Devil on the Rooftop [Book 1]

Chapter 86 - Khaleel -

I hung up on Arisa and switched from the phone app to iMessage. I was in the middle of texting Kumar's associates when that infuriating woman interrupted me. Hell, if I knew what she was raging about this time around, but whatever it was could wait until I settled on a decision about Dobberman. The associates said he was finally making his move, and it seemed to be in the direction of that house in Pinecrest Grove. This proved Carter's story to be accurate, which was good news for him because I was getting tired of waiting for that fucker to do something. I told the associates not to engage with Dobberman unless absolutely necessary. I wanted to have the pleasure of beating him up myself.

After I finished writing the message, I pressed send and made a quick decision to update Zander. I didn't say where Dobberman was or what he was doing, only that Kumar's associates 'found him'. I didn't want my friend knowing the asshole's whereabouts either, because Zander's temper was no joke. His impulsive behaviour could make things worse. I told him to meet me at the park behind Jackheights in an hour instead, so we could head to the location together.

Arisa Hoffman stormed into the student council room, her eyes fuming, and her body perfectly stiff. "Come into the hall," she ordered, her blue eyes piercing through me.

"Um—why?" I asked.

"Because I'm going to kick your ass and I don't want to do it in there," she said, through gritted teeth.

I shot her a fake smile. "Oh, yes," I said, getting off the chair. "This I've got to see."

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and walked out into the hall, as instructed. I watched Arisa back up to the left side. I took my place into the right. Listening to a tiny girl threaten me with such intensity was amusing. I wasn't underestimating her, but she was half my size, and so it was hard to take her seriously. Then there was that gut-wrenching feeling I couldn't get rid of, reminding me to look but not touch. Reminding me that I couldn't ever do or say anything to make her mine.

"I'll give you one chance to explain yourself," Arisa said, holding my attention. "Just one."

I raised my brow. "What is this about again?" I asked, completely in the dark.

"Why did you tell Matilda you like me?" Arisa asked. "Why did you ask her for advice about me? Why—did you hurt someone we both care about?"

Her words didn't affect me, not one bit. I didn't know if she was trying to make me feel guilty or what, but it wasn't working. I scratched my temple. "You want to punish me for leaning on someone?"

Arisa maintained her furious expression. "No, I want to punish you for being an inconsiderate little dick!"

I stared back at her. "Then come at me, Hoffman."

Arisa took one slow step towards me, then moved past my eye-line, and while I was busy trying to figure out what the hell she was up to, I didn't see her high-kick coming. It almost struck my jaw, as it was the closest thing in her impressive range. Her feet quickly adjusted and she went after my kneecaps next, but I shifted sideways and focused my energy on dodging her. Arisa's movements were impressive but I wasn't going to let her have the satisfaction of striking me.

"Come on, Hoffman," I teased, ducking and weaving. "Beat me up already."

"Shut your mouth!" Arisa started using her hands, trying to swipe my wrist so she could hold me still. It was adorable.

"You're starting to hurt my feelings," I grinned, keeping my distance.

Arisa stopped for a second. She wasn't showing any signs of slowing down. It was time to get serious and end this useless sparring match. I bolted towards her, blocked another kick of hers from hitting my pectorals, and used it to spin her around. I forced her against the side of the student council room door, and pulled her limb back up to her rear, hoping to find out how flexible she was. As it turned out, she was very flexible. It was enough to make me fall for her all over again.

I used my available hand to bind her hands behind her back and then pulled her off the wall, making her hop on one foot. I couldn't stop myself from laughing. Arisa struggled as much as she could, but in the end, she couldn't wiggle out of my hold. I took that opportunity to pick her up and carried her in my arms. Her hands were free, so she could have slapped me if she wanted to, but she was in shock.

"Don't come looking for me again," I told her. "If you do, Matilda won't be the only one I end up hurting."

I watched her cheeks fill with colour, as she remembered she was in a relationship with one of my best friends. "P-Put me down," she instructed.

"I don't want to," I replied, selfishly.