Or I could?
Or maybe I could make her get my name tattooed on her?
Harley’s fingers snapping in front of my face bring me back to reality, and I look up at him.
“What?” I ask.
He just shakes his head and shares a look with Noah and Logan.
I have no idea what that look means, and I’m not about to dissect it right now. I have more important things to take care of.
The halls are quiet as I make my way to the dean’s office. I intentionally came during a time most students would be in class to avoid any rumors flying around.
Lana will probably kill me if she finds out about this, but I’m doing this with her in mind, so hopefully she’ll see my side of things.
Then again, I’ve never known that girl to be rational, so who the hell knows how she’ll react?
I knock on the door and pace impatiently while I wait for it to open.
Seconds later, a woman opens the door, and I recognize her as the dean’s secretary.
Does she know? Does she know that Dean Darren Barraclough has an alias as Dare and is some fucking military, mercenary, serial killer? Or whatever he is.
She frowns at me before closing the door in my face. I can hear a hushed conversation on the other side of it before she reopens it, wider this time. I step inside the room and take it in as she exits the room and closes the door behind her. I’ve never really spoken to the dean before. Sure, I’ve chatted with him a few times at fundraisers and things when my father was present, but other than that I’ve never been called to his office. I tend to keep my less-than-stellar activities away from the university.
“Mr. Aston,” he says from behind his mahogany desk. “What can I do for you?”
I stare at him for a moment before taking a seat in the opposite chair. He’s wearing tweed—fuckingtweed.Just how far has this guy gone to disguise himself?
“Lana James,” I say, meeting his eyes. He shows no outward reaction to hearing her name. He has no expression on his face whatsoever as he waits for me to continue.
This guy is good.
“I know you’re some uncle type figure to her, and I wanna know how you’re keeping her safe.”
He sighs and sits back in his chair, dropping the holier-than-thou persona and acting like an actual human.
“She told you,” he mutters, looking at me with a mixture of confusion, irritation, and utter bewilderment on his face.
“She told me enough.”
He tilts his head, his eyes perusing me. “And why wouldshe do that? Lana never talks to people about her personal life. Ever.”
I shrug. “I guess I’m notpeople.”
“And why exactly are you here, Mr. Aston?”
“Good God, Dare. Mr. Aston is my father. Please, call me Cole.”
He raises a brow at me mentioning the name that Lana uses but doesn’t voice any complaints.
“I’m here because I’m worried about her, okay? I’ve seen the shit that she’s been dealing with and I want to make sure she’s safe. Ineedto make sure she’s safe.”
His lips twitch and his eyes dance with humor, but he doesn’t let his smile free.
“You care for her.”
No shit, I care for her. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.
