Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
He found himself wanting to ask Elton about Eve.
Is she okay?
He wanted to ask that question, in particular.
Because he knew what a person standing on shifting sand looked like.
He’d seen it in the mirror.
Now he watched as Eve tried to avoid two male students, only to have them step into her path, blocking her from passing. If someone overheard their laughter from down the hall, they might have deemed it harmless, but coupled with their actions, Madden could only pick up on the sinister notes in those twin laughs. Especially when he caught the profile view of one of them and clocked the leering expression. Aimed right at Eve.
Worse, these two were clearly older than her. Closer to Madden’s age.
“Dance for us and we’ll let you pass.” An elbow to his friend’s side. “Or do you even know how to shake it without a pole?”
“Come on. One little flash, Eve. Should be no big deal for you.”
Disgust sent Madden’s stomach plummeting to the sticky linoleum floor. This was what she’d been referring to that day they met in the kitchen. Ask me if I’m going to work the pole one day. I’m sure you’re dying to know. Everyone asks. It’s fine, really.
Christ, the girl was fourteen and this was her everyday reality?
Not anymore.
“Eve,” Madden said, walking into her line of sight and giving her the most reassuring look he could muster while his blood was boiling, “go to class, love.”
To be clear, Madden hated violence, but in a strange way, he’d grown resigned to the existence of it. After all, there were three kinds. The type of violence that was perpetrated on the weak and defenseless. An unacceptable, abusive brand of violence he was too well acquainted with. He found the second and third types acceptable, however. Self-defense and defense of the underdog.
Eve was clearly the underdog in this situation.
“I’m fine,” Eve said, sounding out of breath, her books smashed to her chest.
“Of course you are,” Madden felt compelled to say—and the sharp way she lifted her chin to study him with something like renewed respect said it was the right thing. She doesn’t want to be rescued. “I just need to speak to these two for a moment.”
“Fine.” After a brief hesitation, she sidestepped the pair, her shoulders sagging in visible relief when they didn’t block her a second time. “You’re, um . . . going to be late for class,” she remarked when she drew even with Madden, but he could tell it was her way of thanking him without having to do it out loud.
“It’s okay.” He jerked his chin in the direction she was heading, reminding her it was okay to leave. “My teacher is chill, as you Americans like to say.”
Eve tried to replace the fear on her face with a wry smile, but it didn’t quite work. Still, Madden had to train his eyes on the ground so he wouldn’t acknowledge how that smile made her even more extraordinary. She’s only a freshman. “I’m glad he’s chill,” she muttered, adjusting her books with a swallow. “You don’t need to interfere, though. I can handle them. I’ve been doing it for a long time.”
Madden had to concentrate on not punching a locker. “Then I reckon it’s time you took a break,” he said, attempting to remain calm. “Does Elton know about this?”
Eve’s lips were stiff when she answered. “He doesn’t know how bad it is. And I don’t want him and Skylar to know.” She hesitated, as if trying to wrestle back the next part, prevent herself from saying it out loud. “I like the Pages . . . and I don’t have a lot of friends. I don’t want my only ones to write me off as a hassle.”
Madden wasn’t accustomed to displays of affection, but he recognized the urge to hug Eve in that moment. Somehow, he managed to refrain, though the impulse never quite left him. Ever. “You’re worth a lot more than a hassle. And we’re friends now too.”
“Friends,” she repeated, hope dawning. “Um—”
“You going to give him a lap dance, Eve?” snickered one of the boys.
Her cheeks flamed red.
Madden’s vision blanketed with the same ruby color.
“Eve, as your friend,” he bit off, “I’m telling you to go to class.”
She sighed, averting her gaze, but not before Madden saw the light sheen in her eyes and it made his chest feel like twisted metal. “Are you my protector now, or something, Madden Donahue?”
He didn’t even crack the slightest smile. “Yes.”
Something was exchanged between them under the fluorescent hallway lights, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what. A grudging allowance to let him be somebody to her, maybe, before she sped off toward class. Madden waited until she was safely inside her classroom and the hallway was empty before he dropped his books to the floor, took the assholes by the collars of their shirts and pounded them up against the row of lockers, satisfied when their eyes bulged out.