Page 48 of The Teacher of Nothing
She flinches at his words. He pats her on the head and then storms from the room. It takes every fiber of self-control for me to stay rooted in the closet. Once the door closes and she’s moved the nightstand into place, I emerge from the closet.
Her chin wobbles and she won’t look at me. I track her movement as she picks up a damp towel from the floor. She hands it to me to deal with my mess. I take the towel from her, shove it into my boxers to mop up the sticky cum, and then drop it to the floor. Once I’ve righted my clothes, I grab her hips and pull her close to me.
“What did he do to you?” I demand, my voice a whisper.
She closes her eyes. “He smacked me.”
I start for the door, but she flings her arms around my neck and brings her lips close to mine.
“Callum, don’t.”
“Give me one reason why I don’t go whip his ass right now.”
“Because he’ll hurt my mom.” She presses kisses to my mouth, pleading with her eyes. “If you hurt him, he’ll destroy your family and mine. He’s that vindictive.”
“We’ll talk about this later,” I vow. “You tell me the second he even looks at you wrong. Understood?”
“Yes,” she agrees. “I promise.”
I kiss her deeply and then shake my head. “If he touches you, you call me. Any time, any night.”
“I will.”
“Good girl.”
By the time I make it back to my car, I’m vibrating with rage. Darren Paulson just went from my girl’s awful stepfather to my number one enemy. And for him to jump over Dad, that’s quite a feat. It’s time I start learning a thing or two about this prick.
I pull out my phone and text Jude. Since he hides out in Grandpa’s house all the time, he has a way of making things happen from afar. Right now, I need him to find someone to dig into Darren.
Me: I need you to get everything you can on someone so I can ruin their fucking life.
Jude: Just take both Dad and Jamie out at Sunday dinner with a steak knife.
I fight a smile because it’s surprising that Jude would reply right away. Usually, if he does respond, it’s hours, or sometimes days later.
Me: I’m saving double homicide for a rainy day when I get bored and need entertaining.
Jude: Can I watch?
Me: You’re my brother. Hell, I’d even let you help.
Jude: Who’s pissed you off now?
Me: Darren Paulson.
Jude: The attorney? Why not just ask Hugo about him? He knows everyone in that circle.
Me: See, you’ve already helped me. I didn’t know he was an attorney.
Jude: My work here is done.
Me: Not quite. I need you to track one of my students.
Jude: That sounds illegal.
Me: Discussing a double homicide isn’t?
Jude: What’s the name?
