I shoulder past him, and his laughter looms in my wake. I swear it follows me clear into the hall, leading to the classroom, or maybe it’s an illusory echo that’s bounding off the walls as it cuts off completely when a tall, shadowy figure slips into my path.

Electric blue eyes collide with mine.

And then they snap over my shoulder, right as a hand closes around my mouth.

I glare, my fingers flying up to grip the ones forcing me quiet.

Arsen slips from the class door a few feet away, pausing just outside of it, my bag hanging from his fingers.

Ransom’s strong and sturdy chest pushes into mine, driving me against Beretta at my back. “Come with us.”

My ‘fuck you’ is a muffled, broken, and pretty pointless protest since they can’t make it out, but I think he interprets my knee slamming into his nuts for what it is.

He growls, his left hand bolting down to grip his cock. He’s so close, my outfit so thin, that the shape of his knuckles can be felt against my pelvis and my ass cheeks clench.

The palm over my lips twitches.

“I’ll rephrase.” Ransom’s covert gaze sharpens. “Come with us or we’ll post a spicy little picture on social media.” When my brows furrow, he adds, “One taken in a dressing room bigger than my bedroom... right as a certain dress hits the floor...”

At first, I don’t react and his hand disappears in his pocket.

He pulls his phone toward his face, chuckling as I reach out to smack it away, a smug expression taking over him, yet something much darker is hidden in his liquid eyes.

“That’s what I thought. Now.” He steps back, tipping his head. “Close your eyes.”

I attempt to yank free once more, but lips press against my ear in the same moment, and my body freezes in response.

“Do what he says, Trouble... or we might have to serve you some.”

My toes curl in my heels, and I tell myself it’s in uncertainty.

This is kind of fucked up, isn’t it?

They’re strangers and talk about coming on strong.

Not that I’m not used to it, with privilege comes, well, a warped idea that you can do as you please... but I’m not getting an ‘above all’ attitude from this group. More anarchist than anything.

But they’re not murderers, right?

Even my mother would agree there’s nothing wrong with hanging out with new people, granted they’d likely make the ‘do not engage’ list. And I have complained enough about days blending together. The fact is, now that school is in session, it’s guaranteed to get worse until it’s over, and the end begins.