CHAPTER 5

CARLOTTA’S POV

The bell rang for recess, and I practically bolted from my seat, eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the classroom. Madison's eyes had been on me the entire time, making it impossible to concentrate on anything Professor Williams was saying.

Just avoid them, I told myself as I made my way through the crowded hallway. Find somewhere quiet to eat lunch and stay out of their way.

The cafeteria was buzzing with activity when I stepped inside. Students clustered around tables, their voices creating a din that reminded me of the school cafeterias from my childhood. I grabbed a tray and got in line, keeping my head down and hoping to blend into the crowd.

But as I turned from the food counter, tray in hand, I nearly walked straight into someone's chest.

"Well, well," a smooth voice said above me. "You must be the new girl everyone's been talking about."

I looked up to see a tall guy with dark hair and green eyes that seemed to sparkle with mischief. He was handsome in a dangerous way, with the kind of confident smile that probably got him whatever he wanted. Several students nearby turned to look at us, and I noticed how they seemed to defer to him, stepping aside to give him space.

"I... yes, I'm new," I said quietly, trying to step around him. "Excuse me."

"Not so fast," he said, moving to block my path. His smile widened, showing perfect white teeth. "I'm Gabriel. And you are?"

"Carlotta," I answered, clutching my tray tighter. "I really should find a seat—"

"Carlotta," he repeated, just like Madison had earlier, but his tone was different. Predatory. "Beautiful name for a beautiful girl."

Why can't they just leave me alone? I thought desperately. First the queen bees, now this guy who clearly thought he owned the place.

"Thank you," I said politely. "Now if you'll excuse me—"

"Actually, I won't," Gabriel said, his hand shooting out to grasp my wrist. Not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough to keep me in place. "I heard you had a little run-in with some girls this morning. Madison and her crew, right?"

My eyes widened. He hadn't been in my class, so how did he know about that? "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you do," Gabriel said, stepping closer. The cafeteria noise seemed to fade into the background as other students sensed the tension and started paying attention. "Those girls think they run this place, but they're wrong."

"Look, I don't want any trouble," I said, trying to pull my wrist free. "I just want to eat my lunch."

"Trouble?" Gabriel laughed, a sound that sent chills down my spine. "Baby, you're looking at this all wrong. I'm offering you protection."

He moved even closer, so close I could smell his cologne mixed with something else - something that reminded me of motor oil and gasoline. "You see, this school has rules. Hierarchies. And right now, you're at the bottom with no one to watch out for you."

The bottom of the chain. There it was again, that phrase that made my stomach twist with familiar dread.

"But that could change," Gabriel continued, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You could be under my protection. Be my new toy."

The word 'toy' hit me like a slap. How many times had Dante used that exact word? How many times had he reminded me that I was just something for him to play with?

"No," I said firmly, surprised by the strength in my own voice. "I'm not anyone's toy."

Gabriel's eyes flashed with something dark. "Everyone's someone's toy here, sweetheart. The only question is who you belong to."

He raised his hand toward my face, his fingers reaching for my cheek. I flinched backward, memories of Dante's hands on me flooding back in a rush of panic and revulsion.

"Don't touch me," I whispered, but Gabriel just smiled wider.

"Come on, don't be shy—"

"I think she said don't touch her."

The new voice cut through the air like a blade. Gabriel's hand froze mid-air as we both turned to see another guy approaching our table. This one was taller than Gabriel, with sandy brown hair and intense blue eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. He moved with a casual confidence that somehow felt more dangerous than Gabriel's obvious aggression.

"Paxton," Gabriel said, his voice tight with irritation. "This doesn't concern you."

"Actually, it does," Paxton replied calmly, stopping directly in front of us. Without warning, he reached out and gently but firmly pulled me away from Gabriel's grasp, positioning himself between us. "When you're harassing students in my cafeteria, it becomes my business."

His cafeteria? I thought, confused. Who is this guy?

Gabriel's jaw clenched. "Your cafeteria? Since when do you own this place?"

"Since always," Paxton said with a slight smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You just forgot for a while."

"Why are you defending her?" Gabriel demanded, his green eyes flashing with anger. "What's your relationship with the new girl?"

Paxton glanced down at me, and for a moment, something unreadable passed across his face. Then, before I could process what was happening, his hand cupped my cheek and he leaned down.

"This should answer your question," he said softly.

And then his lips were on mine.

The kiss was brief but firm, claiming and possessive in a way that sent shock waves through my entire body. My mind went blank with surprise and confusion, my heart hammering against my ribs. When he pulled away, his blue eyes locked onto mine for just a moment before he turned back to Gabriel.

"Got your answer?" Paxton asked casually, as if he hadn't just turned my world upside down.

Gabriel's face had gone red with fury. "You think you're so clever, don't you?"

"I think I'm exactly as clever as I need to be," Paxton replied. "And I think you should find somewhere else to eat your lunch."

"This isn't over," Gabriel snarled, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "You and me, we've been dancing around this for too long."

"Have we?" Paxton asked mildly. "I hadn't noticed."

"Meet me at the racetrack tonight," Gabriel said, his voice carrying across the now-silent cafeteria. "We'll settle this once and for all. See who the real king is around here."

Paxton's expression didn't change, but I felt something shift in the air between them, like the moment before lightning strikes. "If that's what you want."

"It is," Gabriel said. He shot one last look at me, his eyes promising that this conversation wasn't over, before stalking out of the cafeteria.

A bike racetrack ...this word echoed in my mind along with the hot kiss lingering on my lips.