Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 103104 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103104 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“Wow, a girl who doesn’t want to be next to Knox—priceless.” Her laughter tinkles.
The teacher puts her elbows on the podium and leans in until our faces are close and there’s no chance anyone will hear. “I’m good with whatever you want. I can put you in the back, but honestly, it’s only going to isolate you from everyone. I don’t want that, and in the end, you may miss some things if you can’t see the overhead. You could take the seat up front with Knox, and if you have any issues at any time, come to me and I’ll take care of it.” Her voice is soft, pity dripping like acid.
Pity. Please.
I want justice.
Not likely. They have money. They own this town.
Miss Harris, is it possible you consented to sex? Your behavior at the party was, well…
She spreads her hands. “It’s up to you though, Ava. Whichever you want.”
Sit in the back or sit next to the head Shark?
My throat tightens as I ponder my options, but I already know what I need to do: establish myself as fearless, just like inmates do when they walk into a prison.
Swallowing hard, I give her a tight nod, pivot, and walk to Knox’s desk.
Someone lets out a gasp—Jolena.
Good. Take that. I am stronger than BTN.
Knox’s eyes are narrowed as he sits back in his chair, never shifting his gaze as I slide into the seat next to his. He takes me in, cocking an eyebrow as if he’s surprised.
He’s a foot away from me, but I swear I can feel the heat from his body looming close. I scoot my chair a few inches farther from his, making a horrid scraping noise on the tile. He huffs out a laugh and slides his away from me until his chair is next to the wall, putting even more distance between us.
Good, it’s like that then.
Never liked you from the get-go, even before that party, my face says as I shoot him a glare.
Same, his eyes say.
“Ava,” he says in acknowledgment, his voice husky, laced with dark undertones. His tone reminds me of the night, steel wrapped in black velvet, hinting at secrets and barely leashed power. Since freshman year, I’ve avoided him, but it’s not the scar, because things like that don’t bother me. I’ve lived with kids with scars and burns on their faces, sometimes on their entire body. Luka had cigarette burns up and down both forearms.
“Mr. Cold and Evil. We meet again.”
The last time I was this close to him was in Greek Myths junior year when he sat behind me, feet propped up on the bottom rail of my desk. It was the most tense I’d ever been in a class. He’d breathe and I’d hear him, the sound grating on my nerves. He’d lean forward and my hair would move as it he touched it. I’d pass papers back to him and our fingers would brush. When our eyes would meet, I’d drop mine, and he’d laugh. Once…
“Hey, charity case, turn around.”
Ugh! I turn in my seat. “What?” My hands clench as I hold myself tight under his scrutiny. My heart thumps so loud I wonder if he can hear it. Ever since seeing him almost naked in the locker room, something is definitely weird between us.
“Why did Hades fall for Persephone?”
“Read your textbook, Shark.”
His voice is low, his eyes liquid metal. “I did. Seriously, I don’t get it.” His gaze lingers on my neck, staring at my locket. “Come on, answer me.”
Oh, what the heck. If it will make him stop bothering me… “Hades was lonely in hell. It’s a dark, isolated place. She symbolizes light and good. Opposites attract. Why can’t a devil want an angel? They were in love. Happy.”
“Opposites, huh?” He taps his pen on his desk, thinking, and glances at Chance a few rows over. “You and Chance—serious?”
Ah, so that’s what this is. “Does it bother you that he’s with me? You think I’m not good enough for your best friend. Chance is perfect. He isn’t a devil.”
His lids go to half-mast. “Like me.”
I look at his scarred lip.
“Ah, low blow. You know just how to cut me, charity case.”
“Ava is my fucking name,” I hiss then flip back around. Asshole!
Knox laughs under his breath, and I come back to the present.
“Didn’t know you’d given me a nickname. Guess this means you’ve been thinking about me.” He pauses. “I kind of like Cold and Evil. Fits me. Truthfully, I’d prefer Hot as Fuck, but you do you.”
I glance at his face, taking in the long patrician nose, the sculpted cheekbones, the way his dark hair lays around his face. He’s rolled up the sleeves of his button-down, the muscles of his forearms tightly roped and defined. His upper arms are bulky, his shirt tight against them.