Page 6 of The Devil's Heir
"I d-didn't m-mean it!" My back hits the shelving unit that holds all the cleaning products.
Lifting his hands, he grips the shelf above my head and leans closer. "What am I going to do with you, pauper? You don't seem to learn your lesson very well."
"I'll do better, Jarek! I promise, please!" I hate begging, but I hate being alone with him in this closet even more.
He takes hold of my jaw, narrowing his eyes at me as he says, "See that you watch that tongue of yours, pauper. I'd hate for you to lose it after one of your mouthy responses." He shoves me away and then reaches for something in the back of his pants. I squeeze my eyes shut, thinking he's going to hit me with something.
"Open your eyes, pauper."
I open one eye and see that he has papers in his hand—my homework, to be precise. I straighten up and take it from him, saying, "Thank you, Jarek."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, get out of here before I change my mind and make you really hurt." He's back glaring at me, and I take it as a signal to get the hell out of here.
FOUR
Jarek
I wanted her.
When I had her in that closet, and it was just the two of us, I wanted to take her and make her mine. My pauper should be happy that I used restraint. Next time may not be so lucky for her. Taking her homework was a genius idea because Liliana was all mine for just those few minutes in the closet.
I've tried inciting fear into the student body regarding my pauper. She didn't have many friends, if any, beforehand, but students still talked to her, and the guys still drooled when she walked by. Not anymore. It's a dick move, but ask me if I give a fuck.
I may not be one of the popular jocks, but being a Falcon puts me at the top and the most popular guy at school. I actually get along with everybody; Liliana Sumner is just special. It's because she's special that I treat her the way I do. I'm driven crazy when she's around, and the fact that I can't have her the way I want has me acting like a madman.
It's a new day and I'm just pulling up to my pauper's house when I see her hurry out the door. She pulls the hoodie she's wearing up and over her head, hiding her face from the world; she's embarrassed to be seen with me.
I growl inwardly and wait for her to get in. As soon as she's in the car, I grip her chin and turn her face toward me.
"This will be the last time you wear anything with a hood. You will not hide yourself, pauper. I don't know what you're so worried about; I should be the one ashamed to be around you."
"Please… let me go, Jarek."
"Take your hood off…"
Her hand shakes as it reaches up and snatches the hood down and away from her pretty face. I continue to hold her chin as I study her petite features. With her olive complexion, long mahogany locks, and chocolate brown eyes, she almost looks exotic.
Thoughts of her dancing at one of my uncle's clubs, soon to be my clubs, has me inching back and releasing my grip. If I keep thinking about Liliana spinning around on a pole in nothing but a thong, I'm liable to do things to her here and now.
"That's better. Now, buckle up," I order, putting the Tesla in gear before taking off.
I pull into the school's parking lot and turn off the ignition. My pauper tries to get out, but I hold her back. I try searching for a reason not to let her go, but it isn't until she asks me to release her that I finally blurt out the only thing that comes to me. It's a good thing Juniors and Seniors share some classes; otherwise, my plan would never work.
"We have a big project coming up, and I've requested that you be my partner." It's a lie, but one that I will rectify today.
"But I already have a partner lined up." Her voice is soft, just above a whisper.
"Not anymore. Don't worry, pauper, I won't make you doallthe work, just the written part."
"But most of it is written, and I have assignments in my other classes that I've been falling behind on since I started doing your work, too."
This is one thing I like about Liliana. She's meek yet still tries standing up for herself even if she knows that it's no use. I lift my hand and caress her silky cheek.
"I couldn't care less about your other assignments, pauper. That's your problem to work out. You're smart enough that it shouldn't take long to complete the work."
"Please, Jarek…"
Grinning, I ask, "Have I told you how much I love it when you beg me?"
