by Erin Trejo
“Ruin you.”
19
Knox
The needles pierce my flesh as I lie here, staring up at the ceiling. Each one burning less than the last.
“Do you want to talk about any of this?” Danny asks as he continues with the devil tattoo on my stomach.
“Nope.”
“She’s getting to you, isn’t she?” I look at him just in time to see the smirk cross his face.
“She doesn’t understand me,” I inform him even though I think that’s partially a lie. She gets me, she just doesn’t want to see that part. I can’t say that I blame her. She doesn’t want to be a part of a world that is bred on the destruction and the damnation of others. Who the hell am I to blame her for that?
“Liz is different. Always has been,” he says, keeping his eyes on my abs.
“How so?”
“She’s always liked things her way. She’s never really conformed to what others wanted her to be. She likes who she is.” That much isn’t a lie. She’s never made apologies about being herself, and I think that’s part of what draws me to her.
“I found things out and some of it is strange to me.” I want to ask questions and get answers, but I wanted them from her. Yet, she doesn’t want to speak to me. I let her be, let her run back to her little apartment for now but I’ve kept an eye on her.
“Ask me, Knox. If I know, I’ll answer.” Taking a deep breath, I blow it out slowly.
“Her brother.”
“What? She doesn’t have a brother,” Danny adds as he continues.
“She has a brother, man. I met the motherfucker. He’s the one she’s running from. He’s the one that killed their mom.” The machine stops and when I lower my eyes, I see that Danny is finished. The black devil that stares back at me is amazing. It’s exactly how I pictured it.
“That makes no sense,” he says, shaking his head.
“I don’t know what to tell you. His name is Jeremy.” Danny cleans me off and I sit up as he runs his hand through his hair.
“I heard that her mom may have had a kid before her and Liz’s dad met, but nothing ever came out of it. She blew it off. To be honest, I was never close with that part of my family. I talked to Liz but we weren’t even that close until lately. It just doesn’t make sense,” Danny says, once more shaking his head.
“I don’t know the logistics of it all, but he needs her to sign off on the paperwork giving him access to their mom’s life insurance.”
“And he came to you?”
“Yeah. The motherfucker called me and asked to meet. Offered me half then offered me her.” I can see the anger as it slowly seeps into his pores. His hands clench in his lap before he slowly raises his head to look at me.
“You aren’t touching her. I won’t let you play with her the way you do all the others.” The growl that leaves him makes me laugh. I can’t help it.
“Who do you think you are, Danny? Just because I consider you a friend doesn’t mean you get to tell me what the fuck I can and can’t do,” I remind him in a harsh tone.
“When it comes to her? Yeah, I can.” Shoving out of the chair, I grab my shirt before turning to face him.
“There’s one problem with that theory,” I add.
“Which is?” Danny is on his feet now.
“The game has already begun.” It takes literally seconds for him to lunge at me. I stumble back and we both tumble through the door and out into the hall. A few people scream, a few of his guys move in to pull us apart.
“You stay away from her!” Danny yells, his finger pointed at me.
“Yeah, I can’t do that.”
“Why? What is he offering you? I’ll give you more!”
“He isn’t offering me money, Danny.” I try to calm myself as I look around but I can feel her. She walks over and looks between the two of us before focusing on him.
“What do you know?”
“All of it. A brother? Who the hell is he, Liz?” Danny asks, directing his attention to her now.
“We don’t have the same dad. He’s older than me. It’s a long story. He wasn’t around much when I was younger but when I got older, he was. He showed up and mom was… happy.” Danny runs his hand over his face before dropping his head. “I’m sorry, Danny. I didn’t want you involved. I knew that you didn’t get along with your family and I didn’t want to add to it.”
“And him? What are you doing with him?” His head comes up and his eyes lock with mine. That’s when she turns to look at me over her shoulder before turning back to him.
“That’s complicated.”
“Clearly. He’s not a good guy, Liz.”
“Fuck you, Danny!” I snap.
“I know what he is and what he isn’t. You don’t have to worry about me when it comes to him. I can handle myself,” she says making me chuckle. She didn’t really prove that point when she ran out of my house the other night.
“He’s a user, Liz. Come on. His last girlfriend killed herself!” That’s it. I shove Liz out of my way and slam my fist into Danny’s face. We might be friends and I might like him, but this is taking things too far. He moves to swing back at me when Liz launches herself in the middle of us. She shoves his chest hard enough to make him stumble back a little more.
“Don’t you dare say that! You don’t know anything about them!” she screams.
“He wasn’t there for her, I know that much.” That’s Danny’s response. Fuck this shit. I don’t need this. I turn on my heel and stalk down the hallway and out the front door before I let myself fall apart. I roar as loud as I can and slam my fist into the brick wall letting the pain ebb and wrap itself around me.
“That’s going to hurt in the morning.” I glance over at her but shake my head, pull my shirt on, and turn to walk away. My boots hit the pavement as I make my way down the sidewalk. I need to breathe. I need to think.
“Walking away from me isn’t helping anything.”
“And yet you ran from me!” I don’t turn to look at her but I know she’s behind me. When I feel her hands on the back of my shirt, I stop. I spin quickly and grab her shoulders roughly in my hands. “Stop, Liz. Just stop! I can’t handle anymore. Don’t you get that? You’re fucking with my head and I can’t stop it.” Her eyes widen as she stares up at me.
“Do you think you’re not doing the same to me?” Her words throw me off for a second. “You think you’re not affecting me? You are, Knox. I just don’t know what to do with it. I’m running from one life straight into the same thing with someone else. What’s the point?”
“The point is, I’m not him. Our lives aren’t the same, Liz. Yeah, me and my brothers do questionable things, but that’s the way our lives have always been. We’re trying to fix that, make it right. Better. Then you walk in and fuck up my life. You fuck up my head and I don’t know what to do with that,” I admit to her. Her eyes water as she stares at me, not a single word coming from her mouth.
“Knox, I just don’t know what to do.” I slowly release her and take a step back.
“Go home, Liz.”
“Knox, please.” Shaking my head, I raise my hands up to stop her from coming closer.
I’m losing it.
“Go home.”
Falling.
“Knox,” she says softly.
Gone.
“Go home!” I roar.
20
Liz
I’ve known defeat most of my life. At times, I could actually admit to it too, but this feeling in my chest is new. It’s not one I wanted and I sure as hell don’t know how to make it stop.
“You seem sad.” I look up from my book to see Tommy smiling down at me.
“Tired. How are you?”
“I’m good. Haven’t seen you much since Thanksgiving. How have you been doing?” he asks happily. I sit back and take him in. The whole man. He seems normal enough. Cute. Educated. So why can’t I find myself attracted to him? No, of course it would have to be the man that wants to ruin my l
ife and wreck my sanity.
“I’m okay. Ready for the holidays to be over,” I admit. I was never much of a fan to begin with.
“I can understand that. Is sitting out in the cold helping with that?” he chuckles. I smile.
“I just wanted some alone time. It seems everywhere I go, there are more and more people.”
“I can take a hint.” He smiles.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I didn’t mean you…” I begin to ramble when I see Callan. I roll my eyes as he strolls toward us, slapping a hand on Tommy’s shoulder.
“We have rules against teachers dating students.” His smile is bright but it’s also a threat. Damn these Alder assholes.
“We aren’t dating,” I remind him, closing my book and standing from my spot on the bench. So much for that alone time.
“Good thing.”
“I was just stopping to say hi, Mr. Alder. That is all,” Tommy adds as if Callan really gives two shits. He doesn’t.
“Then by all means, please be on your way.” My eyes stay on Callan’s while my mouth hangs open. I can’t believe the set of balls the three of them have. They talk to people in any fashion they choose and everyone just goes with it. Tommy smiles over at me before turning and walking away.
“Why the hell are you so rude?” I snap as I move closer.
“That wasn’t rude. I thought I was being pretty nice,” he says with that smirk in place.
“You were a complete asshole.”
“And you’re the reason my brother is at home drunk off his ass instead of taking his tests,” he retorts. Oh no. He is not putting that on me.
“Your brother is a dick. If he’s at home drunk off his ass, that’s on him.” I start past him but I knew he wouldn’t let me get far. His hand presses into my stomach, pushing me back a step. Then he counters that move and steps closer to me, invading my space.
“I don’t know what the hell this thing is between you two, but I suggest you fix it.” He growls low in his throat. I’ve heard the rumors about these three. I know what they are capable of but the way Callan is talking to me? It’s downright scary. His tone is lethal.
“I didn’t do anything that needs to be fixed, Callan.”
“I think you’re lying,” he hisses.
“I don’t give a shit what you think! You might run Shane’s world for her but don’t you dare try to run mine!” I shove his hand away only for it to come up and grab my hair. My head is jerked back and my mouth parts.
“I don’t run Shane’s world. I keep her safe. That is what my brother is trying to do for you. You might think you’re tough shit and maybe you are to an extent, but when that big brother of yours comes for his payment, you will be no match for him. Now I know Knox is a hard person to love, but trust me when I say that’s all he needs.” With that, he releases the hold on me and turns to walk away. My stomach is doing flips inside of me, emotions running wild. This is insane.
“Callan!” I call out to him. He slowly turns to look at me as I chew on my lip. “Give me a ride?” He nods his head and waits as I walk over to him, and as soon as I’m close enough, I punch him in the arm.
“What the hell?”
“Don’t you ever pull my hair like that again,” I hiss. Callan laughs and throws his arm around my shoulders as we walk toward his truck.
“Some girls need it a little rougher than others, Liz. Just relax and get used to it.”
“I don’t love him,” I say, changing the subject.
“Maybe not yet but you care. That’s good enough for me,” he tells me. I sigh as we continue to walk when a loud boom sounds behind us. Callan immediately shields me and spins to check behind us.
“What was that?”
“I don’t know. Get in the truck,” he says quickly, ushering me faster. I climb in as soon as we’re close enough and he jumps into the driver’s seat.
“That’s by the science lab,” I say, noting the smoke that is billowing from the building. Callan revs up the truck and speeds out of the parking lot quickly as he calls someone on speaker.
“What?”
“Something exploded at the school.”
“What the fuck?” Steele’s voice is hard on the other end.
“Call Blake. See what’s going on,” Callan says before hanging up. I shift my book around on my lap when a paper tumbles out. Bending down, I grab it and set it on top of my book as I gaze out the window.
“Wonder what happened,” I say softly.
“Who knows? At least it’s Christmas break. We have time to deal with it. Probably some idiot freshman.”
“Probably.”
The rest of the ride to the house is silent. Callan pulls up and I start to climb out when I glance down. The paper—I picked it up off my desk after my last test today. I unfold it and my heart nearly stops.
“Cal?”
“What?”
“I… this…
“What? Spit it out,” he says. I reach over and pass him the paper as I stare at my hands. What does he have to do with any of this? Why?
“You’re kidding me?”
“It was on my desk with my name on it but I was late to class. I sat down and did my test not even paying attention to it until now.”
“Guess we know what exploded,” he chuckles. Glad he thinks this is funny. I could have died! If I would have seen that shit and went there? When I don’t move, Callan’s door closes. He walks around the truck offering his hand, helping me on my shaking legs. His hands come up to cup my cheeks, forcing me to look at him.
“Liz? Listen to me. Whatever is happening, we are going to find out, okay?” Do I believe him? Why would he find out? Why would any of them help me? I start to shake my head when Shane appears next to us.
“Everything okay?” she asks. Callan’s hands never leave my face as I try to think.
“Liz. I mean it. Nothing is going to happen to you.” Callan’s voice is firm and I find myself nodding along although I don’t know how I can trust his word. “Shane, where’s Knox?”
“Drunk in the living room.”
“Take her to him.” I shake my head, not ready to deal with Knox just yet. Callan lowers his hands and pulls his phone out as Shane comes closer to me.
“I don’t want to see him.”
“Too bad,” Callan snaps, and just like that, the nice Callan is gone. Shane wraps her arm around me and leads me toward the house. I still can’t believe that he had something to do with it. Was it just coincidence? Oh my God, was he in there? No, he wouldn’t have had time to make it to the lab.
“You okay?”
“I don’t know, Shane. I feel sick.”
“You need a drink,” she laughs. I follow her inside and into the living when I see him. Knox is wearing dark sunglasses in the house, leaning back in his chair, legs spread wide. God, he looks perfect. He doesn’t speak or move, but I know he’s watching me. I can feel him.
“Here,” Shane says, pulling my attention to her. I take the glass of alcohol and down it in one gulp. She giggles and refills it. “I need to go check on Bella. She was coloring. You okay?” I nod my head and tip the glass to my lips once more.
“Day drinking is my thing.” Knox’s words slur.
“Well today, I guess it’s mine.” Taking the drink down, I move toward the cabinet and grab the whole bottle. I don’t think I will be able to wrap my head around all this if I’m sober.
“There’s my girl! Go for the whole bottle.” I roll my eyes and uncap it, bringing it to my lips. I take a few good pulls before wiping the back of my hand across my mouth.
21
Knox
My cock is hard. It’s fucking raging as it watches her. Yeah, he’s watching her just like I am. She doesn’t see my eyes with my glasses on, but she can feel me. Callan has been storming through the house since they got here but I’m too drunk to care what it is he’s rambling on about. Now with the joint between my lips, I really don’t care.
“You want some
?” I ask. Liz peers up, her little head swaying slightly from all that she’s drank in the last hour. She nods her head and I nod to the floor. She looks at me confused before I answer her. “Come get it. Hands and knees.” Liz flips me off and rolls her eyes as I bring the joint back to my lips and inhale. The music on my phone plays over the speakers in the room as I relax and watch her. What is it with watching her that I like so much? The fact that she doesn’t understand why I’m looking? The way she doesn’t care that I’m looking? I don’t know what it is at the moment, but fuck, I like looking at that girl.
“Stop staring at me, asshole.” I chuckle and blow smoke through my nose.
“Crawl to me, baby.”
“You are so fucked up. Even more than I thought if you think for one second I’m going to crawl to you.”
“What about cry for me? Will you cry for me, Liz?” My words are dark, just like my head is right now. Her eyes come to lock with mine from across the room and there’s nothing I want to see more than her tears. I’ve been keeping up with what’s going on at the college through the texts and emails coming to my phone between Steele and Callan. I know why she’s on edge, but I sure as hell don’t let on that I do.
“Fuck you.”
“We’ve done that.”
“So?”
“What is fear to you, Liz?” I ask, taking another puff.
“What?”
“Fear. What does it mean to you?” This is going to be fun. I want to play with her, tempt her. Pulling my glasses off, I toss them to the side as I stand. Pulling my long-sleeved t-shirt over my head, her eyes travel over my abs to the devil that stares back at her.
“That’s new,” she says softly.
“You like it?” She nods slowly. I twist my shirt and move behind the couch she’s sitting on, covering her eyes with my shirt and tying it behind her head. I think she’s going to stop me but she doesn’t.
