An Act of Obsession (Acts of Honor Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

“That’s enough, Johnny. Let him go.”
    All eyes swung to me, Johnny’s roamed me from head to toe. He never shied away from showing his blatant appreciation, especially whenever I was cheering for them.
    “Hey, Sophie, miss me so soon after practice this morning?”
    My eyes narrowed as I crossed my arms. “Let him go, now.”
    “Come on, we’re just having a little fun.”
    “No, you’re not. You are being mean.” When he didn’t put Daniel down, I tried another tactic. “Should I get Coach Pierce and let him know what’s going on?” That got his attention. “Aren’t you already at two strikes? One more and you’ll be kicked off the team.”
    He gave me a cocky smirk but there was no denying the angry tick of his jaw. “No need,” he said, dropping Daniel to the ground. “We’re done with this shit stain anyway.”
    His long gait ate up the distance between us, his strides purposeful as he moved toward me. I refused to cower, knowing that’s what he wanted me to do. I stood straight and tall, arms still crossed.
    He leaned down, putting his mouth to my ear. “How about that date I’m still waiting for?”
    He’s asked me out a few times. I hadn’t confirmed or denied whether I would go out with him, but I won’t be after this.
    “Don’t hold your breath. I don’t date assholes.”
    He chuckled. “Trust me, I’ll get you to change your mind.”
    I ignored him, refusing to play this game with him.
    “Let’s go,” he shouted to his posse, who jumped at the order.
    Once they left, I released an annoyed breath. “Jerk.” I looked at Daniel who was kneeled on the ground by his books, his eyes glued to me. Walking over, I dropped down beside him. “You okay?”
    He nodded, eyes wide.
    “Did they hurt you?”
    He shook his head.
    I stuck out my hand to him. “I’m Sophie Parish.”
    He stared at my gesture for a long moment before accepting it. I noticed his skin was cold and clammy. “I know who you are,” he said.
    When he offered nothing else, I smiled. “Let me help you with your books.”
    I gathered the few that were next to me and stacked them on top of the ones he had in his hands. That’s when I noticed he was still staring at me. His eyes were a startling bright blue color that looked almost unfocused behind his silver rimmed glasses.
    “Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked again.
    He nodded once more.
    Maybe he was always like this?
    “Okay, well…I need to get to class. I’m sure I’ll see you around.” I stood and started away when he called out my name. I spun around to face him.
    “Th—tha—thank you,” he stammered.
    I smiled. “You’re welcome. Have a good rest of your day.”
    The tiny hairs on the back of my neck rose as I felt his eyes on me the entire time I walked away, and it wouldn’t be the last.
    Little did I know, that one act of kindness would bring me a dangerous obsession.

CHAPTER FIVE
    Kolan
    “S trength doesn’t come from your fists, it comes from your mind and it comes from here.” I point to my chest, staring at the fourteen youths in front of me, all of them ranging from nine to thirteen years old.
    “Bullshit!”
    My eyes move to Benny Santiago, a mouthy little shit with a chip on his shoulder. A ten-year-old who reminds me so much of myself at his age, except I knew when to open my mouth and when not to.
    “You say something, Santiago?”
    “Yeah, I said bullshit! You gotta hit hard to survive; you’d think the heavyweight champion would know that. But if you want, we can trade places and I can teach this class,” he says with a cocky smirk. His arms cross proudly over his skinny chest from the snickers that explode around him.
    I glance at Sarge, who stands next to me, chuckling along with the rest of them. He shrugs. “You gotta admit it was kinda funny.”
    I stride across the ring to Benny, his confidence fading. Taking the towel off from around my neck, I wrap it under his arms and lift him off his feet, bringing his