Page 40 of Adam
Why did he do it? My father was watching, Wes and Boris aimed at him with their guns immediately, and he didn’t even blink. He didn’t pull back; he didn’t show remorse or even a second thought.
I know he’s following me; he’s getting paid to do it. As I walk in the campus hallway, all eyes are on me. How original … I can’t blame them, though. Not everyone walks around with a bulky man following her in the middle of the university.
“Look at her. Who does she think she is?”
“Ugh, I swear she thinks the whole world’s out to get her. That’s why she drags her little guard dog around campus like she’s some celebrity.”
“What a freak!”
These are some of the few lovely things I hear every here and there. Being that rich and having a “businessman” as a father doesn’t mean I grow up normally. Nothing’s normal about it.
As always, I pretend I don’t hear them. I don’t want to wage a war and give them more reasons to gossip about me.
Getting into USC was my delusional hope that I’d have a normal college life like other girls my age. Deep down, I just wanted to make my parents proud. Maybe even hear a damn “congratulations,” though I should’ve known better.
Adam follows close behind me, silent the entire walk. He seems like the kind of man who measures everything and strikes when the time is right.
“Where the hell is my phone?” I mutter under my breath, searching through the clutter in my tote bag.
“Is everything alright?” Adam’s voice comes low and even as he stops beside me.
“I think I left my phone at home.”
“Who’s the new guy trailing her?” Olivia murmurs to Lisa, hand covering her mouth. Likethatcould hide the venom in her tone.
“No idea … but he looks delicious,” Lisa says, twirling a strand of blonde hair around her finger, eyes narrowing in appraisal. A snake playing with its prey. What a bitch …
My gaze drifts to Adam. He heard them. Of course he did. And the faint curve at the corner of his mouth tells me he’s enjoying it.
“Stronzo.” I scoff, the word dripping with disgust.
“Excuse me?” Adam’s brow arches, his voice calm but edged with amusement.
“Don’t enjoy it so much. It makes you look like an ass.”
“I enjoy the look of jealousy on your face more,” he says slowly, almost savoring it.
A bitter laugh escapes me. “I’m not jealous.”
“I’m sure you’re not.”
His smirk deepens. He knows exactly how much of a lie that is, and that he’s already won this round.
“Isabella, hey!” Lisa’s voice pierces right next to my ear, high and sugary. She never talks to me. So why now? “How are you?”
“Uhm … I’m fine …?”
“Hey, I’m Lisa.” She extends a perfectly manicured, claw-like hand toward Adam.
Ah. There it is.
Adam looks down to her hand. “I’m Isabella’s new bodyguard,” he says sternly.
Lisa prowls closer to him, her smokey eyes fixated on him. “And don’t you have a name, new bodyguard?” she purrs, tucking her tongue behind her upper teeth, her hand trailing down his torso.
Unbothered and calm, he looks at her hand, then directly to her eyes with an icy glare. His fingers pinch hers and remove them from him.
“I’m not here to entertain your curiosity.”
