Page 48 of Ruthless Commander

I jerked a look over my shoulder. “You think?”

He shivered, adjusted his jacket, and looked around. “There’s no one here, X.”

“I’m just going to one of the classrooms.” I pointed to the hallway. “Down there, so you can wait out here.”

“X…” he warned.

“There’s one way in and one way out, Rhys,” I snapped. “A little space, yeah?”

The need for space was choking, like a noose around my throat. It was bad enough I needed a damn babysitter, but to watch me every second of the day…it was humiliating.

“Okay, X,” he muttered, stepping closer to touch my arm. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”

My cheeks burned, but it wasn’t just from the wind. It was because of this…all of this.Desperation filled me as I stepped toward the hallway, making my way to the classroom where we'd found ourselves before. I lifted my gaze as I turned the corner, finding the door cracked open and the lights still off inside.

Damien thought this was more than it was.

But it wasn’t…

"There she is," Damien murmured, leaning against a desk in the front row.

He pushed off, striding toward me before I held up my hand. “Damien, wait."

“Wait?” He grabbed, pulling me close. “Wait for what?”

I lifted my gaze to his. He was a nice-looking guy, but excitable, like a love-sick puppy.

And that was just it.

“Stop.” I pulled away when he tried to kiss me. “I didn’t come here for that.”

He scowled and dropped his hands. “Then what the fuckdidyou come here for?”

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. “I came here to tell you this…whatever this was, is over.”

There was a flicker of something in his eyes. I looked away, desperate to hold onto the strength. “This is just a bad idea.”

“No…” he urged, his voice low and careful. “No, it isn’t.”

“Yes.” I jerked my gaze to his. “Yes, it is and I’m sorry, but it’s over. Look,” I licked my lips, searching for a way to make this easier. “It’s not you, it’s me.”

He let out a hard bark. “I hear that a lot.”

“This time it’s true.” I took a step and reached out to touch his arm, but he was stiff, unflinching.

“It’s him, isn’t it?” he said slowly. “The Commander.”

I swallowed hard, the thunder of my pulse booming in my head. “No,” I lied, and shook my head.

“Liar.” The word was a hiss.

That same chill found me again, snaking its way along my spine. “It doesn’t matter—”

“You’ll regret it.”

I scowled, anger rising to the surface. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“If you’re so fucking smart, then you figure it out,” he spat, striding past me.