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“Oh, hey, Professor Walker.” I smile at my favorite teacher.
He shakes his dark blond curls. “It’s Gideon. Did you get the paint?”
“Right here.” I pat my leather bag.
“I’m glad I caught you. Are you still doing my spring break program?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
“And your project for your assignment?”
I nod. “It’s coming along. I’ll have it for you.”
“Did you fix the light issue?”
“I think so.” My phone pings, and I don’t need to look. My heart skips because I know who it is. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks for the paint.”
I hurry now because I don’t need Tizio beating people up.
I’m flying down the steps when someone grabs me hard, and I almost go head-first. But that hand has me tight, keeping that from happening.
Whoever it is pulls me hard against him. He’s shorter than Tizio, rough, and he pulls me into the shadows.
Then, something cold presses into my throat.
I almost scream and reach back, dragging a nail on his face, but he swears and doesn’t let go.
A voice growls low. “This here’s a knife, girl.” It presses harder. “So, stay still.”
I try not to tremble. I want to turn to see who it is, to try and fight, scratch the bastard’s eyes out, knee him in the fucking balls, and run, but I can’t because that knife means business. It’s there, a little shaky, pressing into me, and it’s sharp. My skin stings as warmth runs down, and my head goes light.
Oh my God. He cut me.
“Got your attention now? Good. I want you to give it up, or your life will be over.”
Chapter Nine
TIZIO
Thoughts of beating her for dragging her sweet ass deliberately fly the moment I find her. Thank fuck for the tracker I put on her phone.
The burly man has a knife at her throat, and I don’t need to hear a word to know he’s threatening her.
“Let her fucking go or your guts will be spilled on these steps, if you’re lucky. And if you hurt her more than you already are, I’m going to make you fucking suffer and beg for death. So, let her fucking go. Now.”
The guy growls low like he’s disguising his voice. “Not your business, man.”
I look at the guy, I don’t recognize him, but his double take means he recognizes me. He’s in the fucking shadows, half behind her, and he shoves her hard, sending Karlee tumbling down the steps.
Swooping in, I catch her before she hits the pavement, and she clings. She smells so fucking sweet, and I can feel thepounding of her heart. Shit, through the sweet, spiced scent is the slight copper sting of blood.
The fucker cut her.
I want to chase him, and he moves fast for burly, but I can’t leave her. She’s trembling, bleeding, and each time I try and let her go, she half crumbles. I stare at the guy, noting the direction he runs. He’s got thin legs for being brawny.
Taking her gently, I pull her to the side and lift her chin. “Not bad, Karlee.”
Her eyes are dry and full of anger more than fear now. In that moment, I don’t think I’ve wanted a woman more.
