The mist from the fountain drifted across the plaza, chilling the air.
Dasia stood in the shadow of an oak tree, staring at the man on the steps.
The black trench coat. The broad shoulders. The suffocating aura of arrogance.
"Hell no," Dasia muttered under her breath. She grabbed the edge of her hood and yanked it down, hiding her eyes in the shadows.
Landon didn't notice her reaction. He let go of her hoodie and sprinted across the plaza like a missile.
"Carlton! I'm here!" Landon's high-pitched voice echoed over the sound of the falling water.
On the steps, Carlton Gordon looked up. A flash of irritation crossed his handsome face. He shoved his phone into his pocket and walked down the marble stairs.
As Landon crashed into his legs, Carlton put a large hand flat against the boy's forehead, stopping him from wiping his snotty nose on the expensive wool coat.
"I told the driver to get coffee, and you vanish?" Carlton's voice was a low, dangerous rumble. "The old man is about to blow up my phone. Are you trying to give him a heart attack?"
Landon pouted, rubbing his nose. "I got lost! And some bad guys tried to beat me up!"
The irritation in Carlton's eyes vanished, replaced instantly by a lethal, freezing intensity. His posture shifted from lazy to predatory.
"Who?" Carlton demanded, his voice dropping an octave.
Landon turned around and pointed proudly at the shadows under the tree. "That big brother saved me! He beat up ten guys!"
Carlton's eyes tracked Landon's finger. His gaze cut across the plaza and locked onto the figure standing in the shade.
He recognized the cheap black hoodie immediately. He recognized the aggressive stance, the hands shoved deep into the pockets.
Carlton's pupils contracted. A dark, twisted smile slowly spread across his face.
He stepped away from Landon and walked toward Dasia. His leather shoes clicked against the stone pavement, slow and deliberate.
Dasia didn't move. She watched him approach, her heart beating a slow, angry rhythm.
Carlton stopped exactly three feet away. He looked down at her, his blue eyes filled with absolute, toxic contempt.
"You really went all out," Carlton sneered. His voice dripped with poison. "The little stunt at the train station wasn't enough? So you followed me to my school and used my little brother to get my attention?"
Dasia didn't even blink.
"If your paranoia is this severe," Dasia said, her raspy voice cutting through the air like a rusty blade, "I suggest you check yourself into a psych ward."
Carlton's jaw clenched. The muscles in his neck jumped. "You think I'm stupid? You stalked me here. You orchestrated this whole 'hero' act. It's pathetic."
"What you believe," Dasia said, turning her body away from him, "is none of my damn business."
She took a step to leave.
Suddenly, Landon darted around Carlton and threw his arms around Dasia's leg, anchoring her to the spot.
"Don't go!" Landon yelled. "You didn't tell me your name! I want to play games with you!"
Dasia stiffened. She tried to pry the boy's fingers off her jeans, but she was afraid of hurting him.
Carlton watched his brother cling to the stalker. His face darkened with fury. He reached out to snatch Landon by the collar.
Landon ducked under his brother's arm. He unzipped his small backpack, pulled out a thick black marker, and grabbed Dasia's hand.
Before Dasia could pull away, Landon uncapped the marker and scribbled a string of numbers across the back of her pale hand.
"That's Carlton's phone number!" Landon announced proudly. "You have to add us! We'll carry you in ranked!"
Dasia stared at the wet black ink staining her skin. She looked up at Carlton. His face was a mask of pure, unadulterated rage.
The corner of Dasia's mouth twitched. She ripped her hand away from Landon, turned on her heel, and walked away without looking back.
