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.

off me, hands instinctively dropping the knives to

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

back, enjoying the power shift. “Not my

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

own split lip. The metallic taste makes me feel wild, dangerous. “Thought

narrow through the blood, something feral awakening there. He wipes his nose with the back of his hand, leaving a smear across his

fun?” he asks, voice

lights. “The most fun. You

thought possible, launching himself at me. I twist away, slashing blindly, feeling the blade catch

arm.

I taunt, backing away “Is this what gets you off, Riot? A

my fingers go numb and the

1/3

wed, zu Aug

Chapter 71

hard, air punched from my

head with one hand. Blood from his nose drips onto

face

I’m so pissed.

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

this place when I heard him

proud, water sliding off him like he was some goddamn wolf–king as he stood waist deep in

chest. “You really think I’m

direction. “Thought you were tough after that knife fight.

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

and emerging with a shake that sent droplets flying in all

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

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

laugh echoed across the water. “I’d like to see you

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

hissed, arms

he mocked, swimming closer.

through me.