Page 92 of Teacher's Pet

The room spins.

"And me." Her hands shake, her lip quivers, her entire body folding in on itself. "I fucking left that kid in the street while he was gasping for help. I let Cole drag me back to the car. I let him convince me to stay quiet."

She lifts her hands.

Trembling.

"His blood was on my hands. I could have saved him-"

I grab her face, firm but gentle.

"Anastasia."

She’s spiraling. Hyperventilating.

I hold her still, pressing my forehead against hers, anchoring her.

"It wasn’t you."

Tears stream down her face.

"Noah-"

Her eyes lock onto mine, glassy, shattered.

"Where did you get your scars?"

Panic punches into my chest.

The warmth of her body against mine is suddenly too much.

The weight of her question is suddenly too much.

I don’t answer.

Can’t answer.

Instead, I force my voice into something cold, detached.

"I think tonight, I’ve already shown you more of myself than I’ve ever cared to show anyone else."

Tilting her chin up, I force her to look at me.

"Cole won’t hurt you."

It isn’t a statement.

It’s a fucking promise.

And if I have to put him in the ground to keep it, I will.

"You’re safe, so long as I’m around."

Her lips tremble, but then, finally, she smiles.

Small.

Wary.

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