Breaking You (Blackthorn Elite 2)

Shoving my phone back in my pocket, I walk across campus to the science lab. I’m barely around the corner in the hallway, when I hear Harper’s voice echo through the hall. She is standing right outside of class, Easton is with her. His back is to me, but I know it’s him from his coat, hair, and the way he carries himself. They are talking, then he says something to make her laugh.

Jealousy burns through me like a hot iron. I’m a few feet in front of them when Harper looks up, her eyes meet mine, and instantly her smile fades away, a deep frown appearing instead. Easton turns and sees me coming, he nods, but then takes in my angry face. The fucker has the audacity to roll his eyes at me. Shaking his head, he takes a step away from her.

“Don’t get your panties in a bunch, Warren. We’re just talking about class,” Easton says when I’m close enough. Easton better be glad he’s my friend and roommate, otherwise, I’d rip him apart like a dog protecting its bone.

Giving him a bored expression, I say, “Didn’t I tell you not to talk to her at all? I know you, Easton. I know you don’t just talk to a girl.”

“God, first Parker, now you,” he shakes his head. “What is this world coming to?”

Ignoring his stupid comment, I wrap my fingers around Harper’s wrist and pull her away from Easton and down the hall with me. To my utter shock, she follows me without a word, that is, until we are outside and away from any listening ears. Then with a tug, she pulls her arm out of my grip.

“What the hell is wrong with you? I’m seriously starting to think you need some medical attention. First, you follow me, stalk me, and humiliate me. Then you break into my apartment, destroying the place, and now you won’t even let me talk to people? I’m done with your mind games, Warren.”

Out of everything that she says, the only thing I pick up on is that she says someone has broken into her apartment. Seeing red, I grab her by the chin, watching as she winces and tries to pull from my hold.

“Did you just say someone broke into your place?” The rational part of me says who cares, but the part of me that owns her, screams mine. If someone is breaking into her apartment, that means they’re trying to take what is mine, and no fucking way is that happening.

Breaking out of my hold, Harper staggers back, anger pooling in her hazel depths, “Don’t play stupid. I know it was you. You’re the only one that would try and hurt me.”

I tip my head back, and a humorless laugh escapes, “How would me coming to your apartment when you’re not there benefit me? Plus, let’s be real. To get in your apartment, I wouldn’t have to break-in. I’d just knock on the door, and you’d let me in.”

“You’re mental and should definitely be institutionalized. I know you want me to leave, but what you are doing now is kind of mental. To break-in, and go through my stuff, don’t you think that’s unhinged at all?”

I give her a second to gather her wits, but then she starts spouting off again, “I mean, of course, you wouldn’t think that because you did it,” she snarls the last few words.

Having had enough of being accused of something I definitely didn’t do. I grab her by the waist and pull her to my body. My heart beats heavy in my chest when her hands press against it. It feels like forever since I kissed her lips, ones I want to bite and fuck again.

Whispering against her skin, “I didn’t fucking break into your apartment. I’m fucking crazy, yes, but I’m not stupid. I don’t do stuff unless it benefits me, and this definitely doesn’t.”

Harper’s gaze widens at my confession, and I practically see her pulse jump in her throat. Slowly, she pieces the puzzle together, “But if… If you didn’t, then…”

I nod. “That’s right if it wasn’t me, then someone else did… Which means you won’t be staying in that shithole anymore.”

“You don’t get to decide where I stay,” she snaps, trying to step away from me, but I’m faster and stronger. Grabbing her by the hip, I pick her up and toss her over my shoulder like a rag doll. As soon as she realizes what’s happening, her mouth starts running. “Are you fucking kidding me? Let me down!”

Her small fists pound against my back, but they don’t hurt. It’s cute that she thinks hitting me will make me put her down.

“Stop your bellyaching. I’m basically doing you a favor. Think of it like the golden days, when I let you and your parents stay in the mansion with us.”