“Harlow, Harlow!" My name has me looking around for who’s calling me. Alex and Shane push their way through the crowd of people still on the red carpet.
Alex wraps his arms around me. "We’ve got you, babe.” He ushers me in the direction of another limo whose passengers have just left. Shoving my head down, he helps me in before climbing in after me. Looking out the window, I see Shane having stern words with both my father and Jacinta, whose face has dropped into a bitter scowl, before he hurries after us. When he climbs in, the limo moves away, and I let the tears fall.
"Fuck, how could she do that? Not just to me, but to my dad." Shane surprises me and wraps an arm around me, pulling me against his chest, where my tears proceed to soak his shirt.
"I'm not making excuses for her, but I don't think she's been thinking very clearly recently. She obviously doesn’t cope well with change and upheaval, and she's lashing out. It’s not fair that you’re getting the brunt of it."
“I don’t belong here. I want to go home, but I can’t. I promised Chuck I would look after his horses, and I can’t bear the thought of letting down both of my dads." My sobs have my voice all uneven, and I’m impressed that they even seem to understand me.
"I’m sure he would understand if you told him what happened," he suggests, and Alex nods his head but stays quiet. He, too, seems to have tears in his eyes.
"No, I'm not telling them. You're not to tell them either. I'm so embarrassed." I fall silent as the limo moves through the city, finally pulling up in front of an apartment building, and they help me out. Shane is still supporting me while Alex holds the door open. They hurry me through the foyer to the elevator, which goes to the top floor once we've gotten in. They proceed to hurry me through an apartment, but I'm so out of it I can't take in any of the details.
Somehow I find myself showered and dressed in a big t-shirt and squashed into bed between Shane and Alex. I'm not sure how that happened, but it seems I may have blanked out from the stress. Maybe that’s not a bad thing. I don't think I could cope, knowing they had to remove my makeup and change my clothes.
For the first time since it happened, I start to comprehend how much damage she’s done. My reputation is mud, and in the age of social media, there’ll never be a way to truly scrub the memory of this billboard from the world’s eyes. I’m never going to be able to get a reputable job. The scenario runs through my mind of an internship coordinator asking me about the billboard, my nerves morphing it into a nightmarish moment where the interviewer shoves their phone into my face, an image of the billboard and its caption in vivid color.
What could she have been thinking? After a few more minutes of a flurry of dizzying thoughts, the warmth and security of being surrounded by my two friends has my eyes drifting closed and my heart rate slowing for the first time. Alex's fingers running through my hair cause a deep drowsy feeling that is so much preferable to everything else I’m going through right now.
"Sleep, Harlow, all will look so much better in the morning." His voice fades, and the bliss of darkness surrounds me.
Jacinta
THE MOVIE PREMIERE seemed to drag on forever, but by the time it finished, I had no fingernails left, and Cecelia had everything organized for a small press conference.
My brothers and I stand behind my father as he takes the podium, his and our grandparents in a state of frosty silence, something none of us have ever experienced before. Dad won’t even look at me. I’ve barely managed to keep my nausea under control the whole time, and my worry about his reaction has been so bad I can’t even tell you what the film was about.
He and Nana and Poppy hadn’t watched the movie, instead commandeering a small meeting room to discuss a plan of action on how to play off the billboard. I tried to convince them that it had been a mistake by the marketing department, but I can tell by the look in their eyes they didn't believe me.
Turning to look at the billboard, I can see that it is now blank, the ad having been ripped down while we were watching the movie. My dad has enough pull that it probably took one phone call to get it done so quickly. My attention switches back to the podium when he clears his throat, drawing the press’ attention to him as well. “Good evening and thank you for attending. We will be making a short statement to clear the air but won't be taking any questions today. You may direct any questions you have to Neighpalm Industries PR department.”
“Firstly, I’d like to address the subject of the billboard. When a marketing department tries to come up with a campaign, they throw everything on the table, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately, this one, which was a joke and a rejected idea, seems to have made its way to the printers by accident. We have now removed it and will be replacing it as quickly as possible. We know that the age of social media gives new life to things that are better left forgotten, but we’d like to request that the press treat this incident as it was, a mistake, and not rampantly publicize an ad that’s disrespectful to our line and the models in the photo.”
The reporters start to shout questions, but he ignores them as he continues. “As for the girl on the billboard and my date this evening, do not make the mistake in thinking that she is what the poster made her out to be. That girl is actually my biological daughter. We’ve recently discovered each other’s existence, not having known previously, and she is out here to see if we can develop a relationship, something that I’m hoping will not be hurt by tonight’s mistake.”
I snort quietly, but my stomach rolls again at his words, and I barely resist rolling my eyes, knowing full well the cameras are focused on me and my brothers. Turning my head slightly, I look down the line and can see they all have their game faces on. I better not blow it.
“Lastly, my daughter Jacinta will be taking a step down from CEO of Neighpalm Couture, and my mother Grace will be sliding into the position temporarily. Jacinta is going to be taking some personal time to work on next season's line.” I flinch at his words. Oh fuck! He just smacked me publicly. If I didn't realize he was upset before, I do now, and I have no idea how I’m going to be able to make it better. Well, I do, but I'd rather swallow rusty knives than apologize.
Jaxon, standing next to me, grabs my hand and gives it a hard squeeze. “Don't worry, we’ll figure something out,” he whispers out the side of his mouth.
Dad thanks the press, and he and Nana and Poppy start to leave as more questions fly at them. When they see they’re not going to get any response from them, they start on us, but we’ve all become pros at ignoring them. We all pile into the nearby limo and head for the NI building. The ride is silent and full of tension, and I shift repeatedly in my seat, wanting to break that silence but not knowing how. When we get to the building, Nana and Poppy and Dad get out of the limo, but as we start to follow, Dad pops his head back in.
“I think maybe you should take this time to think about your actions,” he commands, his voice somber, and there’s a sheen in his eyes that tells me I just might have broken something inside my father. The man who’s given me everything is barely holding himself together, and I don’t know what to say to him.
“You should probably all check into one of our hotels. I’m not sure I wouldn't say something that would hurt us all if you come home tonight. Maybe use this time to come up with some kind of explanation for this fiasco because I have never been as disappointed in someone as I am now. Maybe we’ll talk tomorrow. Your grandparents and I need time to figure out how we feel about all this.”
His head moves out of the way, and the door slamming shut is like the lid sealing on a coffin. The limo starts to move away from the NI building and heads toward the Neighpalm Hotel, the silence oppressive as we’re all stuck in our own minds.
“Guys, I think I fucked up,” I say into the quiet.
“You think?” Kai snorts, and nothing else is said for the rest of the drive. How am I going to fix this? Not only have I lost my job, I’ve disappointed and upset the one man who's never let me down. I run my hands throu
gh my hair in frustration, desperately wishing my brothers could swoop in and fix this. As I run various ideas through my mind, I feel a wetness on my cheeks, and it’s only then I realize I’m crying. God, I hope it’s not too late to make things better and as for Harlow, that bitch is going to pay.
Thank you for reading!
I hope you enjoyed the book. It would be super awesome if you could leave a review wherever you bought it, because I love to hear what you thought of the story.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to all the normal crew this book wouldn’t be possible without you all.
Michelle for your invaluable editing.
Emma for all the late night and early morning chats.
Infinity Book Designs for the cover
My beta team for being super awesome as usual.
Grace for being a great sounding board, you rock
Hope and Mollie for their pimping prowess and a very special thanks to Leslie Arnett my veterinary advisor who made sure I hadn’t made any blaring blunders when it came to Harlow.
Check out something else by me. This one is a reverse harem paranormal romance.
Guardian
Collectors Division
Prologue
QUIET, GENTLE SNORES drag me out of the darkness of sleep. Rolling over, I study the naked body of the man lying beside me. The long sleek lines and muscular backside of a golden Adonis who had done so many delicious things to me last night. He was a perfect distraction from the nervous energy filling my body in anticipation of the coming day, and found creative ways to use it. So much so that I was able to rest peacefully for a few hours.
But that was then, and this is now, and the incessant sexual need, awakened not long after the loss of my virginity, is building in my body again. A never-ending line of no-strings-attached fuck buddies, male or female—I’m not fussy—has been able to keep the need at bay, but not for long periods of time. And although my body’s needs can be temporarily appeased, my heart and soul ache for more. Aches for love and acceptance. To be needed and wanted.
Something I thought I’d found once. A group of boys I had formed a big attachment with. Boys who had promised to wait. Boys who had broken that promise and callously stomped all over it. Boys who had caused my heart to harden.
Boys I would never have been able to choose between anyway.
A nagging, buzzing sound drags me from my thoughts. Pulling my naked body out of bed, I hunt for my communicator. Searching through our clothes, which we had dumped haphazardly in our pursuit of pleasure, I find it under my undies, now torn to shreds and useless. I throw them at a bin in the corner of the room before checking the messages on my screen. Across the screen scrolls a message from my roommate and best friend Olivia.
Mina, where the fuck are you?
Mina, we’ve got The Gauntlet run in two hours. Get your ass home and ready.
Shit. My heart thumps hard in shock. I never expected to fall asleep and certainly not long enough that I would need to be reminded about today's challenge. Rushing quietly around the room, I throw on my clothes. Luckily, the man in the bed is also a student at the Academy and has an apartment in the same building as me, though he’s a year behind and not participating today. I leave him sleeping peacefully as I make my way quickly back to my apartment. Bursting through the door, my roommates’ surprised looks greet me as I rush in.
“Thanks, Livie, I just need a quick shower,” I tell them both as I run past them, noticing James’ sly grin.
He shouts after me, “Washing off the sex smell are you, Mina?” I throw up a one-finger salute as I duck into the bathroom and hear an oomph. Livie must’ve smacked him for the comment.
They both know about my problem. I’ve talked to them about it in the past. It’s not like I could hide the amount of sex I have from my roommates, and, well, I didn’t want them to think I had become careless with my body. They both suggested I speak to the Academy doctors about it, but I just wasn’t comfortable sharing it. What if there was something wrong with me?
Shrugging all that off, I shower quickly and pull on my Academy uniform, focusing on the task today. The most critical challenge of the last four years. Today is the day I finally achieve my dream
Chapter One
“In this final test, all Division teams that need new members will be observing,” the instructor tells the gathered group as she struts back and forth in front of us all. “They will broadcast it to a viewing room at Division headquarters. This allows them to assess your abilities in the Gauntlet.” She gestures behind us, and in unison, we all turn to look.
Stretched out before us and looming out of the surrounding darkness, with its mechanical clanks and groans of engines, is the Gauntlet. Jets of steam pulse from the entrance, looking like bursts of breath from a mechanical beast. Lamps intermittently stretch down its length, flames flickering within, lighting the way.
The Gauntlet... a daunting, ever-changing test of skills and abilities.
This is the final exam for all trainee collectors for the Division. Yesterday it was the outdoor fitness course for the Academy. Today it could be something from your worst nightmare. The magic pulsing from the land allows it to appear when it’s needed and disappears when it’s not. The magic will mold and shape it into a terrifying test of agility and wit.
I turn my attention away from the Gauntlet to refocus on what Janet, the instructor, is saying.
“The number of Guardian places is limited. Some of you will fail. Those that make it through within the time limit but aren’t selected for teams will be placed in other available positions within the Menagerie or in a pool for future teams, perhaps even as replacements members.”
There is an awkward pause as we all accept the reality of the situation. Guardians live long lives. Our angel blood makes us hardy creatures. If a Guardian needs replacing on a team, there’s a good chance they are dead; though retirement is common once they get to a certain age, but it's usually older than the human equivalent.
“If you are knocked out or don’t make it through under the time limit,” Janet continues, “you will not graduate or be considered for any position. You will need to repeat the training and run the Gauntlet with the next graduating class.”
There are many gasps of shock and horror around the group. Morons, I think rolling my eyes. Did they think they would all get a holiday or a free pass if they failed?
A loud droning sound draws my attention to the sky. Above us, passing slowly around the Academy, is a large, bus-like vehicle suspended below a zeppelin balloon, colored with red and blue stripes. The airbus was taking people to the various platform stops dotted throughout the city. A smile crosses my face. It’s nice to see something so ordinary on what promises to be an extraordinary day.
Brace, one of the other instructors, takes over for Janet, his deep baritone dragging my attention back towards them.
“Remember, your performance is being judged. They don’t know you from Adam. They don’t know the percentage of Angel Blood you have. You will be judged on your effort in the Gauntlet.”
“Lucky for the orphan girl,” a voice somewhere behind me sneers. I stiffen when I hear snickering. “She might have a chance. Someone might actually pick her for a team.”
I don’t bother turning around. It’s just another self-entitled asshole who thinks they’ll get by on the blood in their veins and not the skills they possess. Although I don’t know who my parents are, I have angel blood flowing through my veins, and I will not let some petty asshole comments psyche me out. While they’re out partying in the evenings and on weekends, I’m working my ass off in my downtime to hone my skills to a fine art.
“Don’t pay any attention to them, Mina,” my friend James whispers in my ear, tickling it with how close he gets. I push him away.
“They won't know what hits them when we kick ass in this thing,'' says my friend Olivia on the other side of me, giving my arm a squeeze.
Both Livie and James have bee
n my friends since the day they both enrolled in the Collector’s Division Academy at sixteen, and we were put in the same classes. They were a much-needed distraction at a time when I felt my life was falling apart. We’ve been a team ever since. They don’t care who my parents may or may not be.
Brace continues, counting out on his fingers. “The Gauntlet comprises of three parts: the obstacle course, the artifacts puzzle, and the monster fight. The monster will be virtual, and only when you defeat it, will it disappear, ending the test. If anyone is incapacitated or hurt on the course and cannot continue, tough luck, you don't get a pass. Your skills weren't good enough and you will be disqualified.”
There is a lot of scoffing from the peanut gallery behind me. It’s like they haven’t even considered the possibility
Janet throws a glare in their direction. “This is not a joke. Guardians are always in danger. If you cannot finish, you aren’t ready.”
There is an uncomfortable silence, but it’s no surprise. Only the best of the best make it through. Some Angel Bloods, or ABs as we call them, aren’t cut out for this and choose to become archivists, curators, or prison guards in the Menagerie. There is no shame in this; it’s still a prestigious position, one no human could ever do. But some ABs are douche bags and forget this, so joining a team then becomes an obsession.
Janet is still talking, but she seems to have lost a few people.
Abandoned Girl (Neighpalm Industries Collective, #1) Page 27
