Page 10 of Ruthless Deliverance

“Too fucking long,” she utters, grabbing her bag and standing as we make our way out of the café. “We’ve gone all through school together since we were kids.”

“Oh. That is a really long time.”

“Yep. And he was an ass even back then too.” Luna stops and turns to face me. “We really can hang out tonight if you want. I figured it was the easiest way to simmer him down for the time being. And there’s a party tonight that I’d love to have a plus-one for.”

Ugh. It’s nothing against Luna, but a party is the last thing I want to do tonight. However, it’s exactly what I need to do. “Sure. Where’s it at?”

“Let me see your phone.”

I grab it out my bag, unlock it, and hand it to her. She clicks on the screen for a minute then hands it back to me. Looking at the message, it’s an address that I recognize as being in one of the ritzy neighborhoods. The message was sent to a phone number that’s not saved in my phone, which I’m guessing is hers. So, I add it under my contacts and tuck my phone away and head to calculus. Hopefully, today’s class is the opposite of yesterday’s.

10

CREED

I’m just a step behind her when we enter Thibaut’s classroom. The bastard gives Dani a smile as he greets her, waving her over to his desk.

After I’m in my seat, I want to focus on her, but it’s Thibaut who catches my attention. He’s leaning into her, his words are low, but I can hear that he’s asking her about yesterday, if she’s okay. And if there’s anything he can do to make sure the situation doesn’t arise again, even offering to swap out a student in the front for her seat in the back of the classroom. She refuses and heads to her seat. It’s not nervousness I sense from her but maybe annoyance. Does she know he’s coming on to her? At least that’s what I’m translating from the way he’s watching her. Motherfucker better stay in line and not try to be her knight in shining armor, because he’ll regret that decision for sure.

Thibaut looks to me, a challenging look almost before he turns his attention on Beau. “Mr. Reid, let’s have a good, quiet class today and keep our hands to ourselves.”

“Don’t be jealous, Mr. Thibaut. I’ll grab your ass if you ask nicely.” Beau receives a few snickers around the room and a few curses from Dani under her breath. Thibaut doesn’t share in the humor as he gives Beau a quick lecture.

Once Thibaut begins teaching, Beau leans over and whispers, “I really need to do something.” The joking tone is gone and fully replaced by a whiny bitch tone he has way too often. “I mean, she embarrassed me and now this pussy teacher is joining in. Fuck her or whatever you need to do, but I have to teach her a lesson.”

“No.” I keep my eyes facing forward as Thibaut gives us a few quick glances but doesn’t stop teaching.

“Creed. I can’t just let it go.”

“Yes, you can.”

There’s silence from beside me but I know he’s not given up that easy. When I look to him, I see I’m correct. His wounded face is still turned my way. “What is it about her?”

Fuck. I wish I knew. Even with her feistiness and hatred, there’s still something that makes me want to chase her. And the more she resists, the harder I want to hunt. It’s the only time I’m not focused on being in this stupid fucking place without Ethan. Maybe that’s it. She’s a distraction. My eyes find her, she’s jotting something down in her notebook, halting for a second when she notices she’s holding my attention. She lifts her hand, still holding her pencil she flips her middle finger at me, then casually resumes writing. She’s entertaining to say the least.

“You’re not even fucking her and you’re whipped.” Beau teases, but nothing about it bothers me. It actually makes me happy to know how much it’s pissing him off and how much I’m getting to her. Because she sure as fuck is messing with my mind.

“Looks like you’re the only one she’s whipped.”

That shuts him up for the rest of the class period. I know he’s pouting because he can’t deny that she definitely got the better of him. Now, it’s time to get to her.

Once the bell signals class is over, we all stand to head out of the room. Dani looks over her shoulder, my guess is to get a location on where we are. There’s no need for her to worry. Beau will listen. And if he doesn’t, she won’t have to worry about handling the problem again because I will.

“Mr. Kincaid,” Thibaut calls out as I keep my eye on her until she disappears into the hallway. Turning, I see the dipshit standing with his arms crossed over his chest. “Beau might’ve been the troublemaker, but I know you’re part of it too. Leave Dani alone, and let’s get through the school year in peace.”

“Is that a warning so you can go after her?”

His eyes widen in shock as his hand grips his tie, pulling at the knot as he jerks his neck slightly to the side. “She is a student. I’m looking out for her well-being just as I do for all of my students. I won’t tolerate anyone intimidating or harassing them. Despite what some think they’re entitled to.”

“Exactly. Your student. Eighteen or not, off-limits to you.” His face tightens as I take a step back. That’s right. She’s the forbidden fruit for the both of us, but unlike him, I can savor her. And I will tonight. “Have a nice day, Mr. Thibaut.”

11

DANI

Who’d have guessed I could manage to make it through an entire day at Sacred Creed Academy and not punch a douchebag in the nose? There were a few close calls where I thought it’d come to that but I’m thankful the day was rather boring, and I didn’t spend any time in the front office. Progress. Little but it’s something.

And speaking of progress, I’m not making any with deciding what to wear tonight. I need to play the part, but I need to be comfortable too and not feel out of my element like I have at every other turn of this damn operation. Pulling off the glittery fitted V-neck that was part of my appointed undercover wardrobe, I toss it on the bed and dig through my closet, grabbing one of my favorite T-shirts that I owned before my life was royally disrupted by all this bullshit. Pulling on a pair of jeans, I try and push away the anger boiling up inside me.