20. Devil's machinery

DAMON'S POV

“That was a bit frightening.” Vienne's soft voice aired out. “I had been all mouth but heaven knows I'm not a match for his strength. That loser's grip felt like vice, I thought I might lose my arm” she continued her ramble.

“How dare he?...” She finally seethed out in that impossibly soft way. I threw a side glance at the lady who displays pride in some elegant way, It would be a pity to lose. She belongs to the elite class and it's no surprise if some of these behaviors peeks out; it would even be concerning if it didn't.

Vienne Reyes had a way making pride look beautiful.

Beautiful…

The thought of daring to admire something that seemed out of my reach had me narrowing my eyes.

“You should take some martial arts class then. Being all mouth could be disappointing” I muttered a tiny jab at her still.

Seeing that boy hold her in a way she seemed uncomfortable with, moments ago had set something off in me. If he had gone any further out of line then, I might have injured him.

I would have felt like that if someone did that to Dawn too. I justified my thought.

My eyes darkened as I recalled the sickening look of desire in his eyes.

“My comments should not boost your ego, Calloway. Besides, you did well back there.”

“I know,” I mumbled.

From the corner of my eye, I could see the tiny dip of her lips in displeasure. “I just found out that the library is under maintenance. Why don't we head to your home instead?”

“No.” I rasped out almost immediately. I wasn't ready.

Funny.

I wasn't one to give two flying ducks about what people thought of me or anything that concerns me, but for some reasons I'm not ready to find out about her thoughts about me. Or about where I live.

“Why?” She scoffed “You have someone kidnapped and kept in there?”

“No” 

“You have ammunition hidden there?”

My eyes snapped towards her gently, not believing what I was hearing. “Aren't your questions quite suggestive?”

“Why won't you let me come over then? I would be able to teach you well there without even bothering about the eyes around. We could have gone to my house but I get the feeling you wouldn't really like it there.”.

“Glad. But you're still not coming over. We could either do it here or have it cancelled.”

“Suit yourself then, I made an effort anyway. It won't be my fault.” 

“Sure”

With that final, mutual agreement, we headed out of the school building. Standing by the entrance, my eyes were trained on the sight before me for a few seconds and I'm sure Vienne had also seen as her eyes were momentarily stuck on a particular spot in the school's lot. That Amelia girl was getting ready for a ride in the Knox kid's car.

I sneered in contempt. Didn't she say he'd had told her in a text to ’stop whatever she was was doing’, but the loser was all and about with another girl, still. I threw a look at Ryan, who had his arms wrapped around Amelia who was seated on the bonnet of his car.

Such level of hypocrisy and shamelessness…

Silently, Vienne gripped her clenched fingers as she watched the two with a slight crestfallen face and it was gone as fast as it came. 

Subtle enough… but I had seen it.

I was done here and for the day, anyways and Reyes could handle the situation as she seemed fit. I turned away, heading owards my dark blue lady bike. I mounted on it while steering it to life and ignition and just a few seconds later, the spoiled brat sprinted over. 

“Hey?” She bellowed at me.

Before I could ask or know what the matter was, she clumsily mounted and sat on the spare seat behind me. The shock and unexpected surprise had me gripping on the the steering.

“What do you think you're doing?” my voice was strained as my heart beat picked up its pace unnecessarily. “Get off and go wait for your ride or whatever.”

She scoffed. “Not happening anymore. Let's just go to your house.” 

“You don't listen, hm?”

“Took you long enough. We're leaving here together whether you like it or not. Except if you plan to throw me off.”

“Someone called this devil's machine, some days ago” I sneered at her hypocrisy.

“Stop acting all mighty like some saint Calloway. Let's get this done with. It's still a devil's machinery, I'm just gonna have this ride while hoping and praying we don't die.”

I wasn't stupid, I know this is all to taunt her ex-boyfriend a few feet away, but I was getting my reward for being used.

“Suit yourself then.” I moved a bit forward causing her to jerk and subconsciously wrap her arms around me. The electric sensation that ran through me was almost so foreign, and my breath hitched. 

“Sit tight “ I gritted out before handing her the spare helmet.

She strapped it on her head before wrapping her arms around me once more. I exhaled, gripping the steering of the bike before moving forward a bit. 

And with that, I zoomed off.

Passing by Knox and his girlfriend who were still at what ever crap they were doing. Reyes sure knows her game; and she plays it well.

She got them where she wanted as they stared at us in shock, not believing what they were seeing till I'm out of the school compound. Even I couldn't believe what we were laughing as I almost laughed. Vienne's hair floated after us.

Halfway through the journey, I could feel her getting restless. Yes, that was the adrenaline, anyone would always get tempted to go wild on the bike; but that was the death trap.

“Reyes…” I drew out a warning. “Don't fucking pull your hands off”

“You said??!!!” She yelled out through the breeze.

"Don't loosen your hold on me, yeah?”

“Yeah. Yeah, whatever.” She yelled back, her hands tightening around me almost enough to distract me.

Right at that moment, I let myself savour the moment, the thrill of the pumping adrenaline, the wild breeze and the swift passing of plants and buildings.