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Next time…
I smothered my panic by grabbing my sandwich, watching for movement in the corner of my eye as I opened the packet and took a bite. He wouldn’t kiss me with a mouthful of ham and rye…surely.If he did, what then?
Then I’d have to tell my stepbrothers, wouldn’t I?
The thought of that filled me.“Someone kissed me today at school.”I could almost see the thunder in their eyes.
They were possessive.
And controlling.
And utterly disgusting.
That heat rose inside me.
“You’re smiling.”
I jerked away from the thought and felt the curl on my lips, killing it instantly. “Just thinking about the wedding.”
“Oh? You’re all for it now, are you?”
“If it makes mom happy.”
“Isshe happy?” he asked as the bell rang for class.
I grabbed my trash and slid from the table. “Yeah, you know, I think she really is.”
Which made living there with those assholes all the more like Hell. Why couldn’t they be normal instead of gorgeous and rich and driving seriously hot cars? Why couldn't I, just for once, slink away into the shadows.
I followed Gio as we made our way to class. Just before I stepped inside, my cell vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and looked at the five missed calls and ten texts from Nick. He was pissed…more than pissed.
Nick: I’m warning you, Ryth. You won’t like playing this game with me…
“Won’t I?” I murmured, switching my phone off before sliding it back into my pocket. “We'll see about that.”
“Won’t what?” Gio asked, taking the seat next to me.
“Nothing.” I shook my head and focused on the class.
I thought about him all during the lecture, until my mind turned to mom. The cakes were just the start of it. She was different, freer around Creed…she was in love.Was that what love looked like? Like you were blind to everyone and everything else?
The last bell rang suddenly, making me jolt. Gio was up, reaching for my arm before I glanced up at him.
He looked at me as though I'd slapped him. “It’s fine, Ryth. I’m not going to try to kiss you in class.”
“No,” I answered with a smile “I didn’t think that.”
I walked with him along the hallways and stepped outside into the warm sunshine once more…before I was grabbed and hauled backwards. Panic reared, and I was fighting as I spun. Nick’s glare was venomous as he manhandled me, shoving me toward the drop-off point where his car waited.
“Get your fucking hands off me!”I screamed, tearing my arm from his hold.
But he was back beside me in an instant, crowding me until he was all I saw. “This isn’t what you think, Ry. Now get in the goddamn car.”
I shook my head, lurching away from him. I felt them now, all the shocked stares as the entire school watched Nick’s possessive rage, then in an instant, Nick lunged and grabbed me around my waist to haul me into the air. I barely held onto my laptop, clamping my fingers around the edge as I landed hard on his shoulder. My feet dangled, my ass up in the air as he strode toward the Mustang, then dumped me on my feet.
He yanked open the passenger door and forced me down with a hand on top of my head. “Stay,” he commanded, his voice low and hostile. “You run from me, and so help me God, Ryth, I’ll tackle you to the goddamn ground in front of everyone, and I’ll make damn sure your skirt rides high enough to show everyone what’s mine.”
My heart pounded. My face burned as I glanced toward the entire school as they watched. And Gio was there, standing in the middle, his gaze fixed on me.
