He chuckles. “Buddy, I’m on your team here! I get it! That’s a tight little ass on that cutie! Shit, if I were in your shoes, I’d be protecting her like a treasure too!”
I grip my glass tight, but I don’t respond to the clear provocation. He wants me to react, so that his guys can dog pile me.
Lorenzo wags his brows, peering at me for a response and then frowning when he doesn’t get it.
“You gettin’ your dick wet, headmaster?”
“Principal.”
He snorts a laugh, shaking his head. “This fuckin’ guy.” he sighs. “She’s staying with you, yeah?”
I don’t say a word, and he rolls his eyes.
“I know she is, pal. And I get it. But whatever, we won’t go there. We’ll just pretend that guys like you and me are perfect gentleman, huh?”
He grins as my face hardens.
“But brass tacks, let’s talk. How much?”
I frown. “Pardon?”
“How much, Colton,” he says thinly, using my first name in a way that chills me.
“Look, I can come back with a bunch of fellas and break down your fucking door and take her, or you just make some dough and be on your way. I know teachers get paid shit in this country.” He sighs. “I mean there’s the real crime, am I righ—”
“Winchester is a nice gig,” I growl quietly. “I’m fine with money.”
He glares at me. “I’m sure. But how much.”
“You realize I could call the cops right now, don’t you?”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “Yeah, maybe. But we both know you ain’t going to.”
“No?”
He laughs. “Fuck no, Colton. You would have already, and I know why you haven’t. We both do.”
“You need to stay away from her.”
“You need to get your fat nose out of other people’s business,” he snaps back. “Her daddy is a way bigger crook than me, you fuckin’ white knight prick. And he stole a lot of money from me.”
“That’s between you and him.”
“And her.”
“No,” I growl thinly, putting my drink down and standing. I glare down at him, towering over him as I clench my jaw. I see his goons around the room begin to walk over, but he waves his hand, keeping them back.
“No, Lorenzo, we’re done here. And you’re done with her. You want what you’re owed? Take it up with her father. But if you come sniffing around for her again? You come onto my fucking campus and try and scare her? Or fucking touch her?”
I snarl, the sound sudden and savage enough to startle him.
“You come near her, or me, again, and I’ll break you in half.”
Lorenzo swallows, his beady eyes flashing at me before he clears his throat and glares at me.
“Not smart, pal.”
“Walk away, right now.”