chapter 6

Gabriel's POV

I slammed the door to our lair so hard the hinges rattled, the sound echoing through the abandoned classroom we'd claimed as our territory. My hands were still shaking with rage, Paxton's smug face burned into my memory like a brand.

That bastard, I thought, pacing across the room like a caged animal. Who does he think he is, interfering with my business?

"Damn it!" I shouted, kicking over a chair that crashed into the wall.

The worst part wasn't even that he'd stepped in - it was that kiss. The way he'd claimed her right in front of everyone, like she belonged to him. Like he had some kind of right to her that I didn't.

I should have asked her name, I realized, running my hands through my hair in frustration. I should have gotten more information before making my move.

But no, I'd been too confident, too sure that she'd fall in line like everyone else. Instead, she'd flinched away from me like I was some kind of monster, and then Paxton had swooped in like some white knight hero.

The door opened behind me, and I spun around, ready to tear into whoever dared interrupt my brooding. But it was just Tiana, slipping through the doorway with that calculating look she always wore.

"Well, well," she said, closing the door behind her. "Someone looks like they had a rough lunch period."

Tiana Martinez - leader of the queen bees, Madison's boss, and probably the most dangerous girl in this entire school. She was beautiful in a cold, sharp way, with perfectly styled black hair and eyes that missed nothing. We'd had an understanding for months now - she controlled the girls, I controlled the guys, and we stayed out of each other's way.

"What do you want, Tiana?" I asked, not in the mood for games.

She studied my face with those calculating eyes, taking in my clenched fists and the overturned chair. "I want to know what's got you so wound up. You look like you want to punch a hole through the wall."

"It's nothing," I said, turning away from her. "Just Paxton being his usual pain-in-the-ass self."

"Ah," she said, understanding immediately. "This is about the new girl, isn't it?"

I whipped around to face her. "What do you know about her?"

Tiana raised an eyebrow at my sharp tone. "I know my girls had some fun with her this morning. Madison said she was easy prey - quiet, scared, perfect target for some freshman hazing."

"Did they know she had something going on with Paxton?" I demanded.

"With Paxton?" Tiana laughed, a sound like breaking glass. "Gabriel, honey, there's no way that girl has anything with PaxtonWolfe. She's nobody - just some scared little freshman who probably doesn't even know who he is."

"Well, she does now," I said bitterly. "He kissed her right in front of half the cafeteria."

Tiana's expression shifted, her amusement fading into something more serious. "He what?"

"You heard me," I said, my anger flaring again at the memory. "Walked right up, pulled her away from me, and planted one on her like she was his property."

"That doesn't make sense," Tiana said, more to herself than to me. "Paxton doesn't get involved in freshman drama. He's too busy with his racing and his mechanics crew."

"Yeah, well, he got involved today," I snapped. "Made me look like an idiot in front of everyone."

Tiana moved closer, her heels clicking against the concrete floor. "Gabriel, calm down. You're letting this get to you too much."

"Don't tell me to calm down," I said, but even as I said it, I could feel some of the rage starting to burn out, leaving behind something colder and more focused.

"Look," Tiana said, her voice taking on that soothing tone she used when she wanted something. "My girls were just having some fun with the new meat. We didn't know she was off-limits."

"She's not off-limits," I said quickly. "Paxton doesn't own her just because he kissed her once."

"Of course not," Tiana agreed, but I could see the wheels turning behind her eyes. "But maybe we should be more... strategic about this."

I was about to respond when she moved even closer, close enough that I could smell her expensive perfume. "Why don't you stay here for a while?" she suggested, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Let me help you work off some of that tension."

Her hand trailed up my arm, and I could see the invitation in her eyes. We'd hooked up before - quick, meaningless encounters that were more about power and convenience than anything else. But right now, the last thing I wanted was to be distracted.

"Not now, Tiana," I said, gently but firmly moving her hand away. "I need to check on something."

"Check on what?" she asked, her expression shifting to annoyance at the rejection.

"My mechanic," I said, already heading toward the door. "I need to see about my bike."

"Gabriel, wait," Tiana called after me. "You can't just leave campus. You know the rules - if they catch you cutting class, you'll get suspended."

I paused at the door and turned back to her with a smile that felt more like baring my teeth. "Tiana, sweetheart, do you remember who you're talking to?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm talking to Gabriel Blackwood, who thinks he's above the rules."

"No," I said, opening the door. "You're talking to Gabriel Blackwood, who makes the rules. There's a difference."

"The administration won't see it that way," she warned.

I laughed, a harsh sound that echoed in the empty hallway beyond our lair. "The administration can kiss my ass. Half the teachers are too scared to look me in the eye, and the other half are on my family's payroll."

"Gabriel—"

"Stay here, Tiana," I said, cutting her off. "Keep your girls in line, and stay out of my business with the new girl. I'll handle Paxton my way."

"And how exactly are you planning to do that?" she called after me as I stepped into the hallway.

"The racetrack," I said without turning around. "Tonight. Winner takes all."

I could hear her saying something else, but I was already walking away, my mind focused on what needed to be done. Paxton thought he was so clever, claiming some random girl just to get under my skin. But he'd made one crucial mistake - he'd challenged me in front of everyone.

Tonight, we'll see who runs this school, I thought as I made my way toward the exit. And when I'm done with him, that little brunette will know exactly where she belongs.