by R. E. Bond
“Hello?”
“Donovan, where are you?” Diesel snapped, making me frown.
“At school, why?”
“I mean right this second. Where the fuck are you at school, and who…”
“I’m with Hunter talking to Caden and the guys by my locker. Why?”
He cursed before he spoke up.
“Hunter’s with you again?”
“Yes, he’s fucking with me again,” I hissed, calming as Hunter leaned against the lockers and placed an arm around my middle to pull me back against his chest.
He was tense, so I knew he was aware that something was wrong.
“Head’s up then,” Diesel sighed before hanging up without another word.
What was that all about?
Caden matched my frown with his own, thankfully ignoring Hunter’s closeness to me.
“Who was that and what did they say?”
“Diesel. He said heads up,” I replied with confusion as Hunter placed a kiss on my neck.
He smiled as his lips trailed across my skin, his voice low.
“You’ll figure it out in a second.”
I went to reply but Slash was suddenly in front of us, and he looked ready to murder one of us.
Probably both.
Hunter chuckled, nibbling my earlobe before moving back and giving him a grin.
“Hey, man. What’s up?”
“Don’t fucking touch her,” he snapped, and Hunter faked a hurt heart like the award-winning actor that he was.
“Donovan wouldn’t let me unless she wanted me to, and you know it. Play nice Mr Russo.”
Slash fumed, but I took a step away from all of them, throwing my hands up in the air with frustration as I noticed a crowd forming.
“Easily fixed. All of you can stay the fuck away from me. Good? Good!” Then I turned and stormed off towards the parking lot.
I was nearly at my car when I noticed someone moving in my direction out of the corner of my eye.
I slowed, pulling my phone from my pocket to pretend to answer a call, before turning and walking in the direction I’d come from.
The person followed, their footsteps getting closer until I heard their voice.
“Hey, stop for a second. I just want to talk.”
I could see their reflection in the window as we passed part of the building, the Satan’s Soldiers logo staring back at me.
I saw his hand reach out to grab me and I bolted, hearing him curse as I ran around the corner before he could stop me.
I jammed my phone into my pocket as I ran, panic starting to seep in as I realized he could actually take me, and no one would know until it was too late.
His footsteps pounded behind me, and as I turned the corner to run past the gardens, I was suddenly yanked behind the bushes and a hand clamped over my mouth before I could make a noise.
I fought for a moment as panic surged through me, but I heard Diesel’s voice in my ear over the beating of my own heart.
“Shut up or they’ll hear you. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
I stopped fighting and tried to calm my breathing, speaking softly once he moved his hand from my mouth and the Soldier had run past, not pulling away from Diesel’s protective hold on me.
“What are you doing here? I could’ve stabbed you.”
“Soldiers have been sitting in a car, two cars over from yours for a while. One of our guys noticed and called us in to get you the fuck out,” he whispered, and I peeked around the corner at the car he was speaking about.
I squinted, trying to see whatever he could see.
I didn’t see anyone in it.
“But there’s no one…”
“Trust me, they’re in there. Follow me,” he cut me off, taking my hand in his and leading me towards my locker once checking that the Soldier hadn’t turned back.
Hunter raised an eyebrow as we approached holding hands, but Diesel kept a firm hold on me as he surprisingly took control of the situation.
“Slash, you give us ten minutes to get out, then you drive her car to the shed, okay? Hunter, you…”
“I’m staying with Rory,” he protested, but Diesel glared at him.
“She’s with me. You can meet us at the shed if you really have to. Soldiers are sitting in the parking lot near her car, and one’s running around on foot looking for her, so we have to fucking move now.”
Jensen tensed up, and when he reached out and touched my arm, I let him.
When I didn’t protest to his touch, he moved in front of me with a worried look on his usual carefree face.
“Be careful. Please.”
I hesitated, taking his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“I will. You guys need to stay away from me though, okay? Promise me you will.”
He seemed torn, but Lukas tugged him back beside him and gave me a scathing glare.
“Don’t worry, we will.”
I thought maybe he just wasn’t over being dumped, and that was why he was being so bitter towards me.
Well, he shouldn’t have called me a fucking whore.
I didn’t have time for his theatrics.
Caden and Tyler went to speak, but Diesel tugged me away, leading me through the school and towards a back gate that I’d rarely used.
Usually, the druggies hung out there at lunch break, so I never ventured through.
I wasn’t stupid enough to take drugs to school.
I slowed when we got to the Psycho’s black Chevy van and Skeeter opened the door, giving me a serious look.
“Don’t fucking argue. Get in and let’s go.”
I didn’t speak as I did as I was told.
I knew how serious the situation was.
Once we were driving along the old main road, Diesel turned to me, irritation clear on his face.
“Why did Hunter want to stick with you so badly? Can’t he live without you for five fucking minutes?”
Skeeter’s sharp green eyes met mine as they flicked to the rear view mirror, waiting for my answer.
I’d almost bet he was itching to fucking yell at me.
I replied as I turned my attention to Diesel, ignoring Skeeter.
“He respects me and he’s worried about me. He’s my cover at school and he keeps an eye out for me.”
He raised an eyebrow, not appearing any less irritated.
“Your cover?”
“Yep.”
“You want to explain what that even means?”
“Nothing to explain. As far as people know, he’s with me,” I shrugged, a snort coming from Skeeter.
“In other words, you’re fucking him and don’t care that people know?”
“I’m not fucking anyone!” I snapped, his knuckles turning white on the steering wheel.
“Not what I’ve heard,” he muttered under his breath, glaring at me as I thumped his head rest.
If we crashed, we crashed.
Fuck him.
“Fuck you, Skeeter. How many girls have you been buried in since we broke up?”
He glared at me again but stayed silent, which just made me laugh dryly.
He didn’t need to know it actually really fucking hurt.
“Too many to count, huh?”
“So, you’ll lie to me about my best friend too?” He asked bitterly, a frown tugging at my lips.
“The hell do you…”
“Slash. You really going to lie to me about him, Aurora?” He asked, his voice becoming louder as his knuckles turned even whiter from the grip he had on the wheel.
I was surprised he hadn’t broken a finger, actually.
I gave him a half shrug.
“I’m not lying about anything. Slash and I haven’t slept together.”
“That’s not what I heard either.”
Boys sure liked to fucking gossip.
“Tell Tyler to shut his mouth about shit he doesn’t know. Slash and I were going to fuck, but we didn’t. Drop it.”
Diesel rolled his eyes
at Skeeter, already sick of the stupid argument.
“Look, man. Leave it be. Everyone knows you fucked her sister the moment you two split.”
Skeeter’s knuckles cracked, suddenly seeming content to keep his gaze in front of him.
Out of all the people in town, he fucked her?
And she let him?
“You fucked Claire?” I asked angrily, but I let him hear the hurt.
His eyes finally met mine in the rear vision mirror and I snorted, yanking open the van door.
He slammed on the brakes before I could jump out while we were still moving, and he was out the door not far behind me the moment I bailed.
“Damnit Rory, get in the fucking van!”
“Like fuck, you sister-fucking cunt!” I shouted loudly, a feral growl coming from him.
“Shut the fuck up! You make it sound like I fucked my own goddamn sister. Get your ass in the van before I make you!”
I spun on my heels and flipped him the bird.
“Fuck you, Skeeter. How could you do that to me?”
“Because I was angry! It didn’t mean anything for fuck’s sake, so…”
I managed to punch him in the chest twice before Diesel got between us and tucked me under his arm.
“Hey, that doesn’t matter right now. We need to get you to the shed, okay? Hunter’s waiting for us.”
I moved from under his arm and put on a false joyful expression.
Fuck Skeeter.
“True. Better get going since I haven’t had my daily fuck yet.”
I got back in the van, ignoring Skeeter for the rest of the drive, despite wanting to kick the shit out of him.
I considered doing it just to make a point.
Lukas
I had to keep Rory away, but the hateful act was harder than I thought.
It was even harder when Jensen kept running to her, making me feel worse.
I knew he was getting annoyed with me, but what choice did I have?
She was going to get herself killed.
I had to make sure she wasn’t still wrapped around my heart before that happened.
If she died, it would break all of us.
I had to get Jensen and I away so the sting wouldn’t hurt so bad.
I’d lose him if he got consumed with grief, I just knew it.
It wasn’t even the relationship I’d miss the most, it would be my best friend.
We’d been fighting a lot, and I knew I kept making it worse by pulling him away from Rory like I had been, but I couldn’t lose them both.
I couldn’t let her shatter him into pieces, along with the rest of us.
Jensen glared at me from where he leaned against his locker.
I hated that he was mad at me, but he just wouldn’t listen.
I was trying to save him from heartache.
“Do you have to keep talking to her like shit? Caden’s close to knocking you the fuck out. Hell, I’m close to knocking you out. Give it a rest, Luke.”
I glanced around to make sure we were alone, my expression becoming desperate.
“I’m trying to save us from this bullshit. We’re going to lose her, whether it’s to the Soldiers or the next asshole who comes to town. She’s chosen to be part of the Psychos, Jense. She’s going to fucking die, and she doesn’t give a shit about us. She dumped us and has been rubbing on Hunter like a dog in heat, for fuck’s sake. Let her go, we’ve lost her already.”
He slammed his hand against the lockers beside my head, leaning close enough for his warm breath to fan across my lips.
“She’s running. You of all people should fucking know that, you were her best friend. It’s not like you can blame her for lashing out at us, considering some of the shit you’ve said to her. We tried to smother her, so no wonder she ran. Rory’s not used to having people give a shit about her, and she’s not used to having to care about someone in return. Of course she’s going to make mistakes, we fucking have!” He growled quietly, giving me no choice other than to peer into his angry blue eyes.
“Jense, she’s going to die, and then the guilt will eat at you until I lose you too. I can’t deal with that, I really can’t,” I whispered, something crossing his face before he covered it up.
His voice was low as he let me hear the hurt and anger that he’d been holding back.
“If you keep this shit up, you’ll fucking lose me anyway,” then he gave me one last glare before stalking off, leaving me there with another bruise on my heart.
I couldn’t break.
I fucking couldn’t.
Slash
I couldn’t let the Soldiers hurt Rory.
I would burn every last one of them alive if I had to.
I knew I’d originally intended on killing her to snap Skeeter out of his pathetic puppy love bullshit, but I totally saw what he saw.
She was fucking fierce, she loved with her all when given the chance, and she was strong.
So fucking strong.
She had all of us wrapped around her little finger, and I was okay with that.
Call me a little bitch, I didn’t give a shit.
I hated being separated from her in that moment, not knowing if she was safe or not.
I drove her Corvette straight to the shed, starting to worry when they took their merry time.
If she’d chosen this as a good time to pull over for make-up sex with Skeeter, I would fucking strangle her.
I never had a chance with her, I knew that, but it didn’t mean it wasn’t all I thought about when I was looking at her.
I watched Hunter pace by the bar like a caged animal as we waited for Rory to show up.
He was driving me insane just by being in my shed, let alone obsessing over Rory like he was.
Every time I turned around, he was all over her like a rash.
He might have grown up with Skeeter and I, but I’d put a bullet in him if he fucking hurt her.
He chose a side, so that was on him.
I knew who I was using as a fucking shield when the Soldiers arrived, that was for sure.
Rory
“Hey babe, are you…,” Hunter managed to get out before I kissed him hard, pushing him back against the wall with force.
He groaned, his fingers digging into my waist to pull me closer as he deepened the kiss almost desperately.
I knew I was being a bitch, but I couldn’t stop myself from climbing him like a tree.
I wrapped my legs around his middle as he gripped my thighs and spun us around, pressing me against the wall instead as he ground his growing erection against me.
When he finally moved back to breathe, he raised an eyebrow and smirked, his voice quiet.
“Troublemaker. Just so you’re aware, I know you’re using me, but I’m okay with that.”
“What do you mean?” I breathed, his expression becoming soft like his voice.
“I know you’re using me to mask the hurt and to piss Skeet off. You can use me, babe. I’d do that for you if you need me to,” he murmured, his pretty eyes watching me for a reaction.
Skeeter’s eyes burned into me from close by, causing my lip to twitch into a small smile.
I knew it was wrong, but being irrational and spontaneous when I was hurting was the way I’d always go.
“Touch me,” I whispered, before I could think about it.
Hunter chuckled, burying his face in the crook of my neck, lifting me higher as his hands moved to my butt.
He hardened against my core, a breathy moan pushing past my lips as he licked up the cord on my neck, his fingers digging into my butt more as he pulled me closer.
I gasped in shock as he suddenly jolted backwards, almost dropping me completely.
I glared at Slash who had hold of the back of Hunter’s shirt, a little surprised that it wasn’t Skeeter.
“Back the fuck off, Slash.”
“Doubt it. You could have been fucking killed today, and you’re trying to get laid?”
I snorted, wriggling so
Hunter would put me down, before I got in Slash’s face with a scowl.
“Who knows how long I have to live? I’d better fuck as much as I can.”
“Then get in the back office and I’ll fuck you so hard that you won’t be able to use your fucking legs for a week,” he spat out angrily, causing some of the Psychos to chuckle at our banter, but they laughed loudly as I flipped Slash the bird and spun around to leave.
I only got two steps away before he hoisted me over his broad shoulder and held me firmly in his strong grip, swatting my ass sharply.
“Cut it out, you’re like a little fluffy rabid squirrel when you’re mad.”
“Put me the fuck down or I’ll take a shot at you!” I snapped, but he just rolled his eyes.
“Cute,” then he walked towards the office and locked us inside.
He put me down, his stormy eyes turning gentle as they roamed over me slowly for damage.
“I’m worried about you, Killer. The Soldiers don’t play nice, and you don’t play smart with this shit. I need you to back down and let us keep you safe, before you end up dead.”
I plonked my butt on his desk and sneered.
“You don’t give a fuck, cut it out and let me…”
He was suddenly nose to nose with me, rage taking over his entire face.
“Don’t you dare tell me I don’t give a fuck about you. I’d fucking die for you, Rory.”
I stared at him, speechless for what seemed like ages until his hand rested on my cheek affectionately, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it before.
“I can’t lose you, Donovan. I can’t live in a world without you in it.”
“Slash…,” I whispered, placing my hand over his as I went to say more, but I never got to finish my sentence.
“Fucking Soldiers are here man!” Diesel shouted, bashing on the door and startling both of us.
Oh, fuck.
I went to climb off the desk, but Slash pulled me against him and kissed me hard, pulling back quicker than I’d hoped.
He had a small smile on his face, sadness washing over him as he spoke.
“I love you, Killer.”
My heart hurt.
I wished I could love him in the way he wanted me to, but I couldn’t.
He kissed my forehead tenderly, speaking so quietly that I could hardly hear him over the shouting in the main room.
