His Trouble Maker

Chapter 71

Chapter 71

JESSICA

“They won't always be there,” he continues, somehow managing to grab a second knife from his boot while

keepingpinned. “What happens when you're alone, and someone wants you dead?”

I dig my nails into his wrist, trying to pry the blade

away. “You're enjoying this.”

“I enjoy survival,” he corrects, twisting away from my grip and pressing the second knife against my ribs.

“Something you know nothing about.”

His weight shifts slightly. | seize the opportunity, twisting my hips and throwing my weight to the side. We roll,

momentarily tangled, but he’s faster- stronger. Within seconds I'm pinned again, this time

bi with both wrists trapped above my head in his iron grip.

“Nice try,” he pants, blood from his nose dripping onto my cheek. “But not good enough.”

The knife traces down my throat, between my collarbones, leaving a trail of fire on my skin. Not deep enough to

seriously injure, but enough to mark me.

“What are you doing?” | gasp, trying to squirm away from the blade.

He leans closer, his breath hot against my ear. “Teaching you that pain is temporary. Death is permanent.”

My heart pounds in my ears. | can smell his sweat, his blood, something wild and dangerous that clings to him

like a second skin.

“Lesson two,” he murmurs, knife still trailing down. “Use what you have. All of it.”

| stop fighting for a second, breathing hard, mind racing. Use what | have... what do | have?

And then it hits me. | go completely limp beneath him, eyes fluttering.

“Wh-" His grip loosens slightly, confused by my sudden surrender.

That's when | strike-head butting him again, harder this time, while simultaneously bringing my knee up sharply

between his legs.

“Bitch!” he howls, rolling off me, hands instinctively dropping the knives to clutch himself.

| scramble to my feet, laughing through the sting of my cuts. He said use everything. Fine. Then he should've

known better-every man’s an animal, and ! know how to wound them.

“You said use everything I've got, Riot.” I circle him, flicking my hair back, enjoying the power shift. “Not my fault

your balls got in the way.”

He's still curled on his side, face twisted in agony. | can’t help but strut a little, hips swaying as | kick one of his

fallen knives away.

“Too slow, baby,” | taunt, licking blood from my own split lip. The metallic taste makesfeel wild, dangerous.

“Thought you were supposed to be teachingsomething?”

Riot’s eyes narrow through the blood, something feral awakening there. He wipes his nose with the back of his

hand, leaving a smear across his cheek,

“Having fun?” he asks, voice deadly quiet.

| twirl, knife flashing in the fluorescent lights. “The most fun. You should see your face right now.”

He's up faster than | thought possible, launching himself at me. | twist away, slashing blindly, feeling the blade

catch on fabric. He hisses-1've nicked his

arm.

“Now we're playing,” | taunt, backing away “Is this what gets you off, Riot? A little blood?”

His hand shoots out, grabbing my wrist, bending it back until my fingers go numb and the knife falls. In the same

motion, he sweeps my legs from under

1/3

wed, zu Aug

Chapter 71

me. | hit the mat hard, air punched from my lungs.

Before | can recover, he’s straddlingagain, pinning both wrists above my head with one hand. Blood from his

nose drips onto my cheek, my lips.

“Lesson’s over,” he growls, face inches from mine. “You lose.”

I'm so pissed.

| cannot believe | lose to ssicko. Riot is busy bathing himself in the

or that we found near this place when | heard him shout my riame.

“Jess, con!” Riot shouted. He looked too proud, water sliding off him like he was sgoddamn wolf-king

as he stood waist deep in the river.

I rolled my eyes, arms crossed over my chest. “You really think I'm dumb enough to fall for that?”

“Scared?” he taunted, splashing water in my direction. “Thought you were tough after that knife fight. Or was

that just for show?”

My jaw clenched. This man was impossible. One minute he’s pinningto the ground, the next he’s acting like

we're on stwisted camping trip.

“The water's perfect,” he continued, dunking his head under and emerging with a shake that sent droplets flying

in all directions. “But suit yourself. Stand there all night if you want.”

| kicked at the rocky shore, weighing my options. The night air was sticky with humidity, and my skin still burned

from our training session. The cool water did look tempting...

“If you try anything,” | warned, already unlacing my boots, “I'll drown you.”

His laugh echoed across the water. “I'd like to see you try.”

| stripped down to my underwear-no way was | going full nude like him-and waded in, gasping as the cold water

hit my bruised ribs.

“It's freaking cold!” | hissed, arms wrapped around myself.

“Baby,” he mocked, swimming closer. | noticed fresh scratches across

through me.

“Keep your distance,” | warned as he circledlike a shark.

his

chest where I'd gotten him good with the knife. Something like pride flickered

He disappeared underwater suddenly. | spun around, heart racing, then yelped as hands grabbed my ankles,

yankingunder. | thrashed, disoriented in the dark water, before breaking the surface, sputtering and furious.

“You absolute-“I lunged at him, catching his shoulders and pushing down with all my weight. We both went

under, twisting and grappling in slow

motion beneath the surface.

When we cup for air, we were too close. His hands steadied me, rough palms against my waist. Moonlight

caught in the water droplets on his eyelashes.

“Not bad,” he murmured, eyes dropping into my lips.

Dear moon goddess, he looks so feral. | hate how my breath catches on a gasp | never meant to make.

| never felt so filthy and alive.

| know this is wrong-every warning bell in my head screams run-but my skin remembers what his hands feel like.

| crave it. | ache for it.

His gaze pins me, dark and hungry, and | feel it in the hollow of my throat: a shuddering pulse of want | can’t

swallow.

So achingly slow, Riot tips his head, lowering his face toward mine. | shut my eyes, surrendering and allowing his

hot breath ghosts over my parted lips.

Our noses brush, a whisper of touch, and I forget how to breathe. My lashes dip, expecting him. Wanting him.

Dreading what I'll do if he doesn’t.

2/3

1:33 Wed 20 Aug

Chapter 71

Then nothing.

He pulled back just enough, just enough for him to see how much I've been aching for him.

3/3

AD

word

word

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLHI0RAO&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWL1i10f1ifl0&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

word

word

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLHI0RAO&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWL1i10f1ifl0&1

mmMwWLIiI0fiflO&1