I need an outlet.
Some way to rid myself of the pressure that has sat beneath my skin ever since I saw the bruises on her face
A fight will suffice.
For now.
Though it won’t be enough.
A match may take the edge off, but it’s nothing more than a temporary solution.
A distraction.
What I need are answers.
I need to find out what’s really going on with Piper Ashthorne.
Whoever put those bruises on her will regret it, and I’ll make sure they never get close enough to do it again.
But knowing Piper, getting the truth out of her won’t be easy.
Chapter 18
Piper
When I wake, the room is dim.
For a moment, I simply lie there, disoriented, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar room.
It’s similar to mine in size and layout, but all the details are different.
There isn’t much in here. A few books lie around, but not many. Everything else is clean to perfection.
A Rolex sits on the nightstand beside a glass of water, and black silk sheets cover the bed.
It’s a man’s room.
And the scent gives away exactly whose.
It wraps around me, fills my lungs, and despite everything, I feel safe.
I push upright and sit on the edge of the bed. The moment my feet touch the floor, pain flares through my ribs and I suck in a breath.
I wait for it to pass, then rise carefully and make my way towards the door as I try to piece together what happened.
It takes a moment, but the memories eventually return.
The way he carried me out of the classroom in his arms, and how I must have fallen asleep on the walk back to the dorms.
Or perhaps I passed out.
Honestly, who knows.
I knew I should have skipped classes today. When I failed to hear my alarm this morning, I should have taken it as a sign and stayed in bed instead of dragging myself out the door.
As I step into the living room, I glance towards the windows. It’s already dark outside, although with it being November, the days are short.
Noise comes from the small kitchen, and I make my way towards it.
