Page 13 of Retaliation
I edged my way into the classroom, scanning the crowd of students for Andras. I spotted him up ahead, walking toward the teacher’s desk as the other students filed into the stadium seating. He was easy enough to spot, being 6’5” and taller than most people around him at any given time. His black hair was neatly trimmed and styled, and his facial hair was cut perfectly to highlight his chiseled jawline. He was entirely overdressed in a custom navy suit, but I’d expected that too. Andras was all business all the time.
Andras Blackbyrn was no stranger to the spotlight. He finished his undergrad in two years and was now the top dog in his class, set to follow in his father’s footsteps as one of the most ruthless lawyers in the country. And not the good kind. Blackbyrn Law defended the bad guys, the very rich bad guys.
I slipped through the crowd and got close enough to bump into him, dropping my books at his feet. Andras turned, his rich, brown eyes locking with mine. His full lips were set into a grim line, and he arched an eyebrow as he watched me pick up the fallen books. I stood slowly, ensuring he got a nice view down my sweater of the lacy red bra I wore beneath. I blinked slowly, making my eyes round and innocent.
“Sorry,” I stammered, keeping my voice soft and delicate.
Andras smirked, his eyes scanning my curves before returning to my face. “Hi, sweetheart. You must be lost. This class is for L.L.M. students only.”
Nope. Fuck it. I couldn’t do it. I narrowed my eyes and smirked back, giving his body the same slow once over he offered me. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m exactly where I need to be.”
“Oh shit.” Tibby laughed in my ear.
I stepped past him, bumping his shoulder once more, and sauntered to a seat in the very back. I felt his eyes on me the entire way, and heat crept up my neck from the attention. Well, I fucked that right up. But I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t the submissive type. Several other sets of eyes looked my way curiously, and I glared back at them.
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath.
“Yeah.” Tibby snickered. “What a splendid way to start the semester. Fuck all our plans in the ass.”
My eyes rolled before they locked on Andras. He was staring, his eyes narrowing on mine from across the room.
“There’s been a slight change to the class,” Andras called out, his deep voice commanding the room. “Professor Potter was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer over the winter break. I will be teaching this class for the remainder of the year.”
Tibby burst out laughing in my ear, and I winced.
Andras returned his gaze to mine before he continued. “You may sit wherever you want today. Next class I’ll have assigned seating for group projects.”
“Fifty says you’ll be in the front row next class.” Tibby snorted.
I grimaced, forcing my mouth shut instead of snapping back like I wanted to. All the students were finally seated as Andras moved behind his podium to the right of the desk and surveyed us all.
“You’re going to kick my ass next time you see me, aren’t you?” Tibby snorted, and I smothered a laugh.
“Something amusing in the back row?” Andras called out, his piercing eyes locked on me once more.
“Nope,” I responded, popping the P loudly. “Just so excited to get started.”
Andras gripped the podium, his biceps stretching the fabric of his suit jacket. “Why don’t you get started then, sweetheart. Stand up and tell us about yourself.”
My lips parted, and a blush crept up my cheeks. He did not just call me that in front of the entire fucking class.
“Seriously?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” He raised an eyebrow, and several students snickered.
I stood, forcing my shoulders back, and stared down at him from the back row. “What exactly do you want to know?”
“How about two truths and a lie.” Andras’s eyes twinkled, and his lips turned up slightly. “Let’s see how good your poker face is.”
I crossed my arms, holding his gaze and staring him down. Fuck this guy.
“Alright. My natural hair color is brown. I have thirteen tattoos. And I murdered a man last week.” I said all three with a smile, blinking innocently and keeping my back ram-rod straight.
Andras grimaced as several students laughed. “Answer these next questions quickly. When did you first dye your hair?”
“When I was fifteen.”
“What was your first tattoo?”
