Page 44 of Coco and the Misfits

“I talked to Atticus,” he says.

“To Atticus?” Great, now I’m a parrot. “I mean, why?”

“You wouldn’t tell me what happened. Gigi either. I had to know.”

I make a mental note to buy Gigi some chocolate in thanks for her steadfastness. But Atticus… “What did he say?”

“He told me about the two assholes who tried to kidnap you.”

I wince. “Yeah, well, they didn’t succeed. So…”

“You need to learn how to defend yourself.” His jaw clenches. “Let me teach you. Please.”

“Um, okay, but?—”

“I’ll give you private lessons.”

I blink. “Really?”

“Yeah, really! Fuck, Coco, this is serious. I’ll train you to kick the ass of any guy who tries to touch you against your will, I swear to God.”

“Okay, um.” I lick my dry lips. He looks so angry. I’ve never seen Zach angry before. He was cute before. Now he’s hot. “Shall I come to the gym in the evening, then, to?—?”

“No, I’ll come to you.”

“You will? But?—”

“Until those two assholes are caught and put behind bars, you shouldn’t be on the street alone.”

“But they’ll never get caught!” I protest. “They didn’t even manage to kidnap me. They?—”

He turns and throws a punch at the wall. Then another. “Those motherfuckers. I’ll string them up by the balls.”

“Whoa, Zach.” I approach him cautiously. I’ve never seen him act so violently before. “Calm down.”

“I’ll find them and break their arms, and then their legs.”

“Oh no. No violence, okay? Promise me.”

“I can’t fucking promise you that. You’re in danger, and though Atticus said he’ll check if they were caught on camera, I’m not taking any risks.” He turns toward me, a snarl on his handsome face. “This Atticus,” he growls. “Did he touch you? Do I have to bust his balls?”

Okay, enough of this. I like growly alphas, but he’s not hurting Atticus over me.

“Hold your proverbial horses, Zach.” I inject coolness into my voice. “Atticus protected me and brought me home, then he stayed as my bodyguard that night. Any touching was initiated by me.”

His eyes flash. “You fucked him?”

“Hey. I may be crass sometimes, but mind your mouth, and it’s also none of your business.”

Instantly, his gaze shutters, ice filling it. “I see. You’re right, of course.”

And I instantly regret what I said. Well, the way I said it, at least. “Look, Zach?—”

“I’ll come by in the evening. If that suits you. For the self-defense lesson.”

“Right. Yeah. That’d be great. But you?—”

“Around eight. I’ll call when I’m at the door. See you tonight, Coco.”

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