after half an hour of driving.
He snapped his eyes to the mirror, “How did you know I was in the navy?” He asked me slowly.
“Why didn’t you tell your boss what you really saw that night?” I asked him, folding my arms.
He reared off the main road, slamming on the brakes as he reared the hand brake and he spun around to face me. He stilled.
I held his silencer in hand, aimed at his head, he was still in shock. I smiled, “Yes, you following me made my job a tad bit harder, but the rapist is dead and overruled as an overdose and you still haven’t told Royal Alexander what you saw that night, love.” I said, my accent making everything all the more shocking to him.
He froze, “What the fuck?”
I showed him a badge I earned a long time ago, “You’re not the only one with interesting credentials. Now, start the car back up again. You earn only twenty-thousand every month being his personal driver, along with his intriguing parents’ driver. I can double that and ensure your wife gets the diabetic treatment she needs and your kids go to a better school than one with low security and shit teachers.” I said to him.
His eyes bore into mine, “You’ve fooled everyone.” He said in a low tone.
“Even a stupid navy seal, that’s demeaning for a man your age. Take the deal, or your children go fatherless and it would be ruled as a suicide.” I said to him, bluffing of course.
He tensed where he sat, I gestured with the silencer, “Foot to the pedal and you’ll have a hundred grand in your account before tomorrow.” I added. He clenched his fists around the wheel and I smirked, keeping the gun on hand. He got to the apartment quickly, carrying my bag for me up the stairs. It unlocked with thumb-pad and pin.
He stared at me, “Who the fuck are you?”
“Someone you can’t afford to piss off. You’ll keep your mouth shut or I must threaten more of what you love. Check your account, return to your boss and give him confirmation of your task. Don’t worry, I won’t jeopardise your current job too much.” I told him, waiting for him to leave. He was slow in moving away, still astonished by the play of events. I spent the week working, before he showed up outside the apartment.
I studied him as I held my own bag easily. His loyalty to Alexander was strong, but I kept a tight eye on both of them. He rarely conversed with Alexander and Alex rarely spoke to him. He stared at me, “I can’t find you on any registry.” He muttered.
I handed him my bag, “And you never will. How’s your family? More food in the fridge and less doctorate bills?” I asked him.
He clenched his jaw, “Why would you do this? How were you even able to trick my boss, he’s more astute than anyone I know?” He questioned.
I raised an eyebrow, “You seem to forget, he’s still a boy.” I added, getting in the car. In the back. He drove without saying a word, getting back to the school swiftly. He took my bag to my room as I kept my pink-tinted glasses on. Once he was done, he stepped back downstairs. I watched Alexander behind him and the others.
Alice looked brightened, she saw me and smiled hesitantly. Waving once.
Lenora just blinked at me while Steven held his hands at his sides in his suit, “Sir, is there anything else?” He asked Alexander, who studied him in a scrutinising manner, shaking his head once. Steven glanced at me. I lifted my glasses and waved at him flirtatiously. He blinked at me with a look in his gaze and turned away stoically.
“Hope to see you again, sugartits.” I said to him, winking. He didn’t react this time, probably because he knew a piece of my game and the navy seal couldn’t figure it out.
“How are you feeling?” Alice asked me softly.
I glanced at her, “I’m perfectly fine, what’s the big deal?” I asked her rudely.
She stared at me, “You were hooking up with a guy who died right next to you. That’s traumatic.” She emphasised, unable to hide her disbelief.
I flicked open my lipgloss and applied it with a pocket mirror, “So?” I tossed in.
The men narrowed their eyes and looked at me like I was crazy. Yet again.
I tilted the mirror to see who was coming and smirked slightly as I straightened up, “So? Are you serious?” Lenora spat out.
“Miss Brooklyn, my office, now.” Principal Darcy snapped behind me.
He joined the party, “Is there a problem, Principal Darcy?” I asked him curiously as I hooked one hand on my hip. He stared at me coldly and pointed down the hall.
My eyes darkened as I glanced over my shoulder, Alice tensed and Lenora raised an eyebrow, hugging her arms around her waist, “We’ll wait for you.” Alice said to me.
I arched an eyebrow at her, “You don’t have to.” I told her.
Lenora narrowed her eyes at me, “We’ll wait.” Weird, she thought we were friends now. I shrugged and turned away, walking with a sway behind the principal.
Brown eyes of the principal stared into mine, I had dirt on him too, he just didn’t know it yet. I turned to face him and moved as if a boosted song was on, power thrummed in my veins as I moved like a goddamn model and he frowned at me, I gestured at him first. He pursed his lips, leather shoes strutting forward.
I stared at him, crossing one leg over the other, I stopped him before he could open his mouth. I pulled out my phone and showed him a picture of his family on screen, “You have a pretty wife, seeing this looks like a perfect family, but let’s flick right and...oh, some unholy work in the office.” Him fucking the assistant from the behind was on screen.
His eyes widened and he hitched a breath. I leaned forward with a deadly gaze, “That suspension won’t be listed on my record, and from now on, any absences from school are allowed. Along with whatever I ask for, considering who’s paying for this fancy office of yours. Understand?” I asked him, maintaining my smirk. He pursed his lips, eyes deadly and I stepped out of the office with everything I needed, holding a folder...he was simply forced to allow it.
I raised an eyebrow when I turned the corner and saw them standing by the lockers. Alice spoke the truth when she said they’d wait, “That was quick.” Lenora said slowly, raising an eyebrow at me.
“He was so forgiving,” I said, wiping my lip with insinuation. Axel glanced at Alexander with a pair of constricted, narrowed eyes. Alexander eyed me with tenseness in his neck like I was worse than some nuisance here.
Griffin looked at me dryly, “You know, most girls would be put off after being the last person a dead guy has seen, or made out with.” He folded his arms, raising a questionable eyebrow at me.
I was already bored with the route this conversation was going.
“I need booze. And sex, stat.” I muttered, lying as I moved around them and up the stairs, they didn’t follow and they didn’t look back either.
