10. Chapter 10

I lie awake until the sun starts to peak above the trees. If I'm gonna get out of my dorm, it has to be now. I quickly get out of bed and find my most professional items in my closet. A long-sleeved A-line black dress that ends at my shins. And pair it with a thin black belt around the waist. I found my black Mary Jane platforms from the shoe rack to finish my outfit. Yeah, this look should do it. I'll be dominating that meeting like it's nothing. A little black eyeliner, and I'll be unstoppable.

Those men are up for a challenge; once I step into that room, I'm not leaving until Cameron is kicked out. I'll pick a fight if I have to. I don't care at this point. They need to know a predator is in their school and he's dangerous to any female.

When I leave my bedroom, Ash and Atticus are sprawled out, sleeping on the couch. With the lightest steps I can manage, I reach the door. Holding my breath, I turn the knob, throwing open the door, and I'm so glad it doesn't creak like some of the doors in the dorm. In a wink of an eye, I darted out into the hall, my heart lodged in my throat. I've never snuck out before, and holy hell, I don't see how people can do it all the time. I rush down the stairs before they realize I've left. I still have to get past the fourth floor.

Maddox can still catch me.

Being outside is a relief, a weight is almost lifted from not being caught. The only other students outside this early are those who want to torture their bodies by running. That's a no for me. Having a stalker is like walking on eggshells. I never know where he is or when he'll text me. I'm tired of always hiding or having one of the guys with me, and I want my life back.

It feels nice not being escorted. I can think without being watched and analyzed like a Google document. I want this all the time. I'll take it even if it's a little morsel of freedom.

The school is quiet when I step inside, somewhat eerie when no other students walk the halls. I wouldn't put it past being haunted—especially the basement. I've heard stories about a weird cult going on down there. Of course, nothing has ever been proven, but everyone talks about it like they exist. Even if they did exist, everyone would look the other way. This school doesn't like to talk about their secrets.

Then again, maybe some secrets shouldn't be found out.

I head to the directors' boardroom, where all the meetings occur. All the walls are painted a warm black, including the curved ceiling—a row of four cathedral windows overlooks the courtyard. I'm sure this is one of the only rooms that didn't get a complete reno when they redid the school. The floor is still the paved stone from the late 1800s. I sit next to the head seat, where Dad will sit, and wait.

Thirty minutes later, the first member walks through the door. With his head down, checking his phone, he doesn't notice me until he reaches the table. His hand hovers over the chair as his eyes latch onto mine.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I think you're in the wrong room, Miss." He peers down his nose at me.

I take him in, from his freshly pressed suit to his classily side-parted salt and pepper hair. He smells like money.

"Trust me. I belong here." I rest my hands on the table, getting comfortable, and watch his lip curl into a snarl. I can't wait to take him down, especially Cameron's grandfather. That'll be even better, prove to him that his dear little grandson isn't who he thinks he is.

He glares at me before returning to his phone.

My phone vibrates in my pack, and it's official; the guys know I'm gone. They'll destroy the campus looking for me; this meeting better start soon. Knowing Atticus, he will search this room, too. The door swings open, making me jump in my seat.

"Odette?"

Dad stands in the doorway with two other men when I face him. I spot Cameron's grandfather instantly. Cameron is the spitting image of his grandfather. I wonder if he learned all his pervy ways from him, too.

"Dean Hawthorne. I thought it would be appropriate to be at the meeting as well. There are a few things I would like to discuss also if that's okay?"

"We usually take a vote on these things," the man in the olive-green suit says with an exaggerated sigh.

"Barnaby, that's enough. She can speak. Sit."

Barnaby should be wearing a purple suit. I watch as he sits next to the other dickhole, the only one left standing is Cameron's grandfather. There's something about him that sends shivers down my back. His suit sleeve rides up his wrist, revealing a small tattoo on the inside of his wrist. Before I can get a better look, he sits.

"Prescott, can we start? I have places to be," Cameron's grandfather asks.

"Archer, that's enough. We're all here because of your grandson. Now shut up. Roan, are you ready to take notes?"

The dickhole on his phone looks at me again, Roan, I'm assuming. I've never seen any of these guys around the campus before. Where do they hide? And why hasn't Dad ever mentioned them before? These are things I should know about, too.

"Then start. What's going on with Cameron?"

A small scoff slips from me, and Dad snaps his head in my direction. I raise my chin; I'm not backing down.

Dad drops a file onto the table, gaining everyone's attention. "Cameron has been accused of assault on a student, and this wouldn't be the first time. The only difference is that this involves my daughter." He looks at Archer. "I won't let it slide this time."

A vein in Archer's neck popped out, and I swear I could see it throbbing from my side of the table.

"Are you imposing that my grandson raped your daughter?"

My insides tumbled into each other from his words. It came close in the bathroom at Cam's party, too. He's always finding me at my most vulnerable moments.

"That's exactly what I'm saying. Your grandson needs to leave school at once. The safety of all the students depends on it."

Archer lurches out of his seat, slamming his hand on the table. "How dare you!" he seethed.

"He speaks the truth. Your grandson is disgusting," I exploded, clenching my teeth hard.

Archer's dark eyes turn into balls of fire. "Let me guess. You're the slut that made my grandson fall for her. I should've known you were related to him." He points to Dad. "Playing around with Cameron's feeling like a dirty whore. You had it coming."

Dad lunged from his seat, and his right fist slammed out, connecting with Archer's jaw. Archer staggered backward, grabbing his face. Burnaby stood, but Dad raised his hand for him to stop.

"No, that piece of shit had it coming. No one talks about my daughter like that. Just because you're a legacy member doesn't give you the right to address a female like that. Show some respect. Did you want to see the evidence I have, Archer, or are you going to continue to be in denial?"

Roan hasn't said a word or moved the entire time. He looks somewhat bored. It doesn't surprise me; he never looked like he wanted to be here.

"Archer, we already know your grandson is a fucking pervert. Stop denying it." Roan says in a dull, annoyed voice.

"You all know?" I glare at Archer. "Do you know what he did to me in the office? No less in a public space, and you want to fight to keep him here."

"His legacy. That'd look bad on me if my grandson were to be kicked out of this school."

The image of Ash and Atticus beating Cam pops into my mind, and I smile. "Have you seen Cam lately?"

Archer leans over the table, getting close. "No, but I heard what your brothers did. I should be pressing charges."

I lean in. His five o'clock shadow is barely coming in; the crow's feet on the outer corner of his eyes are settling in deep. I'm gonna say they are not from laughing.

"You press charges, and I'll press charges. And I'll find every other girl he did something with on campus. Are you sure you want to drag your name through the mud?" My heart thumped wildly in my chest when his eyes lit up.

"Prescott, I underestimated your daughter." He backs away, turning to face Dad. "He's suspended for six weeks, and that's all."

Roan stands like the meeting is suddenly over. A throat punch is in his future. "If that's all, I have to leave now. The notes have been taken."

"We didn't agree," I argued back.

"All in favor of a six-week suspension?" Archer asks.

Barnaby and Roan raise their hands, and Archer smirks at me. "That would mean I won."

The room is quiet after they leave. Archer's words keep ringing in my head. In six weeks, Cameron will be back. How fair is that?

"I'm sorry, pumpkin. I'm proud of you for fighting, but Archer always gets his way."

I tilt my head back, trying not to cry. "I don't get it. Cam can be a major cuntfucker and all he gets is a slap on the wrist. What kind of example is that setting for the school?"

"Not a good one. I've tried to have a strong moral for this school, but the longer we stay open, the worse it seems to get. The members don't care who is accepted anymore. They want to turn it into a non-exclusive school. I'm at my wit's end, Odette."

"How come you've never mentioned this before? We could've figured something out."

Dad runs his hand through his graying hair. "There are some things you don't need to worry about. And how this school runs is one thing you shouldn't be thinking about. Now, let's get you to class."

I forgot all about classes; being in this meeting felt like I was stuck in another world. I'm scared to look at my phone, and the guys are not going to let me get away with any of this.

"Dad, can you walk me to class?"

"I would love to. Don't forget dinner at the house tomorrow. Serena is planning some big dinner party now."

"You mean a torture session. I'm only going because it's you who's asking."

He chuckles before opening the door and putting the Dean mask back on. It's the one thing I admire about him: he can hide his personal life so well at work.

And I've been a struggling mess since the start of school.