Page 16 of Merciless Angel
I stared at the sandwich he held out to me, not sure if I should take it. “Um, thanks, Zane. That was nice of you, but I don’t think we should hang out anymore.”
“Not even as friends?” he asked, a hopeful glint in his eyes. “We were friends before we dated. Why can’t we go back to that?”
“I don’t think it’s that simple,” I said, ignoring the sandwich he placed next to me on the bench. “You hurt me, Zane. I can’t ever be okay with that. I think we both need to move on.”
Although I was tempted to apologize when his face fell, I didn’t have any reason to be sorry. He was the one who’d lashed out with physical violence. That was unforgiveable.
“I’m sorry, Clover. Really. It will never happen again. I’ll do anything it takes to make it up to you. I swear.” Desperation laced Zane’s words. It made my stomach turn.
I didn’t want him falling all over himself to make it up to me. I didn’t want any of this. I only wanted to be left alone.
So much for that. No sooner had the thought passed through my mind than a blacked out Audi screeched to a halt in front of the school. Parking in a loading zone with a fifteen minute warning sign, Daire opened the door and got out. My lungs froze.
What the hell was he doing here? Were they really watching that closely?
Daire swung the car door shut and sauntered in my direction. His expression was guarded but hard. Black hair shining with a blue sheen in the sunlight, low slung blue jeans hugged him just right. A plain black t-shirt hid what I suspected to be a firm body. He was undoubtedly attractive in a terrifying way.
I jerked my gaze away. What was wrong with me? The Angels were awful people. Being hot didn’t excuse their attitudes or actions.
“Hey there, Angel,” Daire greeted me with a nod. He cast a look of utter disdain over Zane. “No class today?”
“I didn’t go,” I said nervously, hating the way my voice shook.
Daire nodded in Zane’s direction. “Everything okay here?”
Before I could answer, Zane said, “Why wouldn’t it be? We’re just hanging out. Since when is that any business of yours?”
Fury sparked in Daire’s green eyes. He took a menacing step closer to Zane. “Since you threw Clover on her ass in a fit of temper. Got a problem with that?”
Zane glanced between Daire and me, confusion etched on his face. “Are you with this guy or something? You’re not the type to go slumming.”
My cheeks burned hot from being put on the spot. My voice failed me. I didn’t know what to say.
Daire saved me from having to say anything. With a finger, he beckoned me to follow him. “Come along, Pussycat. I want to talk to you.”
He waited for me to set my laptop aside and stand up before taking my hand and leading me toward his car. My chest heaved as I sucked in fast breaths. I didn’t dare look back at Zane. His heavy stare bore into my back as I walked away.
“What’s that dumb fuck doing here?” Daire demanded, casting a glance back over his shoulder. “Do you need me to get rid of him?”
“No, I don’t think that will be necessary. He brought me lunch. I told him that we need to stay away from each other. He seems kind of desperate to be friends.” I wasn’t sure why I told Daire everything. I didn’t owe him anything.
“Friends, huh? Guys like that don’t make good friends.” Daire led me to the car, holding my hand possessively the whole way. “I have something for you.”
“Are you guys taking turns watching me or something?” I asked, not sure that I wanted anything he may have for me. “That’s kind of creepy, you know.”
“We could put a camera in your room and a tracking device on you instead if you’d prefer. Maybe a nice collar like Raina’s.” Daire flashed me a cocky grin. “Your call, Little Unicorn.”
My nose wrinkled in distaste at his ridiculous nicknames. Anxiety gripped me at the thought of wearing a tracker. I wasn’t a damn animal. I’d always found it disgusting that the Gods had forced one on Raina, although it had actually saved her life. Still, I was nobody’s property. I wouldn’t allow that.
“All right, forget I said anything.” Risking a glance back at Zane, I found him glaring hard in our direction. Thankfully, we were well out of earshot.
Daire pulled open the car door and reached inside, grabbing something off the center console. He turned back to me, holding a bright pink bracelet. “This is for you. I expect you to wear it at all times.”
I frowned as he grabbed my left wrist and secured the bracelet around it. “Why? What is it? A tracker?”
Daire smirked and shook his head. “No. It’s a panic button. If you get into any trouble like last night at the convenience store or if that asshole over there causes any problems, double press it right here in the middle. It will send an alert to Cash, Blaze, and me. We’ll be able to see your location. We’ll come immediately. Got it?”
I studied the bracelet. It looked like a plain pink band. Nothing gave away its true purpose. It was kind of impressive, and a lot less invasive than a tracking device.