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The Rightful Heir CHAPTER 28
Liam's POVI looked at my watch and my heart suddenly froze. 9:57 AM…Only three minutes left. Three minutes before the Judicial Board decided what would happen to me. Three minutes before they might kick me out of Crestwood.“Oh, this is great,” Ryan said behind me with his voice full of sarcasm. I turned and saw him leaning on the wall with arms crossed and a nasty smile on his face. A couple of his friends laughed nervously.“Running late, Carter? I thought you’d be busy preparing your… defense?” He said “defense” like it was a joke. “Looks like you finally realized how much trouble you're in. This is the end for you. Say goodbye to your dreams. Graduation, Melissa, Crestwood—gone.” He laughed. “Good luck wherever you end up.”My rage was roused, but I held it in. I wouldn't give him that satisfaction. “Save your breath, Ryan. You’ll need it to explain to your dad why his plan didn’t work.”His smile disappeared. “Don’t flatter yourself. This isn’t about him. This is about you
The Rightful Heir CHAPTER 29
Liam's POVThe hit knocked the air out of me. I stumbled and caught myself on the lockers.“Watch it, man!” I said while gasping as I turned to see who had hit me.It was Joel McHale, another student in our last year. His eyes were full of fear as he looked behind him. He had slowed down after hitting me and that gave Cole and Zane time to catch up. I then saw them, Ryan Blackwood’s loyal goons chasing him. They grabbed Joel and pulled him into a nearby room which looked much like a storage cupboard.Joel looked terrified. As usual everyone in the hallway kept walking and pretending not to notice. No one wanted trouble with Ryan Blackwood. I frowned. Even the hallways of Crestwood weren’t safe from his fear. It made me feel sick.I moved toward the cupboard. The door was slightly open and light was shining through the gap. I didn’t think twice. Anger pushed me forward. Whatever was happening inside I couldn’t let it go on.I stopped just outside and listened.Joel’s voice came throug
The Rightful Heir CHAPTER 30
Liam's POVI could feel the students staring at me when I walked out the school building. They were like vultures looking for the next part of the drama and wondering if I would be expelled next like another victim of the Blackwood family. But no one said a word. I didn’t let them see me scared.I got to my car, got in and started it. The sound of the engine helped drown out the whispers I imagined around me. As I left the parking lot I looked in the rearview mirror. Faces stared back at me in curiosity.The drive to my apartment passed in a haze. My mind kept replaying what happened with Joel, Cole and Zane. I saw fear in Joel’s eyes. What was he hiding? And what did the Blackwoods want to keep secret so badly? I had to find out.When I got to my apartment eventually, Hans was sitting on the porch smoking a cigarette calmly. Seeing him made me feel a little better. It kind of reminded me I wasn’t alone in this fight.I parked and got out and I walked over to him trying to smile.“H
The Rightful Heir CHAPTER 31
Liam's POV“911, what’s your emergency?” The dispatcher’s voice crackled from the phone speaker when Mrs McHale called.Mrs. McHale spoke with trembling hands and a shaky voice. “My son Joel McHale didn’t come home. He was supposed to be back hours ago.”I stood close listening with my stomach twisting in horror. I could feel her fear and that was reason enough to make me feel sick.“And what time was he supposed to be home, ma’am?” the dispatcher asked in a calm but serious and professional tone.“Six o’clock. He’s always home by six. He’s never, not once, been this late without calling.” Her voice shook.“Okay, and has he contacted you? Any texts, calls...?” The dispatcher asked carefully.“No, nothing. I’ve called him, but it goes straight to voicemail.”“Alright, ma’am. We’ll connect you with an officer to file a report. Please stay on the line.”There was a short wait with static and the sound of Mrs. McHale's laboured breathing. Then a new voice came on. “This is Officer Davie
The Rightful Heir CHAPTER 32
Liam's POVAt last the man nodded with a sighed. “Fine. But I’m coming with you. If the other guard sees us I’ll be in trouble.”I nodded. “Thank you. I really mean it.”We walked the halls with our footsteps echoing in the dark hallways. He led me to the main building and unlocked the door.“Where first?” he asked.“His locker. And classrooms he was in.” I replied.We searched carefully but Joel wasn’t there. His locker was empty and his things gone! Classrooms were dark and still.“Maybe we should check the gym?” I asked hopefully.“The gym’s locked. No one goes in after hours.”I was starting to panic. Where could he be?“One more person might know.” the guard said. “Mr. Grimsby. The janitor. He’s always here late.”We found Mr. Grimsby in the cafeteria where he was mopping the floor. He was an older man bur kind and gentle.“Mr. Grimsby.” the guard said. “This young man’s looking for a Joel McHale. Have you seen him?”Mr. Grimsby stopped. “Joel? Joel? Little boy who bumped into
The Rightful Heir CHAPTER 33
Liam's POV“That's enough! Stop it!” the guard finally intervened. He looked at Ryan nervously then looked at me. “Carter, you're done for today. Go home. Now.”He then turned to Ryan. “Ryan, are you okay? Did he hurt you?”Ryan, always trying to act cool, smiled and brushed off his jacket. “I'm fine. Just a little mix-up. Liam was just… happy to see me.” He smirked sarcastically.I wanted to wipe that smile off his face. But I got what I wanted. The bug was hidden in his jacket ready to send out everything. I just had to leave before Ryan got suspicious.I nodded to the guard. .“Alright, I'm going.”“Make sure you do.” the guard said in relief. He was scared of Ryan Blackwood and even more scared of what William Blackwood might do if anyone hurt his son. I didn’t blame him. Everyone feared the Blackwoods.I turned and walked away without looking back. I could feel Ryan watching me. He probably thought he’d won, that he scared me. He was wrong. This was just the beginning.As I le
The Rightful Heir CHAPTER 34
Ryan's POV“Excuse me?” I couldn’t believe what I just heard.Melissa moved uncomfortably in the car seat while looking away from me. “Liam talked to me a few days ago, Ryan. He asked me to... to put a bug on you.”I suddenly held the steering wheel tighter. I forgot the meeting I was driving to. I forgot everything. This was more important. I turned the wheel sharply and the tires squealed as I pulled the car to the side of the road. I hit the brake hard and Melissa jerked forward a little.“What are you doing Ryan?” she asked in surprise and a little fear.I didn’t answer. I was only thinking about Liam’s proposal. “Tell me everything Melissa. Every word. What did Liam Carter say to you?” My voice was low but the anger it conveyed wasn't unnoticed.She waited while biting her lip. “He... he said you were involved in illegal activities Ryan. He said you were breaking the law. He told me that if I cared I should help him... stop you.”My mouth twitched. I let out a short and bitte
The Rightful Heir CHAPTER 35
LIAM'S POVHans and I looked at each other. I suddenly felt sick with the urge to throw up. What had she done?“She… she turned on us.” Hans whispered in disbelief.I shook my head slowly. “I didn’t think… I didn’t believe she would.” I stuttered.I thought back to all my talks with Melissa trying to remember if she ever gave me a sign. But I had been blind. By what? Hope? Maybe the feelings I still had for her?Hans snapped. He kicked over a pile of magazines sending them flying in his rage. “Damn it! You said she was on our side! You said she wouldn’t do this! Now Ryan knows everything! All our plans!”He walked back and forth with his fists tight. “We’re done Liam! Really done! How are we supposed to know what happened at that meeting now? We had one shot and she ruined it for Blackwood!”He kicked a small table, sending it across the room. I didn’t say anything. I was too lost in my own thoughts. Melissa had chosen Ryan. She had chosen the Blackwoods, the money, and the fame in
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CHAPTER 54
Liam's POVI pulled the door open slowly with the hinges making a loud groan.I stepped inside and closed the door. The lock clicked shut again. It was almost completely dark. Only a little light came through the windows high on the walls.I waited in silence, half expecting someone to jump me and wrestle me to the ground but nothing happened and all I got was just silence.“Cole?” I whispered quietly into the darkness.No answer.I pulled out my phone and turned on the flashlight. The beam of light showed some old and rusty lockers. Okay this was starting to get creepy. Why was Ryan a jealous guardian of an old locker room?The room was bigger than I thought with Lockers stretched out into the darkness. I moved the light back and forth looking for Cole. Nothing. No one.“Cole?” I called again and a little bit louder this time.Still nothing.Where did he go? People don’t just disappear. Especially not in a locked room.I moved forward slowly with my senses sharp and highly on alert.
CHAPTER 53
Liam's POVI willed my Mazda 6 into a stop one block from Northwood High. I turned off the engine and the car went quiet with only a soft sound from the dashboard. Cole’s car was parked halfway through the school gates. Something felt really wrong. I couldn’t shake the bad feeling I got when I saw his car there. Why was he here at night and why did the security men Immediately grant him entrance?I looked at my watch. Alice would be waiting for me soon. We had a dinner reservation but I really needed to check this out quickly before returning to my earlier plans.. At the moment I pushed the date to the back of my mind and I was too busy wondering why Cole was back at school.“Damn it,” I said while trying to decide what to do. I hoped Alice would understand. This felt important.I took out my phone and quickly typed a message. “Running late. Something came up. Can I pick you up in an hour?” I sent it and hoped she wouldn’t be too upset.I got out of the car and pulled my jacket hoo
CHAPTER 52
Liam's POVMy father William Blackwood was like a snake and Sergio the sweaty little man across from him was about to feel the bite. I leaned back pretending to listen to what was being discussed even though I was as bored as anything. This act was tiring but necessary.“Sergio.” My father's voice was smooth and almost too calm. I knew him well enough to know that this was when he was more dangerous. “Tell me again how a club that serves... important people loses money especially when we give them the best product?”Sergio stammered while wiping his forehead with a fancy handkerchief. “Mr Blackwood, I swear it was just... bad luck. Some big spenders and some... unexpected costs…”“Unexpected costs? Like what Sergio? Paying off the police twice? Because I remember you doing that already!” My father slammed his fist on the table making Sergio jump while glass rattled dangerously.Okay this was getting interesting now and I focused my attention on their little exchange.I knew the ‘los
CHAPTER 51
Liam's POV“Mom! Mom, are you here?” My voice echoed in the quiet house. What if Blackwood had… no I couldn’t even think about it.I slammed into the first door and it broke open. “Mom!” I shouted while kicking through the mess into the living room. It was empty. I looked around for signs of a struggle or danger. The pastries and flowers I bought were now scattered on the floor.Next door was the kitchen and I didn’t hesitate. Another kick, another crash and I was inside calling her name again. Some utensils rattled and a vase almost fell but my mom wasn’t there.I could barely breathe. I was losing it. I couldn’t think straight. Blackwood’s words still rang in my head.. “You don’t want to see me angry.” Was this his anger? Was this what he could do?Then I heard a door click open and a soft voice. “Liam? What in the world…?”I spun around almost tripping in my hurry. My mom stood in the hallway wrapped in a towel with her hair wet. She looked confused.“Liam what's going on? Are
CHAPTER 50
Liam's POVI reached for the light switch and flipped it on but nothing happened. The apartment stayed dark. A sense of fear rushed through me.. the kind that makes you wish you were more ready. I really wished I had a firearm with me. But I hadn’t. I was here with nothing to protect myself in my own apartment.“Relax kid.” the voice said with a creepy laugh. “I just want to talk.”A man leaned forward in a chair with The light from the street outside illuminating his face just enough for me to see him. My breath caught. I’d never met him in person but I knew exactly who he was. The hard face and the cold eyes there was no doubt about it.William Blackwood. Ryan’s father.He gave a slow and dangerous smile. “You know who I am. After all the trouble you’ve caused me.”My brain raced trying to stay calm and think of something smart to say. I knew I had to be careful. “Why are you in my apartment in Blackwood?” I asked. “Breaking into people’s homes—do you always do business this way
CHAPTER 49
Liam's POV What were they talking about in there? “Girl talk.” Yeah, right. Like Alice and Sarah had anything in common besides me – the guy who always messed things up. I looked at my watch then stared at the house. The front door didn’t open. Everything was too quiet and it made me feel even worse.At last the door opened and Sarah walked out with a big smile on her face. I felt a bit better but I was also really curious.“So?” I asked as I stepped away from the car. “What were you two talking about?”Sarah’s smile grew. “Get in the car Liam. You’re driving.”“Driving where now? What did you guys talk about?” I asked again following her as she walked to the passenger seat. The way she avoided the question made me nervous.She sat down and buckled her seatbelt quickly. “Just drive Liam. I’ll tell you on the way.”I stopped for a second then walked around and got in the driver’s seat. I stuck the key in, started the car and pulled away from the sidewalk. “Okay I’m driving. Now te
CHAPTER 48
Liam's POV“So?” she asked. “Operation Apology is on. We’re going to Ms. Hawthorne’s house right?”I nodded and put my hands in my pockets. “Yeah. I just… Well yeah I suppose so.”She raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Okay Liam. But don’t get too emotional. Be sorry not creepy.”“Thanks for the tip Sarah. Really helpful.” I said flatly.We got in the car and of course Sarah being Sarah, she chose to drive. She started the engine and we took off. As she drove out of the parking lot I kept glancing at her. She was humming to the radio acting like this was a road trip or something..“Hey.” I said after a while.She looked at me with a smile. “Yes Carter? You’ve been staring like I’ve grown another head. Or maybe you just like my amazing driving?”I sighed. “It’s just… earlier at school. I understood why you didn’t want to be seen with me. But now… why are you okay with it? After everything?”She turned the music down. “Look Liam I’m not dumb. I know what you’re thinking. You think th
CHAPTER 47
Liam's POVAll the students of Crestwood High sat tightly packed in the bleachers of the basketball court which were usually for fans but now faced a small stage. A podium stood in the middle of the stage with a microphone attached to it.I sat stiffly in the front row silently observing. Unlike the other students of Crestwood, I knew exactly what was coming. The last two days had been kinda tedious with people whispering, staring and making false claims about me wherever I go. It all started with a fake article in the school paper and now it had all gone way beyond that.Principal Thompson stepped up to the microphone and he cleared his throat loudly with the sound quieting everyone and informing them it was time to be silent.“Good morning everyone.” his voice bboomed across the room. “We are here today to talk about a serious issue that has affected our school.” He paused and scanned all the faces before him. “As you all know an article in the school paper made some claims. These
CHAPTER 46
Liam's POVI rolled into the parking lot and right away I heard the usual laughs and mean jokes. People pointed at me and shouted things through the air.“There he is! Lover boy!”“Hey Liam how’s Ms Hawthorne?”They didn’t know what I knew. The fake messages and the news article all of it was about to be exposed.I turned off the car and took a deep breath. No reaction. No anger. Today was my day. I had just stepped out of the car when Mr. Grimsby came over.“Carter! The principal wants to see you. Right now.”Behind him Ryan Blackwood showed up with a big grin and next to him was Melissa.“Someone’s in big trouble.” Ryan smirked. “Enjoy detention Carter.”I didn’t say anything back. I walked past him with my eyes forward. I felt his stare behind me but I didn’t give him what he wanted. Melissa’s stood there staring too but I tried not to focus on her.Mrs. Davison the principal’s secretary gave me a small smile and pointed to the office.“He’s ready for you Liam.”Principal Thompson
