BULLY ME NOW (Bully Me #4): A Best Friend's Brother Bully Romance

by Lacey Heart

  “About fucking time. I thought he was never going to leave.” Deano sighs as if Ryder is nothing but a huge burden to him.

  I decide against entertaining Deano. My head is still booming, I’m starving, and I’ve just had to endure his fucking devil spawn of a daughter, so instead, I sag against the chair. I try to relax my tight muscles and my body is crying out for some much-needed sleep. But as usual, this son of a bitch has other ideas for me.

  “Spit it out then.” I snap back at him and this only heightens his amusement.

  “You’re so uptight these days, kid. Do you want to talk about it?” Deano tries to act concerned, but the only thing he really cares about is money and his dick―and everyone knows it, including him.

  “It’s been a long couple of days.” I tell him flatly and I choose not to elaborate. Deano doesn’t need to concern himself with me. He doesn’t need to concern himself with Willow either. Fortunately, I sent her packing with a broken heart and her tail firmly in between her legs before Deano could even think about getting his hands on her. Hopefully, if Willow has any sense and listened to what I had to say then she’ll make sure to stay away from Redlake for the rest of her days.

  The dull heavy ache in my chest intensifies whenever I allow my mind to think about Willow and the future the two of us could have had together. It’s nothing more than a stupid thought, a secret fantasy, but it was definitely one I liked the sound of.

  “That’ll be business, kid. No pain, no gain. But you know that already, right?”

  “Right.” I roll my eyes and glance at the clock behind Deano and I can feel myself getting impatient. I’m twitchy that he’s still sat around here, like there’s nowhere else he needs to be. “I thought you’d be heading back home by now?”

  A low rumble escapes from his throat and his laugh flows through the room. “What can I say? I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but what do you know, Redlake has grown on me.”

  Seriously? He has to be shitting me. Those are so not the words I ever wanted to hear falling from Deano’s lips. Sure, I was a little dubious myself about coming back here, but as soon as I arrived back in Redlake, I realized that no matter where I went or how long I’d been away, this place would always be home. Right where I belong, and there is no way I’m about to stand back and allow Deano to stake a claim here.

  Redlake is my town. My territory. I think we’ll both agree that Deano has taken enough from me already. “Really? I’m sure that will be music to Bryson’s ears.” I reply dryly and the sarcasm rolls freely off my tongue. And I know Deano doesn’t miss it.

  “Nah,” he shakes his head and danger flashes in his eyes, but we all know that Deano is no match for my uncle Bryson. Everyone knows that Bryson is the main man in town, and he always has been. Deano would be a fool to try to challenge that. “He’s not around, is he? But don’t worry, I’ll be sure to enjoy myself while I can.” Deano snickers back across the desk.

  “I wouldn’t get too comfortable.”

  It’s no secret that Bryson and Deano go way back. Back to when they were both nothing more than power hungry kids and they’ve both done good with their empires. But no matter how well Deano has done, he’s always lusted after a slice of Redlake.

  My uncle chose to business his way, and he could see greed and a desperate need for power start to creep in and eat away at Deano. Only my uncle Bry didn’t want a part in Deano’s way of dealing with things. His motto ‘You do you and I’ll do me,’ has always held strong―only Deano struggled to take the hint.

  I didn’t realize it then; bur I guess that’s probably why my uncle tried his damned hardest to stop me from flying under Deano’s wing. He knew exactly what kind of guy he was. Only he must have wanted me to find out myself and then learn from my mistakes.

  It’s crazy to think that the two of them were thick as thieves when they were younger, only now it’s clear to see power and pride got wedged between them.

  “Colby, you worry too much. You know, I’m starting to think you being back here is making you weak.”

  Oh, man. Deano couldn’t be further from the truth. “Oh, yeah? How did you come to that conclusion?”

  He clicks his stubby fingers at me and closes his eyes. “Too many memories. Too many distractions. You have personal ties to this place, kid, and it can’t be good for you. Personal ties can break the strongest of men. I really hope while you’re here you’re thinking with you head and not your dick.” He opens his eyes again to look at me and I see zero emotion there. “That would be your biggest downfall, kid.”

  I don’t mistake the threat in his tone. I don’t acknowledge it either. But I’m not stupid. I know he referring to Willow when he’s dishing out his wonderful words of wisdom. But there is no way he can get to me through Willow. She’s gone, and now he can’t hurt her either. Not now. Not ever.

  Maybe Tiffanie will quit bitching about her too.

  I remain silent, not so patiently waiting for Deano to stand up and get the fuck out of my office, but he doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere fast.

  “Listen, kid.” He finally speaks and breaks the deafening silence between us, and I cautiously lift my head to look at him. “This is where I’m at. I’ve got to admit, I’m impressed with what Bryson’s done with this place. It’s very established,” he takes another draw on his cigar and a large plume of smoke bellows out of his mouth and clouds the air. “I’m actually proud of the motherfucker. I’d be a fool to not grab a piece of the action too.” He deadpans and my eyes grow wide with disbelief.

  “Come on, Deano. You and I both know that will never happen. Not in this lifetime.” I can’t help but laugh and he’s totally thrown me off guard. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he’d come at me with that.

  “I wouldn’t be so sure. You’re already distributing my product from this place, so it’s only fair I get a slice of the honey pot, no?”

  “Your distribution isn’t a problem because Bryson takes a cut for rent purposes. But how the fuck is he supposed to benefit from you trying to take over his patch?”

  Deano smiles long and hard, searching my face for any sign of weakness but I’m not backing down on this. One day Sinner’s will be mine and there’s no way I want Deano anywhere near this joint. I know Deano wants nothing more than to watch me crumble, but I refuse to let that happen. I’m made of much stronger stuff than he thinks. “Bryson loves his family. That motherfucker idolizes each and every one of you.”

  “And?” What the fuck is this? We all know Deano hasn’t got a maternal bone in his body.

  “And, if you want to keep his family safe, allow his legacy to continue then you will find a way to get me in.”

  “That’s impossible.” I exclaim. “Bryson won’t have you associated with his business. There’s no way he’ll go for that.” Damn, Deano must have lost his fucking mind.

  “Then you’ll need to change his mind, and fast.” His voice is stern, and I already know he won’t budge. The problem with Deano is, as soon as he’s made his mind up, that’s it. It’s final. He want’s that shit done and he’s not one to back out of it.

  “It’s not gonna happen.” I tell him truthfully, but I know he isn’t listening to a goddamn word I’m saying.

  “Oh, now that’s where you’re wrong, kid.” He leans over the desk some more, his elbows spread out as he says, “Don’t forget, you owe me, Carter. I’ve allowed you to do what the fuck you want, when you want on my patch, and what, now you’re back in the land of the great, what? You suddenly think you’re too good for the likes of me and mine?” he snarls, and I can tell he’s been bottling this up for some time. “You need to remember that you took something precious from me, kid and I sure as hell won’t think twice about doing the same to you. So, what’s it gonna be?”

  I laugh.

  I laugh so hard in his face that I can’t stop. Deano is all talk and no action. He can’t hurt me. There’s nothing left for him to take, and with Willow safely out of Redlake, f
or the first time in an age, my conscience is crystal clear.

  I may have broken Willow into a million tiny and irreparable pieces, but I also saved her. I saved her from me, and also the monster sat before me.

  CHAPTER SIX

  WILLOW

  It’s still dark.

  I now know there is no one coming for me. There will be no knight in shining armor to whisk me out of here and we can live happily ever after. I have zero idea of how long I have been here, but I know it sure feels like an absolute age.

  My mouth is dry, scratchy and sore but I can’t call for help. The tape around my mouth prevents it, and I don’t have much energy left to waste trying to call out where no one will be able to hear me.

  I can feel myself drifting in and out of consciousness, and everything feels like it’s closing in around me into one big blur.

  One thing is certain. I will never, ever forgive Colby for what he’s done to me. He’s gone way too far this time. And just when I thought he’s outlived his evil days and couldn’t get any sicker and more twisted, he drugs me, and fucking kidnaps me.

  Does he really hate me that much?

  Am I so much of a threat to him that he so desperately needed to get me out of the way and dragged me off into the shadows?

  This is nothing but madness. I know it’s stupid, but I foolishly believed we were possibly starting to get somewhere. But now, as I’m tied up and alone with my thoughts, I quickly realize what I really was to him.

  Colby used me.

  There’s no two ways about it. Just like he’s always done. He’d keep me close, so I’d always be around for his sadistic and vindictive needs then he’ d of me like the trash he’s always assumed me to be. The second I was no longer of use to him he’d discard me without so much as a second thought. Only now, its starting to feel like he’s disposed of me for good.

  A heated tear rolls down my cheek and I’m really struggling to deal with this crazy ass situation I’ve come to find myself in. And I’m more than likely never going to escape it. At least, not alive anyway.

  How the hell could I have been such a fool?

  How did I not see this big fucking bulldozer coming my way? The answer is plain and simple. And it’s an answer that shouldn’t even exist, but it does. I tried so hard to make it go away but I gave up fighting that losing battle a long time ago.

  It’s no secret that Colby is a monster. I’ve been more than wise to that fact since we were kids. He’s always been ruthless, but I was the one who chose to ignore his reckless actions, hoping to see past it and break through the savage, hard exterior that he’s always displayed so well.

  But it didn’t really matter because it was pointless. It never mattered what he did, or how much pain he caused me. It didn’t matter how much he relished in humiliating me, one thing would never change. And it burned brighter and brighter each day―my reckless and irresponsible love for him.

  My mom always told me I’d only ever be capable of loving a fool and I always put her hurtful words down to the drugs, but after it all this time I can finally see that her words were of truth, with or without the drugs.

  A small part of me always knew that Colby Carter would be my downfall. I just never imagined it would end this way.

  My heart jumps a few beats when I hear faint footsteps somewhere in the distance, and it grows faster, beating with such a force it feels like I can hear it echo out around me on the cold, empty walls which I’m guessing surround me.

  Is it Colby?

  Has the sick son of a bitch come back to finish me off? I really hope he has the balls to look me in the eye while he’s doing it. And then I hope my face haunts him for the rest of his living days.

  I hold my breath, straining my ears for the slightest sound when the footsteps come to a halt. Once again silence surrounds me, with the exception of my erratic heart pounding hard deep inside me, reverberating as the vibrations of my unspoken fear consumes me and slowly starts to cripple my weak and almost lifeless body.

  I wish I had some strength left in me.

  I wish I could find a way to get out of here, but I already know it’s a pointless effort on my part. I have no idea where I am, or how I’d even try to break free of my restraints and even if I managed to figure that out, what the hell am I supposed to do then?

  Silence.

  I might not be able to see but I can tell it’s thick and heavy in the air around me and the icy chill sweeps through my body. The small hairs on the back of my neck stand tall, warning me of the dangers that lay ahead.

  Would Colby really want to hurt me? Like this?

  Maybe he wouldn’t want to, but then there’s no doubt in my mind that he’d still do it.

  After all, he’s already taken everything from me, so why stop now? Why stop when he’s left me with nothing and resulted in me being nothing more than a vulnerable heap on the floor.

  My body stiffens when I feel heated breath at my neck and the stale smell of tobacco and liquor burns my nose.

  This cannot be it. This can’t be how it ends.

  “Oh, well now, aren’t you a pretty little thang?” an unfamiliar voice whispers down my ear and as his hand glides across my breast, my blood runs cold.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  COLBY

  “You’re gonna need to do something.”

  Jett hisses at me for what feels like the millionth time today. Damn, this chick seriously doesn’t know how to keep it shut. All she does is bitch, moan, and then bitch some more. She’s fucking relentless.

  I lift my head to look at her and I hope she can see just how pissed I am “Look, I pay you to work, so how about you go and give it a fucking try?”

  “Excuse me?” she screeches back at me and slams a dirty cloth down in front of me. “What the fuck did you just say to me?”

  I puff out my cheeks as an exasperated sigh escapes me. What the fuck does a guy need to do to get some fucking peace around here? I slowly raise my eyes to meet her demanding ones and judging from the serious scowl on her face I’d guess she’s a little more than pissed. “I said, I pay you to work, now where’s the problem? Can’t you see I’m a little busy here?” I nod towards the stack of papers and the laptop, but she doesn’t take the hint, or let up in pursuing her case.

  “Colby, you don’t pay me shit.” She hisses through a perfect set of white teeth. “If you took your head out of your ass, you’ll find it’s my pops who pays all of our asses, including yours. How about you stop trying to pretend your something that you’re not and sort this shit out. Because I swear if it keeps going on then the only thing, you’ll be doing is running this goddamn place into the ground.”

  I narrow my eyes at her and there is so much I want to say but I choose to keep my mouth shut. I’ve got enough bullshit to deal with without this crazy bitch adding to it. Sure, she’s technically family but that doesn’t give her a free pass to speak to me like a piece of shit. “Fine, I’ll call Miley and get her to come in. Will that make you happy?”

  “Like fuck you’ll call Miley.”

  “Why? What’s the problem now?” Seriously, there is no pleasing some people. “You want an extra set of hands, right? Well guess what? Last I checked Miley had a perfect set of working hands. Now, are we done?” I won’t lie. I’m totally confused by her attitude. If this is what she’s like on a day to day basis then I don’t blame Ryder for keeping his distance. Demanding bitches are a whole new ball game and Ryder and I don’t have time for them. Well, except for Tiffanie, but that’s because I don’t have much choice in the matter, and it’s also my burden to carry.

  “The problem is, thick fuck, I’m not working alongside that whore.” Jett is quick to protest, and I can almost see steam coming from her ears. A laugh escapes me, and I struggle to contain it.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Look, Jett, how about I give you a little friendly advice.” She scowls but I continue anyway. “If you don’t want Ryder double dipping then you’re gonna have to ma
n up and speak to him. Let him know how you feel instead of being such a hard-faced bitch.”

  “Wow.” Jett rewards me with a death glare and I won’t lie, I feel a little uncomfortable. “Not everything is about sex, Colby. But then again, I guess your emotionless self wouldn’t understand that. And this isn’t about Ryder either. I can’t stand the girl, plain and simple, so you’re gonna need to get someone better than Miley.”

  “Like who?”

  “Um, how about Willow? She’s the best staff we’ve got but she seems to have gone AWOL the past couple of days. Have you seen her? Oh, shit. Don’t tell me you’ve kidnapped her and held her hostage in your room?”

  “Don’t be stupid.” I reply with a little too much force than necessary. But the sound of Willow’s name falling from someone else’s mouth fills me with a heated rage. It’s comes on so fast I’m surprised I just about manage to keep my ass on the stool. “How the fuck would I know where she is?” Now, I’m definitely in no mood for small talk.

  “Erm, don’t you live together?”

  I laugh again and shake my head, but this time it’s not a laugh of joy. “Nope. Not anymore. Now why don’t you quit bitching and get back to work.” I slam the laptop shut because it’s clear to see I’m not about to get any work done out here.

  I should be in the office, out of sight and out of mind, but Deano’s still taken residence and I can’t stand the thought of having to listen or deal with his bullshit demands.

  “Whatever’s stuck up your ass, Colby, you really need to remove it and fast.” Jett tells me again before stalking back towards the bar. I know none of this is Jett’s fault, but I can’t help snapping at her. Fortunately, she’s a big girl and she can take it.

  No. It’s not her fault because everything that’s happened is firmly on my head, and my head alone.

  It was stupid and reckless to lure Willow back again.

  I should have kept her at arms-length, but try as I might, I’ve never been strong enough to resist her. I’ve tried everything in my arsenal to keep her away, but it’s never been enough.