“You’re threatening me?” I whisper-hissed, not wanting Sean or Tessa to be involved in this twisted conversation.

“Educating you, son. Educating. That’s what I do.”

“And blackmailing students is a modern-day teaching tool?” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

He had the audacity to laugh. “Wilmont Academy is number one in the district and number five in the nation. The nation, Mr. Winters. I have to do whatever it takes to keep it that way.”

You mean keep your job.

“And reputations, familial relationships, friendships, emotional stability—those fallouts from your education. Do they matter to you?”

“No,” he said flatly. “Blips. A few tears. A new group of friends. None of that matters at your stage of life. It will disappear, but the Wilmont legacy will be remembered for decades to come.”

“That’s all that matters to you—your legacy.”

“That,” he said. “And justice. Those who rebel against me must be made an example of. And this little Ask Me Anything? The person responsible must be punished.”

“For helping students?”

“Harming.”

“According to you. According to your ideals,” I snapped. Everything about Tanner had built up and his empty threats had brought everything to the surface. “Isn’t it your job as a principal to remove your own bias and cultivate programs that help students excel regardless of their sexually active status?”

He laughed again. “You have no idea what it is like to be responsible for the young minds of the future. I do what I have to—whatever I have to—to ensure their success. What seems harsh to you is what will make this world a better place in the years to come.”

Wow. God Complex much?

“Whatever,” I said, wearing a path in my carpet. “This has nothing to do with me. I’m not an errand boy or your personal tech guy.”

“Oh, Mr. Winters,” he said. “You wouldn’t want Tessa to have a black mark on her record before she’s even reached her senior year, would you? I imagine something like jail time or a court date would harm her chances of following you and your brother to MIT someday.”

I halted in my tracks, my eyes falling on Tessa sitting on the couch, laughing at something Sean had said.

Ice froze the fire in my veins.

Tessa.

She’d been hiding something from me.

Something had been eating at her.

Fucking hell.

She’d gone after Tanner. His presentation. She’d…

I rubbed my palms over my face.

“Are you listening now, Mr. Winters?”

“Yes,” I said, the bite gone from my voice.