by Amo Jones
“I’m just going to say it,” Ace mutters, tossing the crust of his toast onto the middle of the table. “I’m too old for this shit and totally fucking get why Saint bounced.”
We don’t speak, and Brantley flinches at the mention of that name. He and Saint were cool, so I know it has nothing to do with that. Weird motherfucker.
“Saint is fine…” Bishop nudges his head. “He’s happy.”
“Well fuck, I want me some happy too!” Ace smirks, just as Bailey comes padding into the kitchen, groaning. She flicks the coffee pot on and leans over the sink, her mess of hair sticking up all over the place.
“You all right there, Bails?” I ask, smirking.
She flips me off.
Tillie
Later that night, we’re all chilling around the bonfire, roasting marshmallows and drinking mulled wine. I have Chase sitting between my legs on the ground and I’m halfway through French braiding his hair, his broad shoulders pressed between my thighs. Tash Sultana is playing through the sound system and everyone is lost in their talks. I look up to catch Nate watching me with every tighten on the braid.
“Pretty sure he’s jealous,” Chase murmurs, so only I can hear. “Pretty sure he’s about to kill me.”
I roll my eyes, finishing off his braid and tapping his shoulder. “He will live.”
They told me today that Hector had canceled the meet until further notice, and as much as that news should have settled my nerves, it didn’t. It only intensified the fact that I need my revenge. I understand revenge, though, probably more than Nate. I was raised in a world where people were cruel to me. It toughened my willpower to wait for the right time to strike, instead of lashing out at every person who does me wrong. Hector will get his at the right time, because it needs to be done right. And I still want to know why. Aside from getting me to Perdita, why did he need me to have nothing to live for? We drink more, dance a little, and Bailey pulls out her little camera again. Later that night we all settle back into our beds, but I’m restless. Bailey is snoring softly beside me, already deep in her sleep when I fling the blankets off my body and head for the door.
Why didn’t he talk to me all night?
Why is he mad?
Now I’m mad, which is why I find myself standing outside of his door, my fingers clenched around the handle. I twist and shove it open, the back side of it hitting the wall. Nate is lying on the top of the covers, leaning on one elbow with nothing but his white Calvin’s on. He’s doing something on his phone and his eyes slowly come up to mine, like me barging into his room was expected.
“What, Tillie?”
“Why are you mad at me?”
He finishes what he’s doing on his phone, not meeting my eyes. “I’m not mad at you.”
Am I being a twat? No, no I’m not. Because I’m sick of his mood swings. “Why haven’t you spoken to me?”
He exhales, tossing his phone onto the other side of the bed. “Have I not been giving you enough attention? Come sit.”
“I’m not your pet, Nate. I won’t sit when you tell me to sit.” … outside of the bedroom.
A dark smirk slides onto his mouth. “Really?”
I don’t know if it’s the alcohol that’s coursing through my body, or just the fact that he is Nate and I am Tillie, but I narrow my eyes on him. “What did I do wrong?”
“Wrong?” he asks, his eyebrows tipping up a little. “Nothing. Why would you do something wrong?”
“Can I ask you something?” I say, leaning on the door frame.
“You’re going to anyway…”
He’s right.
“Where do you see yourself in five year’s time?”
He pauses, seeming to think over his next words. Just when I think he’s not going to reply, he opens his mouth. “Living in my house.” His eyes flick to his phone. “Sitting beside Bishop as he reigns over this fucking world. Why?”
My heart stops beating for a second, or at least it feels that way, and my gut squeezes. “Doesn’t matter.” I turn on my heel. “Goodnight, Nate.”
And that, is why we could never work.
Tillie
Pressing my earbuds into my ears, I stretch my neck out and watch as the sun peeks up behind the trees, burning the dark with its light. Fergie starts rapping about being hungry as I stretch my legs briefly. I have become dependent on exercise since being in Brantley’s house. Now I crave the burn that comes with pushing your body to the absolute limit. I slip my phone into my armband and start jogging at a slow pace until I find my stride. There’s nothing for at least six miles, nothing but the long driveway that leads you to the cabin, and I love it. I’ll run to the end, where the high wired gates are, and back again and that would be twelve miles. The perfect distance to get me hyped. My feet hit the road faster as I find my stride, the music blaring through my ears, distracting me from that stupid conversation last night. I see the gate at the end, but I haven’t had enough. Pushing it open and off the latch, I slip out and keep running. I don’t know where I’m going but I know I just need to run. My chest burns, my heart thrashing in my chest so fast that my throat feels raw. A dark Range Rover pulls up beside me and I freeze, my body instantly stilling. I tear the pods out of my ears as the tinted window slides down.
I tentatively tread toward it, peeking in. I stop when I see it’s the same Rebel I locked lips with. “Um…”
“Get in, baby.”
He nods his head toward the door, and I reach for it, climbing in. He obviously has something to say and call me fucking stupid but there’s also a part of me that knows I’m somewhat untouchable in this world. People won’t cross me.
I swipe at the sweat that’s dripping from my forehead. “I smell, I’m sorry.”
He chuckles, his eyes coming to mine. He’s wearing a perfectly tailored suit and again, I see all of his ink peeking out of places that the suit doesn’t cover. Like his hands, and his neck, and even a small cross underneath his eye.
“I kidnap you, and you apologize for sweating on my leather?”
I purse my lips. “You kidnapped me?”
He smirks. “Yeah, and you made it the easiest one to date.”
He turns to face me, his eyes dropping to my mouth as he takes his seatbelt off so he can turn to me completely. The car pulls away and I’m suddenly aware of what the fuck I’ve just done. I’ll blame it on the endorphins running unleashed. For fuck’s sake, Tillie.
He reaches for my hand. “I won’t hurt you.”
“How do I know that?” My body is convulsing as I come down from my runner’s high. “You just stole me.”
He chuckles, reaching for my hand and pulling me close to him. “You don’t know why I stole you yet, though, do you…”
I lick my lips, being so close to him. “I smell and I’m sweaty,” I say again.
His eyes drop to my neck and he draws his tongue out, licking me across my slick skin. “I don’t care,” he announces, coming up to look me back in the eye.
I clear my throat. “I gather that…”
“Do you know who I am?” he asks, kissing my lips softly. What is with this man and always wanting to touch me. Why do I like it?
I shake my head. “No.”
He grins, kissing my lips. “I’m something you should have found a long time ago.”
I pull back from him slightly. “You’re a Rebel.”
“Yes.” He sits back, lighting a cigarette. “I need to talk with you about something that is of importance.”
“Okay,” I whisper, wiping the sweat from my head. “And then will you drop me back?”
He grins around the stick of his smoke. “Maybe.” He lights up, inhaling. “Or maybe I will want to keep you.” He blows out the cloud.
“I’m not a woman who can be kept…”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
My runner’s high has completely disappeared now, and fatigue is replacing it. “Please tell me what you want.”
<
br /> “My name’s Benny Vitiosis, Tillie.”
I tilt my head. “And?”
He smirks. “And I’m the one who is going to make sure you get the right options.”
“Okay, I don’t know what that means.”
Benny taps at the driver’s seat, and then brings his eyes back to me. “What are you hoping to do after Hector has been punished for his, maybe, sins?”
I laugh. “I don’t know. Why?”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Because there’s still the case of who is going to run Perdita.”
I shake my head. “Not me. Not right now.”
He leans forward, searching my eyes. “What has to happen for you to stay on that island for a couple of months?”
“Why!” I snap, throwing my arms up. “Why does everyone want to know that?”
Benny smirks, puffing on his smoke. I lean forward and snatch it from between his fingers, shocking him in the process. I wrap my lips around it and inhale.
He looks at me with new light. “Didn’t think fit chicks smoked?”
“This one does,” I say. “Especially when she gets kidnapped and questioned about shit she doesn’t want to address right now.”
“Benny shrugs. “I’ll come back after you’ve chased your revenge, but remember this, Stuprum…”
I wait, blowing out a cloud of smoke as the SUV pulls up to the cabin. I didn’t even notice we had turned back around.
“When it all comes crashing down, and his revenge is seeping from your fingers with nothing but your guilt there to keep you sane…. Call me.”
The door flies open and Nate is standing there, seething. “What the fuck, Benny!”
Benny winks at Nate. “Nathanial. When will you share this fine piece of ass with me?”
Nate’s lip curls. “I’ll rip your fucking face off before I ever let her touch you, Benny.”
I roll my eyes, patting Nate’s chest as I try to get out of the car.
He doesn’t move.
“Nate!” I snap, but his eyes are still heated and on Benny.
He slowly steps backward to let me out but doesn’t move his attention from Benny.
“You know how I like it…” Benny smirks.
Nate launches into the car and knocks me to the side, but Bishop grabs him by the collar, setting him back. “No.”
Brantley slams the door closed and the SUV slowly rolls out of the driveway.
When they’re gone, Nate turns his wrath onto me. “What the fuck were you doing in his car, Tillie!”
“Well,” I say, wiping the dirt from my legs, courtesy of Nate’s tantrum. “I’m so glad you asked. He kidnapped me on my run, an—”
“—he what!” Nate yells, his eyes going back to the retreating truck.
“Nate!” I snap at him. “He brought me back. It doesn’t matter.”
Nate storms off into the house and I’m left with Brantley and Bishop staring at me carefully.
“What?”
No one answers and everything turns silent. Again.
Tillie
“Pull over here…” Nate mutters, pointing to the shoulder of the road.
I obey, slowing onto the shoulder. “What’s going on?”
Nate doesn’t say anything. He flips his hoodie over his head, looking to the side mirror, as if he’s waiting for someone. “I have a house. Did I tell you?”
“You mentioned it in passing, yes…” During the discussion of you living in it.
His fingers tap against his thigh.
“Nate, what are you doing?”
He looks anxious. Nate never looks anxious. My eyes catch an SUV pulling up behind us. I recognize it. The same one Nate’s dad used.
“Turn your car off and follow my lead.”
“What?” I screech. “No!”
“Tillie.” Nate turns to look directly at me. “We are getting our revenge, and the motions that go into play here, are starting now.”
“But Bishop sa—”
“Fuck Bishop when it comes to this.”
“Wait…” My heart thunders in my chest. “You’re going behind his back!?” I whisper-scream, tying my hair into a high ponytail.
“Do you trust me?” Nate asks, staring at me and waiting for my answer. “You have to be able to trust me completely from here on. Follow my cues, watch my reactions. You’re smart, but you’re fucking lethal when it comes to reading me, baby. I need you to put all of that skill into motion right now.”
“I do.” Because it’s true. I trust him with every ounce of my being, which is precisely the problem.
“Then get out of this car and follow my lead.”
I lick my lips and nod. “Okay.”
I grasp onto the door handle, swinging it open and taking a step out. My Jimmy Choo shoes crunch the gravel beneath my feet, my skinny jeans suddenly too tight. I zip my leather jacket up and beep my car.
“What about my car?”
“Leave it. Someone will collect it.”
I whisper sweet nothings at it before following behind Nate to the SUV.
Nate opens the door and the whole back seat is laid out like a limousine. He slides in and I follow.
My eyes go to the two people in front of me.
Scarlet.
Gabriel.
I wince. “What’s going on?”
Nate pulls his hoodie down, his eyes going to Scarlet. “Tell me everything.”
“Wait, you knew?” I snap at Scarlet.
She shakes her head, tears slipping down her face. “Of course not. I’m not a monster.”
I relax slightly.
“But I believe Bishop did. I don’t know what Hector gets involved in. I’ve always been on the outside—by choice. Not wanting to know, but I know what I heard.”
I freeze. “No…” I shake my head. “Bishop wouldn’t do that.”
“You seem so sure, Stuprum. My son was raised by the Devil himself. What makes you think he’s not exactly like his father? What makes you think there isn’t more as to why Madison ran away from him?”
Everything slows, my heart thundering in my chest. My mind feels dizzy, and my fingers tingle. “No,” I repeat. “He wouldn’t.”
I look to Nate, who is beside me.
“He wouldn’t.”
Nate’s jaw clenches, his eyes coming to mine. His pupils are dilated, more black than blue. “But he did.”
My mouth drops open, my eyes slowly blinking as I drag in a deep breath. My heart cracks in my chest.
Bishop had something to do with this.
Madison running away.
Madison wanting to talk to me the night we were at the party.
He fucking knew everything.
I lean over, my hands grasped around my head. “I can’t believe this…”
“Tillie…” I hear Nate’s voice somewhere in the far distance, trying to pull me back to the present. It’s like a tug-a-war. Nate on one side, my sanity on the other.
His hand comes to my thigh.
He caresses it softly. “Baby…” Then his fingers wrap around my chin, yanking my face up to his. He runs his thumb over my bottom lip, and the darkness that was closing in around me starts to reopen, Nate’s face before it all, shattering my madness to pieces.
Everything comes back to the present, my heart calming.
“Trust. Me.”
I nod.
He presses the tip of his thumb into my mouth slightly, smirking, and then releases, looking back to the two in front of us.
Feeling stronger, I sit back, my eyes going to Scarlet. “And you’re okay with us killing your husband?”
Scarlet stares. “No.” Her glare cuts to me, and I see a glimpse of her other side. “Of course I’m not. But things work differently in this world. That is something I do understand. Do you understand that, Tillie?” she asks, tilting her head.
I feel Nate still beside me.
She continues. “Because I don’t think you do. Do you know how many people have died at the hands of my h
usband?”
“I have an idea,” I mumble.
She fiddles with her handbag and takes out a Gucci wallet. She pulls out a photo behind the one of her, Bishop, and Hector, handing it to me after smiling at it briefly.
“Hector had a daughter once too. With another woman, no less, but I still wanted her.”
I bring my eyes down to the small baby in the image. It’s the same image that was in the cabin.
“I tried to reason with him that I could keep her and raise her as my own, but he wouldn’t allow it. Setting an example was too important. Hector is a brutal man, Tillie. He is a King before he is a husband or a father.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, handing the photo back to her.
She tucks it back into her wallet. “Don’t be sorry. I don’t want your pity. Did I kill my husband for playing a hand at her death? No. I didn’t. Because I understand this world. You are weak, Tillie Stuprum. You are so guided by mundane things like revenge that it has made you weak. So you asked me if I’m okay with this? No. I’m not. Because if I didn’t get to do it for my daughter, I don’t think you should either.”
Rage is bubbling underneath my skin, threatening to spill over. I want to smack this bitch so hard her head rolls.
“But—” she interrupts my thoughts. “I understand it. I will say this, Tillie, you have a very loyal bunch around you, I won’t say anything else.”
I look to Gabriel “And what have you got to do with all of this?”
Gabe smiles. “I’m here to make sure things run smoothly, Tillie.”
“What?”
“—He’s a Peacekeeper, Tillie,” Nate mutters, running his hands over his face. I can see underneath the cool façade that Nate is filled with wrath. Someone is going to die tonight, and that someone better be Hector.
“Peacekeeper,” Gabe says, unbuttoning his suit jacket. “There has to always be one Peacekeeper. When I die, or lose my mind, someone else will be assigned. I keep the peace between The Kings, The Rebels, and The Circle, as well as the civilians. I am untouchable, and anyone who dares harm me will be wiped out, as well as their entire family. So, people usually follow the law.”
