The bell rang for recess, and I practically bolted from my seat, eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the classroom. Madison's eyes had been on me the entire time, making it impossible to concentrate on anything Professor Williams was saying.

Just avoid them, I told myself as I made my way through the crowded hallway. Find somewhere quiet to eat lunch and stay out of their way.

The cafeteria was buzzing with activity when I stepped inside. Students clustered around tables, their voices creating a din that reminded me of the school cafeterias from my childhood. I grabbed a tray and got in line, keeping my head down and hoping to blend into the crowd.

But as I turned from the food counter, tray in hand, I nearly walked straight into someone's chest.

Well, well," a smooth voice said above me. "You must be the new girl everyone's been talking about.

I looked up to see a tall guy with dark hair and green eyes that seemed to sparkle with mischief. He was handsome in a dangerous way, with the kind of confident smile that probably got him whatever he wanted. Several students nearby turned to look at us, and I noticed how they seemed to defer to him, stepping aside to give him space.

I... yes, I'm new," I said quietly, trying to step around him. "Excuse me.

Not so fast," he said, moving to block my path. His smile widened, showing perfect white teeth. "I'm Gabriel. And you are?

Carlotta," I answered, clutching my tray tighter. "I really should find a seat—

Carlotta," he repeated, just like Madison had earlier, but his tone was different. Predatory. "Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.

Why can't they just leave me alone? I thought desperately. First the queen bees, now this guy who clearly thought he owned the place.

Thank you," I said politely. "Now if you'll excuse me—

Actually, I won't," Gabriel said, his hand shooting out to grasp my wrist. Not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough to keep me in place. "I heard you had a little run-in with some girls this morning. Madison and her crew, right?

My eyes widened. He hadn't been in my class, so how did he know about that? "I don't know what you're talking about."

Sure you do," Gabriel said, stepping closer. The cafeteria noise seemed to fade into the background as other students sensed the tension and started paying attention. "Those girls think they run this place, but they're wrong.

Look, I don't want any trouble," I said, trying to pull my wrist free. "I just want to eat my lunch.

Trouble?" Gabriel laughed, a sound that sent chills down my spine. "Baby, you're looking at this all wrong. I'm offering you protection.

He moved even closer, so close I could smell his cologne mixed with something else - something that reminded me of motor oil and gasoline. "You see, this school has rules. Hierarchies. And right now, you're at the bottom with no one to watch out for you."

The bottom of the chain. There it was again, that phrase that made my stomach twist with familiar dread.

But that could change," Gabriel continued, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You could be under my protection. Be my new toy.

The word 'toy' hit me like a slap. How many times had Dante used that exact word? How many times had he reminded me that I was just something for him to play with?

No," I said firmly, surprised by the strength in my own voice. "I'm not anyone's toy.

Gabriel's eyes flashed with something dark. "Everyone's someone's toy here, sweetheart. The only question is who you belong to."

He raised his hand toward my face, his fingers reaching for my cheek. I flinched backward, memories of Dante's hands on me flooding back in a rush of panic and revulsion.

Don't touch me," I whispered, but Gabriel just smiled wider.

Come on, don't be shy—

I think she said don't touch her.

The new voice cut through the air like a blade. Gabriel's hand froze mid-air as we both turned to see another guy approaching our table. This one was taller than Gabriel, with sandy brown hair and intense blue eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. He moved with a casual confidence that somehow felt more dangerous than Gabriel's obvious aggression.

Paxton," Gabriel said, his voice tight with irritation. "This doesn't concern you.

Actually, it does," Paxton replied calmly, stopping directly in front of us. Without warning, he reached out and gently but firmly pulled me away from Gabriel's grasp, positioning himself between us. "When you're harassing students in my cafeteria, it becomes my business.

His cafeteria? I thought, confused. Who is this guy?

Gabriel's jaw clenched. "Your cafeteria? Since when do you own this place?"

Since always," Paxton said with a slight smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You just forgot for a while.

Why are you defending her?" Gabriel demanded, his green eyes flashing with anger. "What's your relationship with the new girl?

Paxton glanced down at me, and for a moment, something unreadable passed across his face. Then, before I could process what was happening, his hand cupped my cheek and he leaned down.

This should answer your question," he said softly.

And then his lips were on mine.

The kiss was brief but firm, claiming and possessive in a way that sent shock waves through my entire body. My mind went blank with surprise and confusion, my heart hammering against my ribs. When he pulled away, his blue eyes locked onto mine for just a moment before he turned back to Gabriel.

Got your answer?" Paxton asked casually, as if he hadn't just turned my world upside down.

Gabriel's face had gone red with fury. "You think you're so clever, don't you?"

I think I'm exactly as clever as I need to be," Paxton replied. "And I think you should find somewhere else to eat your lunch.

This isn't over," Gabriel snarled, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "You and me, we've been dancing around this for too long.

Have we?" Paxton asked mildly. "I hadn't noticed.

Meet me at the racetrack tonight," Gabriel said, his voice carrying across the now-silent cafeteria. "We'll settle this once and for all. See who the real king is around here.

Paxton's expression didn't change, but I felt something shift in the air between them, like the moment before lightning strikes. "If that's what you want."

It is," Gabriel said. He shot one last look at me, his eyes promising that this conversation wasn't over, before stalking out of the cafeteria.

A bike racetrack ...this word echoed in my mind along with the hot kiss lingering on my lips.

I slammed the door to our lair so hard the hinges rattled, the sound echoing through the abandoned classroom we'd claimed as our territory. My hands were still shaking with rage, Paxton's smug face burned into my memory like a brand.

That bastard, I thought, pacing across the room like a caged animal. Who does he think he is, interfering with my business?

Damn it!" I shouted, kicking over a chair that crashed into the wall.

The worst part wasn't even that he'd stepped in - it was that kiss. The way he'd claimed her right in front of everyone, like she belonged to him. Like he had some kind of right to her that I didn't.

I should have asked her name, I realized, running my hands through my hair in frustration. I should have gotten more information before making my move.

But no, I'd been too confident, too sure that she'd fall in line like everyone else. Instead, she'd flinched away from me like I was some kind of monster, and then Paxton had swooped in like some white knight hero.

The door opened behind me, and I spun around, ready to tear into whoever dared interrupt my brooding. But it was just Tiana, slipping through the doorway with that calculating look she always wore.

Well, well," she said, closing the door behind her. "Someone looks like they had a rough lunch period.

Tiana Martinez - leader of the queen bees, Madison's boss, and probably the most dangerous girl in this entire school. She was beautiful in a cold, sharp way, with perfectly styled black hair and eyes that missed nothing. We'd had an understanding for months now - she controlled the girls, I controlled the guys, and we stayed out of each other's way.

What do you want, Tiana?" I asked, not in the mood for games.

She studied my face with those calculating eyes, taking in my clenched fists and the overturned chair. "I want to know what's got you so wound up. You look like you want to punch a hole through the wall."

It's nothing," I said, turning away from her. "Just Paxton being his usual pain-in-the-ass self.

Ah," she said, understanding immediately. "This is about the new girl, isn't it?

I whipped around to face her. "What do you know about her?"

Tiana raised an eyebrow at my sharp tone. "I know my girls had some fun with her this morning. Madison said she was easy prey - quiet, scared, perfect target for some freshman hazing."

Did they know she had something going on with Paxton?" I demanded.

With Paxton?" Tiana laughed, a sound like breaking glass. "Gabriel, honey, there's no way that girl has anything with PaxtonWolfe. She's nobody - just some scared little freshman who probably doesn't even know who he is.

Well, she does now," I said bitterly. "He kissed her right in front of half the cafeteria.

Tiana's expression shifted, her amusement fading into something more serious. "He what?"

You heard me," I said, my anger flaring again at the memory. "Walked right up, pulled her away from me, and planted one on her like she was his property.

That doesn't make sense," Tiana said, more to herself than to me. "Paxton doesn't get involved in freshman drama. He's too busy with his racing and his mechanics crew.

Yeah, well, he got involved today," I snapped. "Made me look like an idiot in front of everyone.

Tiana moved closer, her heels clicking against the concrete floor. "Gabriel, calm down. You're letting this get to you too much."

Don't tell me to calm down," I said, but even as I said it, I could feel some of the rage starting to burn out, leaving behind something colder and more focused.

Look," Tiana said, her voice taking on that soothing tone she used when she wanted something. "My girls were just having some fun with the new meat. We didn't know she was off-limits.

She's not off-limits," I said quickly. "Paxton doesn't own her just because he kissed her once.

Of course not," Tiana agreed, but I could see the wheels turning behind her eyes. "But maybe we should be more... strategic about this.

I was about to respond when she moved even closer, close enough that I could smell her expensive perfume. "Why don't you stay here for a while?" she suggested, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Let me help you work off some of that tension."

Her hand trailed up my arm, and I could see the invitation in her eyes. We'd hooked up before - quick, meaningless encounters that were more about power and convenience than anything else. But right now, the last thing I wanted was to be distracted.

Not now, Tiana," I said, gently but firmly moving her hand away. "I need to check on something.

Check on what?" she asked, her expression shifting to annoyance at the rejection.

My mechanic," I said, already heading toward the door. "I need to see about my bike.

Gabriel, wait," Tiana called after me. "You can't just leave campus. You know the rules - if they catch you cutting class, you'll get suspended.

I paused at the door and turned back to her with a smile that felt more like baring my teeth. "Tiana, sweetheart, do you remember who you're talking to?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm talking to Gabriel Blackwood, who thinks he's above the rules."

No," I said, opening the door. "You're talking to Gabriel Blackwood, who makes the rules. There's a difference.

The administration won't see it that way," she warned.

I laughed, a harsh sound that echoed in the empty hallway beyond our lair. "The administration can kiss my ass. Half the teachers are too scared to look me in the eye, and the other half are on my family's payroll."

Gabriel—

Stay here, Tiana," I said, cutting her off. "Keep your girls in line, and stay out of my business with the new girl. I'll handle Paxton my way.

And how exactly are you planning to do that?" she called after me as I stepped into the hallway.

The racetrack," I said without turning around. "Tonight. Winner takes all.

I could hear her saying something else, but I was already walking away, my mind focused on what needed to be done. Paxton thought he was so clever, claiming some random girl just to get under my skin. But he'd made one crucial mistake - he'd challenged me in front of everyone.

Tonight, we'll see who runs this school, I thought as I made my way toward the exit. And when I'm done with him, that little brunette will know exactly where she belongs.

The shock of Paxton's kiss slowly faded, leaving me feeling raw and exposed in the middle of the bustling cafeteria. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, my lips still tingling from the unexpected contact.

What the hell was that? I thought, anger starting to replace the confusion that had frozen me in place.

I was about to give him a piece of my mind when I noticed something that made me pause. His shoulders, which had been squared and confident moments before, now seemed to slump slightly. There was something almost... vulnerable about the way he was standing now that Gabriel was gone.

Paxton turned to face me, his blue eyes searching my face with what looked like genuine concern. "Are you okay?"

That was it? No explanation for the kiss? No apology? Just a casual question like he hadn't just turned my world upside down in front of half the school?

Am I okay?" I repeated, my voice tight with controlled anger. "You just kissed me without asking, used me to make some point to Gabriel, and you want to know if I'm okay?

That's not what I—" he started, then stopped himself. "Look, I'm sorry if I overstepped. But Gabriel was about to put his hands on you, and he doesn't take no for an answer.

At least he's acknowledging it, I thought, though I was still furious about the whole situation.

I'm fine," I said stiffly, crossing my arms over my chest. "But next time, maybe ask before you decide to claim someone as your property.

I didn't claim you as my property," Paxton said, running a hand through his sandy hair. "I just... I wanted to help.

By kissing me?

By making Gabriel back off," he said firmly. "Trust me, you don't want his kind of attention.

I studied his face, trying to read the expression there. He seemed sincere, but I was still angry about being used as a pawn in whatever game these two were playing.

What's your name?" Paxton asked suddenly, changing the subject.

Carlotta," I said. "Carlotta Russo.

I'm Paxton," he said, extending his hand for a handshake like we were meeting for the first time. "Paxton Wolfe.

I took his hand reluctantly, noting how warm and calloused it was. "Nice to meet you, I guess."

As we shook hands, I remembered something Gabriel had said during their confrontation. "He mentioned a racetrack," I said, studying Paxton's face. "Gabriel challenged you to meet him at a racetrack tonight."

Paxton's expression immediately closed off, his casual demeanor shifting to something more guarded. "Yeah, he did."

When is it happening?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of my anger.

It's not your concern," Paxton said dismissively.

Could I participate?" I asked before I could stop myself.

Paxton actually scoffed at that, and the sound hit me like a slap. The look he gave me was exactly the same one Papa used to give me when I'd ask about the motorcycles in his garage - a mixture of amusement and condescension that made my blood boil.

Here we go again, I thought bitterly. Another man telling me what I can and can't do.

You want to participate?" he asked, his tone making it clear he thought the idea was ridiculous.

Yes," I said, lifting my chin defiantly. "I do.

Carlotta, you don't understand what you're asking," Paxton said, shaking his head. "This isn't some game.

I never said it was a game," I shot back, my anger flaring. "I asked a simple question.

And I gave you a simple answer," he replied. "It's not happening. You don't need to know about it, and it's not any of your concern.

Just like Papa, I thought, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. Dismissing me before even hearing what I have to say.

Why?" I demanded. "Give me one good reason why I can't participate.

Paxton shifted uncomfortably, and for a moment he seemed to struggle with his words. "Because... because it's illegal, okay? If you got caught, I wouldn't be able to bail you out."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Is that your only reason?"

What do you mean?

I mean, is the only reason you don't want me there because it's illegal? Or is there something else?

Paxton's jaw tightened, and I could see him wrestling with something internal. "It's dangerous," he said finally. "People get hurt. People who don't know what they're doing get hurt badly."

So you think I don't know what I'm doing?" I asked, though I could hear the edge in my own voice.

I think you're a freshman who's never been on a motorcycle in her life," he said bluntly.

Wrong, I thought, but I didn't correct him. Let him think what he wanted.

And I think," he continued, "that you have no idea what kind of world you're asking to be part of.

Maybe I want to find out," I said quietly.

No," Paxton said firmly. "You don't.

The finality in his voice sparked something rebellious in my chest. "You don't get to decide what I want."

In this case, yes, I do," he said, his blue eyes flashing with something that looked almost like anger. "Because I'm the one who would have to scrape you off the pavement when you inevitably crash.

Inevitably crash. The words stung more than they should have, mostly because they sounded so much like things Papa used to say.

You know what?" I said, stepping back from him. "Forget I asked. I don't need your permission for anything.

Carlotta—

No," I interrupted. "You've made your position very clear. I'm just some helpless freshman who couldn't possibly handle herself in your big, scary world of illegal racing.

Paxton's expression softened slightly. "That's not what I meant."

That's exactly what you meant," I said, my voice tight with hurt and anger.

He sighed and looked around the cafeteria, which was starting to empty as students headed back to class. "Look, just... stay away from the queen bees until they find some new soul to bully, okay? Madison and her crew will lose interest in you eventually if you don't give them a reason to keep targeting you."

Is that your expert advice?" I asked sarcastically.

It's the voice of experience," he said seriously. "I've seen what they can do to people.

And what about Gabriel?

Gabriel won't bother you again after tonight," Paxton said with a confidence that made me believe him.

Because you're going to race him?

Because I'm going to beat him," he corrected. "There's a difference.

I wanted to ask more questions, wanted to understand what this rivalry was really about, but the warning bell for next period rang, cutting our conversation short.

I have to get to class," I said, picking up my mostly untouched lunch tray.

Carlotta," Paxton called as I started to walk away.

I turned back to him, hoping maybe he'd changed his mind about the race, or at least about explaining things to me.

Be careful, okay?" he said. "This school is more complicated than it seems.

I'm starting to figure that out," I said, and walked away before he could say anything else.