cker, to Arthur holding the bat, to Brooke groaning on the floor. He i

Connor ordered, his voice ech

s hands aiming to pull her into a comforting, prote

took a swift, fluid step backward, perfectly evading his hand

h of irritation breaking through his concerned facad

vin? Raising a chair agains

at Connor, then pointed a shaking finger at Brooke on the floor. "She's i

er eyes wide. He didn't believe for a second that this fragile, dependent girl c

self. Her sharp eyes sca

had squeezed an entire tube of industrial-strength superglue onto the woode

ty. He would tighten his grip on her life. But if she was a broken, humiliated victim of severe bully

de her

holding, her eyes widening in manufactured terror. She threw her hands up to

g. He thought Kevin was

raight into Kevin's chest. Kevin flew backward, dropping the ch

perfectly. She let her knees give out and collap

antly soaked into the fabric

the chemical to bond. Then, she let ou

II

p in the quiet room. A massive chunk of her s

A thick lock of her long, dark hair slapped against the top o

o the chair, her clothes torn, look

to heave with violent, suppressed sobs. It was the pictur

in genuine disgust. Instead of rushing forward to help her, he took a distinct, undeniable st

r fingers. That single step backward seal

of her torn clothes and glued hair pushed him over the

"If any of you take one more step toward her, I will personally

the raw promise of violence in his voic

"Listen, sir. The student council will investigate

r. He grabbed Connor by the lapels o

reath hot on Connor's face. "You think you

. He thought her identity was a closely guarded secret. He ne

sharp, angry clicking of high

om. Her face was red with fury. She had been enjoying her cof

yone on a scholarship. She took one look at the room. She saw B

gnored Aurora gl

ur and shrieked, "Security! I am calling secur

dark satisfaction settled in her chest. The fina