Page 90 of Unravel You

“That can’t be true.”

My heartbeat spiked. He couldn’t be here for me, could he? No, the Mexican cartel had no ties to the Italian mob in New York. He couldn’t possibly know who I was. For that, he would have to actually look my way.

“Those are rumors.” She shrugged.

“What else do you know?”

“He wants to be a lawyer. Just like the rest of us.” She sat back to study my features. “You look a little pale. You okay? I don’t think he’s here on a job.” She chuckled. “Just stay away from him. Getting involved can’t end well.”

“I wasn’t planning on that.” I shifted my body away from him. Not that it helped the jittery energy buzzing between my legs. I should be afraid of him, but I wasn’t. Instead, my initial attraction to him doubled.

Mom had warned me about guys like him. Even before Dad’s tragic end, she had made me promise to never fall in love with a hired gun. She knew this from experience since Dad worked for the Cartel before he met her. Dad killed for a living. Eventually, all his dealings caught up to him and left Mom and me alone and on the run. We had survived only because of Dad’s a million-and-one contingency plans to get us out in case of an emergency, and a trust fund overseas that ensured we wanted for nothing.

So now I needed a plan of my own, which was easier than anything Dad had had to face. I simply needed to stay away from Dom and his devastatingly charming smile. A feat that wouldn’t be too difficult given the constant flow of women hanging by his arm. If we were moths, he was the flames.

“Hello?” Paige waved her hand in front of my face. “Where did you go? Jeez, you went from pale to burning hot cheeks.” She laughed. “You can stop staring, he’s gone. We need to go too; class is about to start.”

“Shit.” I shot to my feet. “The last thing I need is to be late to ethics class.”

“Why? It’s not unethical to be late. It’s rude, but not unethical.”

“Yeah, I know. Let’s go. Looks like everyone’s gone.”

I rushed down the main corridor to Professor Wilson’s class. Paige was about an inch shorter than me, but man, she could power walk. She went ahead of me and opened the door. Inside, the rumble of excited voices still lingered in the air while Professor Wilson tinkered with the small microphone on his lapel. I quickly scanned the room for an empty seat. The first row was taken and so were the seats along the wall near the door. I had promised Mom I would stick to our rules—always have an exit strategy.

“There are two seats in the back.” Paige poked my ribs. “Ooooorrrr…” She jerked her chin toward the second door on the other end of the room. I could only guess no one had taken the spot next to Dom because he had his long legs settled on the seat.

“I hate the back.”

“Don’t let the big bad wolf, get ya.” She waved.

I gripped the strap of my laptop bag tighter around my body for protection and ambled toward Dom, or the empty seat that met all of Mom’s requirements for an easy getaway. I kept focused on my goal and casual step. When I stopped in front Dom’s Italian leather shoes, he made like a tsk sound and met my gaze. A spur of heat fluttered in my belly. He was better looking up-close. The sexy stubble on his cheek accentuated his full lips, and his eyes were the bluest I’d ever seen.

“Is this seat available?” I pointed at his feet.

For whatever crazy reason, and possibly because I hadn’t dealt with men in a long time, I thought he would smile at me like he had done with the other women. He didn’t. Instead, he knitted his brows as if he couldn’t believe I had audacity to ask him to move.

He licked his lips and readjusted his weight so he could plant both feet on the carpeted floor. “It is now.” The half shoulder shrug stung a bit. Maybe brunettes were not his thing. Good because I wanted nothing to do with him either.

My legs quavered, but I managed to slide into my chair without falling on my face. I didn’t bother saying thank you. He didn’t need to be rude. I leaned forward to set my bag down and pulled out my iPad to take notes. Behind me, Dom sucked air through his teeth. Really? What was his deal? I needed this desk because it was close to the door. I shouldn’t have to explain that to him, just like I didn’t have to explain it to Paige.

“Good morning.” Professor Wilson stood in front of the class. “It’s your first day and I know everyone is anxious to get started. But let’s take a few minutes to introduce ourselves. And since experience versus intent are first on the agenda, how about you pair up and let your partner introduce you.” He strode to the first row along the wall and pointed at the first two students. “You two pair up. And you two.” He pointed at the next two women. “Keep it going all the way.” He motioned toward me and Dom.

I nodded at Professor Wilson.

Fuck me twice.

I shifted my weight to face the big bad wolf and his know-it-all grin.

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