"I'm not-"
"Shut up," Tianna mutters, bumping my leg under the table and giving me a meaningful look. "Seriously. You're only digging yourself a deeper hole."
I sulk instead, glaring at Father as he explains his new role to my brother. But I can't hold my comments back for long, and soon enough, I open my mouth again.
"Who's Brazen going to marry, then?" Brazen's eyes warn me to shut up, but I refuse to heed the warning. "Can he marry anyone he wants?"
"He'll marry Coco Rose," Father says calmly, making me burst out. "What, you stupid girl? What is it now?"
"Coco Rose?" I repeat. "But he doesn't... he barely knows her! And you know he's in love with-"
"Pandora." Brazen's voice is dripping with venom. "I think you should shut the fuck up now."
"And I think you should-"
"Enough!" Father's hand slams on the table, rendering us all speechless. "You need to start listening to the people who outrank you, Pandora. And you need to start being such a smart-mouthed brat, because it's not going to work out for you."
I've heard enough of Father's threats to know he's serious, so I take his advice and keep my mouth shut. Despite everything I can't help but feel a little sorry for Brazen. He's in the same conundrum as I was now, forced to marry someone he barely knows and certainly doesn't have any feelings for.
I stay quiet for the rest of our meal, and the moment Father gets up to leave, I push my chair back too, eager to get the hell away from them.
"Pandora," he calls out after me, and I look at him over my shoulder. "I'm not done with you. I do think you should get a punishment, though I'm sure having your Firstborn privileges taken away will be enough to send you on the right track."
The bastard knows what they're going to do to me in school. As if it's not enough I have to look at the boys who fucked me starting tomorrow and probably for the rest of my life. I'm going to have to endure the torture of everybody else, all those students who'll be just delighted at the chance of torturing the new girl who never belonged there in the first place.
"Do you ever think your actions will catch up with you?" I ask Father. "Because I think they will. And I can't fucking wait to watch you pay for everything you've done to us."
With those words, I leave him standing there, walking away from the mess that is my life, and right into another situation waiting for me in my bedroom.
I close my bedroom door behind me, turning around and getting the shock of my life when I see Easton Brantley sitting on my bed.
"You fucking prick," I hiss. "What the hell are you doing here?"
I'm on him in seconds, fists hammering his broad chest and the tears I've held back all night finally fighting their way out of my eyes. He lets me hit him, not even making a move to push me away. The bastard just takes it, which only enrages me more.
"How dare you show up here," I scream. "Who let you in? How dare you snoop around in my room, you fucking bully, you monster, you... you... rapist!"
"Keep it down," he finally speaks up, grabbing me by the wrists and forcing my arms down. "Do you want me to get tossed out?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," I hiss at him. "How dare you show your face here after what you've done. I never want to see you again."
"Tough luck." His eyes burn against mine, and I still feel the remnants of sparks between us, the ones he put out so readily. We could have been so special if he hadn't fucked everything up. "You're stuck with me for now, Pandora. No one's listening, right?"
"Not that I know of," I mutter. "What the hell do you want, anyway? Just tell me and get the hell out of here."
"This doesn't concern the other night." He stares me down. "What happened had nothing to do with you as a person, Pandora. You were a pawn in Booth's game, and you got used like one."
"Fuck you. I wonder how that excuse would fly with the police."
He smirks, saying, "Good luck convincing any police officer in Eden Falls to arrest a Firstborn. Besides, Pandora, from what I remember, you were a very willing participant in our games."
"Shut up," I hiss.
"It's the truth, isn't it? By the end you were fucking begging for it." He laughs in my face, the prick. "Not that it's important right now. I came here for a different reason."
"What is it?" I demand. "Just spit it out and get the hell out of here."
"I told you, a Brantley always keeps his promise."
I nod, feeling numb as we look at one another. "So? What's that got to do with anything?"
"I promised I'd help you find your mother," he finishes, and my heart skips a beat. My mother. The woman who is as good as dead in Eden Falls, and hasn't even attempted to find me this whole time. "I'm here to make good on that promise."
"You found her?" My voice is barely above a whisper, my hands trembling as I grab hold of his shirt. "Where is she?"
"Calm down." He pries my fingers off him. "I've got her address right here." He pulls out a simple envelope and waves it before my eyes. I try to snatch it up, but he's too fast for me. "Now you have to make me a promise first, before I can let you have it. You understand that?"
"Yeah," I get out through gritted teeth. "What do you want?"
"You don't make any trouble for us, we don't tell anyone how much you secretly loved it," he explains. "It's simple. And I'll give you the address in exchange for your... cooperation."
"You're a piece of work, Brantley."
"As are you, Miss Oakes." He flashes me a brilliant smile and waves the envelope again, once again too fast for me to grab it. "So, we got a deal here?"
"Fine." He lets me snatch the envelope from his fingers and I tear through the paper to get to the address written on the back of Easton's business card.
"So eager," he smirks. "Your mom mean that much to you?"
"No," I mutter. "My real mom does, but she's back in Wildwood. But I need someone on my side. Things aren't going well here."
"What, are you planning on bailing?" I don't answer him. My eyes speak for themselves. Easton knits his brows together with worry. "You sure that's a good idea?"
"All I know is I need to get the hell out of here," I mutter. "As far away from Eden Falls as possible."
"Alright," he draws out. "Well, good luck with everything, Pandora. Remember to keep your word."
"What about school?" I ask when he's got one leg out of the window already. He turns back to face me.
"What about school?"
"I'm going to have a hard time there. You know I lost my Firstborn status?"
"You lost that when you decided to fuck Dexter," he grunts. "Don't act like such a spoiled brat, Pandora, it really doesn't suit you."
"Just get lost," I mutter, waving him off. I don't know why I thought I could confide in him. He never had my interest at heart.
He disappears through the window and I'm left alone with the card in my trembling fingers. I turn it over again, reading the address that I know by heart already.
221 Lyre Street, North Haven.
I'm going to be paying her a visit very soon.
I hope she's ready for what's coming.
4
Pandora
The moment I wake up the next morning, I know the day is going to be painful.
It's my first day back at Eden Falls Prep, and I already know I'm going to be the target of vicious rumors at the very least. It's official now - Brazen has become the Oakes' family Firstborn, and I am reduced to nothing. Father went as far to strip all my rights, making Tianna the Secondborn of our family. I'm nothing now. Everyone will take advantage
Even Kelley seems to realize it, giving me an apologetic look as he drops me off at the school gates. "Here we are, Miss Pandora. I hope you have a good day at school."
"Thanks, Kelley." I take a deep breath before opening the car door and walking up the stone steps leading up to the school. The brick walls covered with ivy look more threatening than ever, like they're hiding a thousand secrets whispered between four walls. I sigh and head into th
e courtyard. It doesn't take long for the torture to begin.
"Oh, look who it is!" I look up to find Lai staring at me, walking away from a group of boys with his hands in his pockets and a wide smile on his face. "Little Lily Anna wannabe."
"Fuck off, Lai," I mutter.
"I beg your pardon?" He feigns shock, pissing me off even more. "Is that any way to talk to a Firstborn?"
A small group has gathered in the courtyard to watch him pick on me, and while he laughs at me, my eyes scan the crowd. There's Araminta, wearing an apologetic smile and shrugging when she sees me watching. She doesn't give a shit. She told me already she isn't a reliable friend - she takes whoever's side is more convenient.
"Oh, I suppose nobody's broken it to you yet," Lai goes on, advancing on me. "You're not one of us anymore. You don't get any special treatment from now on, Pandora."
"I never asked for anything from you," I hiss at him. "Only that you'd leave me alone."
"Well, tough luck." He tucks his thumbs in his pockets, smirking at me. "Your life's going to be hell from now on. I just hope you're ready for what we're about to do to you."
I walk right up to him, not giving a damn about the consequences as I jam my finger into his chest. "Haven't you already done enough, Lai?"
"Don't make me break my promise." His voice is a low, threatening whisper. "From what I've heard, you and Brantley made a little deal. You don't want me to break it, do you?"
I take a step back, hating that he's right. He smirks at me, watching my cheeks blush a deep pink as he waves me off. I mutter, "You're a prick. All of you are."
"Tell me something new." His attention is on another girl now, a gorgeous blonde standing by the entrance to Prep. "Got more important stuff than you to deal with now, little Pandora. Hope you have a great day at school. I have no doubt it's going to be... eventful."
I roll my eyes and push past the group of onlookers toward the entrance to the school. Lai may think I'm going to let them walk all over me, but he's got another thing coming. I'm ready to embrace my inner bitch, and get some serious revenge on their little boy gang. And I sure as hell won't go easy on them.
Lunchtime is a disaster waiting to happen. I walk down the food aisle with my hands shaking as I hold the platter of food. I have no idea where to sit. Araminta won't want me next to her now, and it isn't as if I've made any others friends. Dexter's nowhere to be seen, either, so I'm pretty much on my own.
With my teeth gritted together, I make my way to one of the empty tables, taking a seat and feeling like an outcast. I suppose that's what I am. What they've always seen me as.
I'm tucking into my food when there's a tap on my shoulder. I swallow one last bite of my hummus before taking a deep breath and turning around to see who wants to mess with me next.
Audra is staring me down, accompanied with a tall, burly guy who is currently stripping me naked with his eyes. On instinct, I fold my arms over my chest and glare at them both. "What do you want?"
"Good girl for asking," Audra purrs with obvious satisfaction. The bitch is going to just love messing with me now that I can't exactly fight back. "I’m assuming that means you're ready to serve us."
"Why the hell would I serve you?" I hiss. "I have better things to do than deal with spoiled little bitches like you, Audra."
"Hey, watch that mouth." The tall guy glares at me, his eyes filled with venom and his hands forming fists at his sides. "That's my sister you're talking to."
"Oh, so there's two of you." I roll my eyes. "Thank heavens for that."
"Just shut up, Pandora." Audra advances on me, but I don't shrink back. I'm not scared of some preppy long-legged blonde. I can take her just fine. "I heard you lost your Firstborn status."
"Old news," I wave my hand dismissively.
"Maybe so," she purrs. "Because I also heard you're without a status now. Which puts you lower than nearly everyone else in this town. Including me."
I raise my brows. "If you're suggesting-"
"Oh, I'm not suggesting." Her pretty blue eyes glitter. "I'm ordering."
"Huh? Ordering what?" I glare at her brother, feeling the eyes of everybody in that cafeteria on me. "For me to show you and your brother out? Because I'm sure everyone would just love to watch you get lost."
"Watch that mouth!" She's barely saying the words, it all comes out as a hiss, and I can't help but love the effect I'm having on her. "You're below me in rank, Pandora. Time for payback. You're going to suck his cock."
I look at her idiotic brother and shake my head, saying, "Uh, no thanks. Hard pass."
"It wasn't a question." Her brother steps up, once again practically drooling over me. "You know you have to do it."
"And if I don't?" I ask, daring him to take this a step further. He's good looking enough - handsome, rugged and tall, but I'd rather die than touch him.
"If you don't," Audra goes on, giving me a harsh look. "You pay the way everyone without rank pays for disrespecting someone like me. You get a public whipping."
"A public whipping?" I laugh out loud. "You have got to be kidding me."
"You really didn't read that manual very well, did you, sweetie?" Audra giggles in an annoying, girlish way, and nudges her brother toward me. "Go on, explain it to her."
"She's right," he mutters. "You have to do as you’re told. It's enough if one person reports it to the founding families. And as you can see there's quite an audience here."
"But that's fucking insane!" I grind out. "I'm not going to suck your dick in front of everyone here!" My eyes scan the crowd, trying to find an ally, but even the kitchen ladies won't look at me. Anger starts boiling inside me, but what's worse is the feeling of absolute helplessness against what they're about to do.
"I'm afraid you don't have a choice," Audra says, clicking her fingers. Some girl pushes a chair out, and Audra's brother sits down with his legs spread and his erection painfully visible beneath the fabric of his jeans. "Go on, Pandora. It's time to pay your dues."
I clench my fists and glare at her, my heart pounding as I try to work out my options. But I keep coming up empty. For once, I wish Easton's gang would be around, though I'm not so sure they'd be able to save me from this mess.
"What the hell are you waiting for?" the brother barks at me, palming his sizable cock. "Come on, get to sucking."
I decide to draw it out as long as possible as I try to come up with a solution. I take my time getting off my chair, slowly approaching the grinning prick who's still devouring me with his eyes. Audra smirks, watching us with a self-satisfied expression, and the whole cafeteria's staring. This is the moment of truth.
"I changed my mind," Audra purrs. "I think you should seduce him a little first."
"Why? He seems plenty excited already to me." I point to the guy's bulge. "Don't know if he can even last a second."
"Don't argue with me. Strip for him."
I keep glaring at her but she merely smiles at me, as if it's a perfectly reasonable, normal order. Then, I stare at her brother as I slowly peel my school blazer off my shoulders. He groans and I roll my eyes. I'm not even down to my bra and the guy's practically coming already. How pathetic.
I move on to my blouse next, moving the school tie out of the way and unbuttoning my buttons slowly.
"Make it sexier," the brother grinds out, and I force myself not to attack him then and there.
Swaying my hips to the sound of the music in my mind, I try to ignore everyone around us and think about one thing and one thing only - revenge. Because I will get back at every single one of them for this, and by the time I'm done with them, Eden Falls will be nothing but a pile of ash and rubble.
I keep repeating my mantra in my head. They will pay for this. At the same time, I unbutton my blouse all the way down and slowly strip it off my shoulders, revealing my lacy pink bra. Audra's brother is so red in the face he might as well burst on the spot, and I realize I have more power in my hands than I originally thought. After all, he's at my mercy
. I can do whatever I want to him. I'm the one who’s in control here.
His eyes swallow me up as I approach him, straddling him on the chair and making him groan out loud. I can feel every pair of eyes in the cafeteria on me, and I grit my teeth together to stop myself from screaming at them to stop it and help me. I know they have no mercy for me. They want to see me get punished as much as they want to see me suck this guy off.
"Well, everyone's waiting," Audra hisses, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes, laying my palms flat on her brother's chest. "Show us what you got, Miss Oakes."
My eyes meet Audra's brother's, and his gaze begs me to go on. He's living for this. It's probably the most action he's ever gotten. Too bad for him, because it's going to have a real nasty ending if everything goes according to plan.
He should never trust me to take his cock into my mouth. The moment my lips wrap around it, I'm going to bite down as hard as I fucking can. Fuck the consequences. Fuck Audra, fuck her brother, and fuck this school and everyone jonesing for more.
Just as I'm about to move off the boy's lap, he lets out a groan, and suddenly a wet spot appears on his jeans. I jump back, staring at him in disbelief as I start buttoning my blouse back up. "Well. Looks like you didn't need me after all."
He blushes so much I'm worried he'll burst into flames on the spot, and the whole cafeteria laughs as he runs out, embarrassed, and with a stain the size of my fist on his jeans. Audra turns to face me, obviously raging, and I give her a triumphant look.
"Anything else?" I ask her sweetly. "Or was that your only idea to humiliate me? Because I've got to say, I thought you could do better than that, Audra."
"Oh, you want better than that?" she hisses, getting up in my face. "I can do so much more to you, you stupid bitch. You're in for a world of trouble. How about that punishment I promised you?"
A Hurt So Sweet Volume Three: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Elite of Eden Falls Prep Book 3) Page 3
