His Trouble Maker

Chapter 71

Chapter 71

JESSICA

“They won’t always be there,” he continues, somehow managing to grab a second knife from his boot while keeping me pinned. “What happens when you’re alone, and someone wants you dead?”

I dig my nails into his wrist, trying to pry the blade

away. “You’re enjoying this.”

“I enjoy survival,” he corrects, twisting away from my grip and pressing the second knife against my ribs. “Something you know nothing about.”

His weight shifts slightly. I seize the opportunity, twisting my hips and throwing my weight to the side. We roll, momentarily tangled, but he’s faster- stronger. Within seconds I’m pinned again, this time

bi with both wrists trapped above my head in his iron grip.

“Nice try,” he pants, blood from his nose dripping onto my cheek. “But not good enough.”

The knife traces down my throat, between my collarbones, leaving a trail of fire on my skin. Not deep enough to seriously injure, but enough to mark me.

“What are you doing?” I gasp, trying to squirm away from the blade.

He leans closer, his breath hot against my ear. “Teaching you that pain is temporary. Death is permanent.”

My heart pounds in my ears. I can smell his sweat, his blood, something wild and dangerous that clings to him like a second skin.

“Lesson two,” he murmurs, knife still trailing down. “Use what you have. All of it.”

I stop fighting for a second, breathing hard, mind racing. Use what I have… what do I have?

And then it hits me. I go completely limp beneath him, eyes fluttering.

“Wh-” His grip loosens slightly, confused by my sudden surrender.

That’s when I strike–head butting him again, harder this time, while simultaneously bringing my knee up sharply between his legs.

hands instinctively dropping the knives

to my feet, laughing through the sting of my cuts. He said use everything. Fine. Then he

him, flicking my hair back, enjoying the power shift. “Not my fault your

in agony. I can’t help but strut a little,

I taunt, licking blood from my own split lip. The metallic taste makes me

through the blood, something feral awakening there. He wipes his nose with the back

asks, voice deadly

flashing in the fluorescent lights. “The most

at me. I twist away, slashing blindly, feeling the blade catch on

arm.

“Is this

until my fingers go numb and

1/3

wed, zu Aug

Chapter 71

mat hard, air punched from my

above my head with one hand. Blood from his

growls, face

I’m so pissed.

I lose to some sicko. Riot

place when

He looked too proud, water sliding off him like

“You really

direction. “Thought you were tough after that knife fight. Or was that just for

he’s pinning me to the ground, the next he’s acting like we’re on some

sent droplets flying in all directions. “But

humidity, and my skin still burned from

warned, already unlacing my boots, “I’ll

the water. “I’d like

my underwear–no way was I going full nude like him–and

cold!” I hissed, arms wrapped

mocked, swimming closer. I noticed

through me.