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.

me, hands instinctively dropping the

sting of my cuts. He said use everything. Fine. Then he should’ve known better–every man’s an animal, and ! know how to

Riot.” I circle him, flicking my hair back, enjoying the power shift. “Not my fault

agony. I can’t help but strut a little, hips swaying as I kick

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

feral awakening there. He wipes his nose with the back of his hand, leaving a smear

he asks, voice

knife flashing in the fluorescent lights. “The most fun. You should see your face right

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

arm.

away “Is this what gets you off, Riot? A little

shoots out, grabbing my wrist, bending it back until my fingers go numb and the knife falls. In the same motion,

1/3

wed, zu Aug

Chapter 71

hit the mat hard, air punched from my

can recover, he’s straddling me again, pinning both wrists above my head with one hand. Blood from his nose drips onto my

he growls, face

I’m so pissed.

cannot believe I lose to some sicko. Riot is busy bathing himself in

we found near this place when I

proud, water sliding off him like he was some goddamn wolf–king as

eyes, arms crossed over my chest. “You

were tough after that knife fight. Or was that just for

me to the ground,

a shake that sent droplets flying in all directions. “But suit yourself. Stand there

at the rocky shore, weighing my options. The night air was sticky with humidity, and my skin still burned from our training

try anything,” I warned, already unlacing my boots, “I’ll

the water. “I’d

stripped down to my underwear–no way was I going full nude like him–and waded in, gasping as

I hissed, arms wrapped around

swimming closer. I noticed fresh scratches

through me.