Chapter 5: Shoot

Kelsey pushed forward. She stood close to me now. Her eyes ran up and down my dress, my hair, my red lips. Jealousy burned hot in her voice. "Who do you even think you are? Walking in here like you own the place?"

I finally looked at her. One slow look from her head to her toes. "Better question," I said smoothly. "Who do you think you are, speaking to me?"

Kelsey's mouth dropped open. "What?"

My lips barely moved. "Move."

The word cracked like a whip.

Kelsey froze. Nobody ever told her to move. Nobody. The hallway went silent. Even Ayden looked between us. Amusement was on his face.

And with that, I walked away. I left the whispers behind me. They grew louder. The sound of my heels was a promise. Emily was never coming back.

The lecture hall was loud with talk. Then I walked in. The air changed. My high heels made a sharp sound on the floor. People looked up. I did not rush. I walked like the room was already mine. I chose a seat right in the middle. I sat down, smooth and calm.

Behind me, a nasty voice cut through the noise. It was Kelsey. She was with her friends. They all watched her like she was the sun.

Kelsey flipped her hair. She spoke loud enough for the whole room. "Money does not buy taste. Some people just try too hard."

I set my bag on the seat. I crossed my legs. I was smooth and calm. It was like Kelsey did not exist.

That silence made Kelsey burn.

"New girl," Kelsey snapped, "I am talking to you."

I looked up slowly. My eyes were cool as frost. "Oh. I thought you were talking to your mirror."

Laughter broke out. Some covered their mouths. Others did not bother.

Kelsey blinked. Her cheeks turned red. "Excuse me?"

I leaned back. My smirk was lazy and sharp. "You are excused."

The room filled with gasps.

"You must think you are special," Kelsey spat. "Acting like you own this place."

"I do not act," I said evenly. "I simply do."

A wave of shock moved through the class. Even Ayden, sitting in the back with his friends, let out a low chuckle.

"Careful, Kelsey," he said, walking forward. "She might just take your crown."

"Shut up, Ayden!" Kelsey snapped. Her voice cracked.

I did not even look at her. "Do not worry. I do not want her crown. Plastic does not suit me."

The laughter this time was brutal. Phones came out of pockets. They were recording.

Kelsey shoved out of her seat. Her hands were in fists. "Do you even know who I am?"

My eyes swept her from head to toe. I was not impressed. "Do you?"

The room went silent.

Ayden grinned wider. He was clearly entertained. "God, I like her."

My eyes cut to him like a knife. "And boys like you? I do not like. Keep your mouth shut."

The class erupted. Ayden just laughed harder. He muttered, "Even better. She bites."

Kelsey was shaking with rage. "You will not last a week here. I will make sure of it."

I stood up to my full height. I stepped closer. My voice was a soft, cold whisper. It carried across the hall. "Try. You will choke on your own effort." I was here for revenge. And I had not even started.

The bell rang. Students scattered. But no one left without whispering. Kelsey stormed out with her friends. Her heels snapped. I walked past the buzz with the same calm I came in with. My lips were curved in a faint smirk.

Outside, a deep engine sound rolled across the yard. A black bike leaned against the curb. The sun shone on its chrome.

The rider pulled off his helmet. Dark hair fell back. A sharp jaw caught the light. The girls gasped.

"Holy hell, who is that?" "He is... wow."

My lips curved. Jaxon.

He held out a second helmet. His voice was low. "Get on."

I put it on without a word. I climbed onto the bike. I wrapped my arms loosely around him.

The engine roared to life. It drowned the whispers. In seconds, we were gone. We left Ayden stiff at the door. We left Kelsey fuming in silence.

We stopped at a steel-gray building. It was on the edge of the city. Inside, the marble floors were shiny. The air was heavy with smoke and blood.

Victor stood in the center. He was tall and shadowed. In his hand was a gun. At his feet knelt a man. The man was beaten and bloody. His breath was ragged.

My eyes went to the gun, then back to Victor. I did not flinch. I was used to the sight now.

Victor's gaze stayed on me. It was hard to read. "How was your day?"

I took off my jacket. I threw it on a chair. "Entertaining."

"Good." His mouth curved a little. It was almost approval. He stepped forward. He held the gun out to me. It looked heavy.

"Then amuse me more. Take it. Shoot him."

The man made a weak sound. His swollen face lifted toward me. I looked down at the weapon. My fingers touched the cold steel.

My new life had strings. Victor's empire pulled me forward. Jaxon's shadow watched at my side. Ayden circled me like a fire I would not touch.

As my hand wrapped around the gun, one thought echoed in my chest:

Could I stay untouchable forever? Or would one of them get past my armor? Would one of them force me to feel again?