Page 109 of Science Project

I dipped my spoon into the sundae smothered in chocolate syrup and took a bite of it. While the past few weeks had been absolute hell for both of us, it was a sweet relief to share a moment like this with him.

The scent of waffle cones and sugar wafted through the air. I kicked my legs back and forth underneath the booth, peered up at Akio, and smiled softly, my chest warm. His fingers fidgeted on the table, his hair a disheveled mess. I furrowed my brow.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

Akio glanced up at me and offered me a smile, his dark brown eyes meeting mine. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Just a bit busy with work.” He peered down at his phone that he’d left screen up on the table. “Nothing to worry about.”

But Akio hadn’t really gone back to work in a while.

I nodded, decided to drop it, and continued diving into the ice cream.

Early afternoon sun bathed him in warm light, illuminating his paler features. His bruises were still healing, and his lip was scabbed over from the torture that he’d told me his parents forced him through.

Still, he’d decided that he was well enough to come out with me.

The ice cream parlor’s door jingled, and my gaze shifted toward the entrance. A couple of football players from Redwood Academy entered, laughing and hollering about the party this past weekend.

Akio tensed and leaned closer, his voice hushed. “Is it okay if we’re seen together?”

Oh, what a freaking cutie.

I reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “Why wouldn’t it be? We’re dating.”

Akio’s lips curled into a small smile that awoke butterflies in my tummy. Heart pounding, I leaned in to kiss him. Our lips met in a lingering kiss, and I didn’t pull away, even when I knew those kids were looking over at us.

Honestly, we had been through so much shit that some people spreading rumors about us in the Redwood halls didn’t really matter at all to me. A few months ago, it totally would have, but now …

I’d kiss this man in front of anyone.

Just as I pulled back, Akio’s phone buzzed on the table. He immediately glanced down at it and clenched his jaw, barely even savoring the moment between us. “Nicole, I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

My heart dropped, and I followed his gaze to an unknown number with an address on his screen. Bad, bad thoughts crossed my mind, but I pushed them away because Akio wouldn’t hurt me. Not after what we had been through together.

“What is it?” I asked before assuming.

He averted eye contact with me. “It’s nothing …”

“You’ve been so tense all day. Please tell me,” I said, grabbing his hands. “Please.”

He hesitated, then blew out a low breath. “I have information on someone who hurt you.”

“And?”

“It’s an address. He was taken there and is waiting for me.”

“Huh?” I asked, furrowing my brow. “What do you mean, waiting for you?”

His lips twitched into a small, evil smirk. “I’m going to make him pay. Just like the others.” There was something so menacing, so vile in his gaze right now that both terrified and excited me. “You should get somewhere safe.”

“No,” I said, grabbing my purse. “I want to come.”

There was a moment of silent hesitation, and then Akio nodded. “All right.”

He stood up and held out his hand for me to take. I placed my hand in his and smiled softly. We were in this together, no matter what kind of shit lay in our path. And while I wanted to see Hannah again, I wanted vengeance more.

CHAPTER

SIXTY-SIX

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