Page 96 of Disobedient Pawn

“Thanks for the kind offer,” I said, my stomach churning dangerously with the thought. “I’ve been trying to pin Nash down to talk to him about our upcoming biology assignment. He’s been very busy, and it’s due next week, so this will be the perfect time for me to get a few things straight.”

Nash’s eyes narrowed at me, but he didn’t blow my cover or call out the blatant lie.

“Then yes, by all means, steal away. I’m thrilled that a top academic mind like yourself is ensuring my son stays on the right path. I keep telling him that if he plans to take over the family business, he needs to be more dedicated to his studies.”

There was no way around wondering what exactly the family business entailed. You didn’t own a house like this without having a ton of money, and I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that it came from the blood of others. I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about my conversation with Myles. Who were these people, and how did my father become involved with them?

“I’ve made it my personal mission to make sure he has top grades even if it is selfishly because the project also has my name on it,” I said and the earlier creepy smile Lawrence gave me returned. Goosebumps rose on my body and I had to force myself not to rub at them.

“Yes, you’ve been very helpful and we wouldn’t want my grades to slip now,” Nash said and made a show of smiling wide as he held out his hand to lead the way, but his eyes were flat and cold as he looked at me. I swallowed hard as I realized my heart had been battering the inside of my chest. At least I could thank Mr. Chicotelli and his drama classes back home for something. Not allowing my fear to control me when the lights were brightest was a skill set all on its own. A superstar I was not, but by the look on Lawrence’s face, I’d convinced him, and that was all that mattered.

Nash led me the opposite way that I’d arrived at the office, and we turned the corner at the far end of the hallway. Glancing up at him, I wanted to ask what the hell that had been about, what his father did for a living, and how he was involved, but the words wouldn’t come. There was simply no good way to ask if you were the son of a mob boss and if he would kill me if I found out the truth.

Instead of slowing, my heart pounded faster as we walked along the empty, quiet halls. Looking over my shoulder, I wondered if this had been a good idea. Now that I was alone with Nash, the tension I usually felt around him was back and buzzed under my skin. A small scream ripped from my mouth as Nash snatched my arm like a snake snatching it’s prey and hauled me inside an open door. I would’ve fallen if he didn’t have such a strong hold on my arm.

The door closed, and we plunged into complete darkness. My eyes searched for him even though I knew he was right in front of me. As panic set in, I pushed at his chest and grabbed for the door blindly.

Nash grabbed my arms and spun me around as he slammed my back against the wall. One of his large hands clamped over my mouth, and I bit back the whimper of terror forming. Why had I thought Nash was any different than his father? That he needed me like I was some savior? It was stupid, and I’d put myself in the predator’s clutches.

I wanted to scream hysterically and draw attention, but I knew how far away we were from everyone else. I hadn’t heard a single noise the entire walk, and my legs trembled.

A light turned on, and I stared at Nash’s hand as he removed it from the light switch.

“Are you going to be a good girl and not scream if I remove my hand?” I nodded as much as I could. “Good.”

His hand slowly slid across my mouth, his thumb lingering on my bottom lip as his blue eyes penetrated my soul. My heart went from galloping to stopping dead. The soft light accentuated the scar that ran down his cheek and was the only imperfection in his otherwise flawlessness. I didn’t know why, but I wanted to run my finger along it. I now knew without asking that it came from his father. I would’ve put money on it. My scars weren’t on display, but they marred me just the same.

“Stop looking at me like that,” Nash snarled and slammed his hand on the wall beside my head. I jumped at the loud bang.

“Like what?” I said, my voice wavering as I tried hard not to sound as terrified as I was.

“Forget it. Just tell me who the hell are you, Davies.” Nash said, but I didn’t know how to answer his question. He knew who I was.

“What do you want me to say? My name is Kayleigh Ren Davies. I’m seventeen and from Alberta, Canada. I don’t know what else you want to know.”

He shook his head. “What about your family?”

“What about them?”

Nash growled as he wrapped his hand around my throat. Pressing myself back into the wall, I hid my fear, but he didn’t squeeze. His fingers were soft on my skin, and a shiver raced down my back.

“I want the truth, Princess. Who are you? What connections does your family have? What is your father holding over my father’s head?”

Again I didn’t know how to answer him. I was as confused about this new world I’d been dumped into as he was that I was here.

“All I know is that my father works for yours. I swear to you. I don’t know what else you want me to say.”

“Do I need to spank you again, Princess? As much fun, as I had the first time, I’m not sure now is the best time for round two, no matter how much I’d enjoy watching this short skirt of yours riding up over your ass,” he said, and his voice deepened with the suggestion. He licked his bottom lip and I didn’t know you could be terrified out of your mind and still think someone was sexy, but Nash managed to make me feel exactly that.

He licked his lip, his eyes breaking the staring contest, only to look down at my chest. My fast breathing made it rise and fall faster, and his heated stare wasn’t helping.

“You’ll never do that to me again,” I said, and I wanted to smack myself.

It was like I couldn’t help pushing his buttons. Maybe I wanted to. I didn’t know anymore.

“You can wipe that scowl off your face. I know you liked it, Princess.”

He leaned in closer, and I looked away from him when I thought he would try to kiss me. Instead, his lips brushed my ear as he softly chuckled. I shivered.