Pushing the debilitating thoughts of him aside, I open my refurbished laptop on my desk in the lecture hall, praying the piece of shit doesn’t die on me like it did the last time I tried to use it. After opening up a blank document, I sit there and wait for Professor Ames to show. The blinking cursor on my screen reflects my anticipation and my racing pulse.
I’m going to get an A in this class or die trying. I’ve come too far to let someone derail my goals because of a god complex.
Raven’s warning drifts through my mind as the imposing figure of Professor Ames walks through the door. He snatches the attention of everyone present, instantly killing all sounds of conversation. If a mouse farted, we’d all hear it.
His three-piece suit speaks of money, and it’s made from materials that I can’t name, let alone afford. Faint pinstripes are brightened by the lights, the shine overhead gleaming off his polished, leather dress shoes. But his gaze is where his true superiority lies.
In its depths is an understanding of how the world works. Might makes right. And in this day and age, money is everything. Power cannot be obtained and held without it.
I position my fingers on the keyboard and wait. My pulse ratchets up as he opens his mouth to speak.
“This is the Fundamentals of Chemistry. I am Professor Archibald Ames the Third. You will address me as Professor Ames, and nothing else.”
He clasps his hands behind his back and starts to walk, my eyes glued to his every move.
“Let’s establish some expectations before diving into the intricacies of chemical bonding. If your cell phone disrupts my lecture, escort yourself from the premises and straight to your academic advisor, who will drop you from my class. I don’t tolerate irresponsibility. You are all legal adults, so act like it, or get out.”
I grab my cell phone again, and check that it’s on silent. Again. This man does not fuck around.
“Secondly,” he continues, “I don’t care what your reason is for taking my class. However, you will respect the subject matter, as well as my dedication to it. If you think you can turn in a paper that’s been drafted within twenty-four hours, your grade will reflect your effort. You’ve been warned, so let’s proceed.”
Holy shit. Maybe getting a “B” isn’t the worst thing after all.
I gathermy things at the end of the lecture, my brain throbbing after all trying to comprehend everything Professor Ames went over. The other students don’t try to hide their relieved expressions as they exit the room and continue on with their day. I predict a long line at the coffee shop in the next five minutes.
Not wanting to fight the crowd, I wait to leave until only a few people are left. Professor Ames gathers papers and places them into his leather briefcase. I drop my head to avoid his gaze as I shuffle past.
He shuts his briefcase, the movement drawing my attention to his hands. A hint of gold winks at me under the bright lights. I halt mid-step, and my gaze darts to the ring on his middle finger.
It’s exactly the same as Ben’s, except with the letter “A” right above the anchor.
My heart thunders in my chest. Not only at the prospect of what this could mean, but also given the fact that my professor is staring at me like I’m a puppy who just shit on the floor.
He raises a sardonic brow. “Yes, Miss…?”
“Scott, sir. I mean, Professor Ames.”
“What can I do for you?”
I take a deep breath and take the plunge, hoping it doesn’t tank the grade I haven’t even gotten yet. “I have a question about your ring. It’s really nice. Is it from a fraternity or maybe a family heirloom?”
When he doesn’t respond—or blink—my pulse kicks up a notch. “It’s just that I’ve seen one like it, and I thought it was interesting. You know?”
The man locks his briefcase with a definitive click, his gaze narrowing. The look he gives me makes my insides shrivel and die. If I make it out of here intact, I’m going to yell at Raven for her understatement concerning his arctic personality.
“No, I don’t know, Miss Scott. To answer your question, the ring is both a family heirloom and representative of the Obsidian Order, a fraternity that’s been a part of this university since the first brick was laid centuries ago. Does that satisfy your curiosity, or would you like some more interesting facts that have nothing to do with chemistry?”
I shake my head so hard my hair slaps my cheeks. “No, thank you. But thank you, Professor Ames. Have a good day!”
I cringe at the high-pitched squeak that masquerades as my voice and spin around to practically run out the door. With his piercing gaze stabbing my back.
Chapter 14
DELILAH
It takes me the entire walk back to the dorms to shake off the icy temperament of my professor. He acts like he’s had an icicle shoved up his ass.
When I open the door, I find Raven lounging on her bed, punk music blasting as she scribbles furiously in a notebook. She looks up with surprise when I step inside the room, but her expression quickly morphs into a frown.
