Under My Skin (Shady Falls Series Book 2) Read Free Page A

lava ready to burn me alive. A guttural roar erupted from deep inside my throat and it was Gary’s only warning. Tackling him to the ground, I saw nothing. I only reacted to the feel of my fists hitting flesh, and the sound of his grunts and groans. I didn’t stop until rough, strong hands gripped my arms and hauled me off the floor.
                  “Fuck, man. What the hell’re you doin’?” Cade said next to my ear. He held me back against the wall, not letting me move. Cade was the only one who would be able to control me. My vision finally cleared, revealing the carnage.
    Gary was crumpled on the floor, moaning. He lay there for a long moment before he attempted to pulled himself up to stand. Leaning on the lockers, he stood still and breathed hard, staring at me.
    “Are you tryin’ to get your ass expelled?” Cade pushed when I didn’t answer. “Coach is gonna be pissed when he finds out.”
                  “Let me go, Cade. I’m gonna end him.” Rage still rushed through my veins causing my entire body to quake. Nausea roiled in my gut but I swallowed it down, glowering at the fuckhead.
                  “What’s going on here,” Principal Lloyd asked, pushing through the crowd gathered around us. He looked between Gary and me, his eyes narrowed and his face tense. “Mr. Miller, what happened?” His eyes flashed between Gary and me, but he didn’t direct the question to me.
                  Gary just stood there, dumbstruck and unspeaking. He looked over at me and then to Mia. He knew if he told the principal I attacked him, Principal Lloyd would question me. Gary also knew, if I talked to the principal, I’d tell him what he did to Mia. He’d be fucked if anyone talked.
                  “Nothin’ Mr. Lloyd. I just – I fell.”
                  “Mr. Hanson, is that true?” Mr. Lloyd asked, probably taking in my tense posture and my red knuckles. I could easily admit what happened and force Gary to take responsibility for what he tried doing to Mia. I met Mia’s eyes and sent her a questioning gaze. She subtly shook her head and let me know she didn’t want me to say anything. But I couldn’t just let Gary get away with it. He shouldn’t be able to get away with the things he did to girls. So I wouldn’t tell Mr. Lloyd what happened, but I’d let him know Mia was involved. Let him figure it out – he was the principal after all.
                  “He fell, Mr. Lloyd,” I explained. “He was talkin’ to Mia and tripped over her pompom.”
    It sounded stupid, but Mr. Lloyd didn’t argue. He looked at the others standing around, silently questioning the crowd. When no one spoke up, Mr. Lloyd just sighed. The truth was there was little he could do when everyone agreed nothing happened, unless he looked at the school cameras, but even they may not show everything.
    “Anything to add, Miss Slone?” Mr. Lloyd asked, looking to Mia as she adjusted her clothing. She shook her head, but didn’t speak. She glanced my way for just a moment, her eyes narrowed and dark. She was clearly pissed at me for not hiding the fact that she was involved.
    Then he turned to the rest of the group. “Get to class!” He was obviously annoyed that everyone obviously lied, but there was little he could do. He stormed away, ready to deal with other “juvenile delinquents” or at least that’s what he called us.
    The group started to leave since there was nothing more to interest them.
    I narrowed my eyes at Gary as he turned to leave. Getting his attention, I snarled, “Stay the fuck away from Mia, you got me?”
    A malicious smirk crossed his face. “I’ll stay away from her, but I can’t guarantee she’ll stay away from me.”
    Walking across the hall, I approached Mia. “Are you okay?” I asked quietly.
    “I’m fine, Jake,” she said, seeming annoyed. “You know, you can’t just beat the hell outta people. I