The moment she saw him leaning against the car, waiting for her, she wanted to retreat. She instantly regretted telling Elle she would let Amo walk her to class.

When she looked up from her hands, she came to a sudden stop from his stare. Amo looked at her like she was even crazier.

“It’s way too early for this shit,” he mumbled, passing her to begin walking to class.

That comment brought her back to remembering the jerk he was. Then again, despite being a jerk, he had yet to hurt her. Consequently, it was wrong for her to think he would hurt her the moment she looked at him. It was just ingrained.

Having to catch up with him at this point, she went to follow him. Maybe I’m being too hard on hi—

“Beside me,” he growled at her when she got to his back.

No, I’m not.

Taking a small step, she strode to the side of him yet still stayed behind him in a way. At least it was to the side of him and not on his ass like he hated.

Rolling his eyes, he went to place his arm on her shoulder to help direct her. “No, besid—”

Fear gripped her as his hand inched closer, making her freeze in place. She dropped her mouth to scream at him to stop, but nothing left her mouth.

Instantly, Amo froze before he made any contact, seeing the pure fear that masked her face. A glimpse of worry appeared in his own expression.

“I didn’t mean—”

Breathing heavily, Chloe felt like her heart was about to come out of her chest. For some reason, Amo scared her more than anyone had in a long time when there was no reason for her to fear him that way.

Whatever had appeared on his face quickly evaporated. For a split second, she had thought he might actually apologize.

“Just walk directly beside me.” Again, he walked off, turning away from her.

It’s okay. The beast didn’t touch you.

Trying to make herself calm down, she went to follow him again before she made an even bigger fool of herself. This time, she walked directly beside him like he had demanded. All he had needed to do was tell her to do that in the first place. He didn’t have to show her.

They didn’t say anything else to each other as they continued to walk until they arrived at her English classroom.

While she went in and took her seat, Amo stayed outside. It was more than obvious they both didn’t care for the arrangement.

That’s it! I can’t take him anymore!

* * *

When Nero and Elle approached Amo in the hallway, he could tell Elle was antsy as she looked inside to see if Chloe was there safely.

He wished he could tell Elle, she’s lucky I didn’t spank her as—

Amo was shocked when Elle hugged his side, taking his train of thought away. Then he practically shit himself as Elle managed to reach up and kiss him on the cheek.

“Thanks,” she said, practically skipping away into the classroom.

What the fuck?

“Did she just do what I just think she did?”

Nero looked pissed. “Yep, she did.”

“Hey, man, I didn’t do anything.” Amo held up his hands.

Nero took Amo’s shoulder rather roughly. “It’s fine, man. Someone looks like shit today. Rough night?”

Amo tried to keep his voice down, feeling quite passionate about this subject. “Try rough fucking morning. That girl is fucking nuts. I can’t babysit her anymore. Tell Vince to do it; he’ll like watching her.”

“That’s exactly why he can’t watch her. Elle ain’t going to trust him with her.”

Dammit. Nero was right. Amo wouldn’t even trust his grandmother with pretty boy. Hell, Vincent could turn a nun into a whore, but Amo had to keep trying.

“Well, I don’t know what to tell you. She practically screamed when I almost touched her, and it wasn’t the kind of scream I made Christa do last night.”

Nero looked at him with a serious expression, trying to put things in perspective. “Listen, you know our job. We want in, don’t we?”

Fucker.

He nodded. “Okay. Fine.”

“Christa, huh?”

Nero had called him last night while he was with Christa, and he had asked about setting something up with her and her friends. Amo wasn’t sure how serious he had been, considering Elle was in the picture. She was only supposed to be a job to Nero, but he thought there was more going on. I guess I’m about to find out.

“Yep, and Christa has a shit ton of friends waiting to meet some prep school guys tomorrow.”

Nero answered quickly, “Good. You, me, and Vince deserve a reward after these two.”

Amo thought he answered a little too quickly. I bet she’s giving him blue balls. He wasn’t quite sure if Nero even realized he was falling for the girl, but he wasn’t about to tell him.

“Yes, we do, man.”

The next part that came out of his mouth, he didn’t know why it mattered, but it was bothering him.

“Oh, that reminds me. When I met Chloe this morning, her car was still there. I figured her dad would have picked it up.”

“Yeah, me, too. Maybe he was too busy running the city.” Nero seemed as confused as he was about it.

Glancing inside to see Chloe gossiping with Elle, he thought better of it. “Or maybe he doesn’t like dealing with her crazy ass just as much as me.”

* * *

“Elle, I can’t deal with him. He’s crazy!” Chloe whispered, not wanting Amo to possibly hear her. Regardless, it was hard when she felt so strongly.

“Shh, I know, but you are here in one piece, untouched, right?” Elle looked concerned that maybe someone had hurt her.

“Barely! He tried to push me to walk beside him. All he had to do was tell me to.”

Elle laughed, clearly thankful that was all it was. “Chloe, you gotta start to get used to walking beside us. It’s okay as long as we’re with them. This is a good thing we got going now. I’m not as worried anymore. Are you?”

Dang it! Elle was right. She feared Amo when he had given her no reason so far, and Elle was getting protected. She was going to have to deal … for now.

“No, I’m not that scared when they are around.”

“See, Chloe. They can get us to survive the rest of the semester. Then, when we’re out, we won’t need them anymore.”

“Whatever. Fine.” She sighed, regretfully agreeing.

Elle tried to cheer her up. “Want to go shopping tomorrow? I got Friday off. I think we deserve it.”

“We sure do … surrounded by those three idiots.”