In the morning, I entered Ryker's room with breakfast. I wonder why I am even being nice to him. Maybe I had officially lost my mind. Ryker lay awake on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Seeing me approach, he sat up, wincing a bit. His gaze lands on food. Setting food up, I backed away. My gaze landed once more on the wound on his abdomen. No need to overthink.

"Finish it up; the maids will be here to help you clean up," I said to him.

"Are you going to school?" he asked.

"Yup. I will check on you later. You better be taking a rest."

He nods. With that, I left him and headed to school. On the way, I bumped into a girl from my class. Her books fell, and she started picking them up, apologizing to me. I bend down, helping her up. She took it quickly and ran away. I rolled my eyes, watching her back. Should I find out the reason why I am treated as an alien from Mars? Probably not.

Ignoring students, I focused on my classes. Today's atmosphere doesn't feel right, and where is Dani hiding? I never find him when I want to. It looks like he is skipping classes again. My life, I groaned. The girl I bumped into this morning approached me shaking from head to toe.

"Can you help me?" She asked with a trembling voice.

"Sure," I said.

"Follow me."

I followed her happily; at least someone was finally talking to me. She took me to the swimming pool and pointed at it. I looked at the direction in confusion. I felt a hand behind my back. Someone pushed me into the pool. I managed to get up and found my so-called bully and his friends laughing at me. The girl stood beside them, looking guilty. I glare at her, causing her to look away. I shouldn't have trusted her. I swam to the edge and climbed up. Before they could think, I pushed Liam into the pool. His other friend's eyes widened. Grabbing my knife, I pointed at them, causing them to look at me in fear.

"Jump," I ordered.

"Are you crazy?"

Grabbing him by the collar, I threw him in the pool. Another boy tried to run away but kicked the side of his neck, knocking him out and throwing him in the pool. Easy. I grinned. The girl looked at me in fear. I pressed the knife into her throat.

"Never do it again," I warned her. She nodded quickly. I tilted my head towards the pool. She jumped in, scared. I know it wasn't her fault, and she was frightened, but if you don't stand up, then people will use you until the end. Hopefully, she learned the lesson.

Liam glared at me and tried to come out, but this time I pointed my gun at him, which stopped each of them.

"If you try to get out of the pool, then I will shoot you," I said with a polite smile.

"That's not allowed," Liam said, trying to climb up. I shot at the edge, causing him to back away into the pool.

"I don't care about the rules. Once you fuck up with me, it's over." I taunted him.

Dani came late, checking my state with worry, then set his glare on the guys in the swimming pool. I calmed myself down.

"Dani, stay here, and don't let them out until evening," I ordered him.

"Did they hurt you?" Dani asked.

"I am fine, just wet."

"Let's go home then."

"No, Dani, I am done with these brats. Someone needs to stay here, then you will go home." I protest.

"I will call someone. Go into the car or you will get sick." Dani said softly, sensing my anger.

With a nod, I hid the gun back in my bag and walked to the parking area. I found Ryker waiting for me in his usual jeans, t-shirt, and jacket attire. He pushed himself out of the car, seeing me in a very bad state.

"What happened to you, Rhodes?" He asked with a dangerous tone.

"I got into a little trouble, but you were supposed to rest," I said softly.

"I was bored." He rolled his eyes. "What trouble you got into to be in such a pathetic state." He asked again.

"Nothing big; I can deal with it," I said with a sigh. "Since you are bored, let's go to a peaceful place. I know I messed up last time." I changed the topic of the conversation. I don't think he will want to hear my sob story.

"Those guys who attacked me last time apologized to me, and your grandfather warned all his men about not tolerating any disrespect to you and me." He informed me.

"Then I hope it satisfies you."

Ryker clenched his teeth and approached me, stopping inches away from me. I tilt my head up, meeting his gaze. He removed his jacket and wrapped it around me. Grabbing its collar, he pulled me near him, making sure our bodies didn't touch.

"I don't forgive people; if someone screws up with me, they die a very painful death." He whispered and pulled away from me. There is a hidden intention behind his words and his tone. I am not sure it's for whom.

"It's probably not a good idea for now." I chuckled, trying to lighten the atmosphere. He gave me a tight smile and opened the door for me. I sat inside and texted Dani to head back to the house. Ryker drove away.

"Let's head back home. You will get sick in wet clothes." He said.

"No, let's go to the beach first. I want to clear my head. Besides, I am not that weak to get sick easily." I told him.

"I don't think it's a good idea."

"Romano, since when did you start caring for me?"

"Never did Rhodes." He said clenching his fingers around the steering wheel.

It took us half an hour to reach the beach from the school. Hopefully, my clothes were not very thick, they dried down. Parking the car, Ryker opened the door for me. Hugging Ryker's jacket closer to me, I breathed his cologne. We walked side by side toward the beach and dipped our legs into the water. I smiled, feeling better after today's incident. Ryker's body relaxed as he took calm breaths.  

"How is your wound?" I questioned.

"It will heal soon, no worries." He replied.

"As you wish. I shouldn't ask this, but how did you get the wound? I am just curious."

His body stiffened, and he didn't dare to look at me. He got lost in his thoughts as a sad expression made its way to his face. It was gone within seconds. He glanced at me. His face is blank. 

"Getting into other people's businesses can get you into huge trouble." He replied.

"I don't think it can be as bad as our marriage pact." I offered.

"It can be worse than our marriage." He said with no emotions in his tone.

The wound on his stomach and his trust issues with fake emotions aren't good signs. I wonder: Who was hurting him?

I am not the kind of person who fixes broken people, but I want to help him a little. Maybe I can help him have a good stay here, and we will probably end up being friends. Getting married is out of the question.

"I took you to the gym last time because I thought you would probably enjoy a good combat match rather than us talking. I didn't think it would end up that bad. I am sorry once again." I explained gently. Ryker made eye contact with me, gazing deep into my soul. I offered him honesty; now it's up to him to take it or throw it away. Ryker nods, looking away.

"I understand. You don't need to apologize again." He replied.

"Thanks. After seeing you mad last time, I thought you would punch me in the face when you see me the very next time." I joked. His lips twitch up a bit.

"I would not hit you even if I got mad."

"You will kill me instead," I said, remembering his previous words. Ryker didn't reply and stared at the horizon.

Noted. Romano will kill me, but he won't hit me. I should be wary.

Ryker glanced back at me with a smirk on his lips. It looks ominous.