by Rachel Leigh
I spin around quickly, giving him a shove. He’s lucky that I don’t slap him across the face. “Do not do that again.” I grit through my teeth. But he doesn’t even shutter, he just smiles. A sinister smile that trails goosebumps down my entire body.
His breath prickles my neck as he walks behind me. “My apologies. I was just remembering how much you liked it when I touched you last night.” Bringing my elbow back forcefully, I nail him right in the gut. When he lets out a grunt, I know I made my point.
Walking up the steep and winding stairs, he’s hot on my trail. Getting a perfect view of my ass. I’d love nothing more than to kick my foot back and send him flying down. I’m sure Ruby wouldn’t mind the mess of his blood; she’d probably sing one of her church hymnals with a smile on her face as she mops it up.
When we reach the top, I give him one more chance to change his mind. “Are you prepared for the possibility that in three point five seconds, my dad will have a gun to your head demanding your intentions?”
Reaching into his pocket, he whips out a sling blade. My eyes widen as I take a step back. “I’m always prepared.” With a flip, the blade goes back in and he sticks it in his pocket.
Ok then. Let’s hope that it doesn’t come to that because Ruby would not be as inclined to clean up that sort of mess. Knocking on the door, Dad speaks before I announce myself, “Come in, Marni.”
Dad watches every move made in this house. He’s already expecting Talon and me. He has a monitor in his office with coverage of every camera in the house. The prison-like feel of my home has made sure that my high school days are anything but thrilling. My bedroom is the only place I get any privacy, and it’s not until I’m on the outside of this prison that I am able to fully unwind.
Dad is sitting all high and mighty—the king of his castle. A stern look holds tightly to his face as he glares at Talon. “Hi, Dad.” I walk over to his side and greet him with a kiss on his cheek.
“Where were you last night?” he asks. His words are directed toward me, but he is still staring at Talon.
“I stayed at Shay’s. I told you this before I left.” I didn’t really, but Dad doesn’t pay attention to half of what I say, so he’ll just play it off like he forgot.
Finally, he turns in his chair and looks in my direction. I pop a cheek on the edge of his desk and glance from him to Talon. “This is my friend, Talon. Blakley Porter’s brother.”
“I know who he is.” Dad picks up a cigar on his desk and sticks it between his teeth. Something he does often when he means business. The angrier he gets, the harder he bites down on it. I’m not sure I’ve ever even seen him smoke one.
Talon stands tall with his hands in his pockets and a blank stare as he glares right back at my dad. Being in this room with the two of them is actually enlightening. They are more similar than I thought. Both have this need for power and dominance. Only, Talon wants power over me. Dad’s goals are much bigger. He prefers to rule an entire nation in the black market, while also controlling me so that I don’t draw any negative attention to the Thorn name. Not that Axel hasn’t done that already.
“Dad, I’m here because I was wondering if I can stay with Shay for a couple of weeks. You’re leaving for Dallas in a couple of days anyway, and you know how much I hate staying here alone.”
Dad’s chair slides back so fast that you’d think his legs were on fire. He stands up and forcefully smacks both palms to his desk. “And what the hell do you have to do with this?” he snaps, looking Talon dead in the eye.
Still not budging from his position, Talon’s lips curl upward. Pulling his hand out of his pocket, he pops a toothpick between his teeth while Dad bites down so hard on his cigar that I’m surprised it’s still intact. I want to reach over and smack the shit-eating grin off Talon’s face before he gets us both in trouble, but that would only draw more attention to the situation. I shouldn’t even care. If Talon wants to screw this up, so be it. It would actually work in my favor because the idea of staying in that house with those guys for God knows how long is worse than living in this one with eyes on me twenty-four-seven.
“I’m just here for moral support, Sir.” Talon smirks, pinching the toothpick between his thumb and forefinger while he chews on it.
“Moral support my ass.” Dad turns to me. “What the hell are you doing hanging out with this beatnik?”
Laughter erupts in the form of sarcasm as Talon steps forward. “Beatnik? Pretty hypocritical coming from someone in your position. Tell me, Mr. Thorn, what exactly is it that you do for a living?”
My heart feels like a jack hammer in my chest. The continuous pounding is so loud I can feel the vibration in my ears. “Stop it, both of you.” I stretch my arms out between the two of them, even though the desk is separating them from any direct contact. However, in a matter of seconds, one of them could be on the other side and it wouldn't be a good ending for any of us. “Dad, I’m going to stay at Shay’s for a couple of weeks. I’m packing a bag and I’ll text you every day to check in.” I step behind the desk while him and Talon continue with their staredown. I give him another chaste kiss on the cheek then walk over and grab Talon by the arm to pull him away.
“You lay a finger on my daughter and you won’t live to brag about it, young man.” Talon takes the toothpick out of his mouth and gives it a toss. I watch as it lands on Dad’s desk, and I know that we need to haul ass out of here right fucking now. “Do you hear me?” he shouts, once again, smacking his hands down so loud on his desk that the echo carries out into the hall.
As soon as we are far enough away from Dad’s office, I shove both hands hard into Talon’s chest. “What the hell was that?”
“Just making sure he knows that I’m not intimidated by him.” His thumb flicks across my chin. “I cower to nobody, baby.”
I’m not sure if I’m appalled or turned on. I’ve never seen anyone stand up to my dad like that. Most of the people in this town fear him. Not Talon. Something tells me that Talon has no fear.
Without fear, we have no limits.
For my sake, I hope that’s not true.
6
“Where exactly are we going?” Marni asks from the passenger seat. Her back is pressed firmly against the leather with her hands folded tightly in her lap. She looks tense.
I glance over at her, and as anxious as I am to tell her what we’re doing, I’ll let the curiosity fester inside of her a bit longer. “You’ll see.”
Driving down Old Highway Eighty-Eight, the sun has disappeared behind the clouds. An unusual darkness lingers outside as we drive in complete silence. Ironic, considering what we are about to do. In less than an hour, there is no going back, and she will officially be at our beck and call. She will kneel when we say kneel and speak when we say speak.
Straightening her back, she leans forward to get a better look at our surroundings. “Why are we leaving Redwood? I assumed we were going to Briarwood.”
“Wrong.” I click my tongue against my cheek as we drive past the road that leads to Briarwood. “We’re going to Miners Point.”
Her body jerks up in a swift-like motion. Fear written all over her face. “Miners Point? As in one of the tallest and most dangerous points on this side of the state?”
“You got it.” I smirk. I know that I’m a sick bastard for relishing in the pain and fear that I instill in others—namely her. She just makes it so easy. Marni isn’t weak by any means. I don’t know her all that well, but I do know that she has a name for herself in the halls of Redwood as a badass bitch. Something about watching her squirm is satisfying.
“If you think that I’m climbing up to the point, you’re as delusional as I thought you were.”
“There will be no climbing.” I throw my arm out in front of her and push her back against the seat. “Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery.”
Shoving my arm away, she rolls her eyes so hard that I worry they will get stuck up in their sockets. “Ok, if we’re not climbing the point, then
why the hell are we going there?”
“Has anyone ever told you that you ask too many questions?”
“I think I’m warranted a few here and there, considering I just packed up my clothes to move into a house where I’m forced to sleep with one eye open because you are all fucking lunatics. Not to mention that you are driving me out to Miners Point with zero insight into why. So, yes, I do ask a lot of questions.”
“You talk a lot, too.”
The sound that escapes her sounds like a mixture of a woman giving birth and a dog growling. “Ugh, I hate you.” She crosses her arms over her chest and resumes looking out the window.
“I like the way your hate feels. You said the same thing last night and it poured into my hand as my fingers were fucking your pussy. Tasted pretty good, too.” I pop two fingers in my mouth, then pull them out. “You’re welcome to hate me tonight if you’d like.”
She snarls, “You’re so disgusting.”
We pull down the dirt road and the dust kicks up, which tells me that the guys are already here. Quickly changing from a smooth ride to a bumpy terrain has Marni grabbing the ‘oh shit’ handles and looking like she’s ready to attack me with her bare hands. “Would you slow the hell down?” she snaps.
“I thought you liked it bumpy, my bad.”
“Oh my God, would you quit it with the sexual innuendos? They’re getting old.”
I tsk. “My, my, you have a dirty mind. I was referring to the ride. What did you have in mind?”
She doesn’t even humor me with a snappy response.
Razor sharp edges that reach the tip of the point cover our entire viewing area. Tommy’s car looks like a Hot Wheels toy parked in front of it. The closer we get, the more life-sized it becomes, until we’re parked right next to it. Tommy is sitting in the driver's seat with the door open. His head shoots up from his phone when we get out. Zed is laying back on the hood of the car puffing on a joint and blowing smoke circles into the still air. He doesn’t even acknowledge our presence. And Lars is taking a piss right in front of us and makes no attempt to hide his pencil dick.
“Bout fucking time.” Lars huffs as he gives himself a shake and zips up his pants.
I glance around for the car. “Where is it?”
“Don’t worry. Everything’s in place,” Lars says, as he walks over and throws an arm over Marni’s shoulder. “Should have put on some hiking boots. Those white tennies won’t be so pretty when we’re done here.”
Marni tosses his arm off her and takes a step back, planting her hands on her hips and looking around. “What’s in place?”
Zed jumps off the hood, still pinching the joint in his hands. “Oh, didn’t our boy, Talon, tell you? We’re planning to gang bang you then hike up that point and toss your beaten body over the ledge.”
Tommy finally pockets the phone his face is always shoved in. “Don’t listen to him. He’s a bit fucked in the head.” He snatches the joint out of Zed’s hands and draws in a long drag.
Zed undresses Marni with his eyes, and I clench my fists at my side. “I mean, we could change the plans. Sounds like a good time to me.” He says with a wink.
Marni turns around to face me. “Please, just take me home. I don’t like this,” she whispers. As if she’s seeking comfort in me. Like I’m the one who would save her from this madness. Little does she know, I’m far from a savior. I’m a whole goddamn nightmare.
I spin her around to face the guys. “Walk,” I demand. “Zed, lead the way. You’re the one who parked the car out here.”
The terrain is difficult to drive through, but, somehow, Zed managed to get the car back there last night and walked back when it was in place.
Tommy passes me the joint, and I take a couple drags while Marni is fanning the smoke away from her face. “Oh come on, don’t act all innocent. I know you indulge.” I offer it to her, but she side-eyes me with a glare that has the veins in my dick pulsating. For some reason, angry Marni turns me on. Which could be very bad for me, considering she’s gonna be angry for the foreseeable future.
“Did indulge. Now that I’m living with you whack jobs, I need a clear head. One eye open at night and a deadbolt on the bedroom door. Make that happen, please.” She smirks, and it’s loaded with sass and sarcasm.
Tommy laughs. “I like her.” His shoulder nudges mine. “Looks like you’re gonna have your hands full with this one.”
“Don’t forget, we’re in this together. She’s not just my problem.” Sure, I’ll cut off the fingers of any hand that tries to touch her, but as far as her attitude, we get to share in that misfortune.
“I’m not anyone’s problem!” she shouts, “and if you all think that I’m a problem, you can gladly take me back home and forget you even know me.” She grabs the joint so fast from my fingers that I’m pretty sure she just burnt the tip of her thumb. Drawing in a puff, she holds it for a minute then coughs out a cloud of smoke.
Tommy pats her on the back. “Easy there, girl, we need you alive.”
“Could someone give me my fucking joint back,” Zed grumbles in front of us but doesn’t bother turning around.
Marni skips up next to him and sticks it in front of his face. He takes it away and glares daggers in her direction. Zed is a bit of a robot. Heartless, cold, and made of steel. He’s unbreakable, because you can’t break what isn’t even whole. We’re all used to it, but Marni, she has no idea what he is capable of. The thoughts that go on in that head of his are satanic and eerie. All the more reason why I need to keep an extra eye on him. Marni is with us for a reason, and I’ll be damned if he pushes her over the edge before she serves her purpose.
Twenty-minutes later, we’ve finally made it to the backside of Miners Point that looks out over Lake Ruin. The old beat-up tan Chevy sits right at the edge of the cliff. We keep walking, but Marni backsteps once she realizes how far down the drop is. “Holy shit.” She stretches her neck to try and look without getting too close. When she stumbles a bit, I instinctively grab her by the waist.
“Watch yourself,” I say. She looks at me and giggles. Noticing that her eyes are small and squinted leads me to believe she doesn't indulge as often as I thought she did. “You ok?”
“I’m fine, but what’s with the old car?” She takes a step forward, and her eyes widen. “Wait, that’s Josh’s car.” Clapping an open hand over her mouth, she gasps, “Oh my gosh. Is he in there?”
Zed casually lets the joint drop to the ground and digs the toe of his boot into it. “Maybe he is. Maybe he isn’t.” His monotone voice comes out gruff.
Marni’s eyes shoot to mine. Wide and searching for reassurance. Once again—something she seeks from me that I can’t give her. “Move.” I give her a nudge toward the car.
Her entire body steels as I push her forward, reminding me of the big tractor tires that Coach would make us push up and down the field during practices my junior year. “I don’t think,” she stumbles over her words, “I don’t think I can go near that car.”
“I said, move.” I walk into her back, forcing her body to move forward. Leaning in, I whisper, “He’s not in there.”
Her body relaxes a tad, but she’s still resisting. “He’s not?”
“No, of course not. You think we’d let his body sit in a car in this heat and rot? We aren’t that inhumane.” I pause for a beat, letting her absorb that information. “He’s buried. Beneath the concrete in the basement of Briarwood. Remember that wall I pressed you up against?” When she doesn’t respond with words, but I feel her body tense up again, I continue, “Let’s just say that Joshy boy was watching the whole thing. I heard he likes to watch you. Did you know that?”
Her entire body spins around to face me while the guys gather behind the car. With flared nostrils, she clears her throat. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She knows exactly what I’m talking about. I tsk. “You didn’t think we were the only ones with a secret, did you?”
“How do you know?” When I stand the
re idly with my hands in my pockets and a smirk on my face, she plunges her hands into my chest. “Damnit, Talon, how do you know?”
Leaning forward, my mouth ghosts her ear. I take in her hitched breaths and relish in the sound of her trumpeting heart. “Because I like to watch you, too.”
7
Unease ripples through my body. Talon’s hot breath sticks to my skin like a thirsty leech. Running my fingers over the dew on my neck where his words hit, I realize that I’m sweating. Frozen in place but burning up.
“How does that make you feel?” he hums, “Knowing that I’ve not only touched you in the dark, but also seen your naked body in the light?”
Playing dumb, I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”
Sure, I did some things that I’m not proud of. But he shouldn’t know that. No one should. Especially not Josh. Especially not Talon Fucking Porter.
“Are we doing this or what?” Zed growls from the backside of the car. The guys are all standing idly, waiting for whatever it is we are supposed to be doing.
“We’ll talk about this later.” Talon places his hand on my back and begins walking toward the guys.
“Yes, we will talk about it later, because I also want to know what you meant when you said that Josh is buried in that basement.”
“I meant he’s buried in the basement. What more is there to talk about?”
The thought sends a quiver of nausea through me. There was a body decomposing just beneath the floors where my arousal was dripping as Talon gave me one of the best orgasms of my life.
“Little Thorn.” Zed waves me over, and if he calls me that one more time, I swear I’m gonna scream. Hating myself more and more with each step, I move to his side like an obedient puppy. I shouldn’t be putting up with this shit. This is not me. I’m not one to be pushed around. “Stand here. And once Lars jumps out of the car, you push.” He looks me dead in the eye as he stretches a pair of black leather gloves on his hands. I struggle to catch the thoughts in my head. I have to push. “Do you hear me? You push,” he repeats again.
