The Damaged (The Insiders Trilogy #2) - Tijan by Tijan

Dax. Shyam. They were gazing at my dad as if he were their dad.

He gave a speech, one that was motivating and moving all at the same time. He talked about a few new programs he’d been key to creating and how Phoenix Tech was hoping to work on even better programs in the next year. He talked about how they were close, and they had exciting new opportunities as well. Everyone was aware they employed undergraduate interns. I knew this. He was excited to announce that they not only had a slot for their usual graduate internship but actually had slots for two graduate interns.

“As I’m aware you know, we always reserve a graduate spot for a Hawking student. This year, that’s the same plan.” He extended a hand toward me. “And I want to make sure to clear any confusion. We’ll not be offering one of those internships to my daughter, Bailey. What else I want to be clear on is that there are two spaces open, but only one is reserved for a Hawking student. That means the other could also go to a Hawking University student or it could go to someone from the other graduate programs in the nation. This is a first for Phoenix Tech, but I am very excited to see the entries.”

He remained, answering questions.

It was explained that our final project in the class would be our application for the internship. We were told to download the instructions, and when I clicked on my link, a separate attachment loaded. It was a note to speak to my instructor at the end of the day, since I would have different guidelines for the final project.

While everyone was going over their own instructions, Peter waited in the back. We were released to start working, but it was really an unofficial option for a one-on-one with Peter Francis.

My classmates took the opportunity.

I sat.

Liam turned in his chair by me. “It’s amazing that your dad stuck around all morning.”

I grinned at him. “You’re spending time with Melissa.”

He winked before he got serious. “Is this weird for you? Him being your dad and all, and such a big inspiration to everyone here?”

I considered it, glanced around, saw evidence of how he was inspiring.

I shook my head. “No, because I’m one of you guys. He was my hero until I found out he was my father.”

“He’s not anymore?”

I was eyeing my dad and shrugged. “It’s just different. That’s all.”

“Sucks though, you can’t be considered for an internship.”

I stopped eyeing my dad and turned back to my computer. My back was turned to the rest of the room. “Yeah. Sucks.”

My stomach churned with how much it sucked.

Liam kept on. “Thought for sure, since they said there’d be two openings, one would go to you.”

I had, too.

My shoulder was stiff, but I still shrugged. “It’s fine. I’ll go somewhere else. It’s all good. It’s better if I earned it, not had it given to me.”

“You know…” He had lowered his voice, leaning even closer.

I looked over.

His gaze was knowing. “I’ve seen your work. Sitting next to you, it’s hard not to watch you. You do it almost seamlessly. Don’t break a sweat, and your work is quality. Why he won’t let you into Phoenix Tech is stupid. Your dad ain’t that much of a genius if he lets you go somewhere else. I know you think none of the students know, but I noticed. I know Dax has noticed. He’s asked questions about you. Hoda, too.”

“Hoda?”

His grin was knowing, too. “Why do you think she’s so jealous? She thinks you got all the breaks. Iconic father. Genius brain. Looks. Your guy. People like you. But now she knows you have actual talent.”

They don’t know.

None of them know.

The summer.

The break-in.

A hand over my mouth.

A whisper in my ear: “They’re going to think I raped you…”

A rushing sound was filling my ears.

A pounding was starting behind my forehead.

My vision was starting to blur.

None of them knew.

Liam’s voice was beginning to circle around me.

She didn’t know shit. Neither did he. None of them did.

None of them knew shit.

That’s what I knew.

None of them knew shit.

That’s what I learned.

None of them knew shit.

“You are a problem…”

“Jesus! Bailey!”

None of them knew shit.

“Bailey. Honey.” That was my dad.

“Once you’re gone…”

Fingers were on my hands.

None of them knew shit.

They were trying to pry me away from something.

None of them knew shit.

My stomach was churning.

Churning.

Churning.

None of them knew shit.

“Bailey! Stop it.”

I was ripped away and yanked out of whatever I was in.

I was being held back.

Two of my nails were split down, half off my finger. I was shaking, and my hands were completely white except for the blood. White and red. I was barely standing.

I looked up. Peter was holding me, his eyes concerned. “Bailey—”

I shoved out of his arms, grabbed my bag, and hightailed it out of there.

I was in the hallway.

I was running almost blindly for the bathroom.

I needed to get ahold of myself. Clear my head. Clean my hands. I hit the door running and collapsed inside. I couldn’t go to the sink. I was on the floor. On my knees. I was shaking so much, I couldn’t stand up.