Maddoc’s hand comes up to slide across my cheek, his thumb brushing over the cut on my lip.
His internal struggle takes me by surprise when it seeps through his cautious touch. “Soon as one wound heals, another appears.” His eyes lift to mine, tortured and trying to hide it.
“It’s pretty much how things work in my world.”
“But your world is our world now,” he corrects, moving his lips to my forehead before dropping them back to mine. “And in our world, this is unacceptable.”
“Really?” I tease, and his hand slips up the back of my shirt, pushing against my spine to bring me closer. “So, you’ll share your world, but not your mind?”
“My mind is dark, baby.”
“And?”
His mouth comes down, sliding across mine before he steps back, releasing me. “And you’re afraid of the dark.”
I look to Cap who sits beside me on the couch while Royce and Maddoc finish cleaning the kitchen. “What am I missing, about Zoey’s mom?”
He doesn’t hesitate. “Perkins was engaged to her mom.”
I jerk upright, shifting to face him full on. “I’m sorry...what?”
“He’s had it out for us for years, always lurking in the corners, always trying to fuck our takedowns by tipping people off, and we wanted to know why.” His forehead creases and he looks away. “The only way we saw to get to him, was to get to her.” He lifts his eyes to mine. “We knew it would only be believable if it were me pretending.”
“And then it became real,” I guess, eyeing him. “Do you love her?”
Angry eyes slice to mine. “She hid my fucking kid.”
“Yeah,” I nod lightly. “I know, but that’s not what I asked.”
He shakes his head, looking up at the ceiling. “I will never forgive her. Ever. Way too much has happened now. It wouldn’t matter if she was sick and dying or claimed to be forced into it. Nothing could ever make me forget or forgive how she gave away the innocent baby who grew inside her for nine fucking months, without telling me. Nothing.”
I drop back against the cushion. “I get that. When Collins threatened my mom’s life, I didn’t even care. I wouldn’t even care.” I roll my neck to look at him and he copies my move. “Not even a little bit.”
“Considering everything I know, I’d say there’s nothing wrong with that, Raven.”
“Yeah. It’s funny, though. I spent my whole life with her and I don’t give a shit where she ends up, but I’ve only known you guys for a hot minute and when Collins breathes your names the wrong way, I lose it. I see red and I want to strangle him with his stupid alligator skin belt.”
Cap laughs, lightly hitting my knee with his.
I consider what I said a moment, then ask, “Everyone says you love your parents despite the fucked-up shit they do, how at the end of the day, you love them even if you don’t want to, but I don’t. Does that make me sick, not caring if my own mom dies but livid at the thought of someone messing with you guys?”
“No.” Maddoc’s voice flows over my shoulder. I look, following him as he and Royce step into the room to join us. He drops on the ottoman in front of me. “It doesn’t make you weak. It makes you Brayshaw,” he whispers, and my chest grows tight.
Family runs deeper than blood.
Damn.
“When we demanded answers from Zoey’s mom,” Cap continues. “All we could squeeze from her was she left the birth certificate blank, claiming not to know who the father was.”
“That’s how she was able to sign over all rights to Zoey without you.”
He nods, looks to Maddoc, then back to me.
“We checked with the registry department and found out the paperwork for the birth certificate was filed thirty-seven days after delivery. It only takes five days to file when done at the hospital.”
“She lied.”
“She fucking lied. She did put my name on it, and Collins Graven was the one hiding the original.” Cap leans forward. “Whether he hid it to clean up after someone else or not, he knew, and I almost lost my daughter because of it.”
Son of a bitch.
I push to my feet and move for the cabinet, pulling out a bottle of some fucking dark whiskey I can’t pronounce, and take a swig from the bottle.
I cough, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand and slam the bottle against the counter.
My hands start shaking so I clench my fists to stop it.
I let them think I betrayed them with a guy who literally had some kind of hand in fucking their entire world in one way or another. Not to mention I floated around their school with him while everyone sat back to watch the train wreck that was me force their hands still. Somehow, Collins fucking knew their dad would ask them to play it cool. Or shit, as cool as three hotheads can play it.
Collins knows something they don’t and he’s proving to be a reckless bastard.
I look back to the guys, finding all their eyes on me.
I take another drink, carrying the bottle with me out the back door to the patio.
It only takes a few seconds before they’re out there with me.
Maddoc moves behind me, caging me in against the railing while Cap shifts to one side, and Royce the other.
I lean back, closing my eyes when his arms wrap around me.
The bottle is passed down the line without a word spoken.
Collins, the piece of shit, he had a hand in taking Zoey away.
He did what he needed to make them think he took me.
And he wants to take their place and power.
“We should take his life.”
“We will.”
It’s Saturday night, and the boys are having one of their bigger parties, so like the one I first came to with Vienna, it’s at some random house they found, and only those who got the cards, then followed the driver from school came. There’s a solid fifty people here, all Brayshaw and a few I even recognize from the warehouses.
Speaking of the warehouses...
I lean back in my seat when Bass walks up with two unopened beer bottles as a peace offering.
“What do you say, Carver?” he holds one out for me. “Can the help sit with the queen?” he teases, but there’s a softness in his stare he chooses to share, letting me know he’s standing here with genuine intent.
With a playful roll of my eyes, I snatch one from him and he grins, dropping his onto the coffee table in front of me.
He pulls out his lighter, popping the tops off both of our drinks. Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees he speaks low, “I fucked up. I’m sorry.”
I eye him. “For what exactly?”
“For putting the video shit on you and you alone. I should have come to you all, as a group.” His eyes bounce between mine, and I frown.
“Why do I feel like you’ve got more to say?”
He chuckles. “Because you’re smart and can read people.”
I smirk, taking a quick drink of my beer. “So out with it, Bishop.”
He nods, considering his next words carefully. “I’ve been around a minute now. I’ve seen what these people call Bray Girls – senseless girls who want a piece of power, even if it’s only on a bed for an hour once or twice. Those girls?” His brows jump. “They come and go, most of the time every few days. It was always expected. They knew they were on a temporary schedule. There was no respect, they were never included. They were just around so when it was time to hit the sack, they were near.”
My nose scrunches, and he smirks.
“Don’t like hearing that, huh?”
“I’m aware of how each of them plays.” I glance at Maddoc, who openly watches us from his spot against the wall on the opposite side of the room, arms crossed, biceps bulging, glare intact.
Heat spreads through my abdomen and as if he senses it, his lip twitches. “He’s mine now, so I don’t give a shit about what he used to do.”
I look back to Bass.
“Just him?” he asks bluntly.
“You,” he says. “Maybe a little crazier.”
“Only a little?” I lift a brow.
He chuckles. “I’d bet you’re pretty fucking even.”
“He likes my crazy, and I want his madness. It’s pretty fucking simple.”
Bass nods. “Looks simple, natural-like, from the outside, too. I think that’s why people are trippin’.”
“What do you mean?”
He lets his tongue touch his lip ring before continuing. “The guys haven’t had a single Bray Girl since you came in. Not even the two free Brayshaws.”
“They fuck all the time.”
“Yeah,” he nods. “They fuck, but they don’t allow anyone extra time around. Not since you got here.”
“They would if there was someone they wanted to keep.” I grow protective.
“They want to keep you.” He dips his head. “They don’t want you to think you’re like the others. They’ve been trying to show you what you mean to them, the only way they know how.”
“This isn’t some big gang bang, Bass.”
He gives me a pointed look. “Trust me, I know. Maddoc is real fucking clear on who belongs to who, feel me?” He lifts a brow and I laugh. “All right, look. Everyone around here knows, without a doubt, nobody could stand with them, so nobody has dared to try. Behind, yeah. In the same circle, sure, but never beside.” He licks his lips and looks off. “You, though, Rae. You might just be able to stand a solid foot in front.” He meets my stare. “I think I saw that before they did. Maybe I even acted like a bitch about it.”
“What are you trying to say, Bass?”
“I’m telling you there is no one like you, Raven Carver, and we all know it. We see it and feel it and that’s some powerful shit, girl.”
I try to look away, but he shifts, keeping me in his line of sight.
“What, you thought not?” he asks.
“I’m tired of people saying that like it’s what I was looking for here. I mean, who fucking cares—”
“I care,” he cuts me off. “I care because you doubt your power over this place and I want you to find it.”
I eye him a minute and he frowns, his lips pinching together.
Huh.
Pulling my feet up, I sit Indian style on the couch and lean my forearms on my knees, dropping closer to him. “Why?”
He starts to sit back, but I tilt my head and lift a brow in challenge.
“Why do you want that for me? Why’s it so important?”
He curses under his breath, running a hand over his face quickly. “Because I need to know a girl who lived like me, fucked up mentally and cut off emotionally – to most, anyway – can fight her way from the bottom and come out with sharper claws, not broken ones.”
I slowly drop against the cushion. “Who is she?
This time he tenses. “Who?”
“Don’t play dumb. Who’s the girl you’re worried about making it or not?”
His eyes strain. “They didn’t tell you...” he wonders. “I almost thought they’d brag.”
“They’re not the type.” I study him. “Well, maybe Royce but...” I trail, trying to ease some of the tension.
Bass gives a half grin, dropping his stare to his feet a minute before looking back up with a squint. “My sister.”
“Sister.”
He swallows and looks away. “Yup. Your boys, they stepped in when the people around us failed. Got us out before worse could happen.” He absentmindedly runs his fingers over the back of his hand.
“Got you out...” I trail off, glancing at Maddoc once more. “Like they saved you?”
When he doesn’t answer I ask, “So where is she? One of the girls in the home?”
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “She’s away from here, as she should be.”
“Bass—”
He shakes his head, so I clamp my mouth shut. He doesn’t want to talk about it, and who am I to pry.
I glance away, doing a double take as I do, and a smirk takes over my lips.
Change of subject. Perfect.
“And uh ... how about the chick who looks ready to castrate you while also looking like someone pissed in her Pradas?”
He scoffs. “You even know what Prada is?”
“Fancy shit, Collins told me all about it.” I grin and he laughs.
He looks the way I did, and his features harden. He downs his beer with his eyes on her. “She is the opposite of you – a follower. A rich bitch who only dates rich boys.” He looks back to me, his features blank.
“Wanna make her jealous?” I joke and an instant laugh breaks through his cool covered face.
“Nah, I’m not in the mood to fight your boy tonight.” He chuckles.
“Ah come on, you can hold your own.” I smile. “I mean, at first.”
He smirks goodheartedly and pushes to stand so I stand with him.
“You’re good people, Bass Bishop.”
I lift my fist and he knocks his into mine, puts a cigarette between his lips, slides his DJ headphones back in place, and nods his goodbye.
And just like that, the poor boy with swag for days has the rich bitch panting in her silk panties as she watches him stalk on by, ignoring the shit out of her.
Good for him.
Before I can even step from my spot, Royce is gripping me by the thighs and lifting me in the air.
I yelp and smack him in the back of the head, but he only laughs harder. We pass Maddoc and Royce spins me, letting Maddoc get in a good ass slap.
“Brother, stealing your woman, a’ight?”
“Careful, asshole, she’s still sore!”
“Ha!” Royce laughs. “I bet I know where, brother!”
I roll my eyes and hang on best I can, while he snags the two bottles in Cap’s hand and runs out.
“Those were ours, dick!”
“Raven thanks you, Cap!” he shouts back and runs into the back yard where he finally lets me slide down.
We both laugh at his silliness, and I grab the beer he hands me.
There are several little groups spread all around the grass area, so he leads me to the side of the house, out of prying eyes.
I pull back, frowning at the dark orchards. “Royce—”
“Shit,” he cuts me off. “Hang on, sorry.” He pulls his phone out and turns on the flashlight, propping it up beside an old air conditioner unit. He drops down against the side of the house, so I move with him.
“I was trying to entice you into some freaky shit, RaeRae,” he jokes, tossing a sandwich baggy full of weed in my lap.
My mouth drops open.
“That’s for you.” He pulls out an already rolled blunt. “This is for us.” He grins.
“How much did this cost?”
“Didn’t cost me shit.” He takes it back and stuffs it in his pocket. “I better hold it and give it to you at home since your jeans are tighter than virgin pussy.”
I start laughing and he flashes me a smile, sticking his tongue out.
“Been in many of those, Royce?”
He frowns at that. “Nah, actually. Haven’t.”
He’s quiet a minute, so I take another hit.
“How old were you when you lost your virginity, RaeRae?” he asks, and I tense.
He looks my way when I don’t answer, and he runs a hand through his hair. “Shit, I ...fuck.”
I shrug, looking out at the darkness the surrounds us. “I was twelve when it was stolen. Fifteen when I gave it away.”
He runs his hand up his arm, flipping it over to study the tatts there. He won’t look up. “Wanna talk about it, RaeRae?” he whispers and my chest warms.
Such a softy at heart, this playboy.
“Not really, he was fifteen, too. Had no clue what he was doing.” I glance his way. “Couldn’t get the job done, not like you probably could,” I
joke, and his head snaps my way.
His lip tips, and it only takes a second for his shoulders to pep back up.
“Oh, I’d have rocked your world, baby.” He grips my knee shaking me.
“No doubt.” My eyes widen as my brows lift and he flips me off. “But only if I wasn’t a virgin, yeah?”
“Exactly.” He snatches the blunt from my hand and takes a hit.
“That like your one rule of thumb?” I tease. “Don’t wanna get ‘em sprung?”
He follows the ashes as they fall to the grass.
“I don’t wanna ruin it for anyone, and knowing me, RaeRae, they’d regret it later.” He licks his lips and looks back to me. “Least I can do is make sure it won’t be the one time they’re sure to never forget that they wish they could, yeah?”
My eyes soften and I tilt my head.
“That right there makes me think you’d be a solid first fuck, Royce,” I speak low.
He stares a second, trying to fight it but we both bust up laughing.
“Reason number two hundred seventy-five why I like having you around, RaeRae. You make me feel good, even when I’m feeling like a piece of shit.” He gives a soft grin. “You make me feel normal.”
“You’re not a piece of shit.”
He lifts his hands, beer in one, blunt in the other. “But I’m a bad guy.”
“No, you do stupid shit. You’re an awesome guy.”
He scoffs, his head facing forward while he looks at me out of the corner of his eye. “Would you let your daughter near me, if she was different than us?”
I wince, but thankfully it’s dark and he misses it. I swallow subtly. “Different how?”
“If she was good.”
I glower, shifting toward him. “I’d wish she could find someone like you.”
“Why?” he whispers.
“Because, you’d love her. Hard, raw, probably a little too possessively, and definitely beyond anything a normal guy could.”
“How do you know?” he rasps.
A deep crease forms on my forehead. “I just do.”
His eyes flick between mine, and finally, a small grin comes out. “So, I’m a catch, then?”
A laugh spits from me and he joins in.
Trouble at Brayshaw High Page 21
