Aching for His Discretion (The Discretion Dynasty #1)

12. Teegan

Chapter twelve

Teegan

“ A nd with that, students, I am pleased to announce our guest speaker for the assembly, Dr. Oliver Harrington,” the assistant dean of the school said into the microphone.

The rest of the students and I began to clap for the man who was essentially calling most of the shots due to his status and the amount of money he invested into our medical school: the man who was also known as Alec’s father and is primarily the reason his son is so conceited all of the time.

I didn’t mind that Alec was the son of the wealthiest doctors in the region, but for him to use it constantly as a way to get away with everything he does with no consequences slightly concerned me of what he may be capable of… especially if I’m currently a target for him.

Looking behind his father, who was speaking, my eyes locked onto the devil himself, sitting alongside the head faculty on stage as the school’s “golden boy” whose father was oh so proud of .

Our eyes locked for a moment, and he sent me a wink as I averted my eyes back to his father, who was now also staring directly at me. I played with my fingers unconsciously as he continued to speak, slowly moving his gaze off of me.

“The new changes we have planned promise to be both exciting and transformative for our future doctors of medicine. However, we recognize that they may also present challenges along the way… I am committed to guiding our students and faculty through this transition, and I am deeply honored to accept the offer to serve as chairman of the board. While working alongside Dean Prescott, we are hoping that the new and improved opportunities for students, as well as changes to the curriculum, will be able to take effect soon. Thank you,” he finished, and we clapped once again as he left the podium to take a seat by his son once more.

I practically zoned out the last portion of the assembly before we were all dismissed. Walking out of the auditorium, I made my way outside as I sighed internally. Dr. Harrington becoming chairman of the board would only give him more power and status… meaning Alec could use that to his advantage, too. If he was this terrible with his father simply funding the school, imagine how bad he’d be if his father were practically running the place. Not like he isn’t already.

No. Don’t think negatively, Teegan… He may just leave you alone.

“Teegan.”

Or not.

Turning toward the voice, I looked to see Alec standing smug in his suit as he approached me slowly, and following him was Dr. Harrington.

“I’d like to personally introduce you to my father, Dr. Oliver Harrington. Father, this is one of my classmates, Teegan Monroe.”

“Ah, yes. Ms. Monroe… one of our top students. Alec has told me so much about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said with a smile, and I nodded, trying to keep my voice from trembling as their gazes felt almost suffocating.

“Likewise, sir,” I responded.

“Teegan is actually on an OB/GYN rotation with me this month… and has already gained the attention of many of the hospital staff due to her impeccable work,” Alec remarked suggestively.

Dr. Harrington smiled at me. “Excellent work, Ms. Monroe. I can only hope my son is up to par with how you’ve set the standard.”

He isn’t.

Giving a warm smile in response, my phone buzzed in my pocket, and my heart skipped a beat as I knew exactly who it was already.

“Unfortunately, I need to get going. My ride is here, but it was a pleasure speaking with you,” I said.

Dr. Harrington spoke again. “Oh well, that’s not a problem. Alec, you could accompany Ms. Monroe outside. I’m sure you could do a bit more catching up before your busy hospital shifts tomorrow.”

“I-it’s fine, really. I can just see him tomorrow—” I began, but Dr. Harrington cut me off.

“I insist. Besides, I have to make a quick stop in the dean’s office anyway. Take as much time as you need, son.” I couldn’t even say anything as Alec began walking us out of the building with his hand on my lower back.

“Did I tell you how fucking sexy you look in this little outfit of yours?”

His hand began wandering lower, and I pulled out of his hold, walking to the exit a bit faster. My outfit consisted of nothing but my plaid coat, jeans, and my ankle-cut booties, so finding the sexy he was discussing seemed a bit of a challenge.

He chuckled and followed close behind as he continued, “You can’t ignore me forever, baby girl.”

My body felt like having a flight or fight reaction as his words sounded more threatening than they actually were.

Opening the exit doors, I walked down the steps only to be stopped by his hand coming around my wrist. I did my best to pull away, but he turned me to face him.

“Alec. Please,” I muttered, and he leaned in slowly.

“What’s it gonna take for you to stop running, hmm? All I want to do is talk, baby.”

I tried pulling my hand once again when I paused as I heard his voice.

“Tesoro.”

Both Alec and I looked over to see Levi standing by his very expensive car. Alec’s hand loosened a bit, and I pulled mine out quickly as I went over to Levi, placing my arms around his neck. He pulled me in, wrapping his arms around my waist as he placed a small kiss on my hair. However, I flinched slightly as he placed his hand on my bum, squeezing it.

My face flushed red as I realized Alec was still there and had been watching our interaction. Pulling away from Levi, I looked up at his eyes to see them sinisterly gazing at Alec as his hands still held me close. They had a possessive look in them almost but they were also slightly murderous as his jaw clenched in irritation.

“Levi,” I whispered, and his eyes snapped over to mine as his eyebrows furrowed slightly. That was when I realized this was the first time I’d actually said his first name to him.

I don’t know why it took me so long to do so, but there was something about addressing him by his last name that made me feel more polite towards him and also set a bit of a boundary.

We weren’t all that close yet. However, the events in my apartment that occurred a few days ago had me thinking otherwise… He never seemed to mind the way I addressed him, but from the look in his eyes currently, I could tell he liked me saying his name.

Pulling away, he opened the passenger door for me, and I thanked him as I stepped inside. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Alec standing furiously as he watched us, and I turned away, letting out a small breath as Levi drove off.

“You said my name,” he muttered after a few moments of silence, and I blushed.

“I did,” I replied softly, and he sighed.

“I liked it.”

I smiled internally as he continued to drive. Soon, we ended up at my apartment, and we greeted Mr. John at the door before going upstairs to my flat.

“You’ve been ignoring me, Tesoro,” he muttered from behind, and I stopped in the hall in front of him as I closed my eyes. Yes, four days ago, the incredibly gorgeous man behind me made me experience something all too new that was extremely exhilarating and scary.

He’d been slightly busy for the past few days and didn’t really object to my attempts to ignore his messages. But this morning, he made it very clear that I had enough time to myself and that we were going to spend the afternoon together. To which I didn’t object, but I felt too embarrassed to bring up the subject of us getting rather… close the other night.

Turning to him, I sighed.

“I’m sorry… I-I was just confused,” I whispered, and he approached me slowly.

“About?” he muttered, and I looked down as I played with my fingers.

“Everything.”

He hummed as he tilted my head up. “Does it have anything to do with that night?” he asked, and I bit my lip.

“A little bit.”

He hummed once again before he abruptly picked me up in one motion, wrapping my legs around his waist. Holding back a squeal of surprise, I blushed as his hands rested on my bum.

“Levi… I…” I whispered, and he placed a kiss on my neck.

“Tesoro... I am willing to be this friend you so-called want me to be, but just know that you’re starting to affect me. The way I think, act, and speak… you’re making me change, and as much as I was starting to hate it in the beginning, I fucking love it… unfortunately, I am beginning to perceive you as being more than just a friend.”

“Best friends,” I whispered stupidly, and he chuckled.

“No, not best friends, Tesoro… Even more than that. ”

“Oh. That’s nice, I guess,” I whispered, unsure of how to respond, and he tilted his head as he groped my bum in his hands, causing me to whine.

“You think it’s nice… that I am essentially telling you that I want and plan on fucking you until you can’t take anymore and afterward buying you shit like flowers and candy. Giving you hugs and kisses in the same places that I plan on making you cum? Getting to know your likes and dislikes while also learning what makes you twitch and beg … hmmm, baby? You guess that it would be nice?” he asked sinisterly.

I bit my lip as his words made me blush, and I almost let out a tiny whimper in response.

Pull yourself together, Teegan. The man just laid his heart out to you.

Is that what you’d call it?

Nonetheless, I responded breathlessly as I did my best to hold eye contact with this unpredictable, impulsive man. “You’re very unpredictable, Mr. Amante,” I muttered and moaned softly as he kneaded my bum in his hands.

“As you know, Tesoro, I aim to please. Now go inside and greet the fur monster that’s trying to escape to say hello,” he ordered, setting me on the ground, and I turned to see, lo and behold, the doorknob twitching as Grayson was most likely jumping and twisting the knob from inside.

Upon opening the door, Grayson immediately walked out and weaved through my and Levi’s legs. Noticing him leaning back on his paws, I went to speak when Levi had already managed to catch him in his arms. I shook my head as he purred in Levi’s arms, to which Levi simply gave him a few head scratches.

Placing my things down and my coat away, I brewed some tea on the stove for Levi and me after getting settled. Afterward, I lit a floral candle in the kitchen to lift the minor odor of last night’s dinner still lingering in the air. Hearing footsteps beside me, I looked over to see Levi walking over without Grayson, and he placed his hand in mine slowly.

“Did you eat today?” Levi asked, and I bit my lip.

“I… had a banana while I was studying this morning,” I whispered truthfully, and he hummed as he pulled out his phone.

“Does Italian sound good?” he asked teasingly, and I squeezed his hand in mine as a smile came to my face.

“Sounds great.”

Sitting on the couch, I turned the page of the book I was reading as the sun began to set. Levi had spent around five hours with me today, yet sadly he had some business to take care of and left around thirty minutes ago. Grayson was lying on the couch beside me as my candle burned, and eventually, I grew bored with reading about the female anatomy.

Standing up, I slipped on my slippers and picked Grayson up. Pulling my white cardigan on over my beige long-sleeve and black leggings, I made my way out of my apartment to pick up any mail that came to spare Mr. John the trip to my flat.

As I exited, I noticed a man down the hall by Mitchel’s door taking notes on a notepad with a camera around his neck. His hair was disheveled, his white buttoned-up had a few buttons undone, and he was quite handsome, to say the least. He didn’t notice me as I stepped out slowly, but I assumed he did once he heard me walk away from my door and over to the steps.

Upon reaching the first floor, I went over to my mailbox and picked up my packages and bills as Grayson rested on my shoulders like a scarf. Going back upstairs, I reached my apartment door and was surprised when I felt someone pick up a few of my boxes from my hand. Looking over, I noticed it was the same man who was at Mitchel’s door, and I smiled.

“Thanks…” I said softly, and he nodded his head.

“Not a problem.”

After unlocking the door, I placed the mail on the floor inside. I grabbed the remaining boxes from his hands before I placed them on the ground as Grayson jumped off my shoulders and ran inside somewhere. Standing back up, I looked to see the man still standing by my side, but he was simply staring at me silently.

“That’s a lot of packages...” he muttered, and I nodded sheepishly.

“Yeah... I like to shop quite a bit online.”

“I can tell,” he replied, his eyes taking a quick glance inside my apartment before he looked back over to me. He licked his bottom lip for a moment before holding his hand out for me to shake. “Theodore Hale,” he introduced himself, and I smiled as I shook his hand.

“Teegan Monroe… Not to be rude or anything, but can I ask why you are out here in the hallway?” I began, and he chuckled as he looked down at his notepad.

“Although this defeats the purpose of my job title by telling you, I am a private investigator, and I was… uh… called in by your landlord, Mr. Madison. He was concerned about the whereabouts of your neighbor down the hall, and I’m doing a bit of investigating before my partner, Detective Felix, starts a case,” he mentioned, and I nodded as my hands began to feel a bit clammy. He looked down at my fidgeting fingers for a moment before looking back into my eyes. “He’s been missing for quite some time… would you mind telling me when the last time you saw him was?” he asked nonchalantly, and I bit my lip as I knew he had other intentions than just “talking” about Mitchel. I’d seen enough Criminal Minds and true crime episodes to know how this sort of questioning was anything but casual.

“It’s probably been about two weeks? Before then, he was either not home, or locked himself inside. He never really gave me the time of day.”

Theodore nodded, and his next question caused my stomach to turn slightly.

“And you haven’t seen anyone around him or his apartment that you probably have never seen on a regular basis?” he asked, tilting his head casually; however, my brain was going a hundred miles per hour trying to come up with an answer.

Levi, Elliot, Micah, Nico.

I told Mr. Madison that no one had been up here. Why did I lie?

Levi, Elliot, Micah, Nico.

Elliot and Levi said to be quiet.

Levi, Elliot, Micah, Nico.

TEEGAN .

“Teegan?” he asked, and I shook myself out of my thoughts.

“No. I haven’t really seen anyone. I just knew he was in the process of moving,” I responded swiftly, shrugging my shoulders as if the lie didn’t burn my mouth as I spoke.

Theodore’s jaw clenched slightly before he nodded his head.

“Good to know.”