Page 32 of Shattered Sinner
It took a few minutes to clean up because Easton said that I shouldn’t lift a finger and that he would take care of it all. Once we were settled, Easton pulled me into his side so that I could lay on his chest, reminding me again of the night he took my virginity. His fingers traced imaginary figures on my skin, and I enjoyed the sound of his heart beating under my ear.
Though the outside world felt as if it was burning down, here I felt happy and whole. Sure, the Tristan thing was lingering in the background, but I hadn’t said yes to our arrangement so nothing I did over the last two days was wrong.
Or so I was telling myself.
I moved slightly to get a better look at Easton because there were still some things we needed to discuss.
“Have you heard anything about Iris?”
Easton shook his head, and my heart sank. I’d been hoping for something more by now.
“I should have another meeting at the Chevalier Manor later this week because we’ll find out if we made the cut shortly.”
That’s right. We were coming up to the end of the semester. “Just as long as you tell me about anything you find as soon as you can.”
“I promise you I will. Speaking of things I need to tell you, could it be possible that Diana Caldwell is the one who leaked the photos of you?”
I was taken aback by the question. “I mean it’s possible, but she would have to have spies on me and—”
My words died on my lips as I sat up. I jumped out of the bed before Easton could grab me.
“Where are you going?”
He was forced to yell it because I’d already sprinted out of his bedroom, naked I might add. But my lack of clothing wasn’t about to get in the way of me getting the item I needed.
I didn’t respond to him because I was too busy looking for something. When I realized that I’d already brought it into the bedroom last night, I walked back into that room and grabbed the device with a slight blush on my face.
I scrolled through my text messages on my phone until I found the ones I wanted to show Easton. They were all from the person with the unknown number, including a brand new text.
Unknown Number: Might want to check on that brake light. Wouldn’t want to get pulled over outside of E’s apartment.
“So these text messages prove that I’ve been getting stalked. Now you’re making me wonder if it’s possible that Diana is doing this or hired someone to do so.”
Easton read through the messages several times before he turned to look me right in the eyes. “Whoever is sending you these is going to have to answer to me.”
18
EASTON
Iopened the front door of my parents’ home and took a deep breath. I was greeted by the smell of roasted duck. It seemed as if tonight’s dinner was going to be a special occasion and I was pretty happy to have a home cooked meal courtesy of our cook.
“Hey, Dad,” I said as I took a seat in the dining room opposite my father. He looked up from his phone and gave me a small smile.
"Hey, good of you to join us," he said, slowly leaning back in his chair. "What’s new with you?"
I swallowed a piece of duck, enjoying the taste for a moment before I spoke. "I’m in the process of trying out to become a Chevalier."
My father’s mouth dropped open slightly, showcasing the fact that I’d actually surprised him. It was rare that it happened, so I was somewhat proud of the achievement.
"I’m proud of you." My father lifted his glass, the crimson wine sloshing inside. "I’m shocked you joined, given that Nash was already a shoo-in for the top position for next year, or so Van was bragging about at a party a few weeks ago."
I tried to keep my voice even as I replied with a light chuckle. “I’m not competing with Nash in that regard anymore, Dad.”
He didn’t need to know that we’d literally gotten into a fistfight recently.
My father nodded slowly, but I could see a slight look of confusion on his face. "You know that's not how things work here. He probably sees you as his competition anyway. After all, he was raised by Van Henson."
I wasn't sure how much he was raised by Van if I was being honest. With how much focus has been put on his political career by both he and his wife, I didn't know how much time had been left for their children.
