Page 98 of The Teacher of Nothing
Bile creeps up my throat. How could he possibly know this? And of all people to find out, why him? He’s the one person who can use it against me in the worst possible way. The only person who would want to.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I tear my stare from him to send Callum another text.
Me: He knows. I don’t know how, but he knows. I’m so sorry, Callum. I don’t know what he’ll do with this information.
Bang!
I cry out in surprise. Levi’s fist remains resting against the window beside his face. He hit it hard enough I’m genuinely shocked it didn’t break. Darren will kill him if he breaks the window.
“You’re going to let me into this room or I’m going to the cops. I’ll tell them what a perv your teacher is.” He sneers at me. “Your choice. Let me in and I’ll keep it quiet.”
At what cost?
I don’t trust this monster a bit.
Still no response from Callum. I’m half-tempted to text Gemma, but I don’t need her getting involved. What if Levi hurts her? I’d never be able to live with myself.
“I’m going to tell Darren and Mom what you’re doing,” I threaten. “They’ll come back and Darren will be pissed at you.”
Levi’s nostrils flare. I know I’ve struck a nerve. Darren isn’t a good stepfather by any stretch, but he’s also a shitty dad to Levi. He knows if Darren comes back, it won’t be pretty.
“Text him and I’ll go straight to the cops.” Levi tilts his head and narrows his eyes. “How long do you think it’ll take for them to arrest him?”
“I’m eighteen,” I shout. “They can’t do anything to him.”
“Rumor has it,” Levi growls, “is he’s been fucking you long before that magical age.”
It’s a lie, obviously, but one that would be difficult to prove. Still, I have to take my chances. It’s better than letting Levi try to blackmail me. I start typing out a text to Mom.
“Stop!” Levi barks out, slamming his fist again on the windowpane.
Me: Levi’s scaring me—
I don’t get to finish my text because glass shatters. Levi has rammed his fist through one of the panes and is now reaching through it. All I can do is stare in stunned silence as he unlocks the window. Shards of glass scrape along his bicep, tearing through his shirt and drawing blood.
Move, Willa.
Run!
I bolt toward my bedroom door and grab hold of the nightstand. Sounds of the window opening and shoes crunching glass on the carpet can be heard behind me, but I don’t pause to look back. As soon as I move the nightstand out of the way, I fling the bedroom door open and dart into the hallway. I don’t make it very far before I’m grabbed by two powerful arms.
“Ahh!” I shriek. “Let go!”
He’s proven time and time again that he’s stronger than me. This time is no different. All too easily, he manhandles me back into my bedroom. At first, I’m pissed and my blood boils with rage.
Until he tosses me onto the bed.
I don’t get a chance to scrabble away. He pounces on me, pinning my arms against the mattress and settling his body against mine. Terror claws its way up my throat and my eyes prickle with tears.
“You know, Willa,” Levi croons, dipping his face close to mine so that his breath tickles over my flesh. “I can make this all go away.”
I don’t chase the bait, choosing instead to glower at him.
“All you have to do,” he continues, “is give in to us.”
“There is no us,” I spit out.
He shoves my wrists above my head, capturing both of them with one of his large hands. Then, he uses his free one to teasehis fingers along the side of my face. I shudder at his touch. He continues to roam his hand down until he reaches one of my breasts. A tearful sob escapes me when he roughly squeezes it.
