“The pleasure of your company, Hellcat,” I respond smoothly. “Now, get your ass in gear. It’s a long walk back to Hampstead Hall for your next class.”
She looks behind me. “Where’s the car?”
“Julien took it to get to class on time.”
She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest. “What a prick. Leaving you stranded, too.”
I smile and bite my lower lip to keep from laughing out loud. So. Damn. Cute. “Naw, I told him to take it. Figured I’d eventually get you to move.”
“Oh yeah, and what would have happened if I hadn’t?” She cocks her eyebrow and pops her hip, a bit of her personality coming back.
Ahh, there’s the sassy girl I know and like. She’s much more fun when she pretends she doesn’t care. “I would have flung youover my shoulder and carried you.” She opens her mouth, but I cut her off, “and before you tell me, you would put up a fight. I would have smacked your ass every time you were bratty. Maybe even called Zander to redden it a bit,” I add seductively with a wiggle of my eyebrows.
She squeaks and blood rushes up, staining her cheeks a pretty pink.
“Glad to see the color’s returned to your face. Come on.”
I push open the metal door and pull Riley through with me. The room echoes with the noise. All eyes fall on us, but I pay them no attention, looking for Julien at the back of the class instead. I nod to him once, our usual way of letting each other know we’re okay, and he glances at Riley, who’s looking around with big doe eyes.
“Mr. Scarboro, I have Ms. Whittier here. Seems she got a bit lost on her way around campus and I helped her find her way. Please excuse the tardiness,” I say, speaking to the large man at the front of the room.
“The Senator’s daughter?” he asks, not even acknowledging her.
“Governor. He’s running for senator,” she replies.
Mr. Scarboro scoffs and smirks at her. “Right. Whatever you say, Miss Whittier.”
She glances at me, her brows furrowed in question as she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, a nervous tic I’m picking up on. I try to give her my best reassuring smile, but afraid I miss the mark when she winces.
“I don’t appreciate students who waste my time. Be late again and there’ll be consequences.” He motions toward the rest of the class. “Join in.” Some students are smirking, while others whisper to one another. She looks around the room, probably searching for someone she knows to stand with, when her eyes land on Julien and she scowls.
“Miss Whittier, I don’t have all day.”
“Sorry,” she mutters as she offers a small wave to me and stands alone in a corner, as far from the rest of the students and Julien as possible. Julien has her bag by her feet and I know she notices with the way she keeps glancing at it.
They set up the gym with scaffolding, crates, shipping containers, and various small platforms, all on a padded floor. At first glance, it looks like a giant obstacle course. I remember this class well. Fewer spots to hide, more and more fighting as time goes on. They don’t allow guns outside of the shooting range for good reason, and this class is one of them. The Hatfields and McCoys have nothing on some of these families and how deeply rooted their hate is. Survival class isn’t required for third and fourth-year students. Those who sign up do so only because someone asked them to, or they find joy in it.
Mr. Scarboro asked for Julien, and Julien made damn sure Riley was with him. I wish I was in this class with her. Julien’s going to go after her again and again, and she will not be ready for him…yet. Once I’m through with her, she will be unstoppable.
FOURTEEN
JULIEN
“Now, as I was saying. Welcome to survival. This class is going to get harder as the semester goes on.” Mr. Scarboro starts his speech up again, but I don’t listen. This class tests students' abilities, and what better way than letting upperclassmen, with more experience “help”? Mr. Scarboro asked for me specifically, and I made damn sure Riley would be here. The easiest way to break her is to constantly keep her off balance.
Mr. Scarboro and my dad work together, and I know he was placed in Pointebreak to keep tabs on me. Again, it’s amazing what that man can accomplish behind bars. He’s been in jail for eight years now, but he always has eyes on me. I know I’m luckier than Wesley and Zander in that department, but it doesn’t mean he’s always been so great. Like any man who’s in his line of business, he’s not always the easiest to deal with, but at the end of the day, he’s my father and I need him.
I clench my jaw and mentally shake myself, not wanting to go down a dark path again. Those intrusive thoughts have been creeping in more frequently these past few days, and I know it’s because of Riley.
“You need to always be on your toes and keep your wits about you. This class is going to be one of the hardest you have throughout your time here, but it’s crucial to learn these skills.”
I stare at Riley and she bites her bottom lip, shifting her weight uncomfortably from foot to foot. She keeps her eyes trained on the teacher, listening to him, and I know the moment she senses I’m watching. She visibly shivers and rubs her arm and turns her head toward me. I cock my eyebrow at her and lick my lips. She turns away quickly and I smirk despite myself.
“You’re going to be tested on your current skills, so I know what we need to work on. Look around, think of today as a game—a little hide and seek. Don’t get caught. If you are, there will be no fighting today. Let’s save that for another day. The key to survival is adaptation.” He looks at each of his ten newbies and I’m afraid one or two of them might shit themselves. “There are enough hiding spots if you’re creative. You’ve got a thirty- second head start. I suggest you use it to your advantage. On my whistle.”
FWEET
The other ten third and fourth-year students know damn well to leave Riley to me. I made that clear when I put the no touch rule out there. I don’t need anyone else thinking they can fuck with her for fun—that’smyjob. The first-year students run, searching for a place to hide, but we stalk them, watching their every step. Some have had training, it’s obvious, but my princess hasn’t. She stands there, seemingly frozen in place, watching the others scramble to find a spot.
