The Order: Hit and Run by Emma Cole Page 0,30

I land on his back. Blaise doesn't have a chance to recover before my arm snakes around his throat, and he's the one getting strangled.

Ash is yelling for Jaeger and Drake while I do my damnedest to choke out the asshole trying to flip me off of him. An arm comes around my chest as a hand pulls at my arm, and the pressure on my ribs has my breath sucking in. They're mostly healed but still hurt if they're pushed on.

"Riggs, be careful!" Ash snaps, rushing to the human dog pile. "She's still hurt."

Arm loosening slightly, Riggs growls into my ear, "Let him go, Sunshine." The old endearment makes me freeze long enough for him to break my hold on Blaise.

Head whipping around, I glare at Riggs while he drags me off the coughing man. "Don't fucking call me that. You have no right. Not after everything you've done." I struggle until he lets me go then back away, hunched over my own arm wrapped protectively around my middle.

My feelings hurt far worse than my physical body at the reminder of their betrayal. They used to call me 'Sunshine.' Not only for my pale bright hair, but because I was a happy, bubbly girl. Until they left me to Damien's care at a party.

Jaeger barrels in, slamming the door behind him as Riggs helps Blaise to his feet. Ash just stands there glaring at everyone.

"I could hear you all the way from the elevator. What the hell is going on in here?" Jaeger takes in the palpable animosity between me and the others before he zeroes in on me. "What's wrong with you?" I shuffle carefully past everyone to get my purse from where I'd dropped it by the door, ignoring him. "Is anyone going to explain why the door was open, and Ash was yelling for me?"

"Ask your butt buddies, Jag." My finger jabs toward Blaise and Riggs. They've retreated to the kitchenette where Riggs is getting Blaise a bag of ice. "You all better remember some subjects are off limits."

As I do my best not to limp to my room, Ash starts explaining to Jaeger. My stepbrother's groan is cut off by my door closing, but his demand filters through when he raises his voice.

"Cora! Get your ass back in here."

Yeah, that's likely. Not. Ignoring him, I strip my clothes off and turn the shower on as hot as I can stand it. With my entire body aching, I slide to the floor of the stall, wishing it were a bathtub instead. Tears course down my face as the day’s frustrations and the guys’ awfulness culminate with over-exerting myself. Something has to give because, as it stands, hiding out indefinitely is sounding like a pretty good plan.

Admittedly, I probably shouldn't have baited Ash, but his high-handed demand and assumptions got on my nerves. It isn't anyone's business but my own if I decide to move on from Kael— which definitely isn't the case.

Chapter Eleven

My appointment excused me from classes all day, but the assignments still have to be done and turned in on time. I use them as an excuse when Jag knocks on my door.

"Cora, we still need to talk about what happened at your appointment. It doesn't only affect you, you know."

Confused about why that is yet not wanting to see any of them until I'm sure I won't flip out, I put him off. "Jaeger, I can't afford to get bad marks the first week of school. We can discuss it after dinner."

He doesn't reply, but the retreating footsteps indicate he's giving me a short reprieve. Frowning at my textbook, I let out a fatigued sigh-- everything for the last year has just been so freaking hard. Including this damn chapter that talks in circles about those in a position of power leading the masses. Having no clue why it's required reading, I dutifully take notes to write a summary.

By the time I finish with my algebra work, a stress headache is forming. Probably a hunger one as well since I skipped lunch again. With nothing left to do and my stomach gnawing a hole through my back, I put my school work away and brace myself to face the impending inquisition. If I'm careful about it, maybe I can slip in some questions of my own.

***

The empty living room is a brief but nerve-wracking respite. I'd prepared to face a bunch of grumpy men and...nothing. They couldn't have needed to talk too badly.