Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“Not that. This.”
Porter turns the laptop our way, but Beckett and I share another “huh?” look.
“Uh, we’re not all number-crunching Wall Street tycoons here, buddy,” Beckett sighs. “What are we looking at? This just looks like a wall of numbers.”
But slowly, my eyes widen, and when it clicks, my jaw drops.
“Wait,” I gasp, my eyes darting to Porter, who grins as he realizes I’ve got it. “Really?”
“Yep.”
Beckett sighs. “For fuck’s sake, what are we looking—”
“He’s not running a fund,” I murmur, eyes scanning the numbers. “He’s running a scam.”
Beckett’s eyes go wide and Porter nods.
“You’re looking at proof that Justin’s running a Ponzi scheme, not a hedge fund.” He glances at me and winks. “Does this mean you were actually paying attention in class?”
I bite my lip, grinning. “I have my moments.”
He smiles as he leans in and kisses me before pulling away and looking at Beck with a smile.
“Justin’s fucking broke. And he’s about to defraud a shitload of people—”
Suddenly, there’s a heavy pounding on the apartment door, bringing us all to our feet with gasps. I glance nervously up at the two of them, who both growl lowly as they move in front of me, fists clenching. The pounding comes again, and both of my guys bristle.
“Who is it?” Porter barks.
“Mr. Truman?” A voice roars back. “This is Winchester Campus Security! We’ve got Principal Kane with us!”
The color drains from my face as Beckett and Porter both look back at me, grim looks on their faces.
…This is it. This is our little secret honeymoon coming crashing to the ground, and my heart just sinks as that sets it. I reach out, taking both of their hands and squeezing tight. They both squeeze back, and Beckett nods quietly at me.
“We’ve got this, beautiful. Nothing’s going to take you away from—”
“Mr. Truman! I need you to open this door right now!”
Porter swears as he crosses the floor. At the door, he glances back a Beckett and I and nods solemnly before he reaches for the doorknob and swings the door open. Instantly, four campus cops stride in, hands on the guns in their holsters as Porter backs into the room. Beckett snarls and pushes forward, but Porter waves him back as a fifth man strides into the room—tall, handsome, dark-haired and fierce-eyed Principal Colton Kane, headmaster of Winchester.
“What’s this about, Principal Kane?” Porter growls quietly, his jaw tight as his eyes lock unblinking at his boss.
Principal Kane shakes his head. “Porter, I’m sorry, but we need to explore all accusations.”
“You want to tell me what—”
“Miss Carlisle!” the head cop barks, interrupting Porter as he strides towards me. “Miss, has this man touched you?”
I frown, balking.
“Excuse me?”
“The fuck is your problem, man!” Beckett spits, shoving his way between the cop and I, his hands balled to fists as he glares at the man in uniform.
“Son,” the cop growls. “Step aside.”
He pushes past Beckett and grabs my arm.
…Big mistake.
Beckett roars as he yanks the man’s arm back, twisting him and suddenly sending the campus cop tumbling to the ground. And of course, that’s when the shit hits the fan. The other three lunge for Beckett, all four of them roaring and swearing as they tackle the built quarterback to the ground. Porter roars and lunges at them, and he’s swinging his fist back to slam it into one of the guys’ faces, when suddenly, a loud booming voice fills the room.
“Enough!” Principal Kane roars, his large, muscled frame bristling as he draws up his full height. “That’s enough of this shit!” He glares at the cops. “Let him go.”
“Sir—”
“Let him go,” he hisses. The cops glare at everyone, but eventually they get to their feet and back away from Beckett and Porter. Beckett swears at them before Porter puts a restraining hand on his shoulder and shakes his head.
“What’s going on, Colton?”
Principal Kane sighs heavily. “I hate to even say it, Porter, but we received an anonymous tip that you were…” he glowers. “Having inappropriate relations with a student.”
Porter’s jaw clenches, and Principal Kane’s eyes narrow at him before they dart to me.
“Why is she here, Porter?”
Porter glares at him. “I’m her disciplinary monitor during her probation period. At your orders.”
“At your house, Porter?” Principal Kane says quietly.
“She’s here because of me, sir,” Beckett says firmly, stepping forward. “She’s my girlfriend.”
I barely suppress my giggle.
Principal Kane’s brows go up.
“Oh?”
I shrug, stepping in. “I mean, cheer captain and quarterback?” I smile, sliding my hand into Beckett’s. “Cliché I know, but love is love, right?”
Principal Kane’s face remains neutral, his brow arching slightly as he eyes all three of us.
The head cop clears his throat. “We still need to bring you all in for questioning—”
“That won’t be necessary,” Principal Kane growls. “We’re done here.”
The cop scowls. “But sir!”
“We’re done here, officer,” he booms, his chiseled, stubbled jaw clenching before he turns to us and smiles quietly. “Sorry to bother you guys.” His eyes drift over to me.