Page 121 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“You’re f-f-fucking insane!” Masters stammers. Baxter just grins, and fuck is it panty-dropping sexy. Though, I’m sure he doesn’t intend for it to be. I quickly glance at Elsie, but she just looks terrified. Oh, maybe it’s just me getting all hot under the collar over this. Pretty sure it’s down to Baxter and not the thermals.
“I sure am.” Baxter grins slowly at him, reminding me of The Joker. Underestimated. Dangerous. Deadly. “Make sure to tell all your buddies, if you fuck with the girls, you fuck with me...It’s about time I got to work on my knife skills.”
Chapter Nine
Amelie
Dinner is a tame affair. There’s some whispering to begin with, but it soon settles down after Baxter throws out some warning glares. Elsie and I talk quietly amongst ourselves, but Baxter barely joins in. After we’ve finished, he checks his watch.
“Are you ladies done? I have somewhere I need to be.”
“Seeing a man about a dog again?”
“Something like that.” He gives me an enigmatic smile.
“You can go, I’m sure Elsie and I can manage a walk back to our rooms after your alpha display of protection.”
“No.”
“No?” I frown at him.
“I’m seeing you back to your dorm.” There’s a stubborn set to his brow that means it would be pointless to argue.
“Fine, let’s go,” I say, standing up and making my chair scrape noisily across the floor. Elsie copies, far more elegantly and less noisily though.
Together, we all walk back across campus to where the girls’ dorms are. At the entrance to the block, we attempt to say our goodbyes.
“We can take it from here,” I tell him.
“No.”
“Yes.” I huff. I almost stamp my foot, but I manage to refrain from giving him the satisfaction.
“You’re not allowed in the dorms, technically, Baxter,” Elsie carefully points out. She’s relaxed a lot around him this evening, but I can tell she’s still a little fearful of him.
“That didn’t bother you earlier.” He smirks, raising an eyebrow.
“Well…” Elsie trails off, her argument weak.
“That was before you terrified the entire school, including my friend here, Branson,” I tease with a smile.
“Fine. Give me your phones.” He holds his hand out and snaps his fingers impatiently. “Both of you.”
Elsie immediately complies, and when he hands her phone back, he looks at me expectantly. Sighing, I drop it into his outstretched palm. A couple of seconds later he hands it back.
“You have any trouble, you press the button on the side three times. That will send me an emergency message and will ping me your location.” I open my mouth to protest and he glares at me. “No arguments.”
“Fine.” I sigh, again. It’s easier to just give in.
Baxter nods and then disappears off into the dark. It’s not too late, but being the middle of winter it seems to get dark around 4 o’clock here. It’s a stark contrast to the summer I was enjoying back home less than a week ago. I’ll admit, Elsie’s clothing choices were plenty warm enough for me and stopped me from looking like a marshmallow.
I say goodbye to Elsie at the juncture where our rooms head off in opposite directions, and make my way along the desertedcorridors back to my own bed. I’m surprised by how tired I am. I might just have to get an early night and finish sorting all my stuff out tomorrow. Maybe Elsie will come over and do it for me. I hate unpacking.
My door is in sight, the key in my hand, when I sense someone behind me. It takes effort, but I don’t turn around or speed up, I just keep pace along the corridor. I'm about two metres away from the lock when firm hands plant against my back and I’m shoved with a force that surprises me. I doubt one of the girls would have the strength to push me like that. A second shove sends me sprawling into my own bedroom door, but I manage to turn my head to the side to avoid a broken nose.
A second later a hard body presses into mine. It isn’t thrilling or sexy, but it does make my heart race a little faster in fear.
“You’re gonna pay for what you did, bitch,” he hisses in my ear. I don’t recognise the voice and I have to bite my tongue not to get snarky with him. Not until I at least assess the situation first.
