Page 30 of Shadowed With Fear

Alex walks over, head tilted down at him.

“Bit harsh you think. Could’ve at least made it convincing.” He throws a towel at me.

“He was high. He’ll be fine. I’m surprised he even felt half of those.”

Alex nods in understanding. “Well, at least I got some cash out of it. Gotta say, kind of hoped it would have been longer. You looked like you were having all kinds of fun.” He smirks and I shrug him off.

Maybe I was. There’s something in the feeling of inciting fear in someone. The uneasiness inside their bones. Watching the body’s response to the flood of chemicals. Deciding to stay and fight or run. And God, do I love the fight.

Dahlia

Is there something about my face that just makes people think they can come up to me, unannounced, and scare the ever-living shit out of me? Like what is going on? Why is this the second time that dipshit asshole Cochrane thinks it’s cool to grab me out of nowhere.

“Dude, you gotta stop doing that. Like wear a bell or something. It’s fucking weird.”

And he just smiles, like that’s the funniest thing in the goddamn world when I am being a million percent serious.

“Oh, don’t be that way, Dahlia.”

“What way? Having personal boundaries?” I raise my brow at him.

His smile falters, annoyance shining in his eyes.

“That’s not what I meant. I wanted to talk to you about class. Seeing as I’m taking time from my day to communicate with you, I thought you may be a bit more appreciative. After all, I do work closely with Logan.” His eyes narrow.

“What are you saying Ethan?”

He chuckles, and its…unnerving. “I’m saying, Dahlia, that if you want to ensure you have good standing with him, you might want to change the way you speak to me.”

Ethan’s entire persona has changed. His features have twisted into something devious.

“And if I don’t?” I swallow thickly, clenching my jaw.

He steps forward, his grip on my arm tightening almost painfully. “I would hate to see something terrible happen to you, Miss Beckett.”

“Terrible?”

“Hey, D!” A shout breaks my attention. Ethan looks over my shoulder, his smile returning like a mask.

“Issac! Hey, man, what’s up? You ready for Thursday?”

“Oh, hell yeah. I heard the Grims’ new D-man is a fucking beast.”

“Thanks again for the extra ticket.” Ethan rubs the back of his neck.

“No problem. So, what’re you two talking about?”

I look at Issac, eyes wide. I don’t know what to say. “I— “

Ethan’s glare my way is nothing but an unspoken threat.

“Nothing, it’s nothing. Just some stuff about Photo Foundations.” I swallow. A chill settled on my spine. The feeling of sinister eyes bored into my soul.

“Yeah. I was telling Dahlia about an— “he smirks, eyes trailing down my body, “exclusive offer to work one on one with me. I think there are a few things I could teach her.”

My stomach flips, eyes narrow. I speak calmly, “No thank you. I think I’ll be okay on my own.”

A muscle in his jaw twitches but he smiles the same placating smile that throws everyone off his track. Charming, helpful Ethan Cochrane.