The pair of green eyes that owned me for life gazed right at me. Tears threatened to spill down my face as I fought the impulse to throw my arms around Tirone and never let go. “I was so worried, so worried about you,” I whispered. “Don’t do this to me again. Ever.”
“Sorry, I’m late. Can I come in?” There was a rasp to his voice as if he’d downed a bottle of Jack or smoked a whole pack. He wore the same clothes from yesterday, his hair was ruffled, and he smelled like the road. Had he been riding all night?
I nodded and made room for him to pass. “Please don’t be late again.”
He walked in without a word or so much of a look and took his seat. It didn’t matter. He had the right to be upset. What mattered was that he was back. Safely.
I excused myself for a second to text Laius—and compose myself—and confirm the session with the therapist.
Before I was done, a chair screeched against the floor in the classroom. I glanced inside, and Tirone was standing, glaring at Addison and Gomez, the two students sitting behind him, while dragging and clutching at his chair. Blood rushed out of my body. I knew that look in Tirone’s eyes so fucking well. He was having an episode.
“Tirone!” I dashed inside a little too late because he’d already thrown the chair at Addison, bringing him down on the floor, and in the next heartbeat, Tirone was punching Gomez in the face.
The rest of the kids left their seats and backed into the walls as I darted among the desks to stop the fight. Phones were out filming, too. “Everybody out!” I grabbed Ty from his cut and held on to his back with all my strength. “Stop!”
Tirone howled like an animal, smashing the boy’s face, blood flying. Addison scampered out, swearing. “You fucking maniac. I’m calling the cops.”
“Get out!” I yelled at Addison. Then, when I couldn’t drag Ty away from Gomez, I screamed hysterically, trying to block the blows with my body. “Stop! Ty, you’re gonna kill him! Stop! Please!”
A roar rumbled out of Tirone as he somehow managed to pull Gomez up, despite my efforts, and hurled him against the wall. “Never. Speak. Of. Her. Body. Again,” he said between punches.
Security scurried in along with the principal. They tried to take Ty off Gomez, but they got their share of smacks and blows first before they finally managed to separate Tirone from the poor boy. Gomez plopped down on his butt, covered in blood, sobbing painful groans. The two security guards failed to get a hold on Tirone. His rage couldn’t be contained as he lashed at the desks and chairs, destroying the classroom.
“If you don’t stop right now, I’m calling the cops. This will go permanently on your records, Mr. Lazzarini,” the principal warned.
More demons flashed in Tirone’s menacing eyes, as if they were telling the principal, “You’re next.”
I stepped in quickly, standing in the middle between Tirone and the principal. “Can you please take Addison and Gomez and leave? I’ll talk to Tirone.”
“Talk to him in my office, Mrs. Lazzarini. This is a school, not aclubhouse.”
I cocked a brow at him. Then I stepped closer so only he could hear me. “Do you see that poor boy Gomez? If I move out of the way, I can guarantee your fate will be worse. Do you want to take that risk?”
His eyes widened at me. “Bringing you and your stepson in my school was the worst mistake I’ve ever made.”
“Nah, I think it’s the gambling. Yes, definitely the gambling.”
“Y’all need help. That boy needs help.”
“I’m calling his therapist to come conduct an emergency session right here. Now, for the students’ fucking safety and yours, take everybody out and lock the door.”
“You want to stay here alone withhim? Are you out of your mind?”
“I don’t expect you to understand, but I’m the only one he won’t hurt. Now get the fuck out and don’t let anyone in without my permission. I’m holding Tirone here until his therapist or his father arrives. Pray it’s the therapist that comes first.”
CHAPTER 16
Tirone
“Talk to me, baby. What happened?” Jo’s voice came as if from under water among the screeches in my head.
My vision was blurry, and everything was red. Was I bleeding from my eyes again? Was she? I wanted to speak, to ask her if she was all right, but my voice wouldn’t come out. The room closed in around me. She was shaking in front of me or was I?
“Breathe, Ty. I’m here for you. Doctor Ryan is coming right away. Take a breath with me. Do you have your meds on you?”
Meds? I didn’t take them last night or this morning. Fuck.
“Can you please talk to me? What happened? What did they do to upset you that much?”