Page 18 of My Bad Boy Valentine

My heart warmed. “Extremely normal. First dances are always a little awkward, but that’s part of the fun.”

Linzie glanced at me. “You had a crush on my brother when you were in school, right? And, like, now look at youtwo. Do you think maybe me and James could end up like that someday?”

I blushed, recalling how I used to peek at Knox over the top of my textbooks. “It’s possible,” I said softly. “Life can be funny like that. Sometimes you circle back to people you cared about when you were younger and find out you’re perfect for each other. Or you might just stay friends. Either way, enjoy tonight for what it is.”

She nodded, a tender smile curving her lips. It struck me then how close we’d become, and my heart warmed. “Thanks, Caroline,” she said quietly. “Really. This is the best night I’ve had in a long time.”

I felt tears prick my eyes. “I’m so glad. You deserve it.”

We were just stepping out of the restroom, our arms linked, when a dark figure loomed at the end of the hallway that made my blood run cold. The man wore a worn leather jacket with an old motorcycle patch, and in his hand—my heart lurched at the sight—was a gun. My immediate reflex was to push Linzie behind me.How did he get in here?

“Don’t move,” he growled , his voice low and threatening as he quickly approached. The overhead fluorescent glare cast harsh shadows on his unshaven face. His eyes were bloodshot, and his forehead was beaded with sweat. My pulse roared in my ears.

Linzie’s hands clutched at my dress. “W-what…?”

He sneered, stepping closer to me. “Yeah, you’re Slater’s girl, ain’t you? And she’s his sister.” The gun leveled toward us, my stomach twisting in terror. “He owes me, and I figure taking you two will draw him out.”

I forced calm into my voice. “Listen, you don’t want to do this. This is a school dance, kids everywhere—”

He cut me off with a vicious laugh. “All the better. He’ll come running.”

One of the teacher-chaperones must’ve glimpsed us from the auditorium door, because suddenly the heavy doors slammed shut, and I knew lockdown protocol had been initiated. My mind whirled with fear.Knox…where is he? Could I stall until he arrived? The man brandished the gun again, his eyes narrowed.

“Move, or I shoot,” he snarled, as if reading my mind.

Linzie let out a stifled sob behind me. My heart hammered.God, please let us get out of this.

As if on cue, pounding footsteps echoed. I twisted my head to see Knox charging down the hallway. The gunman swung around, but Knox slammed into him with a full-body tackle. The weapon clattered to the floor, and a deafening crack split the air—a shot fired wild, reverberating off the walls. I screamed, ducking instinctively, pulling Linzie with me. But no bullet struck us.

Knox and the man grappled, their fists colliding. The attacker roared in fury, attempting to scramble for the gun, but Knox kicked it away. He pinned the man’s arms, every muscle in his body straining. I saw a flicker of raw rage in Knox’s eyes, a swirl of old violence threatening to surge forward. The gunman sneered, trying to provoke him.

“Do it,” he spat. “Shoot me. I dare you!”

Knox trembled, glancing towards the weapon a few feet away. For a breathless second, I thought he might lose control. But then his gaze flicked to me and Linzie, huddled behind him in terror, and something in him shifted. He drew a shaky breath, forcing his anger down. He pressed his knee into the man’s back,holding him in place, and shouted over his shoulder, “I’ve got him!”

Principal Matthews rushed in, picked up the discarded gun and aimed it at the intruder with trembling hands.

Moments later, police sirens wailed outside. The hallway lit with flashing red-and-blue from the windows. I staggered to my feet, dragging Linzie with me. She clung to my arm, tears streaming down her cheeks. Knox kept the attacker pinned until two officers sprinted in, taking control. They cuffed the furious man, dragging him to his feet while he spat curses at Knox. My head spun, adrenaline scorching my veins.

As soon as the attacker was hauled away, Knox stumbled upright. Linzie threw herself at him, sobbing. He hugged her fiercely, and I fell against them both, tears pricking my eyes. My heart thundered, chest tight with relief and lingering fear. Knox’s arms wrapped around me as well, forming a protective cocoon.

“You’re safe,” he breathed, voice hoarse. “You okay? Either of you hurt?”

I shook my head, too shaky to speak. Linzie whimpered, “I’m okay.” The dance was effectively over—the overhead lights brightened, music cut off. An officer told the staff they could end the lockdown; paramedics arrived just to check if anyone was injured. I glanced at the auditorium door, seeing frightened teens peeking out. The dance was done—for tonight, at least.

Knox held us, breathing unsteadily. “God…I almost lost it.” He closed his eyes, raw emotion flickering across his face. “But I couldn’t…I won’t let him drag me back to that life. I’m not risking you two.”

Linzie sniffled, burying her face in his chest. “Knox… you saved us.”

I pressed a trembling kiss to his shoulder, tears wetting my cheeks. Police bustled around, taking statements. Knox gently let go of us to speak to the officers, explaining the confrontation. One by one, we recounted what happened. Linzie still clung to my hand. I was still shaking, but a strange sense of calm settled over me. We were together, and we were safe.

Later, after the officers announced that we were free to go home, we stepped into the cool February night. Valentine’s Day still lingered in the icy stars overhead, but for me, the holiday’s meaning had shifted forever. It was no longer just about hearts and roses and sweet sentiments. It was about choosing love in the face of fear, redemption in the face of violence. And holding onto each other when the world tried to tear us apart.

Epilogue

Caroline

I stood in the narrow hallway of the sanctuary, listening to the gentle strains of the organ as it drifted through the closed doors leading into the chapel. It was Valentine’s Day—a year to the day since Knox saved my life and Linzie’s at the middle school dance—and I could hardly believe what had happened since then. My heart thudded so loudly against my ribs that I wondered if my father could hear it through my wedding gown.

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