Tarnished Crown (Gravestone Elite #2) by Caitlyn Dare (books like beach read TXT) 📕

is split into two sections: a lower level with rows of study desks and computers, with the records and archive stacks on a raised platform. My dad told me once that it was a precaution in case of flooding.

I disappear into the stacks, running my eyes over the various coding markers. In high school, we visited the Town Hall once for a tour, and the archivist gave us a lesson in reading the different codings. But Annabel is right; a lot of the information can be accessed online now.

Coming to stop in front of the sealed archives, my heart drops. Everything is different since I last came here. The padlock has been upgraded to a keycard mechanism. Crap. I had planned to pick the lock, but there’s no way I can get inside now. Not without a security pass.

As I’m staring at the founding family records, an idea pops into my mind. My dad’s pass. If I can lift my dad’s pass, I can use it to get inside. But it’s my dad. I don’t want to get him in trouble… and I don’t want him to find out what I’m doing.

Crap.

Defeated, I double back and make my way out of the archive room. The archivist gives me a small wave as I pass her. “Did you find everything you need, dear?”

“Yes, thank you,” I say before slipping into the elevator.

When it pings open again, I come face to face with the security guy.

“Miss Thompson, is that you?”

“Oh hey… Bryan?”

“That’s the one. Does your father know you’re here?”

No.

I force a smile. “Actually, I was just going to go see him. Any idea where he is?”

“He’s probably back in his office.”

“Thanks, Bryan.” I slip passed him.

“It’s good to see you again, Miss Thompson.”

Letting out a small breath, I hurry down the hall leading toward the back of the building. I’ve almost reached my dad’s office when I hear voices.

“Not what we agreed, Phillip.”

I freeze at the anger in my dad’s voice.

“This is the only way, Garth.” The other voice is muffled, but there’s no mistaking it’s Phillip Cargill. “Need her to…”

A trickle of awareness goes through me, and I creep closer.

“She is… daughter. It’s not fair… Cade… dangerous…”

I can only make out every other word, but my body vibrates with fear.

Are they talking about me?

About me and Cade?

“Not a choice, Thompson.” Phillip’s voice is full of frustration. “We agreed. You agreed. Now… see this through.”

My stomach drops.

See what through?

A bang down the hall startles me, and I hear Phillip say, “We’ll finish this another time.” There’s a rustle and footsteps.

Heart in my throat, I take off down the hall. I don’t know what I just heard, but something deep inside me tells me I don’t want to be caught eavesdropping.

The women’s restroom looms up ahead, so I duck inside, waiting for Phillip to leave. His heavy footsteps pass the door, and I let out a shaky breath.

This was a bad idea. A really bad idea. But I’m here now, and Bryan saw me.

Crap.

Crap. Crap. Crap.

Splashing some cold water on my face, I dry my hands and inhale a steady breath. Pulling open the door, I step back into the hall and make my way to Dad’s office.

“Come in,” he says.

“Hey, Dad.” I peek around the door.

“Mia? This is a surprise.” He leans back in his chair, studying me. There’s no evidence of his tense conversation with Phillip. He looks just like my dad. Kind eyes and a warm smile that he reserves for me and Mom.

“Research for a paper,” I say nonchalantly.

“You’re working hard on a Monday night, sweetheart.”

“Just trying to get a headstart.”

“How did you get here?”

“Annabel gave me a ride into town.”

“And how are you getting back?”

“I was hoping you might be able to take me?”

“Ah, I see. So this isn’t a social visit…” He chuckles. “I don’t get off for another couple of hours, but I’m sure Bryan will cover for me.” Standing, he grabs his keys off the rack. “Come on.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

His eyes narrow a fraction, sadness bleeding into his expression.

“Dad?” A shiver runs down my spine.

“Come on,” he says, a smile lifting his whole face. “Let’s get you back to campus.”

15

Bexley

Mouse: Hey, I need a favor.

My heart pounds as I read Mia’s words. Is she for real?

Bexley: Of course. Name it and it's yours.

She starts typing immediately, but the seconds feel like hours as I wait for her words to appear.

Mouse: Can you come to my dorm?

Bexley: Is that a trick question?

Mouse: No, I need to talk to you about something.

Bexley: Talk?

My blood starts to heat, and it's not with ideas of us talking playing out in my head.

Mouse: Yes. I don't trust anyone else. 

A smile twitches at my lips as my chest constricts at her words.

Bexley: On my way.

Mouse: The window will be open.

I blow out a long breath as reality slams into me. Sneaking into her dorm room because we're forbidden. Right.

I change my shirt and shove my feet into my sneakers before pulling my door open and heading down the hallway. I miss my dorm, and not just because it puts me closer to Mia at all times.

Music booms from one of the rooms down the hall—Brandon's, I think. But I don't see anyone as I descend the stairs.

"Going somewhere nice, Easton?" Cade’s voice makes my steps falter.

"Out," I bark back without even looking into the room I know he's hanging out in.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Fuck you, Kingsley." I flip him off over my shoulder, half expecting him to body slam me into the wall for my attitude, but by some miracle, he lets me leave without saying another word.

The drive to campus is quick, but I spend most of the drive looking in my rearview mirror to make sure that motherfucker hasn't followed me.

Confident the coast is clear, I park in our old dorm lot and hit the sidewalk that will take me to Mia. She's waiting for me; the second I turn the corner, her curtains twitch and she