I tried to hide my wince, but I don’t think I managed it. Fuck it. Wasn’t like Dominic would care even if he knew the truth.
“What’s that supposed to mean, Shadow?”
I laughed hollowly. “See, you say I’m the problem, and you’re the one calling me that shitty nickname.”
He frowned in confusion. “How is it shitty?”
Was he for real? Why the fuck did I need to spell it out for him? “Because it’s you reminding me of my place—in the shadows.”
“That’s not why I call you Shadow.” Now I was the one confused, but he barrelled on before I could question him. “And that’s not what I was asking about. What did you mean when you said you pay the price for his fuck-ups?”
“Get off, Dominic.” I tried to shrug off his grip, but he was holding me too tightly. “Let me go. I’m fucking serious.”
“So am I.”
There was a storm in his eyes. Seeing that on anyone else would send me running.
Why was it that, on Dominic, it made my own storm rise? One of fury. Determination. Fucking recklessness. It swarmed through me like a tornado, destroying everything else in its path.
“There’s nothing to tell you,” I said hotly. “Nothing you’d care about, anyway.”
“Try me.”
We were toe to toe but not eye to eye. Even with my growth spurt, Dominic still had a couple of inches on me. From how he glowered down, it may as well have been feet.
Well, he could tower over me all he wanted. I was fucking tired of letting everyone walk all over me. Suddenly, waiting for university to start afresh wasn’t enough. This life was choking me. Asphyxiating me slowly until I was on my knees, desperately trying to drag in air. No more.
I needed to fucking breathe. To take back the control.
Telling Dominic where to go seemed like a fairly solid place to start.
“Go fuck yourself, Dominic,” I said slowly, making sure to enunciate every syllable. “I don’t have to explain shit to you. Now, why don’t you run along back to Max and give your attention to someone who actually wants it.”
Arrogance dripped off his smirk. “Oh, I think you want it too, Ry. That’s what this is about, isn’t it? You hate that I’m his best friend and not yours.”
I gave him a withering look. “I’d rather die than willingly spend time with you.”
There was no logical explanation for the joy that lit Dominic’s face. “Sure about that?”
Enough. I was fucking tired of this and more than ready for him to leave me alone. “Get. Out.”
I tried to yank my arm out of his grip, but he was too strong. All that happened was more pain lashing along my back.
“Shit,” I hissed. That one was bad.
Dominic immediately released my arm. Any relief I might’ve felt was erased by the curious way his gaze homed in on my shirt.
I stepped back from him warily. “Leave, Dominic.”
He followed me, eyes flashing. “No.”
His hands shot out and grabbed the bottom of my T-shirt. I tried to push him away but he was too fast.
Dominic shoved my top up my chest, frowning at the unmarked skin there.
“See?” I smirked defiantly. “Nothing there.”
For a split second, I thought I’d won.
