Page 68 of Cold and Broken (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 1)

“I was at a coffee shop with Ivy having lunch Saturday. Margaux Lennex walked behind me and poured hot tea down my back.”

“On purpose?” His brow furrows.

“I think you know the answer to that question,” I reply tartly. Obviously it was done on purpose.

“You should report her.”

“Yeah, ghetto charity case gets burned by French heiress and socialite. Reports crime and watches the upper class screw the poor one more time.” I roll my eyes. “No thanks.”

He considers my comment. “You have a point but you don’t seem to be safe here. I’m starting to wonder if I should call your parents. And you are not a ghetto charity case.”

“Don’t call my dad.” He has enough on his plate with his new job. “He knows everything anyway.”

“And your mom?”

“Ha,” I snort, “she wouldn’t care even if I knew where she was. Haven’t seen her since I was a kid.” I avoid eye contact with him. “I’m not sure if you noticed but Connor has an amateur version of the secret service assigned to me at all times. In fact, I’m surprised I’m in this classroom alone right now.”

“I have noticed. I just want you to remember my warning from the first day of school and know that I’m always here if you need something.” He reaches over and squeezes my hand.

“Thank you.” I pull my hand out from under his. “What do you need help with?”

“I need my supply closet inventoried and organized.” He stands and motions for me to follow him. “Start by writing down everything I have in here and how many of each. Then organize everything in a way that makes sense. Feel free to ask me any questions.”

“Do you mind if I listen to music while I work?”

“Not at all.” He gives me a gentle smile before going back to his desk.

I grab my ear buds and pull up my Spotify app. After scrolling through my playlists I settle on some Lizzo. I lose track of time dancing and grooving while I count everything on the first set of selves. I’m singing along with Truth Hurts when I sense eyes on me. I spin around and feel the full effect of one set of green eyes, one set of blue-gray eyes, and one set of hazel eyes.

“Hey,” I squeak in surprise, pulling my ear buds out. “I didn’t know anyone was there.”

“Clearly,” Connor drawls, unamused.

“How long were you standing there?”

“Long enough to see you twerking to Tempo,” Levi says with a deviant smile.

My face heats. “I wasn’t twerking. You guys here to walk me to lunch?”

“Yes.” Connor remains stone cold. “Griff has your bag.”

I am not feeling Connor’s attitude so I thread my arm through Griffin’s and let him lead me away. “How’s your day been, Griff?”

“Pretty drab since I don’t see you until fifth period.”

“Awww, am I growing on you finally?” I joke.

“Like a fungus,” he says dryly.

I chuckle before asking, “What is Connor’s problem?”

“Probably had something to do with the way Jameson was watching you when we came in the room.”

“Jesus. He needs to calm down.” I roll my eyes. “It isn’t like he had me bent over the desk with my skirt around my waist.”

Just then I’m ripped away from Griff and pulled against the solid wall of Connor’s chest. His nostrils flare angrily as his fingers grip my hips possessively. “Do not even joke about that, Lilith,” he says through gritted teeth.

We stare each other down. I don’t know if it’s because I’m starting to like his possessive cave man routine or the flash of vulnerability I saw in his eyes when he spun me to him but I nod. “Okay.” I raise up on my toes and press a kiss to his lips.

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