Page 2 of Scorch

But today, from his vantage point under the shelter of a thick maple, he saw the sheen of tears in her eyes. A public scolding only added to the torment inflicted by her cruel classmates.

Fucking losers.

“Awww,” one of them said under his breath to the other. “Is she gonna cry?”

Viktor’s hand curled into a fist.

He would be victim number two.

He noted the golden Lincoln still purring at the curb and narrowed his eyes before he zeroed back in on the boy with the big mouth and imagined what he’d look like missing his two front teeth. Viktor cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck. It would feel so fucking good when his fist connected with flesh and bone.

As Lydia walked toward the school, one of her books fell from the large pile. She bent to pick it up.

“Lydia,” her father muttered. “Don’t be so damn clumsy.”

Always scolding, always dismissive and harsh. Viktor didn’t know how anyone could withstand the constant berating. Did it make her feel small and unworthy? From what he’d seen, her father was relentless.

In his eyes, Lydia was neither overweight nor clumsy—she’d developed earlier than her other classmates, all curves and voluptuous temptation, and she simply hadn’t grown into her own body yet.

And who the hell were they, anyway? Who decided what her body should look like, and who decided it didn’t meet some set of random fucking expectations?

She was perfect.

Viktor stood taller and glanced at the time. He had seven and a half more minutes before he’d have to jog to get there on time.

Lydia’s father frowned and sat up straighter. “I’ll be here to pick you up today. We have something urgent to discuss,” her father said, glancing at his watch.

“Yes, Father,” she said in a clear, graceful voice. “See you then.”

As the car left, she stepped forward and wobbled. A few of the boys made derisive comments. The leader winked at a tall, slender blonde girl exiting a silver Mercedes behind Lydia. They shared a look when the girl pressed her finger on her nose and wrinkled it at the girl as if mimicking a pig. Snickers erupted all around them.

Fucking spoiled, pretentious brats. Viktor delighted in imagining how he would punish them all.

“Lydia! You okay?” A thin girl, a full head shorter than Lydia, sidled up beside her. Maybe he’d spare that one.

“I’m good, thanks,” she said in that beautiful voice that haunted his dreams.

The first bell rang. It was time to go. If he showed up late, he’d be in deep shit. Kolya didn’t warn twice.

The blonde walked in front of the boys, standing tall and flaunting her breasts. She’d left a few of the buttons on her uniform shirt undone, her meager breasts pushed up on display. Pretending to sneeze, she made a big production of scattering tissues in Lydia’s direction. Laughter erupted all around them. Lydia’s pretty cheeks pinked.

Viktor’s growl rumbled deep in his chest. This particular girl had been hinting at Lydia stuffing her bra for weeks now. Jealousy was an evil little bitch.

“Morning, Lydia,” the girl said with fake camaraderie. “Need help?”

“No.” Lydia held herself erect, not trusting the girl. She held her head high and turned away. The boys watched on and snickered.

“Fine,” the girl said, shaking her head. “Not sure why you have to bring so many books home anyway. Show-off,” she muttered under her breath. She flicked her hair over her shoulder and turned to walk away as one of the boys, the tallest and obvious leader of the group, discreetly stuck his foot out.

Viktor risked coming out of the shadows. If he could—fuck.

Lydia stumbled but quickly righted herself. Her cheeks flushed, and she turned on the boy.

“You fucking asshole! You did that on purpose!”

Pride surged in his chest.

Atta girl.

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