Page 28 of The Stolen Dagger
Like most of my relationship with Adrian, I had little choice in anything I did. He had always called the shots. He was always in control.
Looking back on it, I kicked myself for ever yielding to a man like him, or any man at all. It was frustrating to think about every little thing I should have done differently.
Drew sighed when I still didn’t say anything, too lost in my thoughts. “I’m only trying to understand this guy and what happened so we can stop him.”
“I know, but I don’t want to understand him,” I said, finally finding my voice. “I want to forget about him.”
Drew’s expression softened. “With everything going on, Katherine, you don’t have that luxury.”
A few traitorous tears filled my eyes. I knew Drew was doing his job, trying to see all the variables, but it was still hard. I had tried to put this all behind me. I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.
“Hey.” Drew took my hand in his and gave it a light squeeze. “Take the day, and then maybe we can bring it up again tonight, okay?”
I nodded, grateful he wasn’t pushing me harder on this.
“Good.” He placed a kiss on my forehead when I so desperately wanted it on my lips. “Now, let’s get you to class before both of us are late.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
KATHERINE
The Hawthorn Community College was a relatively small campus but had all the basic amenities.
There were several lecture halls for every kind of major, buildings full of classrooms for more intimate learning, and vital campus amenities like the library, dining hall, and admin offices.
Divided into North and South lawns with the library in the center, most of the lecture halls were clumped next to each other on the South lawn, while the specialized and admin buildings were spread out across the North lawn.
Thankfully, all of my classes were relatively close together.
“Call me if you need anything.” Drew gave me an encouraging smile as he parked his truck along the curb on the south side of campus.
Even though my worry that Adrian was watching me was at an all-time high, I refused to show it. I refused to give him any more control over me.
Until we came up with a plan, I would pretend everything was all right.
I had to if I wanted to get through this.
I thanked Drew for the ride, stepped out of his truck, and walked across campus to my first class.
Red and gray brick buildings lined the expanse of both sides of the South campus lawn. Thin trees were scattered in the grassy middle and along the sidewalk, providing shade for the benches placed around them. Streaming through the clouds, the sun shone down and provided a welcoming warmth with the autumn breeze.
Students, some meandering and some fast-walking, were spaced out around me. I let out a relieving breath, being among so many other people.
Crowds were good. For just a moment, I could pretend I was an average college student who only had to worry about my next exam.
“Kat!” a high-pitched voice yelled.
I turned as Leah quickly approached me. Her honey-blonde hair swished over her shoulders, and a radiant smile spread across her freckled face.
I couldn’t help but mimic her expression as she tugged me into a tight hug. Even though the unease of Adrian was still in the forefront of my mind, this was nice, normal. Just what I needed.
Over her shoulder, Tyler stopped beside us a few feet away and adjusted his square-framed glasses as he gazed lovingly at his overexcited girlfriend. He chuckled, ran a hand through his auburn curls, and greeted me with a wave.
When Leah pulled back from her hug, she gave a teasing look. “Did I just see you get out of my brother’s truck? Did he drive you to school? Is that why you both disappeared from Jerry’s last night? You left together?”
Her questions came in rapid succession as her excitementrose. It was like her mouth was trying to catch up with her thoughts. Although I shouldn’t have been surprised by her questioning, I was still caught off guard.
Leah had always supported Drew and I ever since she caught me ogling him in that first self-defense class. When I started avoiding Drew, I could tell she was disappointed, but she hadn’t pushed the subject after that. Hence, her mission to set me up on blind dates, which I now suspected was to get me to open up about my feelings for Drew.
