Page 44 of Savage Salvation

“Good.” I look over to Ryan who’s stopped screaming mostly, focused on the principal who he thinks will put a stop to this. But I have other plans. “When they arrive, have Wagoner explain what he did that made me so angry I did this to him.”

Panic. Fear. Terror. It’s pouring out of him. But it’s not enough. The bastard needs to pay for what he was planning to do to her.

“No. No. No. Don’t call them. It was just a prank among friends. I’m good. For real.”

Cabot doesn’t look convinced. “You really should get a new friend.”

That should be an insult for me, but it’s not.

“Back to class. Now,” Cabot yells, instructing the students to move along with a few waves of his hand. Most listen, but a few linger until he gives them another warning. I guess he knows I’m not finished and doesn’t want any witnesses. If he doesn’t see it, it didn’t happen. Just like these other fuckers want to pretend. Only Ryan needs to remember and never forget the lesson I’m teaching him.

Stooping down, I get eye level with him. “You’re gonna stay the fuck away from her. If I even see you looking her way, this will seem like a picnic in the park.”

“Fine. I’ll stay away from her. Just untie me,” he begs.

My eyes drop to his crotch, seeing the ants swarming over him. “Nah. Can’t interrupt the meal.”

I stand, turning my back to him.

“Gage, please. I’ll stay away from her. Please don’t leave me here. Let me go. Please.”

Looking over my shoulder, I feel satisfaction. I feel like I got my point across. But there’s no way in hell I’d untie him. Not when I had to cut her free. Not after what he planned to do to her. Because this punishment still doesn’t repay the debt. But at least he knows to leave her alone. I continue to my car, drop into the driver’s seat, and speed off.

33

Kinsley

I’m sitting on the front steps of his house, staring at his damn water fountain statue, waiting on him. I have been for the last twenty minutes since I woke up and he was gone.

The metal gate clatters open as he drives through and parks in front of the house. He steps out of the car, his eyes on me as he walks over, a pizza box in hand.

“Are you serious?”

“Yep. Figured you’d be hungry.”

“That’s not what I was talking about and you know it.”

His shoulders square, his hands clutching the box as he walks closer to me. “I had to.”

“You know it’s all over social media right now. Everyone has seen it.”

“Good.” He steps past me, walking into his house as I follow behind him.

“Are you really that untouchable that you’re not the least bit worried about the consequences?”

Once we’re in the kitchen, he drops the pizza box on the countertop, turning to face me. He remains quiet for a few seconds before slowly moving to me. “I’ll accept any consequences dealt to me because of what he did to you.”

“No. This wasn’t about me. This was a dick swinging contest. Whose is bigger?” I fold my arms over my chest, looking up at him.

His frustration is nowhere near my level as he replies, “Mine. Mine is definitely bigger.”

“This isn’t a joke. You could get in a lot of trouble. And he’d win.”

Gage lets out a defeated breath, closing the distance between us as his arm carefully loops around my waist. “You never worry about getting in trouble. So, tell me what you’re really worried about.”

“Danielle. I’m scared that even if I do what I’m supposed to, graduate from the stupid school, she’ll be pissed off and withhold the letter from me anyways.” This can’t all be for nothing. Not when I’m so close to it finally being over.

Gage’s eyes snap closed, his head slowly leaning forward as his lips feather a tender kiss on my lips. “One way or another, I will make sure you have your mom’s letter in your hand.”