me the entire time. “Trust me enough to give you what you need.”
“I don’t trust you at all.” I narrow my eyes on him and stand, moving to the side to get around his large frame. “Don’t you get that?”
Marek’s jaw clenches tight, and his fingers wiggle at his sides. He’s an uncontrollable force, and like any other force, once it’s started, there’s no stopping it.
“Will you just listen to me, hear what I’m trying to say?” He steps in front of me, blocking my escape and demolishing that sense of security I’m trying desperately to get back. “Don’t you get it by now?”
“Marek.” Byron’s tone is menacing, challenging him.
Marek’s head jerks towards the top of the classroom. When Marek’s eyes break from Byron back to me, I see it. That thing he so desperately wants me to understand.
Trust him even when I shouldn’t. But why?
Weighing my options leads me to believe Breaker is the easy choice. Dixon and Byron release a mutual guttural groan when I don’t go to them.
“You think I’m soft, huh?” Breaker lifts his hand, blocking the door. I shake my head, too afraid of how frail my voice will sound if I try to argue with him. “Don’t mistake my pretty boy face for niceness. Two of them have already tasted you, and I’m looking for mine, Palmer.” At his warning, I swallow the large lump in my throat, instantly aware of the threat nipping at my heels. “Have a nice day, sweetheart.”
Once I’m out the door, their laughter chases me through the front entrance and onto the lawn. I rest my forearms on my knees, allowing my bag to hit the dirt. Every breath is needles poking into my chest.
“Whore.” Two hands slam into my back, and I’m shoved forward, falling to my knees. Rocks grind into my skin. I glance over my shoulder and see a lot of blonde hair wrapped in Marek’s arms. “That’s where you belong, anyway.”
Quinn Herrington. Reed had mentioned seeing her chase after the boys. Seems she’s gotten what she wants. The way she gazes up at Marek makes bile climb my throat. He catches me watching them. I should glance away, but I can’t. Am I imagining the plea for understanding coming from him?
I push off the ground, only to take a book to the back by Dixon. Marek literally steps right over me, like I’m nothing, the complete opposite of what he made me believe moments ago. I’m the center of attention, and everyone is hiding behind their hands to whisper in someone’s ear, finding my pain as entertainment.
Shoulder to shoulder, they walk away from me, not one of them bothering to look at their handy work. I’m where they always intended me to be. I’m no longer lost in the shadows, blissfully hidden away. They’ve set the tone for me to be at the front of everyone’s attention.
With labored breath, I rush past the crowd Marek and Dixon somehow conjured up to witness my downfall. When I’m far enough away, my steps slow. I grip the metal light pole, willing my chest to stop burning.
When my vision clears, my eyes skim down the black metal until I spot the gold plaque. The embossed letters are cold against my fingers.
Georgina Matthews. May her short life shine light on yours.
Unable to stay on my feet, I slink down to the bench. I close my eyes only to be greeted by visions of Georgina’s twisted body, immediately followed by one of Reed’s bloody dorm room.
Overcome by it all, tears prickle at the back of my eyes. This is too scary, and if there’s one thing I am, it’s tired of being frightened all the time.
I rush through campus and manage to survive the rest of my classes, only to have a small run-in with Breaker in the cafeteria around dinner time. He knocks my tray out of my arms, spilling my dinner down the front of my uniform. Breaker bows to his followers as if he’s accomplished something.
Not bothering to clean up the mess on the floor, I run from the building to the sound of laughter and applause. Dixon and Byron step into my path, and I skirt around them.
“Don’t worry, Miss Weston, we love a fighter,” Byron calls out.
Kings in their castles, declaring who is beneath them, and who is worthy.
I run straight to my building, but when I enter my code, it doesn’t work. Even after getting it fixed the other day, I’m locked out again.