Two huge security guards are behind me, posted up on either side of the door that’s since been closed. They don’t say anything, but their presence is loud enough.
I know I should feel bad for hitting Rowan, and I know I should be pleading my case and promising to be on my best behavior, but I simply don’t fucking care. Not anymore.
Fuck this place.
Fuck Rowan.
Fuck my cunt of a manager, because I know he’s behind this somehow.
So, instead of begging and apologizing to the man in front of me, instead of fighting for the chance to stay at this godforsaken place for another few weeks, instead of trying to keep my life from crumbling and shattering before my eyes, I say nothing. Not a damn thing. What’s the point?
This is who I am to my core, isn’t it? This is how I’m bound to end up, right? Just like my drug addicted father and my mentally ill mother. I’m following in their footsteps like everyone always knew I would. Why fight it? Why try to postpone the inevitable?
“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” he asks, bushy brows furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line. This probably isn’t how he wanted to spend his morning.
Yeah, well, me either.
When it becomes clear I won’t be participating in this conversation, he heaves a sigh, typing something on his computer before dragging his gaze back to me. “I believe I made myself abundantly clear last time you sat in this chair, that you would get no other chances. I’m afraid I’m going to have to dismiss you from the program, Mr. Gray. My assistant is already in contact with your emergency contact person—a Mr. Sebastian Monty—and travel arrangements back to the States are already in the works.”
That’s just fucking great.Bet Sebastian is getting a big ol’ fucking kick out of this. I can already hear the speech full of disappointment and the I told you so’s.
“Unless you have any questions,” he goes on, setting a freshly printed piece of paper in front of me. “I’ll just have you read through this document and sign at the bottom, stating you understand you are being dismissed from the program.”
Not bothering to read through it, I scrawl my signature, shoving the document back across the desk.
“Very well. I will take your wristband now, and one of the guards will escort you up to your room to pack your things. Once you’re finished, one of the Black Diamond Liaisons will then drive you to the airport. I deeply wish your stay could’ve ended more favorably, and I do wish you the best with your future endeavors.”
Yeah, I bet you do, asshole.
* * *
Rowan
My heart is lodged clear in my throat, and I haven’t stopped pacing since I got back to my room ten minutes ago. I’m about to wear a hole in the floor with how panicked I am. Pain radiates along my jawline, into my cheek, where Caspian punched me, and my eye sockets sting from trying to hold back tears that desperately want to spill over.
Everything this morning happened so fast. One moment, I was watching Cas sleep, feeling something scarily close to hopeful, and the next, I’m knocked onto the ground with a solid fist to the face over something I still don’t fully understand.
Mid-pace, something snags my attention, and as I glance over to the dresser in the corner, the floodgates I was trying so hard to keep closed burst open, moisture spilling over and falling hot down my cheeks, because sitting there is the mug I gave to Caspian not even twenty-four hours ago. How could shit change so drastically in such a short amount of time?
I have to talk to him. Get through to him and talk some sense into him. He thinks I’m doing something shady, but I can explain to him that I’m not. I can make him see the truth; I know it.
He’ll believe me. He has to.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, hands braced on my knees, my head hangs between my shoulders as I try to steady my breathing.
Everything will be okay.
Faintly, I hear noise coming from the hallway. Jumping up, I grab my wristband off the desk and rush over to the door, pulling it open. Two Men in Black looking dudes stand in front of Caspian’s room, and when I step into the hall, his door’s propped open. I can’t see him inside, but I can hear shuffling around in there, so I’m sure he is.
Both men glance at me, faces unreadable.
“Um, who the fuck are you?” I ask the one to the left of the door.
He says nothing.
Okay.
“Caspian!”
