He’s right in my face, but I refuse to step back. “I’m going, Mason. I’m an adult and can make my own choices,” I say firmly, snatching his hand and forcing it down. That sets him off. Mason’s anger morphs into raw rage. I see him shaking, his fury palpable. “I said NO, LI!” he roars, stepping closer and hitting the fridge behind me with a force that makes me flinch. “Mason,” Jace snaps, appearing in the kitchen and glaring at Mason. Mason whirls around to face him before turning his gaze back to me. “If you’re that adamant about going, don’t go alone. Go with Jace,” Mason insists, his tone a bit calmer but still intense. “What? No! I don’t need a babysitter,” I snap back. Sometimes, Mason treats me like I’m five years old. “You will only go with Jace,” Mason says firmly, his mind made up. “I’m going alone,” I retort, just as resolute. Mason’s rage flares up again. His hand again slams against the fridge, and I'm half a second away of fearing him a little bit. Jace steps in, g
I haven't slept well. Mason cooked an amazing soup after seeing the work on my laptop, and he even got dessert from our favorite place. But all I thought about was Jace. It’s suffocating. He’s everywhere. And now he’s even going to meet my father tomorrow. As I sip my coffee on the grass outside, he drives into the parking lot in his black Porsche. The windows are too tinted for me to see him, but I still want to see him. I want to see his face when I confront him about Antonio. And Carter. And Dylan. What if he ends up beating up my father? Mason would be thrilled. "I think Ryker had sex with someone else," Hannah snaps me out of my daydream. "What?!" Lina jumps up from her spot against the tree, her eyes wide. Charlotte follows suit, looking at Hannah in shock. "He asked me to be his girlfriend three days ago..." Hannah says, her eyes on the grass beneath her. "I said I needed some time. You know, we have fun and all... But getting into a relationship is a big step." Hannah sig
I turn around and meet Jace's stare, which is full of interest. Suddenly feeling a bit shy, I quickly look away and walk past him without saying anything. He turns around with us and starts walking next to me and Hannah. My book is clutched to my chest, providing me with a false sense of safety. Jace has slept around a lot, and I'm a virgin. How in the world would we ever match? He would probably see me as dumb, inadequate, slow—just not good enough. Where are these insecurities coming from? What's going on with me? "Miss Raven. A word," Jace says in his teacher's voice, making me close my eyes in defeat. The last thing I want right now is to talk to him. I would probably stumble over my words and feet and embarrass myself further. “I have class,” I respond, continuing to walk, making Hannah glance at me from the side. Lina and Charlotte keep heading to our class. Suddenly, Jace grabs my arm. I almost flinch. “Class can wait. Hannah, can you tell whatever teacher you have that Nora
The first thing I notice when I get home is a pile of boxes in the hallway. “Hey, baby sis. These all came for you,” Mason calls from the living room, opening the door to the hallway. “For me?” I ask, frowning. Mason frowns back at me. “Yes. You didn’t order anything?” He reaches for one of the boxes. "No! Don't!" I swat his hand away quickly and pull the box away from underneath his hands before he can think of opening it. "I want to know what's inside," Mason protests, bending down again. "They're mine! I suddenly remembered I ordered underwear when I was drunk!" I manage to lie. Mason jumps back. “Ew, Li!” he shouts, backing away quickly. “Oh, shut it. You see my underwear in the washing machine,” I retort, grabbing the first box and stacking it on top of another. “Not by choice.” He scans the boxes again before retreating into the living room. I quickly dash back and forth, carrying two boxes at a time. I have a feeling I know who sent these. They’re addressed to me but lack
My night was terrible. All I could think about Jace beating up my dad or the other way around. This situation has only a few outcomes, and each one is worse than the last. My head itches, and the high ponytail feels like a beacon as I wait for Jace to arrive for class. He’s late. And he’s never late. Before I can worry about whether he might have ditched me, I feel his eyes on me. I turn my head and find him watching me intently. His gaze first lands on my hair, and I think I see a flicker of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. But maybe I’m imagining it. His eyes drop to mine, darkening as they meet my gaze. Grace is next to him, talking animatedly about something, but he seems to be completely focused on me. The awareness of being alone with him today makes me reconsider. Maybe I should cancel my meeting with Dad and not mention it to Jace. Maybe I should just... Fuck him after class. "And the instructor asked for my number! Can you believe that?!" Grace says as they app
"A date? I thought you were kinda dating Miss Walker?" Brent asks out loud. Jace turns around with disgust on his face. "Grace? Where is this rumour coming from? I'd rather slit my wrists," he says, disgust dripping from his voice. The entire class starts laughing, but I'm still in shock from his date comment. "So, I have no time for detention, Norali," Jace says, drawing my attention. "You can misbehave all you want," he states with a tiny smirk. "Can I?" I ask with suspicion, trying to erase the shock from my face as a few heads turn towards me. Jace clicks his teeth for a moment before tilting his head. "Yes... I’m sure I can find a way to get you back for any misbehavior later." I will the redness in my cheeks to stay hidden because I suddenly feel really hot. As if Jace notices my reddening cheeks, he clears his throat and taps the board. "Eyes here. Books open. Phones gone," he barks. Everybody who was looking at me instantly turns around. "What's going on?" Hannah immediat
As soon as I throw my bag into the backseat, Jace grabs my ponytail roughly. "Hey!" I shout as my head is yanked back and Jace puts his entire body weight into me. His other hand snakes around my neck, and he pulls my hair harder, making me tilt my head back almost too far. I can't even swallow anymore and stare at the ceiling of the car helplessly. "What did you call me earlier?" Jace suddenly asks, his body half on top of mine, both of us crammed into the passenger seat. "What?" I ask helplessly, my mind reeling. I have no idea what he’s talking about. My world is abruptly turned around, and my body freezes with the sudden assault. I had not expected this when I got into his car. I should have, though. "Your text," he warns, his breath hot against my neck. Is he serious? His grip on my hair tightens, and he pushes his knee between my legs, forcing them open. Thank goodness I’m wearing jeans today. I try to swallow but can’t. I want to punch him, but my arms are pinned behind
"Your colleagues?" I whisper to him as Jace pulls me along with him to the elevator. "Yeah... The men in this office have a tendency to... Uhm... Hunt for the women who enter here," Jace explains with a bit of doubt in his voice. I snap my head to him. "Hunt?" I question with raised eyebrows. The elevator opens and Jace pushes me in. I swear he looks at my ass as he walks in behind me. "Well... It's more like a competition. It's a man's world and females are scarce. So when a woman does enter, and a beautiful one at that, their hormones go batshit crazy. They all want the same thing," Jace calmly clarifies. I look outside, through the glass, at the world that is slowly shrinking. "But you don't have to worry. Just stay with me," Jace says when the elevator pings and the doors slide open. Multiple pairs of eyes shoot to us. I so wish I was downstairs in his car. Jace points to the open doors and I hesitantly walk out. His hand falls on my lower back and he steers me left along a lo
"You know, you should really thank me," Mitch says as we merge onto the highway. I pause for a moment, trying to make sense of his words. "Thank you?" I ask, confusion settling in. "For taking you away from him. He hurt you," Mitch replies, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. "I saved you." I stare at him, my mind spinning. He can’t be serious, right? "He's never hurt me," I reply back, my voice strong. Mitch’s face twists with anger. He pulls out his phone and throws it onto my lap. A video plays on the screen—it's me, bent over Jace's desk, Jace behind me, hitting me with a ruler. "Watch," Mitch snarls. "I don’t want to watch," I snap, quickly turning the phone off. "He was clearly abusing you! I'd never do that!" Mitch hisses, his voice rising. "I would never hurt you like that!" "You hurt me, Mitch. You threw me against the lockers earlier," I counter, anger rising in my chest. Mitch turns his gaze towards me, even though he's still speeding down the highway.
Jace. He gave me this. I stare at the beautiful necklace in my hand, my mind racing. There's a second package on the seat next to me, and I tear it open with trembling fingers. Cat treats. He got treats for Humphrey. Warmth floods my chest, and I can’t stop the tears from welling up. Why does he have to be my teacher? Why couldn’t we have met in a coffee shop like normal people, instead of this twisted situation? I quickly start the car, eager to get home. But as I pull my seatbelt on, my foot hits something hard under the seat. Frowning, I reach down—and my fingers brush cold metal. I lift the gun slowly and turn it around in my lap. A gun. I have a gun in my car. Is he expecting me to shoot Mitch? Is this just for my safety? The weight of the gun in my hand is nothing compared to the heaviness settling in my chest. I shove it back under the seat, almost frantic, and drive home with a thousand thoughts running through my head. When I finally step inside, the comforting sme
A loud slap from Jace’s desk cuts through the quiet, startling everyone, including Mitch. His hand jerks away from my leg, as if burned. I bite my lip to stifle the grin threatening to spread across my face. "Get to studying," Jace orders, his voice low and dangerous. "I don’t want to hear another word from anyone." The tension in the room shifts. A few moments of silence follow as students begin to focus on their work, scribbling notes, flipping through textbooks. Even Mitch is reading. I have no clue what his grades are like, but something tells me he wants to perform. "Hey," Hannah whispers from beside me, her tone light. "We’re still going out tonight, right?" She glances at me, then shifts her gaze to Mitch, her expression casual. "You’re coming too, Mitch? You should join. It’d be good for you to hang with Nora's friends, get in our good graces." "Where?" Mitch asks. His voice is tense. "Amsterdam," Hannah says with a cheery tone, "the quiet part. We always have a few drin
"We need to get to class," Mitch says, breaking the tension. Everybody turns to him. Charlotte narrows her eyes at him. She dislikes him. Severely. But she doesn't speak, and doesn't even comment about his hand on my lower back. "Come," Mitch orders me next. I follow, much to the shock of the rest of the group, and we walk in without speaking. Some students stare at me, but I remain unresponsive. I’ve felt detached from myself ever since Mitch entered the classroom yesterday. He sticks by me all day, like a newborn baby unable to stray from his mother. Even during lunch, he doesn’t allow Hannah to come near me. We sit together, but he won’t let me be alone with her. He makes small talk with everyone and keeps his hand somewhere on me at all times. "I need to pee," I say when lunch is over. "Hold it, love. Classes are almost over," Mitch replies. The sudden urge to throw something hard at his face is almost too big of a temptation to ignore, and I grab my bag tight. "I can't hold
Mitch's hand tightens on my leg, his fingers pinching my skin painfully. A warning. What can I do, anyway? She might not even believe me. What can I say? "He’s got a video of me fucking my teacher, and now he’s blackmailing me"? I nod. "You kids need to get out. Before I arrest you," the officer orders, turning her attention back to Mitch. He nods and starts the car immediately. As we drive back to the main road, I stare out the window, my body shaking. "My brother will come looking for me if I’m not home soon," I say. "Of course," Mitch replies smoothly. "I’ll drive you home. I’m good like that. I’ll pick you up tomorrow for class," he adds with a smile. "Okay," I respond in defeat. Until that video is removed forever, it’s best to keep Mitch happy. My mind is a whirlwind when we reach my house. The green Aston Martin parked in front reminds me of Jace. Where is he? "Your phone," Mitch says, extending his hand. "What?" I frown. "Your phone. Give it to me," he demands, his to
He looks at my shocked face, a smirk playing on his lips. "Yes, I know he’s your brother. It’s not hard to pick up on those things." “Come on. This is the last time I’m saying it. We’re going on a date,” Mitch insists, his voice now impatient, the smirk gone. “Now,” he snaps loudly, making me wince. I glance down at his phone and realize I have no choice. I have to go with him. Slowly, I walk toward him, but Jace steps in front of me, blocking my path. “Li,” he whispers, reaching for my arm. “No!” Mitch snaps, stopping Jace in his tracks. “No. You’re never touching her again. That was the last time. I hope you enjoyed it.” His teeth are bared, his expression wild and threatening. He looks like a rabid animal. Jace’s gaze locks onto mine, an intense fury radiating from him. I feel tears well up in my eyes, my body aching to go to him, to feel his arms around me, to hear him tell me everything will be alright. I crave the safety that only he can give. He sees it in my eyes, and I ca
Crossing a big, fat line. "What’s yours is mine, sugar," Jace says, his arrogance palpable in the air. "I don't fucking think so," I retort, my voice firm as I press the knife against his skin. A line of crimson appears, and for a moment, I’m entranced by the sight, my hold slackening in shock. Jace seizes the opportunity with both hands. He grabs my wrists and yanks me from his lap, twisting me around. My chest collides with the hard surface of his desk, the unforgiving wood forcing the breath from my lungs. He pushes his hips against my ass, my skirt riding up. "Jace, stop!" I gasp, trying to rise, but he pushes me down with a firm hand, pinning my wrists behind my back. "But it is, my sweet Norali," he whispers in my ear, his voice low and dangerous. "Everything you own, everything that you are... it's all mine. All of it." "In your dreams," I reply defiantly, the fire in my chest flaring. But then—whap! A ruler strikes my ass hard. "No, Jace, I don't like you right now!"
"You have a date today?!" Hannah asks in a whisper shout. "Apparently," I whisper back, "he texted me this morning about escaping for a while." "This thing is getting quite serious," Hannah remarks. I bite my lip. I look over her shoulder outside, to the car park. I forget what we're speaking about. "Is Connor cleaning your car?!" I yell out loudly. The lesson comes to an abrupt halt as everyone turns to the window. Connor is indeed washing the back of the Porsche with a wet cloth, and disbelief washes over me. My eyes must be betraying me. "Yes. He's my personal assistant. I won the race, remember?" Jace replies casually. "That's fucking brutal," Hannah states, her voice kind of impressed. "That's what you get for provoking me," Jace answers to that. The respect for him in the classroom rises. Another side of Jace has been revealed, one that demands respect. Jace is someone who will always gets his way. Whether with force or not, he will get it. That thought scares me a little,
I drive to school in the Volkswagen, letting Mason take the Aston Martin—much to his delight. The students around us gasp in shock as Mason pulls into the parking lot, stepping out of the car with his sunglasses on, looking like a proper jerk. It’s a fitting match with the Porsche parked next to it. As soon as Mason exits, Jace hops out of his car and joins him. They walk through the school grounds like supermodels, turning heads everywhere. Jace, also wearing sunglasses, strides confidently beside my brother, ignoring the stares from everyone. “Fucking hell,” Hannah comments, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “They’re like gods around here.” I lean against a nearby tree. “Annoying gods,” I mutter, but I can’t tear my eyes away from Jace. He should have a cool soundtrack playing in the background as he walks like that. My heart flutters when I follow him, and I mentally shake my head at the terrifying realization I have. I’m in love with my teacher. Deeply. Way too deeply, and proba