Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
I wrapped an arm around her and lazily watched with everyone else. Show no emotion, play your games.
Win.
“That feels…” The girl shook her head.
“—that’s it.” Junior grinned. “Hands, fingers too,” The professor gasped as Junior literally had a sexual experience in the middle of the lawn. “Human Anatomy at its finest.” He winked at her, then said in a low voice, “You want next?”
“That’s it!” she roared. “I’m calling the dean.”
“You must be new.” Serena’s voice was brittle, shaky, she was pissed, livid, shit she was going to kill someone today.
“Does that matter?” the poor professor said in a stern voice.
“Oh, buttercup.” Serena burst out laughing. “How adorable!” She started circling her while I watched, while I let them do what they were supposed to do, while I pulled the strings. “Listen carefully, we own this school. It was built for us. This is our world; you should say thank you!”
“For what?”
“Letting you live in it.” Serena tilted her head and then reached up and kissed the teacher on both cheeks and whispered. “And then, for letting you live at all.”
“How dare yo—”
That’s when the superintendent came running. “Serena! Darling! I’m so sorry, I had no idea you would be here so soon this morning!” He gave the professor a stern look and started to sweat. “Is there anything you need to—”
“—Fire her,” I said behind Serena. “She’s disrespectful. Make sure she’s blacklisted, no references. I’ll have one of my guys follow her home, you know… to keep her safe.” I flashed a smile.
The professor looked ready to puke as I snapped my fingers, and Maksim came running. He was Andrei’s. Happy for the most part, but loved the smell of blood way too much.
“Go with her,” I barked.
He nodded and grabbed her by the elbow and walked her away. His eyes gleaming the entire time.
“’Bout finished back there, Junior?” I flashed the superintendent a smile while Serena regained her composure, hurt flashed across her face though when she saw Junior stand, tug the girl’s skirt a bit, and then kiss her again, leaving her stupid and swaying on her feet.
“Not sure,” Junior said with a rasp. “This one tastes good; you know how I like the responsive ones.”
“So have fun with her today and pick a new toy tomorrow,” Serena said in a chilled voice.
“That what you want, Serena?” Junior’s arrogance slipped as he glared at her. “A new girl for me every day? Like a sex holiday? Because if you’re saying you don’t want a part of this, tell me now.”
Shit. He threw the gauntlet. It would be so easy for her to just roll her eyes and ignore his taunt. He was shaking, with rage, guilt, with love for a girl he needed to claim. I didn’t realize how much Junior needed her until that moment.
Choose me.
Be with me.
Fuck the world.
She stiffened. “Why do you think I care?” Her smile was brittle. “How cute, you holding a candle still?”
“So, you don’t care,” His knuckles grazed the girl’s hard nipples through her white shirt. “Pity.”
“Junior…” She took a step forward. I could sense her cracking, wanting to tell him to stop, that it mattered. That they mattered.
“It could be fun for him.” Claire laughed. “Right, Serena? Spread your oats? See what you really like, I mean, isn’t that what college is all about?”
Serena gave her an incredulous look and then looked ready to hang her head and burst into tears as she whispered, “Yeah, sounds like a blast.”
“All you have to do is say no, Serena,” Junior said with hatred dripping from every word he spoke into the universe. His eyes were bright, unfocused, like every second she didn’t run toward him, a piece of his soul was lost, a piece of his heart crunched beneath her stilettos.
I knew he wanted her to claim him.
I knew she wouldn’t.
It wasn’t in us to give up.
We fought.
And at the end of the day, Serena Abandonato, my cousin, had to stay strong, had to set an example. Her hands were officially tied, he’d already broken her trust, and now she had to prove to him that it didn’t matter, because if anyone thought it did, they would know our weakness.
Each other.
“No, she’s right.” Serena leveled him with another chilly stare as she jerked off her sunglasses and grit her teeth. “Sleep with whoever you want, just wear a condom, and try not to get too violent Junior, you know whose blood runs through your veins.”
“Serena!” I yelled. “Too far.”
The fact that she even referenced that he had De Lange blood was enough to start a war within the Families. We didn’t talk about rats. We didn’t claim them even if they were in our own family line.
“Not. Far. Enough.” She said with tears in her eyes.
Junior shoved the girl away and charged toward Serena.