Chapter 205

Jason Roscente flashed a roguish grin. "Don't blame me, man. You saw it yourself—I can't take him in a fight. If we keep this up, we're both toast."

"You think I'd be paying you if reasoning with him was an option?"

"Cut your losses," Jason said, swiftly unlocking the passenger door. "Survival first."

The door was yanked open. Ethan Roscente loomed over them, his expression stormy. "Get out."

Sophia Lowell clung to her seatbelt. "No."

A cold smirk twisted his lips. "Grew a spine, did you? Seems you need a reminder of who's in charge."

He leaned in to unbuckle her. Sophia fought back, shoving at his hands. "Get off me! Don't touch me!"

The struggle was futile.

The belt clicked open, and she was hauled over his shoulder. Sophia thrashed wildly. "Let go! Help! Someone call the police—this man's kidnapping me!"

Jason scratched his ear. "Uncle, maybe dial it down a notch with the lady—"

"Shut it!" Ethan snapped. "Ten-thousand-word reflection. No car keys until it's on my desk tomorrow."

"Come on!" Jason wailed. "I need this ride to impress the campus queen!"

His protests fell on deaf ears.

Sophia was dumped unceremoniously into the backseat. She lunged for the door handle, then pounded the window when she found it locked.

"Ethan Roscente! I’m not apologizing to Isabella Valentine!"

He slid in beside her and dragged her back by the waist. "Who said anything about an apology?"

"Stop pretending!" Sophia sneered. "You dragged me back just to grovel to the Valentines, didn’t you?"

"I already handled it."

"Your fake chivalry makes me sick!" She wrenched free, her nails raking a crimson line down his cheek.

"Sophia!" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.

"What?" She tilted her chin up defiantly. "Consider it a free lesson in how to treat women."

A vein pulsed at his temple. Rubbing his forehead, he exhaled sharply. "All this drama over nothing? Fine, skip the apology. But take your temper out on me again, and we’ll see who’s laughing."

"Sure. And pigs might fly."