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

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

Riot.” I circle him, flicking my hair back, enjoying the

but strut a little, hips swaying as I kick one

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

He wipes his nose with the back of his hand,

he asks, voice

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

twist away,

arm.

this what gets you off, Riot? A

go numb and the knife falls. In the same motion, he sweeps my legs

1/3

wed, zu Aug

Chapter 71

hit the mat hard,

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

he growls, face inches from mine. “You

I’m so pissed.

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

this place when I heard

like

over my chest. “You really think

in my direction. “Thought you were tough after that

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

perfect,” he continued, dunking his head under and emerging with a shake that sent droplets flying in all directions. “But suit yourself. Stand

night air was sticky with humidity, and my skin still burned from our training session.

already unlacing my boots, “I’ll

laugh echoed across the water. “I’d

way was I going full nude like him–and waded in, gasping as the cold water hit my bruised

freaking cold!” I hissed, arms wrapped around

mocked, swimming closer. I

through me.