Adrian

Chapter 26: I Don't Share

(Adrian's POV)

Amber was pushing me.

She was testing me.

And worst of all?

She thought she could get away with it.

She thought I'd just sit back and watch while Damien Vale got close to her.

She was wrong.

—

I still had her wrist.

Still holding onto her after class ended while Damien sat there, watching us like this was all some kind of show.

Amber sighed, looking up at me with that exasperated glare she always gave me when I pushed too hard.

"Adrian," she muttered, "I have to get to my next class."

I smirked. "I'll walk you."

She scowled. "I don't need an escort."

I tilted my head. "You sure about that? Because you keep attracting the wrong kind of attention, sweetheart."

Her eyes narrowed. "Let. Go."

I didn't.

—

Damien finally spoke.

"Careful, Blackwood," he mused. "You're looking a little possessive."

I turned my head slowly.

Smirked.

"That's because I am."

Amber groaned. "Oh my god, you two are exhausting."

I grinned. "You love it."

She shoved me. Hard.

This time, I let her go.

But she didn't move.

Didn't walk away.

Because she was waiting.

Waiting for me to say whatever I dragged her out here for.

And I wasn't going to waste the opportunity.

—

I stepped closer, voice low. "Stay away from him, Amber."

She scoffed. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

Amber folded her arms. "You don't get to tell me what to do."

I exhaled slowly. "He's not who you think he is."

She stiffened.

Because she knew.

Knew I was hiding something.

Knew I wasn't just saying this because I didn't like Damien.

But she still wasn't letting me off that easy.

"Then tell me why," she muttered.

I clenched my jaw. "I can't."

—

Damien chuckled. "There it is."

I turned to him, expression blank. "There what is?"

"The moment you lose," he smirked. "The moment she realizes you're full of shit."

Amber whipped her head toward him. "Excuse me?"

Damien leaned back lazily. "He's hiding things from you, sweetheart."

I snapped.

I grabbed his collar and yanked him up fast.

Amber gasped. "Adrian!"

Damien just smirked.

Like he had been waiting for this.

—

"Say it again," I murmured, voice low.

Damien's red eyes flickered. "What? That you're lying to her?"

I slammed him against the desk.

Amber gasped. "Adrian, stop!"

I ignored her.

Damien just laughed.

"Wow," he muttered. "That was fast."

I clenched my jaw. "You're playing with fire."

His smirk widened. "You're the one who lit the match."

—

Amber grabbed my arm, tugging. "Adrian, let him go."

I exhaled sharply, fingers twitching.

Because I wanted to hit him.

Because he deserved it.

But Amber was watching.

And I hated the way she was looking at me right now.

Like I was someone to be afraid of.

—

Slowly, I released my grip.

Damien adjusted his shirt, smirking. "That's more like it."

I clenched my fists. "This isn't over."

He chuckled. "Of course not. Because she's not yours, Blackwood."

Amber froze.

And I looked him dead in the eyes, my voice calm.

"She will be."

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