Bound by my blood

Chapter six

This book is set to mature. Intimate scenes ahead.
— — —

I keep my hand near my backpack the entire class, fingers twitching slightly with the weight of the weapon inside. Ever since I saw that woman, an uneasy coil of tension had wrapped itself around my spine, making it nearly impossible to focus. The other students had noticed too—stolen glances, whispered comments. I didn't care.

Vincenzo had given me the gun this morning, sliding it into my hand with a smirk and a dry comment: "No matter how annoying you are, your family would kill me if I let anything happen to you."

He thought it was a joke but the growing pit in my stomach told me otherwise.

Mr. McQueeney strides through the lecture hall, his usual lazy gait replaced with something more determined. He hands out our final exam results with a tired expression, nodding occasionally before dismissing us.

I barely glance at mine before shoving it into my bag, careful not to let anyone see the sleek black barrel hidden beneath the stack of papers.

"Hey, Alexa! How's your brother?"

Tia's voice chirps from behind me, breaking through my fog of nerves. She had been in a gap year before joining college, so she was slightly older than me, but we had become friends during the university tour. Unfortunately, she had developed an unhealthy obsession with Nico—something I wanted no part in encouraging.

"Umm... he's alright," I say, trying to sound casual. "He's started seeing someone."

Her perfectly shaped brows furrow. "Oh? What's her name?"

I shrug, feigning indifference. "I don't know. She's a model, but that's all he told me."

It wasn't exactly a lie. Nico did know models. And I'd rather have her believe that than let her anywhere near him.

Tia pouts, shoving her exam results—still crumpled in her hand—into her handbag. "Where's she from?"

I roll my eyes. "No idea. You know what my brother's like."

Before she can dig further, my gaze flickers past her, landing on the glass panel by the classroom door.

A figure stands just outside, her posture rigid, her dark eyes scanning the room like a predator picking out her prey.

The woman.

Every muscle in my body locks up.

I swallow hard, pressing my lips together.

Shit.

My fingers tighten around the edge of my bag. Tia is still rambling, oblivious to my sudden shift in demeanor.

"You should go," I say, plastering on a forced smile. "You have another class, don't you?"

She laughs, shaking her head. "Oh crap, you're right!" Then, with a quick wave, she darts out of the room, disappearing into the hallway.

I wait until she's gone before standing, my movements slow and deliberate.

My pulse pounds in my ears as I discreetly slide the gun from my bag, the cold metal biting against my fingers. The weight of it is both comforting and terrifying. I tug my coat over it, ensuring it stays hidden beneath the thick fabric.

Peeking around the corner, I catch sight of another person standing beside the woman. A man.

Double shit.

I press myself against the wall, heart hammering. My mind races. If I stay here, I'll be trapped. If I walk out, I'll be cornered.

There's only one option.