“You.” He chuckled at himself. I don’t know why, he wasn’t funny. Then he leant down and planted a kiss at the side of my neck.
“Back off, Brandon. I’m not interested,” I said through gritted teeth.
“I like it when you fight me,” he whispered. “But you’ve seen the way I fight, little Winters. You’ve gotta know by now, I always win.”
“Not me,” I said, keeping my head high and my body stiff.
“I’ll win you round eventually.” He loosened his grip on me and then he kissed the top of my head. “Like I said, I always win.” He came to stand in front of me and waggled his eyebrows like he expected me to giggle or melt into his arms. I kept my expression neutral and looked straight through him. “Ooo that’s cold, Winters.” And then he laughed at himself, again. “Cold. Winters. See what I did there?”
I rolled my eyes. He had the bantering skills of a seven-year-old.
“I would laugh at your feeble attempt at humour, but I’m sure you have enough girls around you who fake it. You don’t need another one.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “No need to fake anything with me, baby. I’m the real deal.”
Then he stalked away, high-fiving and patting people on the back as he did. I watched him swagger towards the hay bales that’d been set up to create a makeshift boxing ring. He was like a messiah they all made way for. A God that commanded an audience but gave the clear message that they needed to stay back.
Noticing I was watching him, he winked at me, then took his T-shirt off and stood there in his jeans, taking deep breaths and getting himself into the zone. His chest was ripped and covered in tattoos, and he flexed his muscles and jumped on the spot, limbering up for his fight. He rolled his head and shook his arms out, then nodded to a guy to the left of him, who handed him a bottle of water. There were no boxing gloves or rings for this fight though. This was raw, untamed, bare-knuckle fighting. If you took a hit, you didn’t dare go down. Going down meant you’d never get back up. This was dog-eat-dog.
I could feel the ripple of tension in the air as Brandon’s opponent entered the room. Then I felt heat at my back again, only this time, my body melted from the iceberg it’d been literally minutes ago, into a pool on the floor, and I felt myself lean into him before he’d even spoken.
“I thought I told you, you don’t belong here.” Ryan stood behind me, his breath fanning the side of my face as he spoke. I took a deep breath in, inhaling his scent that swirled around me. Like a drug, it calmed my shredded nerves and made me sigh instinctively. “Keep making little noises like that and I’ll throw you over my shoulder and get you the hell out of here before you cause any more trouble.”
“I’m not the one causing trouble,” I said, nodding over to where Brandon was standing, psyching out his opponent. He was wearing a ridiculous grin and his eyes were wide, like he was trying to appear even crazier than he was. He really didn’t need to try so hard. Any fool could see he was a bloody psycho. He took two steps forward, forcing himself into the other guy’s space and then slammed his forehead against him, saying something threatening to him under his breath. The other guy pushed him off and turned to his crew, laughing. All the while, Brandon stayed focused and didn’t flinch.
Ryan put his arm around me and placed his hand over my stomach, pulling me into him like Brandon had done and I gasped. I certainly didn’t feel irritated this time. No, I felt hot and bothered and found my concentration had been pulled away from the build-up of the fight, like he’d lassoed me and tethered me to him. He made every nerve in my body spark and all I could focus on was him, his breathing, the beat of his heart that matched my own. I turned my head to the side, not quite sure what to say, but then I noticed what’d made Ryan react the way he did. Chase Lockwood stood at the doorway, staring straight at us, but he didn’t look happy. He looked pissed off. I glanced up at Ryan, and sure enough, he was glowering back over at Chase, goading him. Daring him to come over and challenge him in some way. Chase shook his head in disgust and moved his attention to Brandon.
“Are you going to piss on me too?” I pretended to sound unaffected by him, but I didn’t make any effort to move his hand or move away. Why would I? I liked feeling like this; a little wild and reckless. Not to mention, I was probably in a position most girls at this party would want to be in. In Ryan Hardy’s arms. Damn, my body was a traitor. Shit, my mind was joining forces too. I was becoming way too compliant for my own good.
“Only if you’re into that, princess,” he said laughing quietly to himself.
“Gross.” It was official, my mind was mush and I had no witty comebacks. Great.
“Why are you here?” he asked, nuzzling deeper into my neck as he spoke. I felt the tips of his fingers slowly brush underneath my top and my skin prickled into goose-bumps.
“Because you invited me. I got the text. Or wasn’t that meant to go to my phone?” I tried to keep my head clear and not let the gentle strokes he was giving my stomach and hip trick me into falling under his spell.
“I didn’t mean in this building. I meant here, in this room. It isn’t safe down here.” I stilled, feeling a growing warmth inside me from his touch and his words. Hushed, low words meant only for me. He was creating another bubble for us. I liked being in Ryan’s bubbles.
“I feel safe.” And I meant it. As aloof and cold as Ryan could be sometimes, I felt safe with him by my side. Yes, he’d probably been the one to chase me down that corridor at the warehouse party. But if I was truly honest with myself, I knew he’d never hurt me. He was Danny’s friend once and Danny wouldn’t befriend someone who was cruel. The fact that Danny had kept a wide berth from Brandon though said it all.
“Well, you shouldn’t.”
I smiled at his attempt to unnerve me. It’d take a lot more than that. “Shouldn’t you be running a scam somewhere, taking bets?”
“I have people to do that for me. I have other things on my mind tonight.” He rested his chin on my shoulder and the familiarity which he was showing me was breaking down all my defences.
“Like what?” I held my breath waiting for what he’d say next, willing his fingers to brush further down. God, I was losing my mind here.
“Like, what I’m going to do with you to make you behave.” My stomach turned over at the suggestion of him making me behave. Images of the delicious punishments he’d be capable of dishing out flooded my mind and made me blush. Shit, I needed to rein it in. My beating heart was ready to burst free. “Dad told me about your little chat the other day.” Ryan moved his hand off my stomach and instantly I missed his warmth. He wound a finger around one of my curls though, keeping that contact between us. I stilled. Had Sean told him about our tour of his workshop too?
“I was collecting my car. I was on my best behaviour.” My voice sounded weaker than I’d hoped.
“Oh, I know that. You’ve been invited to Sunday dinner. You won’t be able to make it though.” He dropped my curl and in return my heart dropped to the floor.
“Won’t I? I do like a nice Sunday roast,” I said sounding nonchalant.
“Don’t think you’ll be sitting at my table any time soon, Winters.” And here we were again, with Ryan flipping over to distant and unaffected mode.
“It’s your dad’s table, not yours. Anyway, what makes you think I’d want to come? I tend to lose my appetite when you’re around.”
I did, but not for the reasons I was insinuating.
“Nice to know I have an effect on you, princess.”
“Insects always have an effect on me.”
He laughed out loud, earning us a few dirty looks. I tried to drown out the whoosh of my pulse thumping in my ears and focus on the fight that’d started. Brandon was taunting the guy, beckoning him forward and jutting his chin out, begging for a punch. The minute the guy took a swing Brandon dodged it and then threw a punch right into the guy’s side, winding him for a few seconds. Brandon was a clever fighter; measured and calculated. He knew how
to dance around his opponent, use their weaknesses against them. It was like watching a gladiator teasing a lion or a matador mesmerising the bull. He had that guy right where he wanted him.
“So, did you manage to talk to your dad?” Ryan asked, pulling me back from the action once again.
“I did.” If he wanted information, he was going to have to do better than that.
“And?” He wound his arm around me again, as if his body had heard mine and knew exactly what to do to make me talk.
“And what? He didn’t tell me anything,” I said, keeping my eyes on Brandon the whole time.
“I thought you were a good little spy, Winters. Giving up so soon?”
“I said he didn’t tell me. I didn’t say I didn’t find anything, did I?” I grinned to myself. This game of push and pull was the most fun I’d had in… Well, ever.
“You’re sharper than I thought.”
Yes. Yes, I am.
I pulled my mobile out of my pocket and tapped my code to unlock the screen. Then I brought up the photos I’d taken of the account transactions. My heart lurched from my chest as Ryan reached for my phone. Both of his arms wrapped around me as he flicked through each image and looked at the photos over my shoulder.
“Fuck,” was all he said. I held my breath, feeling like I’d implode at any minute from the intensity of having him in my space like this for so long. “We need to go somewhere quieter. I need to get copies of this.”
I went to snatch my phone back, but I wasn’t fast enough. Ryan pocketed it and then grabbed my hand and led me out of the room. I didn’t need to push my way through this time. People just moved automatically for Ryan. I’d have to start calling these boys Moses soon.
We walked a couple of doors down the corridor and into an old store cupboard that’d been kitted out with bottles of water, towels, and other stuff that Brandon would probably use after his fight. A punch bag was suspended from the ceiling and cigarette butts lay in a dish on a folding table. Ryan closed the door behind us and pointed at a plastic chair and told me to, “Sit,” but I stayed standing where I was. Then he took my mobile out of his pocket and proceeded to tap in my security code.
“How the hell do you know my code?”
“I just saw you type it in. I can remember six digits. It’s not that hard.”
“What are you doing?” I screwed my face up at him as I spoke. As pliable as he’d made me tonight, I didn’t like him having control over my phone.
“Sending these photos to my phone so I have a copy.” He winked at me then, looking up at me under his floppy fringe. “My number will be in your phone now too, you know, in case you ever need me.”
“Why would I need you?”
He huffed and gave me a look that sent sparks flying through my body. Was it a cheeky look? Seductive? I had no idea. My experience with the opposite sex was somewhat limited to say the least, and right now, I felt woefully inadequate.
“Do you have any idea who these people are?” He shook my phone as he spoke, indicating he meant the people from the account.
“I’ve never heard of them, but I intend to find out.” I crossed my arms over my chest defensively. “I’d also like to know why that is so important to you?”
He shrugged and handed me back my phone.
“Let’s just say there are a few wrongs that need to be put right. It’s nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about.”
“If you want my help, and I will help you if something bad is going down, you need to level with me.”
He bit his lip and smirked as he looked at the floor then back up at me. “What would Daddy say if he knew you were being a bad girl?”
“I couldn’t give a fuck. My dad is an asshole.”
I saw a fire light up behind his eyes and something passed between us. But then, suddenly, the door burst open and Brandon came tumbling through, almost knocking me over, and slumped into the plastic chair. His face was a mess and he had a massive gash over his left eye which was pouring with blood. Even looking at it made me go funny.
“What the fuck happened to you?” Ryan asked.
“Dude had a knuckle duster hidden in his back pocket. Security tonight is shit. How the fuck did he get that past them?”
Brandon was dabbing at the massive gaping wound with a white towel which was rapidly turning crimson. He didn’t flinch though. He was so wired from the adrenaline pumping through his veins he couldn’t feel a thing; only arrogance and cockiness.
“So, we lost a shit load of money then? You lost the fight, yeah?”
I tutted at Ryan. I couldn’t believe I was siding with Brandon, but that was a really shitty reaction to have.
“Like fuck I did. I smashed his head against the wall, broke his nose and knocked the fucker out. He’s still lying out there now with half his crew wailing over him. We made a packet tonight.” Brandon grinned and the blood coating his teeth made him look demonic.
“Thanks for the concern though. Winters, do I get my prize now?”
Ryan made a grunting noise from across the room and when I looked at him he was doing that whole jaw-clenching fist-pumping thing he seemed so fond of. I think Brandon had had enough fists for one night though.
“You need to go to hospital,” I added, trying to break the tense atmosphere.
“Nah. I don’t need a doc. You can patch me up just fine, can’t you, Winters.”
“No! That’s not any old cut. That’s deep and needs stitches.” The thought of touching Brandon Mathers at any time filled me with dread, but even more so when he was gushing with blood and obviously delirious.
“She’s right,” Ryan said backing me up. “You need to get that seen to.”
“I’m not going anywhere. Emily will take care of it.” Brandon stated matter-of-fact and threw me a crazy, blood-toothed grin.
“Why me?”
“Because you’ve got that whole Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale vibe going on. Plus, I know your hands will be gentle. You don’t want to mess up my pretty face, do you?”
I heard Ryan mutter something about messing it up even more if he didn’t pack it in. I shook my head, adamant that Brandon’s face was the last thing I’d be tending to. “You’re gonna pass out from blood loss in a minute. I’m not touching you.”
“I’ll do it.” Ryan strode forward, grabbing a first aid box from the shelf behind Brandon.
“No, you won’t. You can’t just put a plaster over that. He’ll bleed through any dressings within minutes. He needs to go to a hospital, get stitches, and get a shot too.”
“Worried I’ll turn rabid?” Brandon said blowing me a kiss.
“You’re already rabid, and no, I’m not worried. You know what, if you want an ugly scar for the rest of your life, go ahead. I’m out of here.”
I went to leave, but Brandon’s voice stopped me.
“Fine. I’ll go. But only if you come with me.”
I’d really taken leave of my senses, because against my better judgement, I found myself saying, “Okay.”
I turned to open the door and heard Brandon say, “Where the fuck are you going?”
I thought he meant me and was just about to roll my eyes at him and give him the fool’s answer, accompanied with a question mark over his current sanity, when Ryan piped up.
“Where she goes, I go.”
The three of us headed out of the store cupboard and I went to head back up towards the party and out that way.
“Not through there,” Ryan said, hooking his hand under my elbow and leading me down the corridor and away from the action. “We don’t want everyone seeing. We’ll go out the back way.”
“Are you driving?” Brandon asked Ryan as he held the blood soaked towel over his eye, but Ryan shook his head and pulled his mobile out of his back pocket.
“I got a lift in with Zak. Maybe Finn could drive us?”
“No chance. Finn’s sister dropped us off. Ring Kian. He’ll take us.”
I didn’t know Ki
an all that well. I’d seen him around school, back when Danny and the others were there, but Kian was a bit of an enigma. Always on the periphery of the group and never quite fitting in. He obviously thought a lot of these guys though, because he answered on the first ring and told Ryan he’d meet him outside without any hesitation.
When we got outside, we saw the car headlights shining right at us and Kian stood leaning against the driver’s side door.
“What the fuck happened to you?” Kian’s eyes bugged out of his head as he spoke. They obviously weren’t used to seeing Brandon take a hit, judging from their reactions tonight.
“Don’t worry Ki, the other guy is way worse. I think the fucker is still passed out in there.” Brandon gave him a glare and jumped into the front seat, slamming it shut.
“Good to know.” Kian nodded at Ryan and me as we both got into the back. I shifted myself along the seat to let Ryan get in after me. I was thankful Brandon chose the front. I didn’t fancy riding with him back here. The guy freaked me out on a good day and this was not a good day.
Kian started the car, then glanced back at me. “You’re Emily, right?”
I nodded.
“Nice to meet you, Emily. I’m Kian, or Ki. Whatever’s fine.” He tapped the side of his forehead in salute and then put the car into gear and sped off like he was in training for NASCAR. I went to grab the door handle for support, but Ryan put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into him.
I didn’t like being in other cars, not after what’d happened to Danny, but I guess Ryan sensed that because he whispered, “You’re okay. He’s a good driver. Nothing bad is gonna happen.” I was tense but having him near did help somewhat.
By the time we pulled up outside the hospital my body felt exhausted from being strained and stiff with the tension.
“I should’ve driven,” Ryan said to me. “It’s still raw, isn’t it?” He must’ve felt how unnerved I was.
“My brother, my best friend, was killed in a car accident. It’s always gonna be raw.”
Ryan gave a sad nod and squeezed my knee. I didn’t want to wallow in anyone’s pity. So I turned and opened the door, getting out and leaving Ryan’s hand to drop to the seat.
Renegade Hearts (Rebels of Sandland Book 1) Page 10
