CHAPTER THIRTEEN

LORENZO GRAYSON\ VADIM KERZHAKOV ©

My fist hit the mamba bag again.

And again.

Each punch came fast and hard, like I was trying to break something that would not break. The chain above the bag rattled with each hit.

Sweat ran down my face, down my neck, and soaked my shirt. My breath came out in short bursts, rough and sharp.

Yet, I didn't stop.

After a while, my arm began to ache. The wound there pulsed under the bandage. I ignored it and threw one last punch before dropping to the gym mat, lying flat on my back.

I stared at the ceiling. Everything was blank and quiet but my life was not.

I ran a hand through my damp hair and checked the time.

7:25 a.m.

I tiredly pushed myself up and walked to the fridge. My body felt heavy, but my mind would not slow down. I grabbed a bottle of water and drank it in one long gulp.

Soft footsteps entered the gym, careful and almost silent, like the person did not want to be noticed.

“Good morning to you too, Kyle,” I said while turning around. The moment I faced him, his fist was hanging inches away from my face. He was about to punch me

Kyle cleared his throat awkwardly and slowly lowered his hand.

“Why didn’t you even check who came in?” he asked before sitting down on the mat.

“Who else would walk into my home?” I replied calmly while heading to the mini fridge. I grabbed two cans of soda and tossed one to him.

“Yeah, true,” he muttered while opening the can. “No one would be stupid enough to break in here and face Antonio’s rebellious heir alone. No witnesses around means an easy kill for you.”

I stayed silent after that. Because deep down, we both knew he was right.

Father’s men will surely be too scared to come after me inside my own house. There were no cameras here, no witnesses, and no innocent boy to protect while I gave them the taste of their medicine.

I suddenly remembered Nick’s words from the other day.

“Are you involved with loan sharks or some kind of gang?”

A laugh escaped my lips.

“Loan shark?” I muttered under my breath before taking a sip from the soda. “That kid really is something.”

Kyle glanced at me from the side, clearly

curious after hearing me laugh to myself.

“Any update?” I asked quickly, changing the topic before he could question me.

“Not yet,” he answered. “My men are still digging around. We should hear something before tomorrow.”

I nodded slowly.

“How are things going with the female professor?” he asked. I took another long drink before replying.

“Nothing serious yet,” I said calmly. “But things will start moving in the right direction soon enough.”

“I’m going to take a shower. I need to get ready for work,” I told him before heading upstairs.

A few minutes later, I walked out of the bathroom with a towel hanging around my neck. The house had gone quiet already, which meant Kyle had left.

I grabbed my phone from the bed just to see a message from him.

Kyle:

On my way to a meeting. See you tonight.

I dropped the phone and opened my closet to pick an outfit.

After getting dressed, I put on my glasses and stared at myself in the mirror for a few seconds. With a quiet sigh, I grabbed my car keys and headed to the garage.

Just as I reached for the car door, my eyes landed on the back tire.

Flat. The tire was flat.

I closed my eyes for a second and pinched the bridge of my nose before texting Kyle.

Me:

Please send someone to check the car. One of the tires is flat.

“What a perfect start to the day,” I muttered dryly as I checked the time.

If I hurried, I could still catch a bus.

I left the house and started walking toward the bus stop. It was farther than I thought, but I had no other choice. Taxis were not allowed anywhere close to where I lived.

A few minutes later, a bus finally pulled over. I got in, paid my fare, and took a seat by the window.

I adjusted my glasses and let out a tired sigh. Thinking about it now, I should have just asked Kyle to send someone to drive me to college.

“I still can’t believe he likes men. I mean, he’s literally everyone’s type.” A familiar voice came from the seats behind me.

“Not everyone,” another voice replied. “Only people with too much free time stare at him like that. Besides, Grayson isn’t even friendly. I don’t know what you all see in him.”

A quiet chuckle slipped out of me.

Nick Walker.

What a small world.

“Have you ever seen him reject someone with that same calm expression on his face? I still get pissed whenever I remember it,” Nick added.

“You just don’t like him,” Miss Avery replied. “And one bad experience with him won’t stop me from wanting a man like Professor Grayson.”

I heard Nick let out a tired groan.

“Fine. Live in your delusion then. Let’s change the topic,” he muttered.

At that moment, I pressed the stop button at the same time as the fellow student behind me.

The bus slowed to a stop in front of the college gates. I adjusted my glasses and stood up, only to bump straight into Nick.

“Very sor… ” His words cut off the moment he looked up and saw me.

I stepped out of the bus without a word and started walking toward the college.

“He was sitting in front of us this whole time?” I heard them whisper behind me.

Students turned their heads as I walked through the school grounds with my briefcase in hand. Then I heard quick footsteps rushing toward me.

“Sir, why don’t I help you carry your bag?” Nick asked once he stopped in front of me. I stared at him silently before walking past him.

A few seconds later, I noticed him following behind me with Miss Avery beside him. I suddenly stopped walking and turned around.

The both of them froze and awkwardly cleared their throats.

“Is there a problem?” I asked, looking directly at Nick.

They exchanged glances before Nick shook his head. “Of course not.”

Without wasting another second, he turned and walked away while Miss Avery hurried after him.

I watched them speed toward their department building and shook my head with a quiet scoff.