Page 102 of Beneficial Misfortune

In fact, I’d seen just how it could fail.

But something’s different this time. Kat’s different, not at all like Natasha. Despite my job and how often I was stuck taking her places, I never liked her, but Nate always chalked it up to jealousy. For some reason, the old asshole still thought I’d settle down someday. Hell, he probably still does.

It’s laughable.

Twenty minutes hadn’t seemed too damn long, but now, as thirty turns to forty, something begins to feel off. How long can it take to tell someone you're quitting and grab your things?

Maybe she could use some help packing things up? She’s so stubborn, I doubt she would ever ask me.

Unable to shake the feeling, I shut the car off and head into the building. I’ve picked Addison up from here dozens of times, but I’ve never been inside. Thankfully, it’s summer and deserted, so I don’t have to worry about dodging a bunch of people.

However, that also means I can’t ask anyone around me for directions.

Why the hell is this school so damn big?

I walk around for a few minutes, taking a few wrong turns before I hear something.

A loud voice rings down the hall, and while I can’t make out what was said, I know it’s a male voice, and I can hear the sharp tone.

That’s all I need, though, because I know Kat’s here somewhere, and suddenly, that bad feeling I had earlier makes a lot more sense.

I should have insisted I came in with her after the damn flowers. I knew it was possible our message to Carter would be ignored, but honestly, I didn’t think he would act so soon.

“He’s old enough to be your father, Katherine! He’s a sick, perverted old man who uses his money to attract beautiful young women like you so he can use you until he’s had his fill and then throw you away for the next one.”

The voice is clear this time, and I just make out what he’s saying past the pounding of blood in my ears. We’d only dealt with Carter one time, but that doesn’t sound like him.

“You’re wrong!” Kat shouts as I round the corner down yet another empty hall. Unlike the rest of the building, one of these rooms has a light on, and it spills out into the hallway like a beacon, calling for me.

I’m fast, well-trained, and in shape, but even with that, somehow, it feels as if it takes forever for me to make it to the door. Like one of those old movies where the hallway gets longer, regardless of how hard the main character tries to make it to the other end.

Thankfully, that’s not actually the case, and I make it to the door, my hand already resting on my gun.

I look in, finding Kat in the room with a man I’ve seen a few times around the school before. I can’t recall his name, but it doesn’t matter much. I know he’s given her issues in the past, and it’s clear he needs to be taught a lesson.

He’s got her trapped, a desk at her back, and him pressed against the front of her, his hands gripping her arms as if to keep her there.

“…never be half the man Nathan is.” Kat’s words are hardly more than a whisper, but it’s impossible to miss the venom in them. It’s adorable, and something I can agree with, but also not her best move considering the fact that she has no idea I’mhere, and this guy has already proved he’s a few screws short of a whole working brain.

“What did you say?”

Kat’s eyes fly open, wide, and afraid, and I get the feeling she didn’t realize she said that out loud.

Damn, this girl is going to put these boys in an early grave. I can already see it.

“I think the better question is, what did you say?” I ask, my voice low and husky as I fight with the anger that threatens to leave me beating him bloody without asking questions. It’s a nasty habit I picked up when I was younger. They tried to teach me better ways to handle myself in the military. But all they did was give me more ways to be lethal, which I’ll forever be grateful for.

Kat’s eyes flick up to meet mine over the asshole's head, and the sheer relief that shines back at me is staggering. Nobody ever wants to see me except the guys and the little princess. To anyone without the Lawson last name, I’m their worst nightmare, even if they don’t know it right away.

The piece of shit in front of me seems to be one of the ones who doesn’t get it, judging by the fact that he still holds Kat’s arms as if he has any right to touch her or even look at her.

Pity, but I have no problem educating him.

“What did you say? I didn’t quite hear you before.” I press the barrel of my gun to the back of his head and get the great joy of watching him stiffen.

Good, maybe he’s starting to get it.

Not enough, though.

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