Page 105 of The Rivals' Touch

Breathing hard, Zayd rips his arm free from the security guard’s hold on him and says, “We’re leaving.”

“We’ll settle this at the next game!” Bennett calls after him.

It’s Jacob’s turn to speak up. “Trust me, pretty boy, we will. Remember the stakes!”

When Mr. Jones sees me, he does a double take. “Miss Burke? What are you doing here?”

I tear my gaze away from Cali, who glares back at me. “I came to catch up with old friends.”

“Well,” Mr. Jones replies, keeping his eye on Bennett to ensure he doesn’t try anything, “you will have to do that outside of school hours.” He looks at the security guard. “Escort our visitors outside.”

I watch Zayd get pulled away while Jacob and Legacy follow behind.

“Do you want me to phone your father?”

Fear slithers down my back. “No, that’s fine.” I glance over at Cali and the saccharine smile on her face. “We’re leaving.”

“You know the policy, Miss Burke. You can’t just show up here with your friends on school property. You’re not a student here anymore.”

“I know. I apologize. It won’t happen again.”

Bennett clears his throat. “Can I have a word with my fiancé before she leaves?”

I look behind me, but my friends are gone.

Mr. Jones pats Bennett’s shoulder. “That’s fine, son. Make sure she finds her way back to her friends.”

I should’ve known. Bennett always had the teachers wrapped around his little finger.

When Mr. Jones is gone, Bennett turns his attention on Cali. “Leave us!”

Her mouth falls open. She looks from me to Bennett. “But, baby, I—”

“Leave!”

I press my lips together to stop myself from laughing at the look on her face as she stares at him in disbelief.

“Fine.” She flicks her dark hair and walks away.

“You should run after her,” I comment, inspecting my nails.

“You think you’re so smart?” he whispers darkly, stepping closer. The curious students gathered here earlier when the guys were fighting have dispersed. “You think news of this little impromptu trip won’t get back to your father?”

I lower my hand. “So go ahead and tell him.” I sound braver than I feel. His threat makes me shake in my boots, but I won’t let him see the truth. I smooth down his t-shirt. It’s the black Vans t-shirt I bought him for his birthday; it’s creased now. “I’m not scared of you, Bennett.”

His chuckle is low and deep. “You always were bad at lying, Remi.” Brushing his fingers down the bridge of my nose, he continues, “You flare your nostrils when you’re not honest. It’s only slight.”

My throat is dry. I clear it. “You should go and find Cali. I bet she misses you.”

He hums, trailing his finger down the tip of my nose and over my lips. “Remember what I said. I’ll kill Zayd if you touch him.” His fingers move lower and skim over my bruise. “And I would have no choice but to hurt you.”

“Don’t pretend that’s not what you want!” I square my shoulders. “You’re as sick as my father.”

He bends down and whispers, “I never heard you complain during the two years you slept in my bed.”

“You lied to me!”

His warm breath wafts over my ear as he chuckles and slides his hand over my hip. “Lied is a big word. I may have omitted the truth here and there.”

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