Page 64 of Vexatious Queen

Nash groaned and picked me up.

I thought for sure he was going to follow through on his teasing, and I was about to protest, but instead he sat down on my stool and placed me on his lap.

He didn’t say anything else. He just let me rest my head on his chest, while he ran his fingers along my arm. It was one of the kindest gestures I’d experienced from Nash, and the tears I’d been holding back silently leaked out and trailed down my cheeks.

One day, it had to get easier…it just had to.

JANUARY 22 – THURSDAY 3:30 PM

Blake

Ijogged down the hall and checked the time on my phone. Three minutes to spare.

Slowing to a walk, I ran a hand through my hair and tried not to look like I had been caught in a tornado.

Before I even entered the classroom, I knew something was wrong. Angry shouts came through the door loud and clear. Grabbing the handle, I burst inside and found Camden in a fight with a guy who wasn’t even in tutoring. Everyone else stood around watching and yelling for Camden to kill him.

“Camden, stop,” I yelled.

My students looked at me, then quickly backed up and shut their mouths.

“That’s enough,” I ordered as Camden hit the guy in the face.

“Get him off of me. He’s fucking crazy.”

“Shut up, you fucking piece of shit,” Camden growled.

Camden had the guy down on his back, knee on his chest, as his fist flew like he really was trying to kill him. I ran across the room and wrapped my arms around Camden like a straitjacket, lifting him into the air. He still kicked at the guy until I got him far enough out of reach.

“I said enough.”

But there was no getting through to him. He was consumed, and nothing else mattered.

“I’m going to kill you, fucker,” Camden growled and fought my hold. “You better fucking sleep with one eye open.”

“You’re fucking insane,” the guy yelled back, pointing at Camden. “No wonder your father tried to kill you.”

Camden lunged again. He was strong for his age, and I locked my hand on my wrist behind his neck to keep him in check.

“Hey, asshole who doesn’t belong in this class, get the fuck out, or you’ll have to deal with me next.”

My voice came out angry and authoritative, and too much like the night I shot Lawrence. I pushed the sudden burst of feelings aside and focused on the idiot who couldn’t take a hint.

He looked at me, then at Camden.

“Are you hard of hearing? Get the fuck out, now.”

Angel and Remy pushed the jerk toward the door while Ezra and Troy made a human wall so Camden would have to go through them first.

The guy glared at us but left. That prick was far too arrogant, and I knew that whatever was going on was not over.

“Let go of me,” Camden snarled.

“No, not until you promise not to run out the door and chase that guy down.”

“I promise,” he said far too quickly.

After a look around the room, I addressed the class.