Page 79 of Monstrous Serpent

“And then marshmallows. But only a couple.”

Hunter stares at me over his shirt.

“Like twelve. Okay, maybe more. It's not my fault they're delicious, and his face is very persuasive.”

When the smell finally goes away, Hunter grabs a slice of pizza, his thigh pressed against mine. Before he even takes a bite, Mr. Smooshy plants his giant ass in front of him, eyes locked on the food. Hunter sits taller. “No.”

The dog grumbles and flops onto the floor.

I snort, shaking my head as I dig out the remote from between the cushions, flip to the Food Network, and settle in. Cooking shows aren't my thing, but Hunter relaxes when he watches them. I'd sit through twelve hours of someone chopping carrots if it meant he stayed like this.

Just as I reach for my half-eaten slice from earlier, there’s a loud bang at the door. Not a knock. A bang, hard enough to rattle the frame.

Hunter is on his feet, positioning himself between me and the door. “Get in your room. Take the dog.”

My mouth goes dry, heart hammering in my chest as I get to my feet. “Hunt?”

“Go.”

“No, I’m not leaving you.”

Bang!

“You psycho pieces of shit! Give me back my dog!”

Bang!

I turn to Mr. Smooshy, my lips curling up into a smirk. “Uh, oh. Daddy’s here.”

Chapter 21

Cody

My foot connects with the door for the fourth time. “Open the goddamn door!”

Nothing.

“You know, I don't think they can hear you.” Rua leans against the wall, twirling a lollipop between his fingers. “But the drama? Superb. Really selling the wronged-party energy.”

“Shut the fuck up before I stab your eyes out with that lollipop.”

He pops it back in his mouth, grinning around the stick. “Aggressive. I like it.”

“The fuck is all this noise?” Adrian Reyes rounds the corner from the stairwell, hands shoved in his pockets.

I throw my arms up. “Great. Just what I need. More fucking Serpents.”

His jaw tightens as he steps closer. “You’re at the wrong campus. And alone. I’d watch that mouth of yours. Now, why the fuck are you here?”

Rua chuckles. “Says Kincaid and Trembley stole his dog.”

I turn back to the Serpents’ winger, crowding his space. “Laugh again, motherfucker. It’s not a goddamn joke.”

The door swings open, and Kincaid glowers at all of us. He takes one step, grabs my sweatshirt, then yanks me inside. He slams the door, standing in front of it, arms crossed. “You break the door, you’re paying for the damages.”

I grind my molars and stomp toward him. “Good luck with that. You two fuckheads stole my dog. I should have you arrested.”

“And you smashed our windshield.”