Page 18 of Redeeming the Villain

But one of the brown-haired boys politely stops me with his hand stretched out to mine. “Look, I don’t know what Malik’s done to make someone as beautiful as you so angry, but please don’t run off just yet.” His smile widens. “I’m Asher.”

“I’m Dean.” The other one introduces himself with a shining smile. “You know, we’re having a party this weekend. You should come.”

Like I’m going to fall for that setup.

Been there, done that with Malik. I’m not going to walk straight into his trap all over again.

“I appreciate that, and it’s nice to meet you both. But I’m going to …” I trail off, but Malik’s sharp-edged words stop me.

“Alora doesn’t like parties. It’s not her place anyway. Besides, I’m sure she’s too good to go to some college party.” His words snap with anger, sending a shiver down my spine. Malik steps forward, closing the distance between us to a mere two feet. “Don’t waste your breath with this one.”

“I don’t know.” Asher sighs. “I think that’s for me to decide, Mal.”

“Trust me, you’ll want to steer clear of her. She’s a waste of effort.”

I roll my eyes, and he inches closer to me.

Whoever I was five seconds ago is gone. I’m replaced by a pent-up ball of hatred that has spent years piling up. And I’m done with it.

Looking around him, I decide to fight fire with fire.

I bat my eyelashes and flash an award-winning smile. “Asher, I would love to tell you just how much of a waste I am over dinner.” Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I hand it over to him to type in a new message.

He happily takes it with a big smile on his face. “Sounds great to me.”

But Malik snatches it from his hand before he gets a chance. “No need to do that. Alora, you’re not allowed to date anyone on the team.”

“Excuse me?” I laugh viciously. “That’s not your place to decide.”

I rip my phone out of his hand.

He leans down and snarls, his warm breath caressing my lips, “You want to bet?”

“Malik, take a fucking breath, huh?” Asher scoffs. “If you’re marking her off-limits, I got you. But if not … then I’m inviting her to dinner or our party at least.”

He painfully tears his gaze from mine. “Asher, would you fuck off for two seconds, please?”

Asher holds his hands up in defeat with a shit-eating grin on his lips. Dean laughs at the awkward situation.

I hate that Malik has still found a way to have power at a new school. To make others obey his orders.

But it sounds like it’s more of a respected rule among the team. Although if it’s some off-limits rule that I have to worry about, then I’m not worried at all.

Malik would never claim me as his to anyone, but especially to his team.

“You’re not going to that party. You’re not going to dinner with Asher,” he commands like I’m a dog.

My words leave my lips before I even realize it. “I don’t take orders from you, Malik.”

His lip twitches. “Yes, you do. You did back then, and you will now. Like the good little bug that you are.”

Now it’s me who steps toward him. Jabbing my finger into his ridiculously firm chest, I stand tall. “Youhave no idea who I am anymore. You don’t call the shots. Not when it comes to me.” I huff out a sharp breath. “You don’t scare me anymore, Malik.”

Wrapping his hand around mine, he yanks it down and off of him. I stumble from the force, but his grip keeps me steady.

His eyebrows pinch, and his nostrils flare. “I should.” His voice vibrates through every bone in my body.

He does. He scares the shit out of me.

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