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“What the fuck are doing assaulting a girl in an empty corridor?” Oak asks.
Elias smirks at him. “Sorry, sir, but that’s what this school is all about.” He tilts his head, glancing at me. “How is she going to take over an organization if she can’t hold her own against others?”
“Nitkin, now,” Oak roars, rage stirring in his eyes.
Elias’ eyes darken. “No.”
I’m shocked to hear Elias stand up to Oak; however, Oak isn’t, or if he is, he doesn’t show it. “Your games are tiresome, Elias. Report to Professor Nitkin before I haul you there myself.”
Elias glares at me before returning his attention to Oak. “Why? What school rules did I break?”
He has a point. This school doesn’t have any rules, not in the traditional sense.
Oak glares at him, standing taller as he squares up to the brutal young man. “Since I’m the principal of this school, I can decide what I punish you for, Elias.” I doubt it’s rare for pupils to challenge his authority. After all, he’s teaching psychopaths how to run their criminal empires.
Elias’ eyes move to me and then back to Oak, and he smirks. “I’ve had Natalya Gurin in similar holds while you walked by without a word, and yet, this beautiful Irish girl comes along, and you are defending her.” He strokes his chin as if thinking. “Interesting, Byrne.” His eyes move to me. “It would appear you have a secret admirer,” Elias says.
I feel my cheeks heat but say nothing in return.
Oak merely glares at him with his arms crossed over his chest and legs wide apart, waiting for him to do as he’s told.
Elias remains irritatingly cocky, glaring at him. “Do you want the school to know that you have a crush on a student, Byrne?” He asks.
Oak’s jaw works. “Your accusations are unfounded. Get to class before I throw you out of this fucking school,” he says, his voice oddly calm.
Elias smirks in response and then heads down the hallway, escaping punishment from Nitkin.
I stare up at Oak, brow furrowed. “Why didn’t you force him to go to Nitkin?”
His bright aquamarine eyes meet mine, and there’s a mix of guilt and confusion in them. “Don’t question me, Eva.” I watch as his fists clench by his side. “Get to class. You’re going to be late.” His tone is cold.
I lick my bottom lip. “Is it because what Elias said is true?”
He growls, hands moving to my hips as he pushes me up against a nearby locker. “What exactly do you believe he said that is true?”
My stomach flutters anxiously as I stare into his beautiful eyes, wondering what demons haunt him. Oakley Byrne is deeply tormented. The rage that often works itself to the surface is proof of that.
“That you have a crush on me,” I say, my voice sounding more confident than I expected.
His lips curl into a wicked smirk, one that makes dread sink like a lead weight in my stomach. “Is that what you hope, Eva?” His nostrils flaring. “That I want to fuck you?”
I shake my head. “You were hard when you–”
His fingers wrap around my throat and squeeze, cutting the words off mid-sentence. “Don’t,” he growls.
I try to claw at his fingers, but he doesn’t let go.
“You are my pupil. That is all. Now get to class before I send you to Nitkin.” He winces at the threat before releasing a hold on my throat.
I draw in a deep gasp of oxygen before scurrying away from him. For the first time since we met, I’m scared of him.
There’s always been this darkness surrounding him, but this was the first time I’ve seen it in action. I don’t speak again, rushing toward Professor Jameson’s classroom as rapid as I can without a glance backward.
I reach for my throat, the ghost of Oak’s fingers lingering. His touch differed from Elias’, but it didn’t make it any less terrifying.
Someone has already shut the door to the classroom as I round the corner.
Great.
