Infinite Risk Read Online Free

skull.
    He relaxed a little then. “Okay, fine. But you know what dicks people can be.”
    â€œSeems like the haves would be pretty fiercely outnumbered in a town like this. Maybe we could organize and burn all their Gucci in effigy or whatever.”
    â€œYou have no idea what’s popular, do you? But … that sounds magical.”
    I shivered as the wind gusted stronger, with a frosty edge that hinted at snow. Please, let this be normal winter, and not the winter king, searching for me. “Okay, good talk, but I have to go buy dinner at the bodega. So…”
    His brows went up at that, but he didn’t try to stop me. I felt the prickle of Devon watching me until I went into the shop on the corner. This was the closest thing to a grocery store in this neighborhood; there was a small prepared-foods section, packaged so that I was pretty sure the owner’s wife must cook it in her home kitchen. A tiny shelf of fruits and vegetables stood in the corner near the back, one section of canned goods, and the rest was liquor and snacks. After crunching some numbers in my head, I bought bread, cereal, apples, milk, peanut butter, jelly, and some instant noodles. Not the best diet, but until I figured out how to get a little more money, it would keep me alive and on the right path.
    It was dark by the time I got back to my room. Putting the chain on helped for psychological reasons, though I could deal with any threat better than the flimsy door. I touched Aegis on my wrist for reassurance and then made a sandwich. Darkness didn’t make my room more appealing, so I turned on the old-school, boxy TV for company. No free cable here, so there were four channels, all blurred with static.
    I listened to the couple next door fighting until I fell asleep.
    *   *   *
    In the morning, I did my homework on the city bus, so it was messy but legible. Five minutes per subject did the trick. Another three blocks, and I was crossing the parking lot. Today, it was easier. My hoodie and jeans uniform granted me anonymity, or so I thought, until a group of letter jackets blocked my path.
    â€œHey, new girl. Hold up. You haven’t met me yet.” The guy who delivered that deathless classic was clearly the alpha, Cross Point’s answer to Cameron Dean.
    Though this guy had dark hair and hazel eyes, he radiated the same seamless confidence, as if life had never failed to deliver exactly what he wanted. Yes, he was built. Yes, he was hot. And I kind of wanted to kick him in the shins for assuming that my life couldn’t be complete unless he acknowledged me.
    I decided to be an asshole. “But we totally met last summer at that party. Remember? And you never called me. What’s up with that?”
    His smile froze. “Uh…”
    One of his friends nudged him. “She’s cute, Wade. Why didn’t you call her?”
    â€œDon’t worry, I won’t hold it against you.” I gave a cheerful smile and extricated myself from the biceps fencing me in.
    As I reached the relative sanctuary of the front hallway, I noticed Kian watching. No question he’d seen the exchange. I hurried to catch up with him.
    â€œCan you smell the testosterone burning, or is it just me?”
    â€œDid you just screw with Wade Tennant’s head?” he asked, looking incredulous.
    â€œMaybe a little. Which is probably cruel and unusual because I suspect he mostly uses it as a counterweight.”
    â€œDon’t say shit like that. Maybe you can get away with it, but I’ll get my ass kicked.”
    â€œI’ll protect you,” I promised.
    â€œWell, that’s emasculating.” But he was smiling, not as tentative as the day before, either.
    â€œBullshit. It’s way more egalitarian for people to take turns being heroic.” I launched into some heartfelt commentary about Hermione and Harry, which Kian heard with growing interest.
    â€œWait, what did