Page 74 of The Pretty Savage

I shot off the bed, pushing him away before he could contemplate what was happening, and scooted to the other end of the bed, putting distance between us. "You have to stop," I said, almost breaking down in front of a man that probably looked at this as some sort of a game. "You said I could ask, so I'm asking. Why the fuck am I here Adrian?"

His hair was disheveled, his eyes the darkest I had ever seen them, and I didn't miss the outline of his cock as he kneeled in front of me, the tic in his cheek repeatedly appearing, as if he was trying to hold himself back.

"You're right." He exhaled slowly, deflating in front of my eyes. "I don't know why you're here," he admitted after a second too long, avoiding my eyes. "Truth be told," he chuckled darkly, "I have no answers to give you, except the fact that I couldn't stand to have you there out in the open. But don't ask me why."

"I won't," I said quickly. "But we both know I'm not staying here. I need to talk to?—"

"No," he growled, coming closer to me. "You're not leaving this cabin until I speak to Andries."

"Adrian," I started slowly, hoping he would finally listen. "You're being irrational. Tell me, if something like this were to happen to Yolanda or any of the other students, would you take them to your," I looked around, "cabin and try to protect them because someone was mildly disturbed and wanted to get to them."

"This person isn't mildly disturbed," he refuted. "This is a maniac, Vega. A motherfucking maniac who obviously thinks he's doing you a favor by harming those that fought against you. So forgive me for caring a little bit too much."

I tilted my head, observing him for a second, hearing what he was trying to say, even though I didn't agree with one single thing. "You still didn't answer my question," I pushed. "Would you do something like this to any of the other students? Would you confine them to your cabin and isolate them until the threat was dealt with?"

His head snapped up, his eyes narrowed at me, and I knew the answer even without the words. I didn't need them to see the truth written all over his face.

"That's what I thought."

"Vega—"

"Adrian!" Jax's voice carried through the cabin, interrupting whatever it was Adrian was about to say, and before he could stop me, I scrambled off of the bed and stood in the middle of what looked like a mini living room.

Jax pushed inside without knocking, and for once, I was glad for the distraction and to see him. His eyes took in the situation in front of him—me standing as still as a statue and Adrian still on the bed, no doubt glaring at me.

"Andries wants to talk to you," Jax said, coming slowly toward me. "You have the letter with you?"

"I do." I nodded, refusing to look behind me even when Jax's eyebrows hit his forehead, because I knew he was seeing a very grumpy-looking Adrian. But it wasn't my fault he couldn't control his emotions.

It wasn't my fault he was playing hot and cold, giving me fucking whiplash most of the time.

"I'll head there now," I announced, passing by Jax and straight out of the door, seeing a grinning Dante standing outside. "What are you smiling about?" I asked bitterly, ready for this day to just be over.

"Oh nothing." He smiled wider, stepping closer to me. "Nothing at all."

Scoffing, I moved past him, only to realize he was following me just a few steps behind. "You don't have to come with me."

"No can do, Vega," he chuckled. "Jax gave me my orders and I heard them loud and clear. I don’t have to tell you who gave him the order, do it?” His eyebrow arched, driving the point home. “Trust me—I kinda don't want to lose my head if Adrian decides you're not protected properly during this entire shit show."

I opened my mouth and then closed it, not knowing what to say. I had to admit—something eased in my chest at the mere thought that I wouldn't be alone, walking toward the admin building, even if it meant having to endure Dante's company for a couple of minutes. I half expected Adrian to say something, to stop me, to maybe come with me, but I needed to remind myself that this was a man who hated me one day and wanted to fuck me the next.

I had to remind myself that just because he slept in my bed and just because we had sex, it didn't mean he actually cared about me. I’d had my fair share of possessive men, and Adrian was just another idiot who didn't want anyone to touch his newest toy.

It was just too bad that my heart didn't listen.

Shaking off thoughts of a man that made my head spin, I looked down at the envelope in my hand and without waiting to reach the dean’s office, I ripped it open, pulling out a white card, my blood turning into ice the more my eyes kept flickering over the words written in cursive.

Vega Konstantinova will be mine or no one else’s.

MINE.

As if I didn’t already have other things to worry about.

27

VEGA

Twelve days.

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