Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
MASE
I throw open the school door and march toward the reception, and my feet come to a halt when my eyes are drawn to Summer as if magnetized toward her. She’s sitting outside the school office in a row with three students, but the others don’t exist to me.
She appears wet, really fucking wet, and not in the good way.
Her blue eyes shimmer, on the verge of tears, and I want to wrap her in my embrace and protect her. She quickly averts her gaze while I remain rooted to the spot, heart hammering like a love-struck teenager, and time stands still.
Why the hell does my body crave hers like no other? Why do I feel so alive and finally like myself when I’m in her proximity?
Why did it have to be her?
When she lifts her head to face me, my confusion is replaced with fury pumping through my bloodstream.
Someone has hurt her. Someone has purposely put that vulnerable look in her eyes, the one that calls for me to protect her, to control her.
She gets up from the chair and looks to me with hope, and when I hold out my hand, relief floods her features.
Her lip wobbles, and I want nothing more than to slam my mouth against hers.
The moment her hand slips into mine, the anger diminishes but doesn’t vanish.
I tug her until she collides with my chest, then take her face in my thick palms and hold her there, staring down into her blue eyes, eyes as deep as the ocean and as bright as a clear sky.
I fall into her orbit, where there’s only me and her.
She searches my gaze, and I hope she can see every unspoken thought in my mind, especially the loudest one—she’s mine.
A throat clears, making me drop my hands to my side, and I instantly miss the feel of her warmth. “Mr. Campbell, I’m Mr. Franklin, the principal.” He shakes my hand. “It’s unfortunate that Summer was the victim of a disagreement between two of our students.”
My attention skips to the other students in the chairs, and I jolt when I realize one is the kid from her bed. Travis. My nostrils flare, but I quickly look away, unwilling to become more jealous of a kid than I already am.
“A disagreement?” I snipe back.
“It appears so.” The principal nods. “They will be punished accordingly; you have my word on that.”
“I want a full report tomorrow,” I bite out, and his jaw falls lax.
Fuck him, nobody messes with what’s mine.
“My sister doesn’t come to school to be the victim of mindless bullies.
” Summer flinches beside me, then steps forward and opens her mouth, but the glare I send her has it snapping shut just as quick.
“Let’s go.” I wave a hand toward the door, and without giving her time to consider her next move, I grab her arm and tug her along with me.
“Tomorrow; otherwise, I’ll have the police involved,” I throw over my shoulder toward the stunned principal.