A High so Sweet: A Dark Enemies to Lovers Romance (Thornes & Roses Book 2)

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A High so Sweet: A Dark Enemies to Lovers Romance (Thornes & Roses Book 2) Page 2

by Dani René


  “That’s lame,” Finn answers, breaking through my thoughts. “Did you hear who’s back in town?” he questions when I step into my bedroom from the walk-in closet.

  I glance at my brother, stopping all movement because even though I’m not certain, I have a feeling I know what he’s going to say. “Who?”

  “The Narros.” His voice is filled with caution when he says the name. It’s the same name that’s haunted my every fucking thought over the past five years. I wanted to find her, to tell her she had me, she was mine, but she was seventeen when she left, and I was far too fucking old for her. I didn’t want to end up in jail, so I let her go.

  The night in question has played on my mind time and again. If it wasn’t for my father’s influence in this town, I wouldn’t be here. She was the one who didn’t stand up for me when I needed it. Even though I spent years looking after her.

  She wanted me that night, and I could have taken her, claimed her, made her mine. But then I would’ve paid dearly. That still didn’t stop her from spreading a rumor, which was as dangerous as the belief her folks already had of me. They never did approve of me because they blamed me for her drinking and drug abuse, even though I was the one trying to keep her safe.

  When they found the coke on her that day, I allowed them to think it was me. I let them believe I was the bad influence, not that their precious angel was doing that shit because she hated her life. And because of that, one night changed my whole life. When I arrived home that night, I found flashing lights and guys in uniform, and that’s when I learned who Kalyn Narro truly was—a fucking liar.

  We used to spend our time talking late into the night. She immediately caught my attention back when I used to go to the school with Creed, a friend and one of the Havens, to pick up his brothers, not only because she was exquisitely beautiful, but because she had a fire that I’d not seen in many girls her age.

  I was hooked.

  Her mind worked in mysterious ways; she had a question for everything and anything. But then her grandmother died on her sixteenth birthday, and she broke. Something inside her shattered, and she turned to partying with the kids in her class.

  “They’re arriving this evening,” Finn says suddenly, and I realize I didn’t answer him earlier. He’s watching me as if I were a bomb about to detonate. Perhaps I am. Maybe I’m going to explode.

  And it will be all because of her—again.

  “What?” The word tumbles from my mouth before I have time to think about what he’s just voiced. “Does that mean…? Is she here?” Once again, my emotions are showing, those same fucking emotions I promised myself not to allow to invade my life.

  Finn nods slowly. “But there’s a rumor going around that something happened to her,” he tells me; his voice is low, merely a whisper, and tension coils in my gut.

  “What happened to her?”

  “Not sure what’s going on, I don’t have the full scoop, but you can be sure the moment I do, you’ll be the first to know,” he tells me, his focus holding mine. Then he continues, “Maybe the Hollywood Hills wasn’t the best choice for someone like her.”

  “What the fuck does that mean?” My jaw clenches so hard, I can hear my teeth grinding as I attempt to keep calm.

  He shrugs slowly, his head shaking side to side as if he’s about to tell me she’s dead. But then he finally whispers, “she’s… I think perhaps you should wait and see.”

  When my hands fist, he’s on his feet, grabbing me around the middle with my arms locked against me. “Let me go,” I growl, but it’s no use. Finn knows the rage I’ve felt when I got back to the party that night. He saw the emotion I allowed to free itself from my usually stoic expression.

  “She’s here, and you’re not going to lose your shit,” he tells me, keeping his tone calm, but it does nothing to satiate my need for violence. I’m usually the calm one of the three Thorne brothers, but with her, I’m volatile.

  “Then tell me what the fuck is wrong with her,” I bite out as anger surges through me. I could take Finn down, and he knows it too, but fighting with my brother isn’t going to solve anything.

  “Cassian,” my father’s voice comes from the hallway outside my bedroom, and I shrug Finn off before stepping toward the door, just as Dad walks in. “I need you to fly out to help Damien with a meeting. But I’ll have the plane ready for you to get back here for the party.”

  “Why can’t Finn—”

  “I need you out there because it’s a finance issue,” he interrupts me. “Please.” My father isn’t a man who usually asks for help; most times, he’d end up on the flight to sort out whatever shit was going on.

  “Sure, yeah,” I tell him with a nod. “I’ll pack.”

  “You’ll only be gone for a few days. The party is on Saturday, and I need you back.” He offers me a grin before adding, “Finn will help with the arrangements while you’re away. We have guests coming who haven’t been to a party here before, so I’d like to impress them.” He doesn’t need to tell me who they are because I can only assume it’s the Narros.

  “Sure.”

  With my agreement, he turns and leaves, and I’m left wondering just how I’m going to deal with seeing her again. It’s been too long, and she’s no longer a child. She’s all grown up, and for a moment, I consider my revenge.

  2

  Kalyn

  The Past

  Saturday nights are meant for parties.

  I pull on the skinny jeans that look like they’re painted on my body before I shrug on the tight-fitting top that hugs my curves and my developing breasts. I love my figure, and I hope that Cassian will finally see me as a woman.

  We’ve been friends for a year now, and since it’s my birthday, I want him to realize I’m not some teenager with a crush. There’s more to me, and I can be the partner he needs.

  We challenge each other.

  We laugh and have fun together.

  And we also find solace when we just sit and look out at the lake in silence.

  I’ve never once felt like this about someone. Most of the guys have stayed away from me because I hang out with the Thorne brothers. They’re not intimidated so much by Damien who’s the eldest, but Cassian and Finn. The Thornes instill respect in this town, but the Havens enjoy introducing fear because their families rule the town. Whispers about what they do to people who cross them have floated about the hallways for years.

  Mr. Thorne, their father, runs a multi-million-dollar industry, and he’s known to be ruthless when it comes to business. But I’ve seen him with his sons, and he’s nothing but a good dad.

  Both families are seen as royalty in a strange, demented way. People obey them because they know if they ever cross a Thorne or a Haven, there’ll be hell to pay.

  The two families founded this town. Great grandfathers of both families founded Thorne Haven and settled here with their families. Even though the boys leave from time to time, they always return.

  I guess, in some strange way, that does make them royalty.

  I slip on my boots and lace them up. Once I’m ready, I take a quick glance in the mirror and note my barely-there makeup and glossy lips. My hair is a mass of curls, which I know Cassian likes. He’s commented on it many times in the past. My stomach flip-flops when my phone buzzes and I pick it up to find his name staring back at me.

  He’s outside.

  Grabbing my keys, I race down the stairs and out the door. Thankfully my folks are out for the evening, so I’m not questioned when I make my way to the door. As much as I love them, and I know they love me, at times, it’s stifling. I do what every other kid in this town does—party hard. It’s not like I’m any different.

  When I get to Cassian’s car, I slip into the back seat and greet the boys because Finn is in the front passenger.

  “Hey, Kaly,” Finn says, fist-bumping me. He’s always been like a brother, teasing and taunting me at times, but also being supportive when I needed a friend. Both brothers are always there
for me, but it’s Cassian that’s garnered more than just my friendship.

  Being an only child is lonely, but the Thornes make me feel wanted, as if I’m one of them.

  “What’s up, sassy pants?” Cass asks, glancing at me in the rear-view mirror. It’s my nickname that has me giggling. He loves to call me that because he says I spend my life sassing him instead of listening to his advice.

  “Ready to party,” I tell him. His dark brow arches at me, but I ignore it. He knows when I say party, it means I’ll be seeking out something a little stronger than alcohol.

  And even though he disagrees with it, he never stops me. He’s not my dad, just a friend. Each time I do something stupid, I expect him to leave, like everyone else does. But Cassian never walks away.

  But even though I want to be strong, I want to stop turning to drugs for release, memories haunt me, and I’m left with darkness swirling in my mind. The only time they ever fizzle out is when I reach for a joint and inhale the toxic fumes.

  As much as I love Cassian, I weaken when I think about being numb, being empty enough to survive the heartache. And that’s when I see the disappointment in his eyes, each time I reach for a fix. Deep down, I crave the detachment that a high will bring. At least, that’s what I tell myself. It’s a way of escaping. A way for me not to feel the loneliness, the pain, and the heartbreak of real life.

  Cassian doesn’t understand that; I doubt he ever will.

  As we make our way to the thickly forested area close to where the town’s graveyard sits, just behind high metal fences, the sound system blares around me, surrounding me with Corvyx’s voice singing “I Got You.” As I listen to the lyrics and glance at Cassian, I wonder if the emotions in the words of the song will ever be something he feels about me.

  Shaking my head of the wayward thought, I focus on the drive. When Cassian pulls up to the parking spot and kills the engine, he’s out of the car and rounding the back to open my door. It’s something he’s always done. I step out, and he doesn’t move out of the way, which has his body looming over mine.

  He reaches for a lock of my hair and tugs it gently. “Happy birthday, sweet girl,” he coos, and my body goes into overdrive. My stomach tumbles, my heart leaps into my throat, and for a moment, I pray he’s going to kiss me. I pray with everything in me that those perfect lips will touch mine. “Behave yourself tonight, or there will be consequences.”

  His threat does not alleviate the heat coursing through my veins. And my thighs squeeze together at his nearness and the fact that his lips are inches from mine.

  “Like what?” I sass him. In an attempt to fold my arms across my chest, my hands brush against him, which has him stepping back as if I’ve broken the spell he was under.

  “Don’t you worry,” he tells me quickly. “Just behave.” The warning is clear—don’t do drugs. But then he takes my hand and tugs me deeper into the woods, where the rest of the student body is already partying.

  That was the closest we’ve come to kissing. To touching. Yeah, we’ve held hands before, but this is different. Something has shifted, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I’m almost certain his feelings are reciprocated, but he has never verbally admitted it.

  We stop at the truck that’s filled with two kegs, and Cassian grabs two Solo cups. He fills them both and hands me one.

  “The most you’re having,” he warns.

  “It’s my birthday.” I’m sure I sound like a whiny kid, but it really is my birthday, and if he expects me to sip on one beer all night, he has another thing coming.

  We move toward the music, which is blaring from one of the cars. I spot the Haven brothers—Creed, Keirin, and Brody—as we make our way to where they’re huddled with a few girls.

  “Cass, my man,” Creed greets, and the guys give a one-shoulder hug. Creed’s deep green eyes land on me, and even in the dim light, there’s a fire burning in them. “Pretty girl. Want to come play with a Haven?”

  “Okay, enough,” Cassian admonishes his friend who only chuckles, but his gaze still drinks me in. The other two Haven brothers laugh, their eyes flicking between Cass and Creed. Usually, they follow Creed around as if he were their leader. He’s the eldest of the three which, I can only assume, makes him alpha, as if they’re a wolf pack.

  As the night wears on. I find another drink, and another. I’m leaning against a tree trunk when a couple of seniors from school come over to me, one on each side. One of them leans in to whisper in my ear, “Want to party with us?” His voice is low, filled with desire, and even though I know I shouldn’t, I nod.

  Cassian hasn’t come to find me. He’s with Creed and Finn, and right now, I’m lonely. I follow the guys to a car, where they slip into the back seat, dragging me in along with them.

  It doesn’t take long for the white powder to make its appearance. And seconds later, I’m inhaling deeply. The numbness that’s so welcome takes over, and I lean back against the seat.

  My eyes are closed, the high slowly taking me to the clouds, when I feel a hand on my arm, trailing over my hypersensitive skin. Tingles erupt along with goosebumps, and I can’t stop a smile from playing on my lips. I needed to forget tonight. I craved the numbing sensation, and as it holds me hostage, I enjoy it.

  Another hand grips my thigh, squeezing ever so slightly before trailing its way up. Before I can react, fingers brush between my legs, but I push them away.

  “No. I’m not into that,” I mumble, but I don’t know if they heard me. My voice sounds far away. Everything seems to start spinning, and all I feel are fingers and hands. “Please, stop it.”

  “Aww, come on, birthday girl. Let’s party,” a deep voice whispers in my ear. His hand grips my breast harshly, causing me to cry out in pain, and suddenly, it’s gone, and cold air hits me. I’m slung over someone’s shoulder, and being upside down doesn’t help the spinning.

  “Put me down,” I beg, attempting to punch whoever it is in the back, but they ignore me. With every step, I’m sent spiraling, and when I’m finally righted, my feet firmly on the ground, I glance up into furious teal eyes.

  “What the fuck are you playing at?” Cassian’s voice is rough as rage takes hold of him. Fire blazes in his eyes, and for the first time in my life, I’m afraid of him.

  “I—I was…” I glance over my shoulder, and that’s when I see Creed and Finn punching the fuck out of two guys. “Was that…?”

  “They almost fucking assaulted you, and you wouldn’t have even known.” Cassian’s words are like ice to my veins, my high almost dissipating, but I wish it were that easy to get rid of. Dizziness hits me hard, and I fall into Cassian’s arms. “Fucking hell,” he curses, helping me into his car and shutting the door behind me.

  When he slips into the driver’s side, he looks over at me. I must be a mess. Tears burn my eyes, and when I blink, they slip free, trickling down my cheeks. This is why he doesn’t want me. I’m too much work.

  I don’t blame him.

  I can’t.

  Why would a good guy like him want a fuck-up like me? I spend my life making a mess of everything around me. And this time, it’s no different. I wanted to celebrate my birthday, but I ended up in a situation where I could’ve been hurt.

  “I’m taking you home,” Cassian tells me before handing me a bottle of chilled water. My knight in shining armor is a boy I’ll never have.

  Happy ever after isn’t something I can ever have. Not with Cassian. I’m far too destructive. The realization hits me in the chest, and a sob bubbles up, escaping my lips before I have time to push it back down.

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper, not looking at the man beside me. He may only be eighteen, but he’s more mature than I’ll ever be.

  I’m sure I won’t ever have a chance with him.

  And that’s when my heart shatters even more.

  3

  Kalyn

  The Present

  The car doesn’t slow down as we make our way through the town that borders Thorne Hav
en. With every mile that passes and the closer I get to my childhood home, my shoulders tense, my stomach twists, and my chest tightens.

  I never thought I’d ever see the sleepy town again, but as we head back to my past, the nervous energy in my gut makes me feel queasy. I’m almost certain he’s no longer in town. He must’ve left years ago because if there’s one thing I know about Cassian Thorne, it’s that he’s not someone who can sit still. He had dreams, and there is no way he would not have followed through on those.

  He’s always had wanderlust, and I’m sure with his family’s money, he is able to travel and live anywhere in the world. All I can do is pray he’s taken the opportunity and moved far away from this sleepy little pocket of beauty he once called home.

  The town car finally comes to a crawl as we head up the hill, which will take us to my childhood home, but not before passing Thorne manor. The enormous mansion stands proudly amongst the trees, the rooftops just visible in between the greenery.

  Yellow and gold leaves color the sidewalk, as the trees that line either side of the road turn to their fall shades. It’s almost Halloween, and the weather has turned chilly. There is rain in the forecast for the rest of the week, and I wonder briefly if there’ll be a gala on Saturday. It’s one of the most talked-about events in town, even people from out of state travel to attend the infamous Thorne Gala.

  The thought sends a flurry of nerves fluttering in my stomach at the idea of Cassian coming home to attend. But even if he does, he’ll be dressed up, most probably, which means it will be harder to spot him.

  We pull up the long driveway that leads to the place I lost my heart, mind, and soul, and for a moment, I’m sure it’s changed. It doesn’t look as big or as haunting as it used to, but then again, I was seventeen, the last time I saw it. A broken teenager who escaped her pain with drugs and alcohol.

  “So, this is your home?” the voice from beside me startles me because my mind had wandered to another place. Another time. But I can’t focus on the past, so I glance at the man beside me.

 

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