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The word weaves through the humiliation, anger, and shock currently swirling through my head and veins.
Tizio called himself myboyfriend.
I know it was done to piss off Professor Walker, but there’s something so delicious in the word. It opened something up, something I can’t seem quite to shut again.
Of course, I’ve also been manhandled out of my class.
But . . .boyfriend. The giddiness the word sets off is about a thousand levels of wrong. But I can’t help it. Because a small part of me wants to believe Tizio was staking a claim and calling me his to the world.
I want to slip down into that. Right down into the gift of it.
Not a gift, I tell myself. At all. It’s got to be in my head, and I go with them because Diego might be acting like he’s my jovial self-appointed brother, but really, he’s making sure I don’t make a run for it. I’m pinned in next to him.
Nicolo has my art folio, and Tizio . . .
He’s just got his arms loose, his jacket unbuttoned, and I know he’s on the lookout for trouble. Ready to grab his gun if needed.
It’s there in the way he moves,
I probably spent too long watching him, which is why I can read him so well.
My heart leaps as we hit the pavement, and Hazard is coming toward us. Then he stops, turns, and runs. “What did you do?”
“Punched the fucker, Karlee. Because that’s what he is, a fucker. One who’s disrespectful to you. And if I find he’s involved in this more than he is, I’ll fucking pull him to pieces.”
“More?”
“Karlee, it’s fine right up until I find out differently. You’re under protection. And when we get home, we’re having a talk. Okay?”
“About you ruining my life?”
He doesn’t look at me. “I haven’t done anything of the sort. You’re overly dramatic.”
Nicolo mutters something, and Diego gives my shoulder a squeeze. I hate the three of them at that moment.
Maybe I am being slightly overly dramatic, but that doesn’t change the fact Tizio’s out to ruin my life. I might have a certain style that draws the eye, but it’s an eye and moves on, and I don’t go out of my way to draw attention.
Not even the misguided half-date with Hazard could do that like the three of them today.
I was front and center, and people in the class stared. Those people will tell others, and . . . maybe everyone will keep the hell away.
However, there’s a reason I like being behind the computer.
Even the art I did, it’s me, but most people are going to look at the colors, light, and form over the subject matter.
“This whole thing cannot end soon enough.” We’re at the car now, and the other two practically leap into the front, leaving the back for me and Tizio.
These guys don’t do subtle well. At all.
I glare at him. “What’s going to happen to those two people?”
“Do you really fucking care, Karlee?”
“Yes, I’m not a monster.”
He laughs, the sound bitter and cold against my skin. “I am.” He checks his gun in a very deliberate manner. “I’ll fucking kill them, Harold, and anyone else who dares threaten you. But so far, it seems they were just doing a job.”
“What he’s going to fuckin’ do,” says Diego, turning in his seat to look at me, “is go to where they’re held and make sure Christian doesn’t kill them. And I’ll go and make sure Tizio doesn’t lose his shit. Between us, I think he’s sweet on you.”
