That beautiful, angelic smile vanished.
Instead of feeling triumphant, I felt like an ass. That feeling would pass though. It always did.
She grinned again, startling me. Then she claimed the empty chair next to mine. “Well, I can already tell this is going to be fun.”
Chapter Two
Tessa
I dropped my hand when it became obvious that Hayden’s reputation had been legitimately earned. He had the manners of a hyena. And he was right — I already regretted thinking it was nice to meet him.
Everyone in school knew Hayden Anders. My friends and I dubbed him King Douche last year after he’d dated every single cheerleader. Strangely though, none of the girls complained. I found it fascinating that being played by a man-whore didn't piss them off. Of course, when a guy looked like Hayden, girls could be pretty stupid with forgiveness.
Then there were the fights he’d gotten into. Nothing of note this year, but I assumed that, as a senior, he didn’t have older boys to contend with. Anyone our age already knew to steer clear.
I’d dealt with guys like him before, guys who thought they were better than everyone else. Hayden had taken me off guard when I’d entered the principal’s office, but I came back full force and smiled sweetly, leaving no doubt that his asinine behavior couldn’t touch me. Being even nicer usually repelled his kind. Right on cue, Hayden flipped sun-lightened brown hair out of his gray eyes and turned from me.
Seeing him in the principal’s office wasn’t unexpected but why was I called in too?
“This is Agent Phillips, FBI.” Mr. Linton nodded toward the woman standing by the door. “She has reason to believe you’re not safe, Tessa.”
I searched the faces in the room for some sign that I was being punked. Maybe I’d heard wrong. “Excuse me?”
“This may come as a shock, but unfortunately I can’t give you classified information. But I can tell you that we’ve had a dissident group under surveillance for some time. Lately, they’ve been a little more aggressive.” She picked up a stack of photos from Mr. Linton’s desk and handed them to me. “By the looks of these, it appears they’ve taken an interest in you.”
My fingers numbly grasped the glossy pictures without glancing at them. “Why aren’t my parents here?”
“You’ll be seeing them soon. Right now, we have other matters to tend to.” She nodded toward the pictures.
I scanned the multitude of images — me with my mother and father, another of my little sister and me getting into my car, me at work — even a shot through our dining room window during dinner.
A chill ran up my spine and my mouth went dry. “Who took these? And where did you get them?” My words came out sounding shaky, panicked.
“From a raid at a house we’d staked out. That’s all I can tell you right now but I promise everything will be fine. We won’t let them hurt you.” Something about her voice made me want to curl up in front of a fire with marshmallows. Strange. It was as if her words rode on a different wavelength.
It had to be my imagination.
“We’re on it,” she continued. “We’ll have men watching your house. While you’re here at school, Hayden will help keep an eye on you.”
The plan sounded okay so far, but what did the school psycho have to do with it? Having the most dangerous guy at school protecting me was an ironic twist.
I wiped my trembling hands on my jeans and took a deep breath. Then suddenly, the apprehension slid off me, leaving no trace behind. I should be freaked over the news of someone stalking me, but the fear had dropped away like magic, as if someone had washed it away. Crazy idea. No one could control my mind that way so what was the deal with my emotional roller coaster?
“You still haven’t told me why you’re depending on me instead of someone more qualified,” Hayden interrupted my thoughts.
“We’re not relying solely on you. You may have noticed the new janitor and security guards on campus. But at their age, they’d seem like perverts if they spent too much time watching Tessa. You can get a lot closer than they can,” Agent Phillips said.
Hayden folded his arms over his chest. “What’s in it for me?”
“Satisfaction of a job well done.” Mr. Linton stared at Hayden as if daring him to refuse.
“No.” Hayden snorted and stood. “I’m going back to class now.”
Agent Phillips moved in front of the door and said in soft, crisp words, “Why don’t you hear him out? You might like what he has to say.”
Hayden’s gaze moved to her palm that rested on the butt of a gun. He sat again and looked bored. “Whatever.”
“My parents must be worried out of their minds.” As soon as the words were out, I knew it wasn’t true. They’d likely be thinking only of themselves. The last time they’d shown concern with what went on in my life was when I’d been a finalist in a writing contest. Not because they were proud of me but because they were afraid I’d get serious about writing and get too caught up in it to take care of my little sister. I’d never be too busy for her, but those kinds of concepts were foreign to them.
“We have the situation under control.”
With her words I felt calming rays cascade over me, bathing me in tranquility. I knew everything would be okay.
Mr. Linton studied a thick file in front of him then turned to Hayden. “You’ve got quite a résumé here. Vandalism… cheating. And you’ve been suspended twice. Let’s not forget that you’re here because you’ve been kicked out of every private school in the area. It’ll be interesting to see if there’s a college that will accept you.” A smile teased his mouth, like he had something up his sleeve.
“Maybe I don’t plan on going to college.” Hayden yawned and his gaze wandered to something beyond the window. I waffled between relief that he probably wouldn’t agree to their request and disappointment that he seemed to care so little about my safety.
“When you graduate from here, if you graduate, what kind of job will you get? Mowing lawns? Or do you think your rich parents will support you into your fifties?”
The principal must have hit a nerve because Hayden stiffened. “That’s my problem. Are we done here?”
“Not yet.” Agent Phillips returned to Mr. Linton’s side, picked up a thinner file and leafed through it. “I did a check on you and your family.” Her eyes darted to mine, as if unsure whether to continue in my presence.
“Just say it.” Hayden rolled his eyes. “Like I care if she knows how you’re trying to blackmail me for her benefit.”
“Very well. You’ve got a history of frequent hospital visits and broken bones. Interesting how the authorities were involved on three occasions, but the incidents were ruled accidents. Within days, the social worker handling each case retired and moved away. How much do you think your dad paid to keep them quiet?”
I’d heard rumors from those who knew Hayden before high school, but I assumed that’s all they were — rumors. Knowing it was true disturbed me. How could someone beat their own child so badly that they required a hospital visit?
“Step-dad.” Hayden flushed. He shifted in his chair and his jaw clenched. “Can we wrap this up?”
The principal didn’t miss a beat. “Ruining your chance at a real future is not the way to gain independence.”
Hayden groaned. “Right. And spending my valuable time babysitting her will magically make my life so much better.”
“Can't we find someone else?” I asked. “There must be half a dozen other guys around who're just as capable. We don't need Hayden. How much help would he be anyway?” I was probably worrying for nothing since Hayden wasn’t the type to do the right thing, no matter how hard Mr. Linton worked him. My fists unfolded at the thought of our paths dividing.