“What happened?” Her voice sharpens, protective. Ready to send Finn’s six cop brothers to my rescue if I signal the need.
“I got bombarded with calls and texts while I was in class. All from Pierce and his shitty friends. They dog-piled me with messages. It was like he told them to all text and call at the same time. They’reorderingme to talk to him.” I swipe angrily at the falling tears tracking down my heated cheeks.
“Pierce Langstonthe Thirdis an abusive narcissist disguised as a doctor with accomplices all over the city, apparently. Bring your phone to a store and ask for the cyber-stalking desk. They will reset your permissions by going through the contact list. That layer of protection will only allow certain numbers through. It will block anyone not in the list,” Regan recites something I’ve heard her tell abused women we take to the hospital.
“Okay,” I say, though with my schedule, I’m doubtful I’ll find time for that task. Or the funds for it. I could just turn off the damn thing.
“That didn’t sound very convincing. I guess he saw your text the other night as an opening and attacked.” She sighs, “God, I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I suggested you reach out. I can pay him a visit, smack him around, and see if he attacks me. Ghost a call to his place with the cops, let them see him go off on me.”
“No! I don’t want him coming after you. I don’t want to drag you into this.”
“I want to drag him behind my ambulance.” She pauses and adds, “Does your apartment have a deadbolt?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. And what is your plan if Pierce shows up at school?”
“I don’t have a plan.” I start to spiral again. “I have pepper spray.”
“Oh, please wear your body cam so we can get that on film.”
I think about Dr. O’Rourke and what he would do if he caught Pierce messing with me. He’s mafia! But he’s also a doctor and understands the Langston influence and power. Then there’s the way he’s been so protective of me, so I know I could count on him to look out for me.
Leaving the bathroom, I look down the hall, and I’monly slightly shocked to see my professor watching me. Damn, why does he have to be so handsome? Even that simmering, controlled danger turns me on.
Eyes burning green dragon fire, he strides toward me with a predatory gaze and hero confidence.
“I have to go,” I say to Regan. “My professor is looking for me.”
“Professor Hottie? Go. Call me back with a report.” Regan hangs up.
“Scarlett.” Dr. O’Rourke’s voice is low. “Come to my office. Right now.”
I swallow, thinking this is becoming a habit. “Dr. O’Rourke, I?—”
“Now.”He turns and expects me to follow.
So I do.
But I’m fired up. And fed up with men telling me what to do and trying to take my power. Since the good professor demands I go to his office, he’s going to feel the heat of my anger.
He’ll know before I leave that I’m not so easily brought to heel.
Chapter 21
Cormac
The office door clicks shut, and when I get a whiff of Scarlett’s perfume, regret slams into me like a bat to the ribs.
I should have handled her in the hallway. Should have kept my distance like I’ve been ordering myself to. I also should have ignored the way she looked at me in class, hurt and furious at the same time. Big brown eyes welling in tears, and lips on the verge of mouthing “help”crumbled my determination to stay out of her life.
Not being able to touch her hits harder than any withdrawal ever did.
Now she’s in my office. Framed in the shitty fluorescent lights, she no longer looks helpless. She’s furious with me for practically dragging her in here. The anger rolling off her is a wildfire I’m drawn to, not caring if I burn.
“You humiliated me,” she spits.
I deserve that, but she has no idea how close I am to losing the last thread of control I have around her.