There’s nothing more painful than watching somebody I care for so much go through this torture and being unable to do a thing about it. He doesn’t even want me to be with him. I’m useless, helpless.
I’m also a sitting duck. It’s just as dangerous out here as it is inside. Thankfully, nobody is walking around right now. My heart is heavy and tears sting behind my eyes, threatening to spill over, but I dart for the elevator and pray it gets here fast.
It’s almost too late by the time I hear a man’s voice coming around the corner up ahead, close to the elevator shaft. I double back at full speed, running flat out until I reach the next corner and duck around it. I don’t think he saw me, whoever he is. And guess I’ll have to take the stairs, which is probably a better idea. I won’t have to stand around in the open and wait.
I’m halfway to the stairwell and about to turn yet another corner before reaching the door when I hear more voices, two of them.
“You know this can’t happen, Scarlet. It’s hard enough without you making it worse. I wish you could let it go.”
A student, for sure. Not old enough to be an instructor. And the voice sounds vaguely familiar, but I can’t place it.
“Why not?” the girl—Scarlet—demands. “You keep giving me excuses, but that’s all they are. I know you want this as much as I do, Ren.”
Oh, shit. So it’s Ren and some girl he shouldn’t be with. I must have a death wish because instead of backing away and finding another route to the dorms, I creep closer to the corner before peeking around to see what’s happening.
She’s standing with her back to the wall between the stairwell and me, with Ren leaning close to her. She’s pretty, and everything about her body language—the hand on his chest, the other one on the back of his head so she can run her fingers through his hair—screams out how much she wants him. I can’t say I understand why since he’s repulsive and disgusting. Lucas hasn’t always treated me well, and I still want him desperately.
“Excuses?” He sighs, shaking his head. “You think your brother killing me if he ever found out is just an excuse? Because that’s what he would do. Literally.”
“Please. He would never kill you. You’re his best friend. Besides, I wouldn’t let Quinton hurt you.”
Quinton!Just when I thought this couldn’t get any better. Or worse, considering how I look at it. It’s all starting to make sense now. That’s Quinton’s sister, and she’s got a thing for his best friend.
They have no idea I’m here, and I should use that to my advantage. I’m dead if he finds me here. But there’s something about watching him struggle, hearing him groan as she runs her fingers through his hair before letting her fingertips trail down the back of his neck, that pleases me more than it should. So he knows what it’s like to fight between what he wants and what he knows will get him hurt. I feel slightly vindicated even if he has no idea I know what he’s going through.
“Ren.” She cups his cheek, drawing him closer, and he groans again. “You know I want you. I always have. I always will. Doesn’t that mean anything? How much we both want this?”
“Scarlet, please…” Yet even as he murmurs it in desperation, he lowers his head an inch at a time.
Finally, it’s clear he can’t control himself anymore. He kisses her fiercely, crushing her against him before pressing her against the wall and holding her in place with his body. She runs her fingers through his hair before dragging her nails over his shoulders and back while he runs a hand down her thigh, then lifts it and hooks her leg around his hip.
When he starts working his hand under her skirt, I make my mistake. I gasp in surprise at how far they’re going in the middle of the hall.
And just like that, the moment’s over. Scarlet gasps, clamping a hand over her mouth. Her face goes beet red, her eyes wide and full of fear over the top of her hand.
Ren only glares at me, his chest heaving. “Run along.” Only two words, but they’re full of meaning.
I know better than to ignore them. I back away without saying a word, then turn on my heel and take off running. Looks like I’ll be getting on the elevator, after all. It’s better than facing Ren right now.
“Wait a minute.” I didn’t hear him chasing me over the pounding of my feet—and my heart. He grabs me by the arm and pulls me to a stop before turning me around to face him. “So you’re not just a murderer, are you,” he snarls, pulling me close. “You’re also a spy.”
“I wasn’t spying,” I whisper. “I swear!”
“Then why were you standing there? Why were you watching and listening? Tell me!” His fingers bite into my flesh, and I want to beg him to let me go, but I know that would only make it worse.
“I don’t know. I wasn’t trying to spy. I don’t care who you date.”
“You’re so fucking pathetic,” he mutters, his lip curling in disgust. “Dating. Like that has anything to do with it.”
“You know what I mean. I don’t care what you do. Just let me go, all right? I’m not going to tell anybody.” I try in vain to yank my arm free, but he only squeezes until I grind my teeth together to keep from screaming.
“Oh, I know that. Because even though your life is worthless, you still want to keep it, I bet. Though I can’t understand why. I’d rather pitch myself off a roof than be you.”
“Yeah, I got the feeling. But that doesn’t have anything to do with this. It’s none of my business. Let’s just forget the whole thing.”
“Oh, I’m not going to forget.” I suck in a pained gasp when he shoves me against the wall hard enough to rattle my bones. “If you fucking betray me, I’ll kill you. Do you understand? If you tell anyone what you saw, I’ll know you did it. And there won’t be a place on earth you can hide from me. Tell me. Do you understand?”
I do—and I’m damn sick of it. The threats and the cruelty. “Then I guess I might as well tell somebody,” I retort. “My life means nothing at the moment since you’re planning on killing me, anyway.”