He laughed at me, full-on threw his head back and laughed.
“Whatever you say, sweetheart. But just know this…” He came right up to me, forcing me to back up against the truck. “You have no idea how bad I can make things for you. Keep trying to block me out, Winters, but you won’t succeed. If I wanna be heard, I will. And you will fucking listen.”
This was not going how I’d planned it in my head. It certainly wasn’t going the way we’d discussed back at my place. It’d been all Brandon’s idea to mess with her car. Cut some wires, loosen up a few things. I wanted to wait a few days, bide my time, but Brandon was all for striking while the iron was hot. He thought we had her spooked after last night, thought now was the perfect time to chip away a little more. Get her while she was weak. Only thing was, this girl was anything but weak. She might’ve been spooked at the time, when we cornered her in those hallways, but she wasn’t scared now. Just one look at her standing there in the middle of the road, with her hands on her hips and that pissed look on her face when she saw me, told me she was ready to fight back, and I liked it.
It wasn’t supposed to go down like this though. This was supposed to be my chance to get a bit closer to her. Show her what she was missing. I think Zak’s exact words were, “Woo the shit out of her.”
Brandon’s had been the complete opposite. Something about bending her over the bonnet and fucking her into submission. But that was his M.O., not mine. I knew I had to tread carefully where Emily was concerned. She was no pushover. So, I opted for a happy medium. A bit of wooing maybe, but I wasn’t smooth like Zak. Throw in some charm, but not force myself on her at the first chance I got like Brandon would’ve. I needed this girl to trust me, so I could fuck her over and use that trust to get us what we needed.
Answers.
Answers to all the fucking questions and some goddamn evidence to back us up when the shit really hit the fan.
We had it all planned out. Brandon would drive down to her friend’s house, tamper with her car whilst no one was looking, and make it so she could still drive away, but she’d have literally minutes before the engine cut out. I knew she’d ring the breakdown company. I also knew their waiting times were ridiculously long. I wanted to go to her after ten minutes, but both Brandon and Zak thought twenty was better. We didn’t want to make it look too suspicious with me turning up too early, but twenty minutes was enough time to make her feel desperate and truly grateful to see me. Yeah right. Her face dropped faster than a fat kid falling on his ass when I rocked up. And damn, if her feistiness didn’t do something to me. Wooing I couldn’t do, I was clueless. But banter? Going toe-to-toe with her? Now that was my fucking forte. It was what got me going, and every roll of her eyes and huff from her pretty little mouth spurred me on even more. I knew this wasn’t the result the lads had wanted, but I couldn’t help myself.
Emily Winters was my nemesis. A perfect opponent in this little battle of wits we’d started playing. She was my muse.
Watching her squirm as I got out of the truck made my heart race. The little yellow sundress she had on, with the thin straps over her tanned shoulders made me want to run my fingers under each strap and watch them fall down her arms, so I could see the perfection she had hiding underneath. But her scowl was what turned me on the most. The way she flicked her curly hair back when she got annoyed made me hard. Her hair was thick and long, just right for wrapping around my fist as I yanked her head back and took her from behind. But fuck me, when she spoke, that anger and venom she had for me shot an arrow straight through my heart and my dick.
This girl would be the death of me.
The fact that she’d probably have preferred Freddy Kruger to come out of my truck instead of me made me want to conquer her even more. I loved a challenge. But what I didn’t love, was a fucking pissing contest.
Chase fucking Lockwood.
The guy was an idiot. A loser. And he had the hots for Emily Winters, that much was clear. Dude was probably heading home to rub one out right now after seeing her today. When he pulled up, I wanted to drag him out of his flashy red extension of his dick and show him what I really thought of him. Dude was a puppet for his father, and we all knew what they got up to in their spare time. If he thought he was getting near Emily, he had another thing coming. The thought of her getting into his car made me show my cards sooner than I would’ve liked where he was concerned. I didn’t like being forced into a corner, but he needed to back the fuck off.
There was no way I was gonna let him swoop in and play the hero, even if I was doing a shit job of being one myself. Hell, the joker always was my favourite kind of hero anyway. Sure, I could be a good guy if I needed to be. Not Chase Lockwood’s kind of fake-ass good though. That guy set my teeth on edge.
I got busy hitching her car up to the truck, trying to ignore how pissed off I felt about Lockwood storming in and fucking up my shit.
“What the fuck was that?” she snapped, stomping over to me and making my breath catch in my throat.
Another step, sweetheart, I dare you. Just one more step and I’ll have you up against this truck so fast you won’t know what’s hit you. I’ll enjoy sticking my tongue down your pretty throat to shut you up.
“What did you say to him?”
Enough to save your ass. Jesus, thinking of her ass had me all messed up.
“I told him to mind his own fucking business. Now, get in the truck,” was what came out of my mouth. In my head I was screaming, fight me, baby. I love it when you make me work for it.
She started spouting some bullshit about Lockwood being her friend and I zoned out. Picturing what it’d feel like when I did get her where I wanted her, on her knees sucking my dick. I was more than done with him being the topic of our conversation. And then I heard her say how I loved fucking with her life right now, and that was like a red rag to a bull.
“You’ve got no idea,” I spat back, and those walls that I liked to keep firmly in place were locked, bolted and fortified to the motherfucking hilt. I needed to remember to have my wits about me with this girl; keep my guard up. Sure, she played the role of the good girl really well, but was she really that clueless about how far down the rabbit hole her family went? She was smart. She had to know something.
She argued with me some more, telling me she was getting in the truck, but not because I’d asked her, but that she needed a ride and she was getting good at blocking me out. Again, another challenge. So much for wooing her, I was about to break this girl’s defences with a fucking sledgehammer.
I wasn’t gonna be blocked out.
Nobody ignored me.
Ever.
I threw my head back and laughed, trying to make it look like I didn’t care. I couldn’t let her see that she was capable of pushing every one of my fucking buttons. She held enough power over me as it was, I couldn’t give her anymore.
“Whatever you say, sweetheart. But just know this…” I walked right up to her, forcing her up against the truck, and hoping to God she couldn’t feel how hard she was making me. “You have no idea how bad I can make things for you. Keep trying to block me out, Winters, but you won’t succeed. If I wanna be heard, I will. And you will fucking listen.”
She blinked up at me with those big blue eyes of hers and I willed myself not to react. Not to swallow or flinch. I couldn’t do anything that’d show her that she affected me. Deep breaths were all I was capable of. That and some pretty fucked-up thoughts about where I could take this to next. She put both her hands on my chest, and for a split second I thought she was gonna lean up to kiss me, but her second of faltering was just that; a moment. A moment where she could take a breath and push me back away from her.
She muttered something under her breath and stalked off to the front of the truck. Then she threw me a glare that was probably meant to kill me dead on the spot and pulled herself up into the cab, slamming the door as she got in. This was going to be a ride I was going to enjoy, for every God damn second that it lasted.
Deep breaths, Em. Deep breaths and focus. Do not let him get to you. Never let him see how he affects you. You can do this. You have the power here. Don’t lose it.
Who was I kidding? I was a fucking mess and barely hanging onto my sanity by a thread. Having him so close to me just now did things to my body that I wasn’t sure I liked. Or maybe I liked it a little too much. Whichever way I looked at it, I was screwed.
When he’d pushed himself against me, I felt something stir inside me, something so strong I didn’t think I had the willpower to fight it. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to lift up on my tiptoes and feel what it was like to have those plump lips of his pressing against mine.
Without a second thought, I’d put my hands on his chest and almost lost it when I felt his heart beating ten to the dozen under his overalls. Sure, he was cool, calm and collected on the outside, but touching his chest, I could feel the turmoil he felt deep inside. Angst that mirrored my own. Did I affect him as much as he affected me?
I used the last ounce of self-control I had in me and pushed him away. When I did, I saw something flicker in his eyes. Regret? Disappointment? I don’t know. This guy was good at masking his feelings. Not that I thought for a minute he had any kind of feelings for me. I was probably a conquest he hadn’t made yet. An easy target. If Danny was still alive, he’d have kicked Ryan’s ass for even looking at me. But he wasn’t here. And now, I had to do the ass kicking myself. I always had really. But it’d been nice to have a big brother around to back me up.
So, here I was, sitting in the truck waiting for him to drown me with his presence. Being near Ryan Hardy felt like being smothered by a shroud or choked by a dark fog. You didn’t know it was coming until it was too late, and then all you could focus on was him and how to survive. I needed to channel some soul-stifling vibes of my own. Assert my position in his fucked-up little mind games.
I felt the truck rocking as my car was secured on the back, and then the driver’s door opened and he jumped in next to me. He didn’t look at me though. Oh no. He was guarded and ready to go. As always.
I kept my head to the side and looked out of the passenger window as we pulled off and drove towards town. The atmosphere was tense, but I knew he wouldn’t stay quiet for long. He couldn’t help himself. He loved goading me.
“Doesn’t Daddy have his own mechanics on the payroll? I’m surprised you’d stoop so low as to need our help,” he said, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. I huffed and shook my head. Always with the daddy’s little girl bullshit. He knew nothing.
“First of all, what makes you think my dad even gives a shit about my car breaking down?”
“Doesn’t he?” He turned to face me, giving me a confused look, then he frowned and turned back to concentrate on driving.
“I rang my parents. They told me to deal with it. I’m not a pampered princess, despite what you and your little gang might think.” I folded my arms but kept going. “Secondly, yes, my dad has people on staff, but I don’t get involved in all that. Why? Are you pissed that you didn’t get the contract to maintain his collection?”
“Collection?” That’d sparked his interest.
“Yes. My dad collects classic cars. He has a guy who does all the maintenance. He’s never looked after my car though. Why would he?”
“Doesn’t daddy want to check you’re okay? Keep tabs on his prize little P.R. princess? Great spread in the Daily Mail the other day, by the way.” He was trying to mock me. It wouldn’t work.
“I didn’t take you for a Daily Mail reader.” I scoffed, hitting the ball right back into his court.
“I’m not. We sent screenshots to each other to take the piss out of how orange your mum and dad looked.”
I laughed at that one. I’d thought the same too. They loved their spray tans a little too much.
“So, how many does he have?”
“What, spray tans?”
“No, cars.” He gave a genuine laugh this time. “But I can imagine the spray tan bills are through the fucking roof.”
I stifled a laugh. I hadn’t expected to bond with Ryan Hardy, of all people, over my parents’ tanorexia.
“About fifteen the last time I checked.”
“Fuck. That’s impressive.” He nodded to himself. “What models?”
“Like I’d know that. One’s green, two are blue, he likes red the most, so he’s got about five of those…”
Ryan shook his head and laughed.
“Okay, I get the picture. You’re not a petrol-head. So, who’s the guy? The mechanic? Would I know him?”
“Why the sudden interest in my father’s affairs?” I turned in my seat to face him. My version of an interrogation.
“I’ve got no interest in your father whatsoever. I just like cars. I’m in the business. Thought I’d know him, that’s all.”
I narrowed my gaze at him, but it sounded legit, so I let it go. But for him, the subject of my father was still very much open for discussion.
“Must cost him a bit, to collect all those and keep them running. I didn’t think a politician’s wages were at that level. Got some dirty dealings you’re hiding there, Winters?” He was digging for dirt and doing a shit job at hiding it.
“Like I’d discuss my father’s income with you. I don’t even know myself.” I shouldn’t have added the last part, but he was starting to piss me off again. “I’m the last person my parents would ever confide in.”
“Is that so? You make it sound like they’ve got something to hide?”
“Haven’t we all?”
He turned to stare straight at me. “I don’t know, have we?” The intensity of his gaze made me feel uncomfortable and I shuffled nervously in my seat.
“I’m an open book,” I said, relaxing back into the seat. “No secrets here. But you? I think you’ve got a lot of things going on that you wouldn’t want my dad finding out about. It’s kind of fucked-up that you use the Renaissance as a label for your shady shit. Doesn’t Renaissance mean rebirth? I don’t see how beating people up or ripping them off with your betting scams could be called a rebirth.”
“And that’s where you’re wrong, Winters. You know fuck all about us. The Renaissance was a time of discovery, taking us from a darker period to a more modern way of life.”
“And that’s why you hide away in the shadows, sending out cryptic messages to stay off the police radar? Because you’re all about the light, aren’t you, Ryan.”
“We’re staying off the system’s radar. Those at the top of the food chain who think they have a God given right to fuck the rest of us over.” I was pissing him off, I could tell. His jaw was clenched and he looked ready to bite back.
“Power to the people, hey? Are you the modern day Marx?”
“We make money. We’re not communists. But we don’t shit on the little people like your father does. We want to make life better, not bleed it fucking dry.” Yep, he was pissed.
“I agree.” I must’ve floored him with that retort, if the bulging of his eyes was any indication.
“Careful, don’t let Daddy hear you talk like that. He might cut your allowance.”
“Enough with the Daddy bullshit. I already told you, I’m no pampered princess. My parents couldn’t give a shit about me. They tolerated me when Danny was alive, and now… Now, I’m just biding my time until I can get out. Not that I need to explain myself to you.”
“Boo fucking hoo. So, you’ve got Daddy issues.”
I was getting bored with this game of verbal tennis and I didn’t feel the need to explain myself when it came to my family.
“Do you know your problem?” I said, hoping to bring him down a peg or two.
“Enlighten me.”
“Your problem is, you don’t know you’re the problem. It’s actually pretty easy not to be a shitty human being. You should try it sometime.”
“Sweetheart, if you’re waiting for me to give a fuck, you’d better pack a lunch. It’s gonna be a while.”
; If I could’ve jumped out of the truck in that moment, I would’ve. Ryan Hardy was getting under my skin, big time. I hated that he judged me, labelling me the weak little girl like everyone else. His derision only made me more determined to fight back; show him that I had strength. I was tough. Anyone who’d had to live the past eighteen years in my family had to have some backbone. They wouldn’t survive otherwise. Life for a Winters could be cutthroat. I was used to fighting my own corner.
He could chip away all he wanted, but he wouldn’t break me.
We pulled onto the forecourt of his father’s garage and I could see his dad and another guy standing by a car, looking under the bonnet with confused expressions. Ryan brought the truck to a stop at the side of the building and got out. Such a gentleman. He couldn’t even tell me, “We’re here,” he just slammed his door and sauntered off to the rear of the truck to start unloading my car.
I opened my door and stepped down. As I looked up, I spotted Brandon Mathers, leaning up against a black Ford and grinning at me. I saw Ryan shake his head at him out of the corner of my eye. What was that all about?
“When will I get it back?” I asked, pulling my phone out of my bag and scrolling to look for the number of a local taxi firm.
“You’ll get it back when it’s ready,” he replied in a bored, monotone voice.
“Well, well, well, my boy works fast. You giving him your number already, little Winters?” Brandon Mathers was walking towards us looking as smug as shit. “Do I get it too?”
Ryan threw him a dirty look, then carried on working on getting my car off the truck.
“Hell and freezing over spring to mind.” I glared back at him. Where sparring with Ryan was fun and kind of a thrill, I hated Brandon with a passion. He was crass, rude, and a bully. He didn’t care about anyone, not even himself. Even Ryan had some redeeming qualities. Like the way he blushed sometimes when he smiled. The way his smiles were crooked when he found something amusing, but he always threw his head back when he found anything hilarious. The way he…
Renegade Hearts (Rebels of Sandland Book 1) Page 5
