Page 43 of The Sweetest Revenge

The world moved in slow motion as chaos broke out around us. Students were screaming and running as I stood frozen, my eyes darting around, trying to comprehend what was happening.

"Zaid." I whipped around. "Let's go." Hawk's voice cracked, his eyes wide and darting.

My muscles tensed, adrenaline coursing through my veins. Despite the chill of fear, sweat beaded on my forehead. Each pop of gunfire echoed through the halls over the panicked screams.

My gaze flashed back to Ariella, who was still frozen in place, exactly like she had been before the second pop sounded. "Come on, Ariella. We need to go." She didn't move. My jaw clenched. "Ariella," I shouted to get her attention."

Nothing.

I turned to leave her, but stopped halfway after two more pops sounded. "Fuck." My body moved to protect Ariella before my mind could object, years of instinct overriding a year of cultivated hatred.

Even if I did hate her, I didn't want her to die because then I wouldn't be able to torture her, or at least that was what I was telling myself.

"Ariella, we need to go." Ariella's jaw hung slack, her gaze fixed on the open hallway that curved, hiding whoever was causing the chaos. Her chest barely moved, as if she'd forgotten how to breathe.

We didn't have time for this. With every wasted moment, the shooter was getting closer, and before long, we'd be in his sight.

"Zaiden," Hawk shouted again. "Now!"

Leaning forward, I threw her over my shoulder and bolted for the open door where Hawk was still standing. I wasn't typically the type to run from danger, but I wasn't stupid enough to think I had a chance against an automatic rifle head on.

I stepped through the doorway into one of the locker rooms. The air hung heavy with the lingering scent of sweat and cheap body spray. Metal lockers lined the walls, their red paint chipped and worn from years of use.

My gaze darted around the room. It wasn't safe here. We were too exposed. "Storage closet," I ordered Hawk, his girlfriend Abby, who was part of the figure skating team, and Trey.

Abby ran for the door to the closet, her blonde hair bouncing with each step, and quickly walked inside. I followed her, finding a table in the back corner with a few boxes to one side to drop Ariella's ass on. I twisted to walk away, but the minute that door closed and we were covered in darkness, Ariella came back to life, her hands curled into my clothes. Her grip was unwavering, stopping me from moving.

"T—turn on the lights," she cried out.

I squeezed my eyes shut and bit down on my bottom lip to keep from cursing out loud. She was terrified of the dark. In the pitch black, Ariella's fingernails dug into my arm. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps, each exhale a soft whimper.

I wrapped my hands around her waist to calm her, letting her know she wasn't alone. "Ariella, there's a shooter out there. We can't turn on the lights," I whispered, keeping my tone low and calm.

"I want out," she raised her voice with each word. "Let me out," Ariella pleaded, her voice cracking. The raw fear in her tone made my chest tighten.

She was so scared of the dark that she'd rather take her chances with an active shooter. She shifted her weight to slide off the table, but I pinned my hips to the table between her thighs, giving her no room to move. "I can't let you go. You put us all in danger by leaving now."

"Shut her the fuck up," Trey whisper-yelled. "She's going to get us all shot."

The air was thick with tension, fear, and desperation that clung to us like a second skin.

"Ariella, please," I said, sliding my hands around her face and pressing my thumb to her chin. "I need you to calm down."

Her breathing increased, and her pulse raced under my fingers, but I knew it wasn't my touch that was doing that to her. Her small hands wrapped around my wrist, pulling softly like she was raging a war. She wanted me to let her go, but she also didn't.

"Please turn on the lights."

"Seriously, man," Hawk growled. "Shut your girl up before she gets us all killed."

"Just let me out, I'll run." She started hyperventilating like the loud crying type.

"Shut her up, or I will," Trey hissed. Typically, that comment would make me throat punch him, but I understood. If she didn't shut up, we could all die.

"Fuck," I muttered. I needed to calm her down, but I could only think of one way to do that. Her cries died when my mouth captured hers. Her rigid shoulders softened, her body curving into mine as her lips parted, allowing my tongue to explore hers.

My hand dropped to her ass, and the other hand twisted into her hair as I dominated not only the kiss but her.

I hadn't wanted to kiss her, but now I couldn't stop. My hands roamed over her body, desperate for more contact as I moved on autopilot, pressing closer, craving her warmth.

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