Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66291 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66291 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
I let out a breath of relief and walking to the couch, I sit down. “Thank you.”
“Can I ask one question?”
“Please,” I reply quickly.
“Are you serious about Layla?” Stephanie has always been calm and collected, and hearing the tone of worry in her voice, tells me just how concerned she is.
“I am.” Glancing up, I lock eyes with Layla, “I’m very much in love with your daughter. I have no intention of ending things between us.”
“Your father will not remain silent. You know this, right?”
“I do. I’m prepared to accept all the consequences, whatever they may be.”
“I have to warn you. I will not hesitate to remove Layla from the Academy if I feel her life is being upset in any way.”
“I’ll protect her. I promise.”
“I’m going to hold you to that, Falcon. I love Layla more than anything and anyone. Please keep her safe.”
“I will, Stephanie.”
We end the call, and I suck in a deep breath of air. Looking at my watch, I see it’s already past midnight. I stand up and reaching for Layla’s hand, I pull her to the bedroom. I pull my shirt off and lay down, holding my arm open for her. She gets on the bed, crawls over and snuggles against me.
Wrapping my arms around her, I press a kiss to her hair. “I’m sorry this happened.”
“It’s not your fault,” she whispers. “Your parents seem really upset from what my mom told me.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I reassure her.
She lifts her head and looks up at me. “It does, Falcon.”
I bring a hand to her face and brush my thumb over the swell of her cheek. “Don’t worry about any of it. I’ll handle my parents.”
She stares at me for a little while, then says, “Thank you for apologizing to my mom. You didn’t have to, but it means a lot to me.”
A smile tugs at my mouth. “Sleep my rainbow.”
A huge smile splits across her face. “I like that.”
I press another kiss to her forehead then guide her back to my chest.
Long after Layla has fallen asleep, I’m still staring at her.
I’m going to fight to keep you.
I’m going to fight for us.
Even if it means I have to give up everything.
Chapter 19
Layla
Sitting in class, I keep my face as expressionless as possible while Serena presents the lecture. Every couple of seconds, her eyes snap to me, and a chill goes down my spine.
As soon as class finishes, I grab my bag and rush to the door.
“Layla!” I hear her snap behind me, but I pretend not to hear and dart out into the hallway.
“Wait up,” Kingsley calls. I slow my pace, and when she catches up, she grumbles, “That wasn’t uncomfortable at all.”
“You’re telling me,” I mutter.
“Anyway, the class is over,” Kingsley looks at the positive side. “Are we going to the library? I want to get this project done and over with.”
“Yes, let’s make a huge dent in it today. I’ve fallen behind with it the past couple of days,” I admit.
Kingsley hooks her arm through mine. “Mmm… I wonder why?”
Letting out a chuckle, I nudge her shoulder with mine. “It was worth it, though.”
“Who would’ve thought you and Falcon would date?”
“If you told me that last week, I would’ve asked you what drugs you were on,” I joke.
“Just goes to show, anything can happen,” she muses.
“Yeah? Like you and Mason? Is he going to be your sugar-daddy?” I tease her, which earns me a scowl and a jab at my shoulder.
“Stop, that shit is scary,” she grumbles.
As we walk across the lawn which stretches behind the back of the dorms toward the library, I ask, “Why is it scary?”
Kingsley pulls me to a stop and gives me a confused look. “Aren’t you scared of Mason?”
I shake my head, “Why would I be?”
She throws her arms in the air. “Oh, I don’t know. Only a ka-zillion reasons.” She holds out her left hand and begins to tick them off. “His temper for one. He’s aggressive. I’ve seen him punch West into a bloody mess.”
“I really think that’s all just a smokescreen,” I offer my opinion.
Kingsley shakes her head, not agreeing, “If you ever leave me alone with Mason, I’ll never speak to you again. He really terrifies the shit out of me. I wish there was a way I could get out of this being his assistant crap.”
“Do you want me to ask Falcon?” I offer, hating that Kingsley feels so uncomfortable.
She shakes her head, “They’re best friends. I don’t want to cause trouble between Falcon and you.”
We begin to walk again and wanting Kingsley to feel better, I place my arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry. I’ve got your back. I won’t leave you alone with him.”
She gives me a thankful smile. “Thanks, friend.”
My phone vibrates on the table next to my laptop. Checking it, I see a text from Falcon.