“You heard me. I’m the one being called a rat, the one with a father in prison. Your life is still perfect, as it always has been and will continue to be,” I growl, my own anger over the past year rivaling any sanity inside me.
Q’s perfectly sculpted lip curls in disgust, and I notice the way his body tenses and his fist clench at his side. I should be scared, and on the inside, I’m all kinds of terrified, but I also feel powerful. I feel like, for once, I’m being heard and seen. He takes a threatening step toward me, that single step eats away all the remaining space between us, and I can feel the rage rolling off him. It’s threatening to swallow me whole, and at this point, I kind of wish it would. Ren must see something I don’t because he slides between us, grabbing Q by the shoulders while pushing him backward.
“She’s a rat. Don’t let anything she says bother you,” Ren says while leading him away from me. My legs are like Jell-O, and how I’ve managed to remain standing this long is a mystery. The promise of violence and pain reflects in Q’s eyes and back at me, and somehow, I know I just made the biggest mistake of my life.
5
QUINTON
Until five minutes ago, I had no intention of messing with her. I knew she would be here and that our paths might cross, but that didn’t matter because I never put the blame for what happened on her. My hate was solely reserved for her father and the people involved in the attack on my family back home.
All that went to shit, and the rage shifted the moment her spiteful words met my ear. “Your life is still perfect, as it always has been and will be.”
She had no fucking idea, not a clue as to what the past year has been like for my family and me. What her father did was merely the icing on the cake. If she wants to play the innocent card and pretend she’s done nothing, then she’s in for a rude awakening.
“She’s a rat. Don’t let anything she says bother you.” Ren’s voice takes on a calming tone, and I become hyperaware of his hands on my shoulders. I peer over his shoulder, my gaze going to the spot where Aspen was standing just moments ago.
She’s gone now, but her presence still lingers. Her words still swirl in my head. My anger toward her plateaus and my muscles burn, the need to expel the hate and rage burning like a blazing fire across my skin. I already know no amount of time at the gym is going to help. It’s only going to be a drop of water on a hot stone.
No, I need a new way to calm the storm inside me, and that way is going to involve Aspen Mather.
A smirk forms on my lips as I imagine all the things I can do to her, the ways I can make her pay and cause her pain. I’d never considered myself a sadist, but the feelings she brings out in me are making me second-guess myself. I know I’m going to enjoy every minute of bringing her to her knees.
“What the hell are you smiling about?” Ren asks, dropping his hands and taking a step back. He looks as confused as I feel.
“I think I just found a new hobby.”
Ren raises his eyebrow. “Yeah? What’s that?”
I ignore his second question since it’s obvious. “I’m going to head to the administration office and get some info on Aspen. I want to know what classes she’s taking.”
I don’t say it out loud, but I actually want to know everything about her. The more I know, the easier it’s going to be to hurt her where it counts.
Ren doesn’t even question my request. He knows me well enough to know that when I get fixated on something, nothing will get in my way. Whether Aspen likes it or not, making her life a living hell just became my newest obsession.
“How about I get you her class schedule, and you go to PE? A little workout is going to do more for you than trying to charm the panties off some secretary, especially when you look as pissed off as a grizzly bear.”
I pin him with a stern look. “We both know I won’t have to charm anyone. They’ll give it to me out of fear and simply because I ask them to.”
“True, but sometimes you catch more flies with honey. Plus, my class isn’t for another hour. Let me do the panty snatching, and you can do the scheming.”
“Fine.” I nod. “I’ll see you after lunch.”
Ren slaps his hand on my shoulder and leans into my side. “Don’t kill the girl. You know the rule. Can’t end her while we’re here.”