Page 67

A proverbial ice bucket douses me. A sudden cold grips my lungs, and I gasp, grimacing away from his touch. Pulling back until his hand falls to his side.

Eyebrow raised, he stares at me. His expression reflects confidence, serenity. It sends a message that he meant no harm.

I must be overreacting, then. After what Kaleb’s put me through, combined with my fucked-up past, it’s possible. I’m sensitive and distraught. Paranoid.

If Professor Dempsey wanted to assault me, he could’ve done it by now. We’re alone. He’s stronger.

He could overpower me.

He hasn’t.

“Your grades are solid. You do well in class. Okay, let’s give it a try.” His face is serious, professional. At that, air flows back into my lungs. “Be here tomorrow at five. We have three new volunteers for the practice hours. Since this is your first time, I’ll choose a fourth volunteer tonight and interview them while you observe next to me.”

The touching incident disintegrates into nothing. This opportunity—this good news—is everything I could’ve hoped for.

A rare smile slashes across my face. “I won’t let you down.”

His eyes crinkle at the corners. His expression isopen and kind. I was worried over nothing. “These hours won’t count for your internship, as you well know.”

“Yes, I know. And it’s totally okay. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

“You’re welcome.”

Oops. I got so excited that I forgot about my manners.

“Thank you. Thank you. You won’t regret giving me this opportunity.” I clutch onto the strap of my bag, readying myself for my second request. I’ll come off as rude, but I have to try. “Would it be possible to handpick a volunteer who could really use our help? I’d like to dive into the deep end.”

The more complicated the case, the more helpful I can be. The more help I can offer myself and the man who hid undermy bed. The gorgeous monster who possesses my days and nights and every other moment in between.

“Usually, I wouldn’t recommend that.” The way his voice lowers, there’s something wrong about it. Something that makes me take half a step back, just to be on the safe side. It could be me, paranoid again. It probably is. “To anyone else. But you’re not anyone else. You’ve worked hard to get my attention, and you’ve succeeded. I see you. You’ve shown interest in class. You’re an active participant. You could manage a complicated case. Yes, it’s very likely you could. I’ll see to it that your first practice will be an interesting one.”

The air in the room turns dense. An ominous feeling clutches at my heart.

Kaleb is here. But where?

“What I’m trying to say is, you’ve earned it.” His eyes bore into mine. “Such a good student, Shiloh.”

He did not just praise me. He couldn’t have.

My lungs squeeze. Airways are clogged.

No, no, no.

No.

He can’t be that person. A pervert.

My stomach revolts, and I press a hand to my throat for a second so I won’t throw up.

This is the first and last time I’m alone in a room with Professor Dempsey. There won’t be any more moments like this. He won’t get to assault me.

From this point forward, I’ll be using him.

I’ll do anything to help Kaleb. My quest for answers used to be semi-selfish. It isn’t anymore.

My stepbrother needs me. I won’t fail him.

First, I need to survive this. Tonight. I have to get the hell out of here without making it weird. Without provoking this predator.