When Rivals Love
Page 15
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Preview of Hurting You
A Dark Bully Romance
Chapter One
Stella
* * *
Pushing the trash down one last time, I pull up the sides of the bag and make a knot with the plastic flaps. I can’t believe I almost forgot this one. Paul would have had a mental breakdown in the morning if I had left the trash in here.
It takes pretty much all the strength I have to lift the full bag out of the bin, so instead of carrying the sucker out, I decide to drag the heavy thing behind me. Hopefully, it won’t leave scratches on the university’s pristine cafeteria floors. I need this job too badly to get in trouble for something stupid.
It’s eerie here without all the students. The huge space is so quiet and empty, but yet, I prefer it over seeing all the rich kids walking around inside. I try really hard not to be jealous, but it’s not that easy. All-day long I have to look at these people who have everything I’ve ever wanted. A family, an education, and a chance at a good life. And the worst part is that they don’t even seem to appreciate what they have.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve overheard someone here complaining about the most ridiculous things. Being upset about a store being out of the newest designer shoes or handbags. Not getting the special edition sports car that they wanted. Having to wait an extra day to get their hands on the newest iPhone… the list goes on. Every complaint more absurd than the next.
Meanwhile, I’m working my ass off just to make ends meet. With my parents gone and my grandma suffering from dementia, all the responsibility for my grandma falls onto me. With that, comes a stack of bills every month and that is the reason I didn’t go to college, even though I had the grades and the ambition to go. Instead, I took any job I could get right after I got out of high school just so I could support Grams and myself.
When I finally make it to the back door of the cafeteria, my arms are sore from dragging this heavy-ass bag. What the hell do they throw in here? Concrete blocks? I push open the heavy metal door and step out into the crisp evening air.
It’s dark outside, and the wind is cold as it whips against my skin, but I enjoy the freshness of it after being stuck inside all day. Reaching the dumpster, I try to figure out how to get this overstuffed trash bag lifted into it without breaking my back. Grunting, I lift it with all my might, but barely get it off the ground. Damn thing.
A sound from behind me has me jumping out of my skin, and I gasp quietly. It’s probably just a raccoon or something. With my heart jackhammering in my chest, I sneak a peek around the dumpster to check, but there’s nothing…
Another sound, this one sounding more like a grunt, which is definitely not a raccoon, causes my curiosity to pique. I should have remembered the saying; curiosity killed the cat…
Leaving the trash sitting on the ground, I tiptoe around the dumpster to peek around the corner of the building. I know I shouldn’t be sneaking around, but this is literally the most exciting thing that’s happened to me in weeks.
Except it’s not quite excitement that I feel when I look around the corner. It’s more like dread and fear. The blood in my veins turns to ice, and the air in my lungs stills at the sight before me. Two guys are lifting a third guy into the trunk of a car.
My head conjures up all kinds of explanations. The guy is drunk… just passed out. It’s probably a prank… no way did I walk in on a murder.
One of the guys shuts the trunk and turns to his friend, asking leisurely, “Where are we going to dump his body?”
A loud gasp leaves my lips before I can stop it from coming out. My hand flies to my mouth to cover it, but it’s too late. Both men turn to me, staring at me as I stand there, probably realizing that I just witnessed what they did.
A beat passes, then another, and we just stare at each other. My body is petrified with fear as I take in the two guys before me. They’re both tall, looming above me by at least a foot, and muscular like athletes. They’re also well-dressed, leading me to believe that they’re some rich kids. I’m positive I’ve seen them before, and I am one-hundred percent sure they go to school here. Even with the dim lighting above, I can tell that one of them is blond with piercing green eyes, the other one is brown-haired with dark eyes.
Without realizing it, I get lost in those dark brown eyes, their depth sucking me in, letting me momentarily forget where I am and what I’m doing.
“Stay here, I’ll take care of this one,” brown-eyed guy states to his friend, and suddenly, I snap out of it. The trance he has on me is broken, and just when I thought I couldn’t get any more scared, he lunges for me. His long legs taking huge strides toward me. Shit. As if my brain is finally catching up with my body, knowing damn well if I don’t start moving, I’ll become just like that guy in the trunk, I unfreeze.
Without thought, I turn and bolt. I don’t know where I’m going, all I know is that I need to get away. My feet pound against the pavement, and my lungs burn as I force my legs to push me harder than they ever have before. I wish the ground would swallow me whole and take me away from this place and the guy who is about to take care of me.
Refusing to look back, I sprint through the dark night, hoping and praying that I’m fast enough to get away. Hoping for my life, and for my grandma’s life, that I can survive tonight.
* * *
Chapter Two
Cameron
* * *
Fucking shit! No one was supposed to be here. How did we not hear her coming? Like a mouse, she remained hidden watching us for god knows how long. Forcing my legs to go faster, I chase after the chick who just witnessed us throwing James’ dead body in Easton’s trunk.
Though her face was hidden in the shadows, I know she is young from the way she runs, the way her long silky blonde hair falls behind her, and the way her ass moves with every stride. I’ll bet she has a pretty face too, and soft lips.
Too bad I have to kill her now.
My dad might be the chief of police, but there is only so much he can do to keep me out of jail. I have to take care of this one myself, and that means I can’t leave a witness. I’ll have to make her disappear.
With each second, I close in on her. She might be fast, but I’m faster and stronger. Before I know it, I’m catching up with her. I can hear her breathing, each gasp entering her lungs. Once I’m directly behind her, I reach out my fingers circling her slim arm, pulling her backward, and into my chest. Like a banshee, she lets out the loudest shriek possible, so loud that, for a moment, my ears start to ring.
Struggling, she tries to pull away, but I just tighten my grip and fling her onto the grassy area beside us. Before she can get up, I climb on top of her, straddling her torso. Using my arm, I push my elbow to her throat and slap my free hand over her mouth.
I have to give it to her, she is a fighter, like a bucking bronco she struggles beneath me. Her nails rake out and cut across my arms, shoulders, and neck. She’s fighting as if I’m about to kill her. Then again, I guess that’s why I chased her down. She’s a tiny little thing, short, with not much meat on her bones.
Her nails sink deep into my forearm, and I let out a hiss between my teeth. Before she can do any real damage, I release her throat, and gather up her arms, tucking them between our bodies. Lowering myself onto her body, I immobilize her completely. For some reason, I get a thrill out of it. My cock hardens to steel in my jeans, and a rush of euphoric pleasure fills my veins.
With my face mere inches from hers, I brush some blonde strands of hair that are stuck to her clammy forehead away. She smells like fear, but beneath that, I catch a hint of vanilla, and something sweet. Like a curtain being pulled back, I get my first real good look at her.
Focusing my attention on her face, I stare blankly at her. Her eyes are wide, fear and terror pooling within them, while big fat tears fall from the corners. Even scared shitless
, she is beautiful, absolutely stunning. I can’t quite make out the color of her eyes in the dim light, which only adds further to her appeal.
She is like a mystery to me. Pandora’s box. There is something about her, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. But whatever it is, it intrigues me. Dreadfully, I’m reminded that I won’t be able to explore my interest in her. Turns out we met at the wrong place, and the wrong time, and now I need to get rid of her, not figure her out.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make it quick…”
* * *
Get it Now!
Did you love When Rivals Love? Then you should read Runaway Bride by Cassandra Hallman and J.L. Beck!
Ivy Young is doing everything she can to keep it together. Forced into an arranged marriage by her cruel parents she knows she has to escape. Escaping the church is easy, but figuring out where to go from there is impossible. And then she runs into him, a ruggedly handsome man with eyes that pierce her soul. Instantly, she's drawn to him.Bishop Williams is a bad boy with tattoos and a history of being a player. He doesn't believe in love—until he helps a runaway bride escape her parents and soon-to-be groom. One look and he knows he can't just leave her there. One taste, and he's head over heels. Neither of them have ever been in love. Not until now, but happily ever afters are hard earned, and with Ivy's parents searching for her, theirs may not get a chance to bloom. Will this runaway bride finally find true love? A runaway bride looking for love, and a bad boy who doesn't believe in it, what happens when the two clash? Oh, you bet your bottom this one's good.
Sticky, OVER THE TOP, novella containing INSTA-LOVE, with a dose of ALPHA—you won't want to stop reading once you start
Also by C. Hallman
Bayshore Rivals
When Rivals Fall: A Bully Romance
When Rivals Lose
When Rivals Love
Breaking the Rules
Kissing & Telling
Babies & Promises
Roommates & Thieves
North Woods University
The Nerd
Standalone
On the Run
Convict Me
Holding You
Stolen Bride
Also by J.L. Beck
Bayshore Rivals
When Rivals Fall: A Bully Romance
When Rivals Lose
When Rivals Love
Breaking the Rules
Kissing & Telling
Babies & Promises
Roommates & Thieves
North Woods University
The Nerd
Standalone
Convict Me
This Christmas
Holding You
Stolen Bride