Page 35 of Merciless

I avert my gaze. “Aren’t you worried?”

“About what?”

“Getting caught hanging out with me.”

His eyebrows twitch.

I sigh, annoyed that he’s playing dumb. “I know you saw the people I used to hang out with and how they ended up. Aren’t you scared you’ll end up like them?”

“Not at all.”

“Why not?”

He bends closer to me, and he bumps his leg against mine—I don’t know if it was by accident or on purpose. All I know is that it makes my stomach flip.

“Because I hold more weight around the school than the silly little friends you had in the past. Do you really think I’m scared of anyone?”

I shrug a shoulder and avert my gaze again. Looking into his eyes is like being trapped in a black hole. There’s no escape. No ability to breathe or think. Elijah Astar is enigmatic. He’s his own solar system, taking up every inch of space and conquering anything—and anyone—who gets in his way.

When I return my focus to him, I’m sucked into his dark, broody eyes again. They track my every move, every twitch of my expression.

I huff. “I’m not worried about you, if that’s what you think this is.”

“You don’t care about me, hm?” His grin widens. “If you don’t care, then why are you worried about me getting hurt?”

“I’m not. I wanted to warn you about the risk of being seen with me. Do whatever you want.” I roll my eyes and settle into my seat.

Elijah tosses his head back with a deep laugh, as if he finds my warning the silliest thing he’s heard all his life.

“I don’t see how this is funny,” I mumble.

I shiver as he plays with the hair near my nape, his fingers twirling and unwinding the strands. He acts as if he’s done this thousands of times.

What is he doing to me?

His laughter dies down enough for him to say, “You have nothing to worry about, birdie.”

“Why do you keep calling me that?” I try to force the feel-good shivers away. It’s been so long since someone played with my hair. Let alone a man.

“Isn’t it fitting, though? You love birds.” He grins, amused by that fact.

“Why are we here, Elijah?”

He sighs and drops his hand from my hair. “Because being seen with you is the whole purpose of bringing you here.” He taps my shoulder. “Look around and see for yourself.”

“I already did and nothing is—” I swallow my words.

Oh.

The snobs of Astar Elite wouldn’t have passed up the easy opportunity to mock me the moment I walked through the door, yet no one has said a thing. No one has thrown food at me, either.

I hate that he’s right, that his mere presence will relieve me from being bullied.

Maybe he could protect me from the man who broke into my dorm last night . . .

“Do you really want me to ride with you?” I say, fidgeting in my seat. “It can’t be that simple. I don’t think you really want to help me. There’s something else you want.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? Because you’re acting like you’re sitting on hot coals.” He nods toward my lap again.