Page 77 of Depraved Boys

“It wasn’t that ba—” A laugh bubbled up at my automatic defense reaction, and I took a sip of my drink. The bar tender’s mix was a bit weaker than Mom’s but more lemony. “It was worse than I imagined.”

Prakash shook his head. “I did tell you to leave. Brittas Academy is no place for a sensitive soul.”

Bristling, I hid my expression behind my glass. Prakash hadn’t gotten the chance to know me and usually kept his distance, even when being cordial. What gave him the impression that I was sensitive and unable to cope with the demands of the academy?

I had survived so far, even if it was thanks to him and his friends, but those bullies would never have broken me.

“What makes you think I’m not strong enough to handle it?” I asked.

“I didn’t say you weren’t, but there’s something about you that says you’re not used to the cruel games the others play.”

“Others?”

He huffed a laugh. “I’m guilty of it too. Brittas gets to a person, I suppose.”

Guilt gnawed at my insides for making such a snap judgment. He was only looking out for me. Leaning across the table, I placed my hand on his. “Thank you. For everything. Those girls looked like they were gearing up to cause me some serious harm, and without your last-minute bid, someone might have bought the house.”

His finger swiped over my thumb, and he met my gaze with eyes as deep as midnight. “I can’t keep rescuing you. There’ll be a time when I’m not around to help.”

“So, it was you.”

He drew back his hand and wrapped it around his whiskey tumbler. “What are you talking about?”

“That night in Hard Knott. Someone found me on the mountain and called an ambulance. When I opened my eyes in the hospital, your face was the first one I saw.”

“They told me you had so much alcohol in your system that you wouldn’t remember,” he muttered.

“Why didn’t you want me to know?”

He shook his head and gazed into his glass. “It’s complicated.”

“Because of Corrine?”

His head snapped up. “What did Cormac Gibbons say?”

“He doesn’t like talking about his sister. But I’d like to know what happened between you two.”

“I’m going to need another drink if I tell you about Corrine.” He raised his hand. “Several.”

Even though we hadn’t finished our drinks, Prakash ordered another round. When the waiter brought two more glasses, he downed his single malt and sighed.

A knot formed in my stomach. From his interaction with Cormac and his reaction to Corrine’s name, I was certain that the contents of the diary had been accurate. Prakash had led Corrine to believe he loved her.

But here, he seemed remorseful about what had happened. I took a sip of my gin and tonic then waited for him to start.

Prakash swallowed. “What do you want to know?”

“When did you first meet her?”

“I joined the academy at the start of third year. We were all thirteen and fourteen back then. My father wanted me to build a closer relationship with the Garraway family and moved me to England.”

“Where were you before?”

“Zurich.”

“Alright.” I took a mouthful of lemony gin and tonic. “How did you get close?”

“As you know, most of my classes are with scholars. At first, I enjoyed their company. But the more time I spent with them, the less I spent with the very people I had come to befriend.”