Page 4

“I think she said you have no heart,” Chad mumbled from the floor.
Damian’s eyes cut so sharply to Chad that even I felt the danger coming from them. Chad quickly scurried out of the way and ran to stand next to the lockers on the opposite side of the hall. That left nothing standing between the Big Bad Wolfe and me.
Part of me wanted to look over at Asher, but I refused. I was worried whatever I saw would either have me flying into a fit of rage or softening, and I couldn’t afford either.Control. I needed control. And I was fighting myself for it, so I didn’t need to fight his influence, too.
“Is that so? You think I have no heart?” Damian asked as he stepped closer.
The closer he got, the more I realized just how much he towered over me. He was at least six-three, maybe six-four. I was a full foot shorter than him, but I was fast and strong. So, I hoped that would count for something.
“It seems pretty obvious. If the six of you have girls you lay claim to but want nothing to do with and want to bully the people who dare look their way, then yeah. Seems pretty heartless. Also, pretty fucking stupid and pathetic.”
His brows rose as he stared at me with obvious disbelief. Dread filled me as I heard the distant sound of footsteps growing nearer. Kids were starting to finish with breakfast and needed to get to their lockers before class.
Shit.
“Let the guy go,” I said. “He did nothing to you. He hit on asinglegirl. Unless you’re in a relationship with her”—I looked around him to the others—“or any of the rest of you are”—I looked back up at Damian—“then none of you have a right to say a damn thing. He didnothingto you.”
A dark smile spread across Damian’s face. I was disturbed by how beautiful he was. It was a shame he used that beauty for evil.
“Chad?”
“Y-yes?” Chad stammered.
“You’re free to go,” Damian said.
“Oh, thank fuck.” Chad’s shoulders slumped in relief.
“Now. He meansnow,” Asher said.
Chad wasted no time scurrying off at Asher’s warning.
Thanks a lot,Chad.
“Seems I have a new plaything now,” Damian said, and I couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled out of me.
Literally. It came out before I realized how stupid it was to poke the bear. I’d never really had a very good filter thanks to how my dad raised me, but now wasdefinitelyone of those times it would have come in handy.
“Find that funny, do you, my lost little lamb?” Damian’s voice was smooth now, almost sultry. It had a clear threatening edge to it that sent more shivers down my spine, but the tone of it did something else I found rather confusing.
“Yeah, I do. And trust me. I’m not the one you want to fuck with,” I said flatly. “You won’t like how it turns out.”
His head fell back as a laugh seized him, and his friends laughed, too. When I noticed Asher didn’t share in the amusement, I turned to see his eyes locked on mine. I saw him briefly look to the rest of his friends before looking at Damian’s back and then looking pointedly at me. It was faint—and if I hadn’t been focused directly on him, I wouldn’t have seen it—but there was a slight shake of his head.
I rolled my eyes and focused back on Damian, the real threat.
“I don’t know where you came from, little lamb, but I can assure you… You don’t have afuckingclue who you’re talking to.”
“Actually, I knowexactlywho I’m talking to. Damian Wolfe. The mightyWolfe of Crestview. I assume that’s why you keep calling me little lamb? Because you’re the big bad wolf?” My tone was quite sarcastic, and I rather enjoyed the look of shock that rolled across his face. I smiled lightly and shook my head. “From what I can see, you’re the head resident bitch baby of Crestview. Threatened by everything, so you fight to control everyone so you can feel big and strong.” I snorted. “Yeah, I knowexactlywho I’m talking to. I just don’t give a fuck. I don’t like bullies. You were about to beat the shit out of a kid for hitting on a girl you didn’t even want. None of you did.” I stepped back. “He’s gone. This is over. Go terrorize someone else. Just make sure I don’t see it.”
I started to walk away, but that didn’t go so well.
The adrenaline pumping through my body made my already heightened reflexes thanks to a lifetime of training even faster.
He reached for me with his right hand, and my arm swiped outward to block it, taking a step closer. He almost immediately grabbed for me with his left hand, and I blocked that as well in the same way before thrusting my knee into his balls and immediately backhanding him with as much strength as I could muster.
Somehow, I’d managed to keep enough wits about me not to use a closed fist. Doing so would have resulted in a broken nose, which meant a guaranteed hospital visit, which would have meant Rick getting involved in legal issues because there wasno wayDamian’s father wouldn’t try to sue the little wench who broke precious baby’s nose.
A backhand was far more embarrassing but also wouldn’t leave a lasting mark aside from a red cheek.