Since 1998

Before College Begins

Allison finally wore her mother's defenses down.

Lauren agreed to let Devin and Sam come over for dinner by the next day.

The Ainsley dining room was grand, with towering high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and silver that probably cost more than Devin’s entire beach house.

Alex sat at the head of the table, cutting his food in a heavy, tense silence.

Across from him, Devin and Sam gripped their forks like they were weapons.

"So," Alex said, his eyes locking onto them. "You’re the boys who’ve been taking up all of my daughter’s time."

Sam almost choked on a piece of steak. He tried to play it cool, swallowing hard. "Well, Mr. Ainsley—"

"Choose your next words carefully," Alex cut him off.

Lauren sat rigid, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of the table. She leaned forward, her voice a desperate whisper. "Boys, please. Don’t be shy. Eat."

Anna caught Sam’s eye and gave him a tiny, warning shake of her head. She stayed quiet, refusing to give Alex a reason to snap.

But watching Sam sweat was almost enough to make her burst out laughing.

The silence was cruel. It was the kind of quiet that made it hard to breathe.

When Sam’s fork made a tiny clink against his plate, it sounded like a gunshot.

Devin sat like a statue. He stared at a point just past Alex’s shoulder, refusing to blink, refusing to be the first one to look away.

Alex slowly set his silverware down. The metal rang against the gilded plate, a final, chilling sound. He leaned back, looking at them with total disappointment.

"Good heavens," Alex said, his voice dangerously quiet. "Looking at your faces, one would think someone had actually died." He pushed his plate away, the expensive steak barely touched. "I'm done. I’ve lost my appetite."

The room went completely dead silent.

Lauren’s hand flew to her throat. Allison felt a wave of heat crawl up her neck, half shame, half rage. But she stayed silent.

Alex stood up without waiting for anyone to speak. He straightened his blazer, not even looking their way. "Enjoy the rest of the silence, boys. It seems to be the only thing you’re actually good at."

He turned and walked out, leaving nothing but shattered nerves and a pile of cold, expensive food behind him.

The second the door closed, Devin and Sam finally slumped back in their chairs, exhaling a long sigh of relief.

"I'm so sorry," Allison whispered as they shuffled out of the room. "I never should have asked you to come."

Lauren appeared behind them, her face tight. "Boys, please... forgive my husband. He’s just... protective."

Sam nodded politely until they hit the front porch. The second the heavy front doors shut and they were away from those suffocating walls, he lost it. He burst into laughter.

Anna followed, her giggles turning into full-on hysterics.

"Did you see his face?" Sam gasped, clutching his stomach. "’Choose your next words carefully.' Man, I thought he was going to execute us right there over the salad.”

Even Devin cracked a smile. Allison felt a laugh break free from her chest.

🔅🔅🔅

Months later, the city lights blurred into long, neon streaks against the windows of the black sedan.

Daniel sat in the back beside Rafael, watching the world pass by.

"School starts tomorrow," Rafael said, viewing him through the rearview mirror. "No excitement for the big day?"

Daniel let out a dry, short laugh. "Excited? The Ainsleys own that place. It’s a breeding ground for brats and bullies."

"Maybe. But an heir needs an education, Daniel. You can't run the family on instincts alone."

"Fine. I’ll go," Daniel said, his voice dropping into something darker. "But I’m not going there to study. I’m going there to hunt. How’s that for an extracurricular?"

Rafael let out a low, rough sound of amusement. "So you're turning a prestigious university into your own personal playground?"

"Just a playground for kids," Daniel replied. "My head is already miles ahead of anyone in those classrooms."

"What about the Ainsley girl? She’s probably enrolled, too."

Daniel leaned back into the leather seat. "I can’t wait to see her throw a tantrum in her father’s hallway. That’ll be the highlight of my week."

"You’re really set on putting her through hell, aren't you?" Rafael shook his head. "You haven’t even seen her in years. What if she’s actually... impressive?"

"The last time I saw her seven years ago, she was a sobbing mess," Daniel said, a mocking twist forming on his lips. "Tears and weakness. That’s all she is."

"Bro, she was a kid then. Seven years is a long time for a girl to grow up. I’m actually curious to see what she looks like now."

"I’m not. And I don’t care," Daniel lied, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Rafael paused for a second, his tone shifting. "Wait... is there someone else? Some girl you’re actually waiting for?"

"No one."

"Well," Rafael sighed, "I hope you find one. Life’s short in our line of work."

"I don’t have time for that," Daniel snapped. "I’m busy making myself strong. A perfect assassin, just like you."

The sedan slowed as they reached the heavy, reinforced steel gates of the compound. As the gates hummed open, the headlights swept over a dozen men standing in the shadows.

They wore sharp, black suits, their hands folded in front of them, heads bowing slightly as the car rolled past.