Claim Me, Daddy

a cult.

While I tried to look apologetic, the professor was staring at me in awe, like I hadn't just gone off on him a minute ago.

Zain was talking, but between you and me, I'd say the man wasn't hearing a single word.

“I'm sorry. I was totally at fault here,” I said loudly, and it worked because the professor finally snapped out of whatever trance he'd been in.

“Yes, of course. No problem. Zain, listen...” He turned toward him. “She is very confident for a new student. She should've apologized, but instead she started scolding me.”

“She is Destiny's sister, Professor. She is exactly what you're describing,” Zain agreed without missing a beat.

“Good. Now, if you want that extra credit, make sure she takes my class as well. I'd like a student like this.”

Before I could even object, Zain nodded. “Done. She'll take your class.” Excuse me?

The professor smiled, gave me one last curious look, then walked away. The second he was out of earshot, Zain started grinning like he'd just won the lottery.

“You still need to see two more professors. Who knows? You might not even need to f**k them to get my grades up. Seems you've got some crazy s****l energy.”

“Excuse me?” I stared at him. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“Didn't you see what just happened? The professor was completely lured in by your s****l energy. Now if you take his class, I pass. Wasn't that the deal?”

“I can't believe this. You're actually trying to sell me for grades.”

“We both know you and I are no different.” I rolled my eyes so hard they almost disappeared into my skull.

I kept walking, having absolutely no idea where I was going. Thankfully, Zain was here. As much of a d**k as he was, at least he knew his way around campus and kept me from looking like a complete i***t.

“Let me guess,” I said. “You want me to sleep with those professors in that filthy place you took me?”

“Okay, I know I'm selling you cheap, but be a lady, for God's sake.” He placed a hand over his chest dramatically. “They should at least take you to a cheap motel or something. That grass looked tall, but trust me, it wasn't nearly tall enough.”

I stopped walking and stared at him. Okay... for him to think I was being serious meant he definitely had a loose screw somewhere.

He spent the next hour showing me around campus, pointing out every lecture hall, office building, shortcut, and even the café. Honestly, tomorrow I'd probably still be asking people for directions. That was just who I was.

By the time we were done, I was exhausted and starving. The campus café was offering free food, and I wasn't about to let that opportunity pass me by.

I grabbed a tray, loaded it with food, and found an empty four-seater before digging in.

Zain had already left for practice or whatever sport he played. I honestly didn't care. Even though he was technically my ride home, I'd just call a cab if I had to.

I absentmindedly pushed my food around my plate as my thoughts drifted back to Gerald.

He had sounded jealous earlier. Really jealous. It almost felt like he was starting to experience exactly what I'd been dealing with all this time, that possessive feeling, that ugly ache that came from not wanting to share someone you wanted all to yourself.

Then there was Sienna. And his ex-wife. Everything surrounding him was a complete mess. A beautiful, complicated, frustrating mess.

Yet somehow… All I wanted was him.

Every now and then, I'd catch someone looking at me. A few guys. Even some girls.

Some stared with admiration, others with obvious jealousy, while a handful looked at me with unmistakable desire. I noticed. Of course I noticed.

My mother had been a porn star. I'd practically grown up surrounded by things most people only discovered as adults. I knew what lust looked like.

“There you are!” Annie's cheerful voice interrupted my thoughts.

She and Joyce sat across from me, balancing trays that looked almost empty. Calling it lunch was crazy. Each of them had nothing more than a bottle of water and an apple.

“Feeling better?” Annie asked.

“Are you staying?” Joyce chimed in.

I swear they looked so alike that I still couldn't tell them apart. So I wasn't even sure if I was right.

“Yeah,” one of them continued. “We just need to speak to Jason, then you're in.”

They immediately started talking over each other. Not with me. At me. It was like they had already planned out my entire college love life without asking for my opinion.

“Jason? I think Brandon would be better for her.”

“No. Brandon's failing his classes. She can't date a failure. What about Zain?”

I almost laughed. If only they knew they were wasting their breath. The only man I was interested in was my stepdad, Gerald.

“Zain?” the other girl scoffed. “Are you kidding? Destiny has had a crush on him since primary school.”

“But she has a boyfriend now.”

“Doesn't matter. Sister code.”

“So... Jason it is.”

Honestly… Wouldn't you laugh if you were sitting where I was? Because these girls sounded completely insane.

“Hold on,” one of them suddenly said, narrowing her eyes at me. “Do you play for the other team?” She looked straight into my eyes.

“Annie!” the other gasped. “You can't just ask people if they're gay.”

“No, but she's been quiet this whole time. She doesn't seem interested.”

“You're right.” She leaned closer. “Wait... don't tell me you're not interested in guys.”

“I just—”

“Oh my God!”

The two of them gasped dramatically, clutching their chests like I'd just announced the end of the world.

“What?” I asked, completely confused.

“College is nothing without a boyfriend,” Annie declared.

“Only losers stay single,” Joyce added with complete confidence.

“At the beginning of every year,” Annie explained, “we both get into relationships, then we take a one-month break, become single together, and after that we choose the hottest guys on campus and date them.”

Right. This was starting to sound less like college and more like a cult.

Luckily, before they could recruit me into whatever weird relationship club they belonged to, my phone rang. I answered immediately.

“Zurich? I'm so glad you picked up. How have you been?”

You know the woman who gave birth to me? Well… She had a sister. And this was her sister's husband.

“Where did you get my number?” I asked, standing up and making my way toward the bathroom for some privacy.

I rarely spoke to these people. Even when my excuse of a mother was alive, the two sisters barely spoke to each other.

“Your aunt gave it to me. I have something important to tell you.” I nodded as I stepped inside the bathroom. Yesterday, I'd asked Destiny to save my aunt's number for me. Unlike the woman who gave birth to me, my aunt actually had values.

“Yes,” I said. “I texted her yesterday.”

“Well, your text came at the perfect time,” he said. “Her custody application has been approved. Pack your things. You'll be living with us from now on.” Everything inside me froze.

I was nineteen. But according to the family, I wouldn't be considered fully independent until after college.

Until then, Gerald had temporary custody of me following my mother's death. Wait… Did that mean I couldn't live with Gerald anymore?

No. Absolutely not.

There was no way. I couldn't leave Gerald. I simply couldn't.