Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

130. Olivia

Flashback

Fifteen years old,

When Camila and I became friends, I never thought it would lead me to him, the one that I felt I would be with from

the moment I saw him.

I have never been one to believe in love, as I’ve never liked boys or girls romantically, and I even thought I was aromantic until about eight months ago when Camila invited me to come over to her house. That’s when I first saw him, and despite him being older than me and not showing any interest in me, I couldn’t deny the pull I felt towards him. Of course, I never acted on it, never showed I liked him, because not only is he older than me, but he is also from the other side of the city, so I knew I never stood a chance. I even tried to forget about him, but seeing him every so often makes it almost impossible.

A month ago, he started showing some kind of interest in me. I couldn’t believe it, we kept having conversations on all kinds of topics, and then he asked me for my phone number. Many girls would have jumped right into the occasion, but not me, as I wanted to be sure he wasn’t messing around with me…or wanted to get into my pants.

I was told by many that not only do I look older than I am, but I also act older. Growing up in my family forced me to mature faster, and I don’t do things teens typically do, like going to the movies or fan all over celebrities. Instead, I am seriously considering my future and my future career. Despite being born into a Duke family and knowing that one day I will be forced to marry someone my father chooses for me, I still like to think I have a choice in what I will study when I go to University. While my father hates my very existence, I took a liking to his political career ever since I saw

him in a debate on TV.

As a sophomore in a high school that recently started accepting Dukes and Lords‘ children as students, I am part of a debate team formed of three girls, including me and one boy. Last week, the topic of how this new concept might affect the two secret societies was debated, and my team did really well. We have been invited to other debates.

The apple orchard behind his house comes into view, and I leave the bike leaning against a fence. After making sure the wind didn’t mess up my hair and my clothes didn’t have any creases, I slowly make my way to where he is waiting

for me.

#10

Bonu

He is sitting on a rock, his back to me, smoking. I stop a few feet from him, my light steps not betraying my presen00:4

learned to be very silent from a very young age since my brother hates any sound coming from me and often hits me or throws things at me if he hears me around the house. That’s why I prefer to spend most of my free time either locked in my room or with Camila.

throws it in the grass and smashes it with the

I arrived when he pulls his phone out of his pocket and types something on it. A moment later,

the zipper opens more than I wanted, and a few books fall on the ground. I mutter curses under my breath and kneel so I can shove the books back in the backpack. Seconds later, he squats next to me and grabs one of my books, and heat rushes

cheeks.

130. Olivia

back,”

the book, and I try to snatch it out of his

oh, I didn’t expect the senator’s

English class,” I come

it’s on fire. His

“Stop.” I groan.

ever seen one in real life?”

shake my head because even if I read…scandalous books, as he puts it, my dream is to belong to

the way you always blush,” he says and gives me back my

shove it to the bottom of my

grabs my chin between his fingers and has me looking at him. “Chil, little rabbit. I

a rabbit,”

run away if I try to kiss you

hammers in my chest, and I lick

+10

Bonu

stroking my skin. “I’ve wanted to do it for some time, but I didn’t think it was appropriate since you are much younger than me, but I like you, Olly.” He removes his hand and lets out a sigh. “You

00:3

at all. I might like you

doesn’t

to play Call of

“Sneaky little

up with that nickname, but I kinda

bet you taste like that vanilla