The Dark Trio's Protection

*Sloane*

I dragged my busted leg down the main corridor, keeping my head down to avoid the judging eyes of the other students. The first week of college had been a blur of quiet survival. I spent all my free time hiding in the dusty corners of the university library, surrounded by towering bookshelves, desperate to remain invisible. But the second week was proving to be an absolute nightmare. The hostile whispers grew louder with every painful step I took. The snickering trailed behind me like a foul shadow. I gripped my backpack straps tighter, my knuckles turning white. I told myself I could handle it. As long as they kept their cruelty confined to hushed laughs behind my back, I could survive.

But as I limped toward my last lecture of the day, the laughter shifted. It felt pointed. Sharp. I glanced over my shoulder.

A tall, blonde guy named Mark followed a few paces behind me. His light blue eyes danced with cruel amusement as he exaggerated a limp, viciously mocking my uneven gait. His friends erupted into fresh snickers, pointing directly at my dragging foot.

I faced forward and swallowed the thick lump forming in my throat. You can take the bully out of high school, but you can't cure the rot festering inside him. I forced my damaged leg to move faster. I just wanted this week to be over. My dad promised we could go out and watch a movie tonight, and the thought of sitting in a dark theater with him was the only thing keeping me from crying. At least the boys here found me repulsive. That meant they would never try to touch me. I had already survived that specific nightmare once. I refused to let it happen again.

Up ahead, two familiar figures leaned casually near the classroom entrance. Stavros and Dante.

Earlier this week, right after Stavros paid for my lunch, I cautiously asked a classmate about them. She practically laughed in my face. The Dark Trio, she called them. Stavros Costa with the dreamy blue eyes. Cassius Valerius, who oozed unadulterated confidence. Dante Rossi, the quiet, brooding presence. Best friends. Practically brothers. They were out of my league. They lived in a completely different stratosphere. They wore simple jeans and t-shirts, yet they looked effortlessly devastating. They were the type of boys who could date anyone they wanted.

As I closed the distance, Dante’s dark eyes flicked in my direction. A soft, fleeting smile touched his lips before it vanished entirely. His jaw clenched. He nudged Stavros in the ribs and jerked his chin toward me—or rather, toward the jerk trailing behind me.

Stavros turned. The easygoing charm melted off his handsome face, replaced by ice-cold fury. His blue eyes locked onto Mark.

"Hey, Mark," Stavros snapped, his voice cutting through the noisy hallway. "Did your mother ever teach you not to mock people with disabilities?"

"I doubt it, Stavros," Dante drawled. He stepped away from the wall. "His mother was too busy fucking the pool boy to ever give a damn about him."

The girls surrounding them burst into laughter. Mark’s face flushed a violent red.

Panic flared in my chest. I didn't want this. I didn't want anyone playing the hero for me. "Guys, stop," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "Let's just go to class."

I tried to step past them to pacify the situation. Mark wasn't having it. Humiliated and furious, he lunged forward to get in Stavros's face. In his blind rage, he slammed his shoulder into my chest, shoving me hard out of his way.

My bad leg buckled instantly under the sudden force. I pitched forward, the heavy weight of my backpack pulling me down. The hard linoleum floor rushed up to meet me. I squeezed my eyes shut, throwing my hands out and bracing for the bone-jarring impact.

It never came.

A pair of thick, muscular arms wrapped securely around my waist, snapping me backward against a solid, warm chest. The rich scent of expensive cologne and dark spice wrapped around my senses. I gasped, my heart leaping into my throat, and looked up.

Beautiful honey-colored eyes stared down at me. The final member of the trio. Cassius Valerius.

He had the same dark hair and imposing build as his friends, but sharp dimples bracketed his mouth on his clean-shaven face. Those dimples deepened as he offered me a gentle, reassuring smile.

"Are you okay?" Cassius asked, his voice a low, soothing rumble.

I nodded weakly. My heart hammered against my ribs. I couldn't form a single word.

Cassius gently set me upright, his hands lingering on my waist just long enough to ensure I had my balance. His smile vanished the second he looked away from me. "You stay right here," he instructed softly. "Don't move. I will handle this."

He stalked toward Mark. Cassius reached out, clamped a massive hand onto Mark's shoulder, and violently spun the blonde boy around.

"You really haven't changed, Mark," Cassius stated, his voice terrifyingly calm. "You are still a pathetic clown. Do I need to remind you what happens when you act inappropriately?"

Mark swallowed hard, his chest heaving. "Cassius, come on. I was just goofing around that's all."

"You pushed her, you prick," Cassius growled, stepping into Mark's personal space. "I want you to apologize to her."

Mark’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Dude, why should I? She was in the way. Don't tell me she's your chick? Man, you guys have some weird tastes."

"So what if she is?" Cassius took a slow step forward, the threat in his posture undeniable. "Apologize, Mark. Or I will have Dante take a baseball bat and shove it so far up your ass you will be wearing a diaper for a week. So, what is it going to be?"

Mark paled. He looked at Dante. Dante merely cracked his knuckles, his dark eyes dead and eager for violence.

"I'm sorry," Mark muttered insincerely, glaring at the floor.

"I'm sorry, *Sloane*," Cassius corrected.

My breath hitched. He knew my name.

"What?" Mark stammered.

Cassius reached out and cupped the back of Mark's neck with one hand. His grip was visibly brutal as he forced Mark's head down, making him look dead in the eye. "Her name is Sloane. Say 'I'm sorry, Sloane', and add some feelings to it, so it sounds sincere."

Mark trembled under the crushing hold. He turned his wide, terrified eyes toward me. "I'm sorry, Sloane. It will never happen again."

I hugged my books to my chest, overwhelmed by the raw dominance radiating from the three of them. "T-that's okay," I stammered shyly. "Just as long as it doesn't happen again."

Cassius released Mark and mockingly patted his blonde head. "Now go. Run to mommy. That's a good boy."

Mark grabbed his bag and sprinted down the hall as fast as his legs could carry him.

Cassius turned back to me. His murderous aura vanished instantly. He stepped close and gently took my hand, lacing his fingers through mine.

"Come on, Sloane," Cassius murmured, guiding me toward the classroom door. "I want to know your story. By the way, I'm Cassius Valerius. These two knuckleheads are Stavros Costa and Dante Rossi."

I stared at him with my mouth wide open as he led me into our classroom. Stavros and Dante fell into step behind us, forming an impenetrable human shield. The three most untouchable guys on campus had just orchestrated a terrifying display of coordinated protection to defend me.

Cassius guided me to a cluster of empty desks in the back. He took the seat on my left. Dante slid into the desk on my right. Stavros took the spot directly in front of me. I was completely boxed in. Safe.

Dante gently pulled my heavy backpack from my shoulders. He waited until I was comfortably seated, then leaned in close. His dark brown eyes locked onto mine, burning with intensity.

"Sloane, you are with us now," Dante whispered. His voice was a solemn, unbreakable vow. "No one is ever going to hurt you again. I promise."

I smiled at him. My vision blurred with unshed tears. I didn't know what to say. It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to me. I leaned back against my chair. A massive burden lifted off my shoulders. The crushing vulnerability faded, replaced by a bubbling, breathless romantic excitement. I finally had friends.

They were like a miracle wrapped as devastatingly handsome men. *My miracles*.

*Dante*

I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.

She was seated right next to me. Sloane was actually smiling at me, looking at me with those stunning blue-green eyes. The subtle scent of her shampoo filled my lungs, driving me crazy. If she only grasped a fraction of how much she meant to me. We had never shared a real conversation before today, but my chest felt like it was going to burst with fierce possessive pride. I had promised to protect her, and I meant every single word.

The lecture dragged on. I barely registered a word the professor said. My entire focus remained anchored to the beautiful girl on my left. I watched the way she took notes, the way she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Every tiny movement captivated me.

When the class ended, Sloane pulled out her phone. I immediately grabbed her heavy bag, hoisting it over my shoulder. I wasn't going to let her strain her bad leg carrying it.

She stared at her phone screen. A look of deep anxiety washed over her face. She let out a heavy, defeated sigh.

"My dad just texted. He said he can't pick me up," she murmured, her voice laced with disappointment. "He has a late meeting at his workplace. Oh well. I guess I will have to take the bus."

"No, you won't," I said instantly. The thought of her navigating a crowded public bus alone, struggling with her leg while creeps stared at her, made my blood boil. "We will drop you home."

She blinked, opening her mouth to decline.

"Besides, you look hungry," I added smoothly, stepping into her space to cut off her escape. "How about we get a bite to eat first?"

Before Sloane could form a protest, Cassius made his move. He closed the distance, reached out, and firmly grabbed her hand. His fingers locked securely around hers, trapping her exactly where we wanted her. He flashed his killer dimples and started leading her out the exit, smoothly maneuvering to pull her toward the campus parking lot.

I watched them walk ahead, my heart pounding with thrilling triumph. We had finally trapped her in our orbit. Secretly hiding my smile, I nudged Stavros to follow.

I was going to get more time with Sloane.