RISE: THE PREQUEL NOVELLA TO THE SIN AND SECRETS COLLECTION

by Shanna Swenson

  “What’ve I always told you?”

  I exhale sharply, knowing this is one of those “teachable moments” coming on. “If you can’t overpower them, you outmaneuver them.”

  “That’s right,” he agrees adamantly with a deep nod. “And if you can’t outmaneuver them, you…”

  “Outsmart them.”

  Pride dances in his eyes, probably from knowing at least one of his kids is listening to his advice. “And no one—no one’s got more smarts than you, Everleigh. Or more heart for that matter.”

  If only I could believe that. Ready to explain why that’s so not the case, I’m met with a raised hand that halts my dissent.

  “When you go back out there, I want you to treat him like your opponent, not your brother. Don’t hold back right now. Give it everything you’ve got—one last round.”

  “What if I hurt him?” Psh. Like I even could if I tried…

  “Forget about that for a minute. Pretend he’s someone who isn’t going to hold back. Set the scene…” And now the “Sgt. Rian Greene” part of him starts to radiate through the dad layers. “Dark alley. You’re alone. And you’re all you’ve got to defend yourself. No gun. No butterfly. Just these”—he says as he brings my gloved hands up to form fists—“and this,” he finishes with another tap to my head.

  Dad had shown us how to hold our own with guns and knives over the last few years, but hand-to-hand combat was always the hardest hurdle in self-defense for me. Kieran’s naturally athletic physique lends him an advantage that my thicker frame does not.

  “Time to show your opponent what you’re made of.” He motions to Kieran and we walk to meet him where we had sparred this evening. “Clear mind. Get him on the defensive. Control the fight and make it yours,” he murmurs to me before we reach the middle.

  Kieran stretches his long arms above his head. “Let’s get this over with. Luca’s gonna be here in a few minutes to pick us up.”

  Nerves slam into me at the thought of Luca and Magnolia, his younger sister and my best friend, seeing me spar. It’s ridiculous, really. Luca’s never really looked my way or done anything other than raze me with Kieran. But the moments where I see pieces of who he really is beneath that wise-cracking façade and that stupid Italian lover boy image always tug at my heart…

  The guy who cares so much about making his family proud. The boy who has the cutest dimples and most mesmerizing hazel eyes—more gold and green than brown. The person who has a huge heart for others, even though he pretends he doesn’t. I could say I wish everyone would see it in him, but I like having this piece of him all to myself, even though nothing more will ever come of it—of us. It’s a secret I’ll gladly take to my grave with me.

  Still, the thought of him watching Kieran disgrace me again turns my stomach. I inhale deeply as I get into position, hoping that if they walk through that door, I won’t make too much of a fool of myself. Come on, Ev. You can do this. Focus.

  The first few minutes, I feel a little better about everything and even get in several good licks. That is until Kieran lands a big blow in to my left thigh. After that, I struggle to regain my traction. Hit after hit, I fall prey to reacting to each movement instead of setting up my own. My dad’s coaching from the side falls on deaf ears as Kieran easily overpowers me and spins me into a headlock.

  As if that isn’t bad enough, when I tap his sides to let me up, he holds me there and sniggers. “What’s the matter, Ev? Don’t like the way I smell?” Hormone-laced sweat and Axe body spray invade my nostrils as my brother maneuvers my face into his disgusting armpit. I push and push to no avail. My vision goes red when the jackass takes the opportunity to give me a noogie. I’m going to kill him. Anger clouds my mind and every move I know by heart flies out the window because I can’t get him to budge.

  “Knock it off, mac!” Dad yells as he separates us.

  As we pull apart, I kick his shin, making him stumble back but not falter completely. Dad steps in between us to give us some space.

  Loud laughter fills the air, taunting—no, challenging me. “C’mon, Dad. You know I’m just playing around with her. Right, Evergreen?” He reaches past Dad and ruffles my hair, jumping just out of reach when I move to grab him. A strong arm pins me back and keeps him just out of my reach.

  “Dick move, son. I raised you better than to pull shite like that.” His grip loosens when I stop trying to grab for Kieran. “Go get a drink.”

  “But we just—” Whatever look Dad gives Kieran behind me shuts him up. He turns to go do as he’s told as I pull my hair tie loose so I can fix the damage that’s been done.

  “You okay?”

  Tears well up in my eyes once more as I finish securing my ponytail and tucking away the loose strands of my raven-colored hair. An exasperated breath leaves me as I try to rein in the anger coursing through me. “He’s just such a...”

  “Pompous arse?”

  I can’t contain the watery laughter that escapes me at Dad’s remark. “Yeah.”

  “He is, for sure,” he exhales a frustrated sigh, shaking his head and running his fingers through his dark auburn hair. “Makes him predictable, though.”

  My brow scrunches as I contemplate his words, wondering what he meant by them.

  He places his warm palms on my shoulders and lowers his voice. “You can do this, Kher. Let him know you’re not going to take his shite or anyone else’s. Only you can teach him that.” We glance to the side and see Kieran doing some stupid dance as the other men laugh at him. “He thinks you’re giving up, which lowers his guard, making him weak. And you just happen to know what his real weakness is, don’t you?”

  I thought for a moment, searching my memory. What was that word again? We learned it in English class a few weeks ago. Oh yeah… The light bulb goes off and the wheels start turning.

  “Use that to your advantage.” I nod, thinking over this new approach when Dad leans down to meet me at eye level. “Where’d she go?”

  I swallow the massive lump in my throat and straighten back my shoulders. My dad raised me to be a fighter, not a quitter. A mask of bravery smooths over my features. Fake it ‘til you make it, right?

  “There she is. Now let me see that fire.”

  The corners of my mouth lift and my eyes narrow, channeling all the emotions I felt as a child when Dad would read me story after story of brave Gaelic female fighters.

  “That’s my girl. Go make him feel the flames, little warrior.”

  We tap gloves as Kieran calls from the other side of the gym. “Ready to go again, Evergreen?”

  “She’s ready,” Dad returns, a knowing smirk in place. “You know what to do.”

  My brother, famous for his love of trash talking, starts before we even get within fifteen feet of each other. “You know what your problem is, Ev?” We check our gloves and get into stance. “You don’t know when to throw in the towel.”

  Maybe he was right. Maybe I don’t know when to throw it in. But by God, if I do throw it in this time, it’ll be because I choose to—not because he makes me. As we start to circle each other, memories fill my head.

  Thoughts of everyone who’s ever pushed me around in one way or another over the years flash through my mind…

  The kids who made fun of me growing up because I was chubbier.

  Moooove aside, cow.

  My God! Skip a meal once in a while, piglet.

  My brother and his best friend Luca with their stupid nicknames and incessant taunts over the years.

  Look, Kieran! It’s little Evergreen.

  C’mere, Pine Cone. Isn’t that cute, Luca? She actually looks like she wants to hit us. Too bad she’s too nice to do it.

  All the ones who have seen me as a doormat to wipe their muddy feet and filthy insults on, all the ones who have never noticed what’s just beneath the sweet girl layer: a fucking hellcat ready to unleash some well-earned rage.

  Fire and ice fill my veins as steel reinforces my spine. The only thing I’m ready to do i
s end this bullshit once and for all. A quick roll of my shoulders and stretching my neck side to side relieves the extra tension.

  Releasing the defeats of this evening and latching onto my chance to show him I’m not going to be his punching bag anymore, I square up. Kieran’s faster. He’s stronger. He’s definitely bigger. I know all these things, but there’s one more thing that I’ve forgotten to use to my advantage: his massive ego.

  My face smooths into a neutral expression but knowing that I’ve had the key to his downfall this whole time makes me grin from ear to ear inside. “Wanna know what your problem is, K?”

  He drops his hands and laughs. “What’s th—"

  Adrenaline pumping, my shin connects with his exposed right side. Kieran doesn’t hold back his gasp of surprise. I regroup quickly and get back into stance as he continues to stare. Taking advantage of his stupor, my right foot connects with his left knee. He buckles slightly, giving me a chance to pull back and plan the next move.

  Don’t stop until he’s on the ground, Everleigh. Or he bleeds.

  Bouncing on the balls of my feet now, my second wind rushes over me. My body is tired, but my soul is now on fire. A gritted curse adds to the charged air between us, and I savor the taste of it.

  His brow furls and he shakes off the astonishment in his gaze.

  “Okay, Evergreen. You asked for it.”

  Yes. I. Did. Now, bring it, loud mouth.

  His big leg extends out.

  Block.

  Shock vacates his eyes momentarily until determination takes its place, but he’s too late to stop what’s coming. I fake a kick to his groin, which he offensively blocks with both gloved hands, leaving his face wide open. Rookie mistake, big brother.

  Foot planted.

  Right hook ready.

  Attack.

  Pressure fights against my right fist as it connects with his exposed cheek. Pushing my body weight through the move sends him tumbling back. His feet stumble over each other as he grabs his face. Keep the momentum going in your favor.

  Stalking after him like he’s now my prey keeps his pace moving backwards.

  “What the hell are you doing, Ev?”

  His lowered guard grants me an opportunity to get his right thigh with my shin, throwing him further off balance.

  “Finish it!” The sound of Dad’s deep voice pushes me on, stoking the inferno within a few degrees hotter.

  He tries to land a kick, but he’s too close to make it count—and I’m ready. Blocking his shin with my left arm, I pivot with my right side into him, then swing my elbow up and around. Soft flesh meets my bone, leaving spittle on it. He reaches up to his chin, lifting up his right foot. I take the opening and swoop my leg towards his left foot, compromising his footing.

  As if in slow motion, I watch Kieran lose his balance completely and fall backwards, his hand clinging to his mouth. A loud oof! rings out as his ass finds a new seat on the semi-padded ground.

  Quiet fills the room for a beat. Then another.

  I stand before my fallen Goliath, breathing heavily and in disbelief that I actually took him down. We look at each other for a moment, neither one of us sure of how this turn of events actually happened. Slowly his hand slips down, revealing a trail of red from his busted lip to his chin.

  A lip that I busted. Me.

  “Hell yeah! Way to go, Ev,” one of the men hollers while the others clap and cheer.

  I can’t believe I did it.

  “What just happened?” Kieran asks, vaguely dazed yet still staring up at me like he can’t believe it either.

  Dad tosses him a towel for his lip and hands me my water bottle, mischief dancing in his eyes. “I’d say your little sister just called you on your horse shite, tough guy.”

  A few of the guys have now joined us, all of them patting me on the back or giving me a high five. I soak in the victory, relishing in how amazing this feels. Kieran hangs his head slightly, looking like someone just kicked his puppy. Extending my hand to him, I show that the rules of sportsmanship still stand, even though he hasn’t always returned the favor as graciously. He accepts begrudgingly, knowing he’s finally been bested after all this time of sparring with me the last few years.

  “Hubris.” He stares at me like he doesn't know what I’m talking about. My finger finds the center of his chest and I poke him, feeling twenty feet tall. “That’s your problem.”

  A splash of spit and blood colors the floor beside him. “What the hell is hubris?”

  “Should’ve paid attention in class more, K,” I smirk. “Maybe you should pay more attention in the future. Period.”

  “Clean that blood up, Kieran. You know better.” Dad tosses him the bottle of cleanser and a new towel as Kieran groans and mutters curses under his breath. His arms open wide and I run right into them, so happy I made him proud. “Feels good to stand your ground, doesn’t it, love?”

  I meet his eyes with mine, taking a moment to soak in the pride his own emanates. “More than you know, Dad.” I bury my head back into his strong chest and let his love wash over me. More than you could possibly know.

  “That’s my Kher Bear.” He squeezes me a little tighter before releasing me, nodding towards the entrance. “You’ve got some company.”

  I look over to see my best friend grinning like a Cheshire cat and Luca eyeing me with the strangest look. The high from taking down Kieran carries me over to them quickly. Lia wraps her arms around me and laughs. “Dang, girl!” I giggle alongside her, noticing that Luca’s still standing there staring at me with that odd expression. “What’d Kieran do?”

  A smile slowly spreads over my face. For the first time all evening, pride lifts my chin high. I flicker my gaze from Luca to Lia, then cock an eyebrow. “Underestimated me for the last time.”

  “Are you kidding me, K?” The sound of pool water splashing and high-pitched, nasally laughter echoes through the slightly ajar patio doors, punctuating my question. I keep my voice low to keep from alerting the bleach-blonde hyenas out there from catching on. Kieran and Luca stand there in their swim trunks, looking equally confused and disgruntled that I’m raining on their Saturday afternoon plans.

  “What’s got your panties all in a twist, Evergreen?” Luca asks as he crosses his cut arms, that infamous cocky smirk taking over his stupidly handsome face, popping those stupidly adorable dimples.

  Two can play at that game.

  “First of all, Luca…” Mirroring his movement, I cross my own arms, which deepens my cleavage over top the towel covering my modest two-piece bathing suit. The move doesn’t go unnoticed. Huh. “My panties are of no concern to you.” He blanches, cutting a quick look towards my brother, then back to me, his cheeks growing red. I push the insecurity away for the moment. Even though I’ve obviously just disgusted him, he doesn’t need to look to my brother for moral support. “Second, my name is Everleigh, not Evergreen, you eejit.”

  Kieran shifts the beach towels to his other arm as he scoffs, completely over everything. “Why are you being such a brat, Ev?”

  I cut my glare to him, who’s no doubt miffed he’s being cock-blocked. Too bad, nimrod. Not gonna happen. “Why is that vile bitch and her little minions sitting around our pool like they own it?”

  Kieran shrugs his shoulders. “It’s hot. Thought the girls might want to come over and cool off,” he grins with that shit-eating grin of his.

  Not today, Satan. Not today.

  A sardonic smile creeps up on my face, returning his. “If the dental floss Deirdre’s wearing right now ain’t doing the job, I highly doubt the pool will help. Make them leave.”

  Luca shakes his head at my remark, chuckling while Kieran’s nostrils flare as they always do when he goes into petulant child mode. “They just got here!”

  I shrug. “Tell them the pool’s gotta be decontaminated.” Lord knows it’ll have to be after those girls get out of it. Kieran’s not much better, but my beef with Deirdre goes deeper than her choices in extracurricular a
ctivity. It’s bad enough she was horrible to me when I was still at the same school as her, but as much as I despise my brother some days, I can’t stand the thought of him getting mixed up with a mean girl like her who leaves destruction wherever she goes.

  “We can take turns. Give us a few hours, then you all can have it the rest of the day,” his eyes beg as he pleads.

  “That’s exactly what we want to do, Kieran… Jump right into a pool where you and Luca are trying to see who can catch the most STIs from Syphilis Barbie and the Clappy Crew out there.”

  “She doesn’t have that…right?” My brother’s wary look matches that of Luca’s, whose eyes have now grown wide. Apparently, locker room talk had disclosed how easy Deirdre and her cronies are, but not how hard it is to get rid of their parting gifts without a prescription.

  “Fine. Believe me, don’t believe me. I really couldn’t care less,” I dismissively wave a hand, preparing to go for the jugular. “But, don’t you dare come crying to me when your dick rots off in two years and you have to live as a eunuch for the rest of your miserable, sexless life.”

  He squints his eyes, trying to find the lie and call my bluff. “Bullshit.”

  Appeal to those things he holds dearest, Ev. “Why do you think Mark Houser left before the end of school last year and didn’t come back?” His face drops as Mark is a former teammate from high school. Hitting a little too close to home, I see. I continue, “After his turn with the town bicycle, he got more than he bargained for and left because whatever she gave him caused some unforeseen...difficulties. There ain’t a girl within 50 miles of this town willing to fool around with him after he’s been with her.”

  Luca swats him on the arm. “Dude, I just wanted to come over and swim. I can’t have my junk falling off.”

  Yeah, right. “Listen to your slightly more intelligent Neanderthal friend here.”

  “Hey!” To his credit, he looks somewhat offended.

  “I’m sure your future children and first three wives will thank you.” I flash an innocent smile his way, then turn my wrath back to my brother. “You, on the other hand, are gonna have to explain to Mom and Dad that the Greene family name dies with you because your tryst with those bimbos left you unable to procreate.”