Page 39 of Teaching His Babygirl

“Okay… if you’re sure you’ll be okay.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about anything, honestly. But Ransom is watching, and Jasper checked my apartment for me. It makes sense to give Levi every opportunity to make his move. Get this whole thing over with faster—I hope.”

“I don’t like it,” Colt growls lowly, sending shivers down my spine. “I should be there to keep you safe, not serving you up like some kind of treat.”

“It’ll be okay, daddy,” I whisper, wondering if this will be the last time I call him that. My heart breaks into a million pieces at the thought.

“Stay safe, babygirl. Call me if you need me. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“I will. Goodnight, daddy.”

“Night,” he says, disconnecting the call.

“I love you,”I say to myself because, at this moment, I realize how true those words are. I’ve fallen in love with Colt. But it doesn’t matter. I’ll break my own heart to keep him safe.

Dinner is a macaroni and cheese from a box. Even though it’s my favorite comfort food, I barely touch it. My nerves are completely shot by the time I go to bed for the night. I try to take comfort in the fact that Ransom is out there somewhere, watching. Even knowing I’m being looked after doesn’t help me sleep. I toss and turn all night, waking up at three in the morning from a horrible nightmare. Colt was lying broken and bloodied with Levi standing over him wearing his blood like a second skin.

There was no sleeping after that. It also solidified my decision to end things with Colt. I wouldn’t be able to survive if something terrible happened to him because of me.

Chapter Eighteen

Colt

I watchfrom afar as Darlene walks to school. Not being with her last night was hard. I want to wrap her up in my arms and keep her safe but staying away from her publicly is best for ending things quickly with Levi. He’s out there somewhere, waiting. But then, so are we.

“She looks tired.”

Ransom gives me a look that tells me I’m an idiot for stating the obvious. “Did you sleep like a baby last night?”

I snort. “I barely slept at all.”

“Well, there you go.”

“Smartass.”

He chuckles. “This will all be over soon.”

“I hope you’re right.”

As soon as Darlene is inside the school, I jump in my car and take a circuitous route to the school.

She’s waiting in my office when I get there. Unexpected, but having her back in touching distance after a night fraught with worry is exactly what I need. I cross the room towards her, but she puts her arms out and takes a step back.

“What’s wrong?”

Darlene shakes her head. “Colt, we can’t do this anymore. People are talking. I can’t take it. I knew this was a bad idea. I just can’t.”

My heart plummets. “Who’s talking about us?”

“It doesn’t matter. The fact that anyone is talking, judging me—you—for dating a coworker.” She shakes her head sadly. “This has to end. It wasn’t ever supposed to be more than a little fun at the club…”

“Bullshit,” I growl. “This was never just going to be a bit of fun. You were mine from the moment I saw you in the club. We’re made for each other…”

She lets out a deep sigh. “I’m sorry, Colt. I just can’t.”

Before I can respond, she turns and strides out of my office and into the hallway that’s quickly filling with students, essentially making it impossible to follow her. If she thinks this conversation is over, she’s mistaken. I refuse to give up on us just because some idiots are gossiping about us.

* * *

---