Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
“I don’t need a tour. Think I can figure it out.” How fucking hard can it be?
“But—” I hear her say it, but I’m already heading out.
I check the time and schedule and see that it's already almost lunch, so I make my way toward the cafeteria as other students start to pour out of the classrooms without the sound of a bell. I can already tell that private schools are a lot different than the ones you see on television.
I ignore the whispers and stares, not giving a shit. When I enter the cafeteria, I search for Riley. My sweet little redhead should be easy to spot. It helps that I tower over the rest of the students. It’s strange to think that in a different life, I could actually be a senior in high school. I suppose I really am.
As more people enter the cafeteria, Riley is nowhere to be found. I grunt when someone collides with me. I glance down to see a mousy, black-haired girl.
“Oh, my God.” She holds her hands up. “What are you?” The girl covers her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry. I mean, who are you?”
“Where is Riley O’Haire?” I ignore the strange girl's question. The girl glances around. She can’t be any taller than my Riley, so there is no way she can really see shit.
“Maybe the library?”
“Thanks,” I grunt.
“Nice meeting you?” Her words sound more like a question.
“Same,” I mutter, in case she’s friends with Riley. I’m not here to make things worse for her. “Which way is the library?” I ask the girl, not wanting to waste any more time finding my Riley.
“Make a right out of that door, and it's straight down the hall on the right,” the girl directs me.
“Appreciate the help.” I follow her directions, heading out the door that she pointed to. I felt every single person's eyes on me in that room. It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last. None of that kiddie shit bothers me.
Most of these people will never have to experience the real world. Their father's wealth will shield them from the harsh realities of life. People like them are dangerous in different ways.
I continue walking until I find the library. It's marked by a plaque on the wall and two ornate doors. I’m not sure why the school needs a new one, but I’m sure Matteo spared no expense to get me into this place. I push the doors open and scan the room. I don’t see Riley initially, so I walk in. The sound of my footsteps echoes in the silence. A few heads pop up, and their eyes widen at the sight of me. Still no Riley.
It’s not until I turn the corner that I see a flash of red. I know without a doubt that’s my girl. I could spot her from a mile away. She has her head down, tucked into a corner. Why isn’t she in the lunchroom? I know Riley loves to read, but she can do that while she eats.
I don’t know if she can sense me, but she lifts her head, our eyes locking. Riley’s mouth forms a perfect O shape in surprise at seeing me. Despite her glasses covering her beautiful eyes, I don't miss the redness in them.
Sorry, Matteo, but someone is going to die. Scratch that. I won't be sorry. Not one fucking bit.
10
RILEY
What in the ever loving hell is Nikolai doing here? My eyes roam his body from head to toe, in shock. I honestly can’t believe my eyes. Maybe I fell asleep and I’m dreaming. Because there is no way that he’s standing in front of me in a freaking school uniform.
I close my eyes and open them again. Still here. I would have laughed because the tattoos that run up and down his arms are such a stark contrast to the polo shirt, but I am too taken aback.
“Why are you not eating lunch?” Nikolai walks up to my table. It’s my favorite one. It sits in the back corner, away from everyone else. It serves as a hiding place for me.
“What are you even doing here?” I whisper. We are in a library, but that doesn’t faze Nikolai.
“I go here now.” He pulls out a chair, sitting down in it.
“You go here now,” I repeat. Nikolai said it like that’s completely normal.
“Did you eat your lunch?”
“I’m not hungry.” My stomach is in knots.
“You need to eat.” Nikolai stands back up. “Stay put,” he orders me. “When I get back, you're going to tell me why you’ve been crying.” Crap. He’s still asking about what happened the other day, and now he found me crying. He’s never going to let this go.
I shove my glasses up my nose. “I haven’t been—” My words cut off when Nikolai grabs my braid, using it to gently tilt my head back before bringing his mouth down on mine. It is a firm kiss.