I jerked away from his grasp. “Don’t touch me,” I said, but his comment sparked something inside me. My own parents hadn’t even noticed my new haircut, or if they did, they didn’t say anything.
Ryan noticed.
Ryan seemed to notice an awful lot more than I realised.
He huffed a smile and took my hand in his, pulling me along with him. To anyone else, we’d probably look like two young lovers, out for a romantic stroll in the woods. But look closer and you’d see how tense we both were. We might’ve been touching, but our body language was screaming at each of us to be on our guard. At least, mine was.
“We should have your car back to you in a few days.” He spoke with a quieter, more gentle tone. I wasn’t buying into his tricks though. I don’t know why he was even attempting to make small talk. All I could focus on was what it felt like to hold his large, warm hand. It sent a shockwave right up my arm and into my whole body. It was all I wanted to focus on, not pointless chatter. I was at war with myself, erecting my own damn walls, and yet, questioning everything. Was he feeling as mixed up as I was?
“Great. I’ll call your dad to sort it out.”
We walked together in a relatively comfortable silence. The crunch of the woodland under our feet and our gentle breaths was the only sound that could be heard. That, and the thumping of my heart as it threatened to break free from my chest and attach itself to Ryan Hardy.
Shit, why was I thinking like that?
If my heart went anywhere near him, he’d chuck it on the floor and probably stamp all over it.
When we finally came to the clearing, the party was dying down. People had paired off and were together, entwined in dark corners. The fire was starting to burn itself out, but nobody cared. That wasn’t what they’d come here for.
“I’m going home,” I announced as I scanned the area for Effy or Liv.
“I’ll drive you,” Ryan said from behind me.
I scoffed at his weak and frankly shitty attempt at chivalry. The last thing I felt like doing was getting into his car. I needed space. He was scrambling my well-established wavelength and making my brain short-circuit.
“I’m not leaving my friends. I came with them. I’ll leave with them.” I stepped slowly around the edge of the clearing to see if either one of them was here. Effy was still MIA, but I spotted Liv pulling Zak into the woods by his hand and turning to give him a seductive look.
“I don’t think your friends have the same values as you, Winters. Looks like Liv’s more interested in the contents of Zak’s underwear than getting you home safely. As for Effy, Finn’s probably taken her to show her his etchings.” He laughed at himself. Good job someone found him funny.
I folded my arms over my chest and looked around, weighing up my options. That’s when I noticed Chase and his friends on the other side of the bonfire. He was staring straight at me, and the way he licked his lips made my skin crawl.
“Fine. I’ll get a ride home with you. But don’t speak to me.” I spun round to catch Ryan rolling his eyes.
“Such a shame I’ll miss out on all the witty banter we could be having. But I guess I’ll live,” he said sarcastically and strolled away.
I followed, taking my phone out of my jeans and sending a group text to the girls to let them know I’d gotten a ride home and trusted they’d keep themselves safe too. I knew Finn was a good guy, he’d look after Effy, wherever they were. But Zak? The jury was still out on that one.
Ryan stopped next to a beat-up old van and smiled. “Your chariot awaits.” He bowed down, making himself look like a dickhead, and I laughed, then tried to open the passenger door. “Not that door. Locks broken. You’ll have to use this one and climb over.”
“Call yourself a mechanic and your own van doesn’t have a working passenger door?” I stalked over to the driver’s side and got in, probably giving him a great view of my ass as I climbed across the middle console.
“Never got round to fixing it.” He shrugged, getting in and slamming his door shut. “Why would I? It’s not like I ever have any passengers, anyway.”
“Right, you use this for your little night-time adventures and save the smarter ride for your dates. God forbid anyone should think this was an extension of your dick. What a disappointment.”
He threw his head back and laughed at me.
“This is my only ride, Winters. And I don’t need anything to help extend my dick. I’ve had no complaints so far.”
I swallowed as I felt his stare on me. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of looking at him or responding. I wasn’t interested in what he got up to, or maybe I just didn’t want to know. His mentioning no complaints made my stomach twist. I didn’t like that.
The van bumped us around as he drove away and headed back onto a proper road. I held onto the handle above my head to stop myself from falling into him. My seatbelt was tight, but I was still sliding all over the place.
“You okay over there?” He glanced across at me and smirked.
“I’m fine.”
He swerved onto the road and put his foot down, making me tense in my seat.
“You sure about that?”
I wasn’t about to admit to him that ever since Danny’s car accident I’d felt nervous riding with people I didn’t know. I didn’t want to admit to a weakness.
“Is this what Zak was talking about earlier? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?” I asked, steering the conversation away from my fears. Hopefully a bit more sparring with him would also occupy my mind away from other things too.
“Is that what he told you?” He wasn’t giving anything away with his answer.
“I’m the rat, aren’t I? The one you think goes running back to Daddy every chance she gets.”
“Don’t you?”
“No. I’ve barely spoken to my father in the last few years. I doubt he even knows or cares where I am half the time.”
“And that bothers you?” He was doing a rubbish job at hiding his contempt for my father. The anger coming off him was palpable.
“No. I couldn’t give a rat’s ass. I’m interested to know why it bothers you though.”
“Why do you think I’m bothered?” He was clenching his jaw tight and tapping his hand on the steering wheel, all tell-tale signs that he was mad.
“If you wanna know something, just ask. I’m not fluent in bullshit.”
He flared his nostrils and huffed. “Be careful what you wish for, Winters. That perfect little life you lead might come crashing down around your ears one day.”
“Perfect little life? Fuck off, Ryan. If you have something to say, say it.”
“Fine. Ask your Dad about the Rotherham account.” I screwed my face up. I had absolutely no clue what he was on about.
“Ask him.” He turned to face me now, his expression deadly serious.
“Fine. I’ll do that.”
He pulled into my road and stopped a few houses down from mine.
“I’ll park here. Wouldn’t want Daddy getting pissed about the battered-up old van bringing down the neighbourhood.”
I went to open my door then remembered it was broken. He didn’t move though. Instead, he gripped his steering wheel and blew out a low breath.
“Danny was a good friend to me.” His comment came from left-field. “I respected him.” He turned to look at me. “I don’t respect your father though. And right now, I’m still not sure which one you take after.”
“Not everything is black and white, Ryan.” I batted that ball straight back at him. “Danny was a good guy, the best brother any girl could wish for, but maybe I don’t take after either of them. Ever think of that?”
He smiled to himself and shook his head. “That’s exactly what I thought.” Then he pushed his door open and got out.
I stretched my legs across to climb out and clung to the driver’s door to pull myself up.
“I’ll walk you to your door,” he said, but I shut him down.
“No ne
ed. I can find my own way home. I don’t need your help.”
He folded his arms over his chest and gave me a stare. “Rotherham account,” was all he said back to me.
“I haven’t forgotten.”
I marched towards my house and stopped when I got to the foot of my driveway. I turned to find him still standing there, arms folded and watching every step I took.
“Why me?” I mirrored his stance, waiting for the impending put-down. “Why are you targeting me?”
“It’s always been you, Winters. Always.”
I was fed up with his riddles, so I headed for my house and didn’t give him another backwards glance. I knew he was still there though. I didn’t hear his engine start up until I’d closed my front door.
I sat down in the only spare armchair in Zak’s living room. I had to brush off the papers and other shit he had covering it, but apart from being ridiculously untidy, the dude’s apartment was relatively clean. I couldn’t complain. I still lived at home with my dad. I was saving up to get my own place and the money we made from the events kept that topped up nicely. That, and the commission I made off my cars. The only problem was, Dad needed my help. It wasn’t easy running the garage, keeping the house going, and bailing out my brothers when they fucked up. I hated to see him struggle, so more often than not, I paid him extra rent to help. One step forward, two steps back. That’s what life was like for us Hardys though. I was used to it.
“Talk,” Brandon said, side-eyeing me.
I took a sip of the scolding hot coffee Zak had handed to me the minute I’d walked through the door. I needed to word this right. I had to have my head straight.
“I made headway.” I put the mug on the floor next to my foot and sat back in the chair.
“Made headway how? Last I saw, you were sloping off into the woods, following her.” Zak smirked as he spoke. I know we’d organised that whole charade to get her there, but it hadn’t stopped either one of them from getting their kicks.
“I’m surprised you noticed. You had your tongue so far down Liv Cooper’s throat, I didn’t think you could see further than your dick.”
He chuckled and grinned to himself. “She’s a firecracker that one.”
“Are you seeing her again?” Finn asked looking genuinely interested in his answer.
“Fuck, no. She was a bit of fun. She knew the score. She got what she wanted and so did I. The question is, did you, Ryan?”
All three pairs of eyes turned to look at me.
“Emily’s not like that.”
“Fuck me.” Brandon ran his hands through his hair in exasperation. “Do you need tips on how to get into her knickers, Ry? ‘Cos I can help you. I could show you, if you like. Maybe she’s into that?” Brandon wiggled his eyebrows and Zak laughed. Finn just shook his head.
“And scare the girl away before I’ve hit the jackpot?” I leant forward. “I don’t need to fuck the truth out of her. I do things differently.”
“That’s not what I’ve heard.” Brandon was seriously starting to piss me off.
“I told her to ask him about the Rotherham account,” I said, thinking that’d wipe the smug smile off his face. Considering he was one of my best friends, had been for years, he could really grate on me.
“You did what?” He stood up, coming to stand over me. That smug smile had definitely gone, but it’d been replaced with a grimace. “Are you fucking suicidal, mate? He’ll know it’s us that got to her. Shit, all this will have been for fucking nothing.”
“No, it won’t.”
“How do you know? Jesus, mate, you’re really ballsing this up. I knew I should’ve taken the reins.” He was pacing the living room now, wearing a hole in Zak’s carpet.
“Like I said, I’m doing things my way. She doesn’t take any bullshit.” Zak nodded along as I spoke. “She’ll come to me when she gets what I need. I know she will.”
“I hope for your sake she does, ‘cos if Daddy Winters gets wind of this, he’ll fucking crucify us.”
Brandon sank back down onto the sofa and glared over at Zak. “Have you found anything else online?”
“I can see deposits were made into the account, but the bloody firewalls are ridiculous. I can’t catch a break. I’ve got no idea where it’s all coming from. Let’s hope Em comes up trumps for us.”
“And the accident? This shit has gotta be connected in some way,” Brandon said, and we all felt ourselves tense up. I hoped to God we were wrong. I hoped for Emily’s sake we were, but I doubted it.
“Listen, I’m telling you now, the softer approach is working with Emily.”
Zak laughed. “Softer? You treated her like shit at the party. If that’s softer to you, I’d hate to see you go hard on her.”
“I think hard is what she needs,” Brandon piped up again.
“My way.” I gritted my teeth as I spoke. “This is going my way. If any one of you wants to question me on this again, I won’t be as understanding. Do you hear? This is not up for discussion.”
“I agree with Ryan.” Finn spoke out in my defence. “Emily’s more like Effy than Liv. You won’t get anywhere if you bulldoze her. She’s a good girl.”
I knew there was a reason I liked Finn so much. He might be quieter, but when he spoke, he made sense. A lot more sense than any of us sometimes.
“Well, you can’t deny the ball is rolling now. Let’s just hope it doesn’t become a fucking boulder and crush us all in its path,” Zak said, standing up to collect our mugs.
“The only thing getting crushed around here is that corrupt fucker.” Brandon looked at me and smirked. “And Ryan’s heart, when Emily fucking Winters shits all over him.”
I’d never heard of the name Rotherham before. It’d never been mentioned in our house, not to my knowledge, anyway. I googled it, but nothing jumped out at me. Was Ryan playing more mind games? Or was there more to it? My dad was away at Westminster for a few more days, so I couldn’t ask him yet. I would though. When I needed to know something I was like a dog with a bone.
Two days after our bonfire fiasco, I got a call from Ryan’s dad to tell me my car was ready to be collected. He offered to send Ryan round with it and drop it off, but I refused, telling him I’d be over later. I took a cab into town, and when we pulled up on their forecourt, I couldn’t see Ryan’s van. I paid the cab driver and headed into the office. Sean, Ryan’s dad, was sitting behind the desk and his face beamed when he saw me.
“Emily, it’s so lovely to see you again,” he said, holding out his hand to shake mine. “Ryan will be disappointed he missed you. He’s at an auction this afternoon with our other mechanic, Kieron. They won’t be back for hours.”
I grinned back, feeling some of the tension ebb away, knowing I wasn’t going to be facing another stand-off. I also felt kind of disappointed. As much as he wound me up, I liked the way he put fire in my belly. He always made me challenge myself; stand up for myself.
“That’s okay. I’m sure we’ll catch up another time. Do you have paperwork for me to sign?”
He busied himself looking through papers on his desk. His filing systems looked like they were straight out of the nineteen-eighties. I noticed another young guy walk in from the back and when he saw me, he smiled.
“Hey, anything I can help you with?” The guy came over then leaned against the desk, giving me the once over.
“Back off, son,” Sean said forcefully. “This is Ryan’s girl. The last thing I want is another one of my sons missing from around my table because of your wandering eyes.”
I just stood there with my mouth hanging open, probably looking like a demented fish.
Ryan’s girl?
I was so taken aback by his comment I couldn’t even speak.
“I’m Connor,” the guy said with a sparkle in his eyes and he held his hand out to shake mine. “Ryan’s older brother, but then you probably already knew that.”
No. I knew nothing about Ryan’s family. I’d only met his dad days ago. Had I stepped int
o some freaky Hardy twilight zone?
“I’m Emily,” I said feeling stunned.
Sean looked between us both as Connor held my hand for slightly longer than was necessary. “You can let go of her now.” He tutted at his elder son and then thrust some papers in front of me and gave me a genuine, heart-warming smile. “Sign there, my love.”
I took the pen and signed, then got my credit card out ready to pay.
“No charge,” Sean stated abruptly.
“What? But I want to pay my way.”
He chuckled. “No. No charge. Just keep my son happy.” Then he winked and shoved the paperwork into an overstuffed drawer.
I frowned. I had no idea what was going on. I didn’t like accepting freebies, not when they came under dubious circumstances like this, and to be honest, I had no clue what to say back, so I nodded and kept quiet. I didn’t think screwing up my face and telling him, “As if. Your son’s a bloody psycho,” was the right response.
Sean sighed then looked up at me again. He had my car keys in his hand, but he held onto them a little longer and said, “Can I show you something?”
“Err, yeah, sure.”
He stood up and opened the hatch that separated the office from where I stood. “He’ll probably bite my head off for showing you this, but then again, maybe not, seeing as it’s you.”
These Hardy men sure liked their cryptic conversations.
I followed Sean as he beckoned me into the office, then led me out the back and across their outdoor workspace towards an outhouse at the bottom of their premises. He pulled the metal door open and nodded his head inside.
“This is Ryan’s workshop. For his cars.”
We stepped inside, and Sean clicked the lights on.
“Wow!” The car sat in the middle of his workshop wasn’t fully assembled, but it already looked like something that was out of this world.
“He made that. Designed it and built it from scratch. Even welded the chassis himself. It’s amazing, isn’t it? Kieron and Connor help him with the donkey work, but he does all the main stuff. He’s a prodigy, my son.”
Sean stood to the side with his arms folded, looking on proudly as I circled the silver piece of art in front of me. That’s the only way I could describe it; art.
Renegade Hearts (Rebels of Sandland Book 1) Page 8
