Page 29 of Promise to Break

"That's good," he says, "but tell me if you do." He kisses my forehead, just a little lower than before. Fuck that, I want his lips on mine. I want him stealing and taking what I shouldn't give. But he keeps his touches light, barely there, and it's maddening.

"And what are you going to do, Fierro? Use your money and influence against me?" I jolt at the sound of Maverick's voice, his all-teacher tone a bucket of ice on my hormones.

Killian's smirk might be scarier if not for how he looks. Today, he chose to wear the blue shirt of our school uniform and the black jacket, probably in deference to the chilly weather. His hair is brushed back, and he looks regal. Next to the I-don't-give-a-fuck looks of Maverick Hope, Killian looks more like the teacher in this scenario.

My attempts to get out of Killian's grasp are futile. He just holds me there, not too harshly, but letting me know that if I don't obey, he'd be happy to punish me. This moment seems important somehow, so I stop fighting, letting the teacher who just gave me the opportunity of a lifetime know that I'll never betray the Fierro family.

Killian turns his head in Mr. Hope's direction. "Don't hurt my girl, Maverick."

I am not yours! I want to scream, to run, to hide. I don't. All the women who have fought for their place in the world are surely ashamed of me.

"She's part of our family now," Killian says. "The Fernandez girls don't take anyone's bullshit." The threat is there; get too close to her, and you'll suffer the consequences. His hands tighten on my arms, making me wince.

Maverick smirks. "It seems to me it's you who's hurting her, lad." I've never seen this teacher look at someone the way he's looking at Killian. Hate, pure hate. Maverick has never been what I'd call nice, not to anyone but me, but I've never seen him like this. He looks ready to shred Killian to slices.

I've read Maverick's articles. He doesn't like the rich, even when he is one on some level. I can understand him to a degree. I was on the wrong side of the coin for the majority of my life. Yet, I saw that look over nine years of my life. It's personal for Mr. Hope. It's ridiculous and laughable, but I want to hide Killian behind me and protect my bully from my teacher.

"Fernandez, think about what I told you." Those are Mr. Hope's ultimate words as he walks away, as if nothing just happened. To anyone else, it didn't. But I know.

"Let me go," I demand of Killian. I'm confused by all this interaction, but more than that, I'm mad at myself for my visceral and illogical need to keep my fucking bully, a murderer, no less safe.

"I think you enjoy being in this position, my little wild child." I feel the words more than hear them. He's trying to break the tension. Who is this man? "What did he want from you, Maricela?"

I debate, not telling him, but all I see is that look of pure malice and bad intentions. "He said I have a talent with photography."

"You do."

I don't even want to know how Killian knows or where he's seen my work. "He offered me a job."

Another squeeze of my bully's hand around my arm. "What did you say to him?"

"Nothing. I'm not stupid. I don't tell anybody the little I know. Serena is everything to me. You know that. Can he cause her harm?" I start to shake, just considering the possibility. Killian notices and shakes his head, and that's when I look directly at his too-bright eyes. The vacancy I'm used to seeing there is almost gone. All I see now is determination and protection.

"Not under my watch, but I'll warn Santino as well."

I nod. Accepting his words. Since when did I start trusting him? I don't. I can't.

"Why does he hate your family?" And you, specifically, I want to ask but don't.

"Our family. You're part of us, no matter what you tell yourself."

"Well…" I don't correct him because I am and always will be a nomad.

"He doesn't like the rich," Killian says, surprising me. I thought it would take him a while to come up with an answer or that he wouldn't give me an answer at all. "Maverick Hope thinks we're all corrupt. He's tried to investigate Franco for a very long time now."

"He isn't wrong," I mutter to myself, not quietly enough because Killian presses my back against the wall, locking me in place. Here's the actual monster who will do anything to protect his world. I admire him for it. He's loyal to a fault, something we have in common.

"Little Girl," he warns, and why? Why do I love when he calls me that? He tames my wild side and makes me feel like a little girl, safe in his arms.

"My opinion doesn't matter, anyway. I'd never say a word."

He nods and presses his lips to mine. At last.

I melt against him, letting him take my air supply. His touch is frantic, nothing like the gentle caresses he bestowed on me minutes earlier.

My body answers his touch by its own accord, pouring everything into his mouth. He sucks on my lower lip as I try to bite him, and he chuckles into my mouth.

"You taste so good, my little girl, my wild child. Untameably wild and mine," he says after letting my lip go with a tug.

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