CHAPTER SEVEN

COLE

I rip my hoodie off and then my black t-shirt. I toss them both to the floor and raise my fists in front of me. I start bouncing around and hit the punching bag that hangs from the rafter.

I hear the door open and then Kellan’s voice. “Cole, what is going on?” he asks.

“I’m handling it,” I say, hitting the bag again.

“That’s not what it looked like from where we stood,” Shane argues.

I snort.

“She’s Bruce’s daughter—”

“Yes. I know who she is!” I snap, interrupting Kellan. I drop my hands and turn to face them. “I’m well aware of whose daughter she is.”

Kellan looks like he’s seen a ghost, but Shane smiles. “She’s perfect.”

I let out a growl. “She’s mine!”

He doesn’t even try to hide his smile at my possessiveness. “No. I mean she’s perfect for what we need.”

Kellan shakes his head. “Absolutely not. I’m not gonna be responsible for her.”

“Between the five us, she would be fine.”

“Look at what happened tonight,” Kellan snaps, arguing with Shane.

“Were you not paying attention?” Shane asks. “She managed to get away from the cops. And she didn’t even have any help.” He points at me. “Cole left her to fend for herself.” He smiles as if he’s proud of her. “And I must say, I’m impressed.”

I, however, want to strangle her. She fucked up my M4. I just bought that car. And the cops saw her, which brings up another thought. Why were the cops there? We disabled the alarm, and no one was around for miles. That warehouse is there for a reason; no one is ever in that part of the town. Barnes is a little town full of elderly people who live in retirement homes. Who would have seen us to call the authorities on us?

“I say we bring her in. See how she does.” Shane nods to himself. “Challenge her. She seems like the kind who wouldn’t back down from a fight.”

“And?” Kellan asks.

“And what?” Shane looks at him.

“When she gets us caught and we’re all in jail, then what?”

“That won’t happen.”

“How can you promise that?” Kellan snaps.

Shane looks back at me. “Because she won’t turn on someone she loves.”

I look at Bennett, the only one who has kept his mouth shut this entire time. He meets my eyes, and my chest tightens at the look in them. “You know damn well that she would be the best piece no one ever saw coming,” he says.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to see it’s a message.

 

Deke: The princess was dropped off. Unharmed. You’re welcome.

 

I put my cell back in my pocket, close my eyes, and let out a long breath. “You guys know what this means, right?” I ask.

When silence falls over the room, I look them all in the eyes before I speak. “We gotta throw a party.”

AUSTIN

Shark: Party tomorrow night at my house. Be there at ten.

 

Cole sent me that last night while I was in the bathtub. As soon as Deke dropped me off, I jumped in the bath to clean off. To wash the day away. I never responded, but I don’t think he expected me to. He had summoned me, and he knew I’d show because well, what else do I have to do? And I wanna know what those boys are up to.

Three had looked at me like I was a disease. Cole looked like he wanted to kill me, and Deke looked amused.

First, they kill a guy, then they steal a car? Like what is their deal? Was the car one of their dares? Shelby had mentioned how they were always getting into trouble.

And she had called them Great White Sharks? In and out of the water. That’s why I put his number under Shark. I could use them on my side at school. It’s the second semester of my senior year at a new place. And the town is a stuck-up, wealthy city. I’m sure all the students are little brats, so I could use someone on my side who others are afraid to cross. Or five someones. Even if I’m afraid of them too. Deke said that my fate was in Cole’s hands. So he runs the pack. That was obvious, though. As long as I stay on his good side, I should be okay.

“You look so pretty.”

I look over to the chair next to me that Lilly occupies. She had stayed the night with us. Then this morning Celeste had asked Cole if she could tag along with us to the salon to get her hair washed along with her nails painted. I found it odd that she asks Cole for permission and not their father, but I shrugged it off. Shelby had told me that Cole is the one who pretty much raises her.

“Thank you,” I tell her with a smile. “You look very beautiful.”

She holds up her hands, showing me her little fingers. “Cole’s favorite color is pink.”

“Then he is going to love your nails.”

She nods. “That’s why I picked this color.”

Celeste comes up to us, placing her cell in her pocket. “Well, Lilly, I just spoke with Cole. I had to beg and promise to have you in bed by eight thirty, but he said you could spend one more night.”

“Yay.” She throws both of her hands above her head.

It’s probably because he is throwing a party. Celeste looks at me. “Oh, wow, Austin. I love your hair.”

I look at myself in the mirror. “Really? I figured it was different.”

“It’s beautiful.” She grabs my shoulders and leans over to whisper in my ear. “He’s gonna love it.”

I frown. “I didn’t do it for a he.”

She gives me a small smile and pats my shoulder. “Whatever you say, dear.”

I look back at myself in the mirror and sigh. I guess it can’t hurt to try to impress him. I mean, he’s a boy, after all. All men think with their dicks. “Where are we going after we leave here?” I ask her.

“Wherever you want,” she says simply.

I smile. “I need something to wear tonight. Something red.”

She nods her head as a woman comes up behind her. “Celeste?”

She spins around and opens her arms. “Ellie.”

“What are you up to?” her friend asks as she pulls away.

“I’m out with my stepdaughter.” She turns and gestures toward me. “Ellie, this is Austin. Austin, meet my friend Ellie.”

Her friends smile drops off her face as her eyes meet mine, and she looks back at Celeste. “Stepdaughter?” she asks quietly as if I can’t hear.

Celeste nods and gives a soft smile. “Yes. She is spending the rest of her senior year with us.”

“Oh,” She turns back to face me. “It’s nice to meet you.” She nods and then dismisses me, turning back to whisper to Celeste. She places her arm in the crook of Ellie’s, and they walk off.

I turn and smile at a confused Lilly. “How about an Icee? I saw a cookie place downstairs that had them.”

She nods excitedly as her brown eyes light up. “I like the Coke ones.”

“What? No way. Me too.”

She giggles, and I laugh, ignoring Celeste and her friend who are no doubt talking about me and where in the hell I came from. No one in this town probably even knows Bruce Lowes had a daughter except for the people I met back when I was seven. And most of them are probably long gone by now.

_________________________________

It’s ten thirty when I finally pull up to Cole’s house. Deke had messaged me the address an hour ago. And I tried not to let it bug me that Cole gave him my number. Like the bastard was too busy to even message me himself.

The house is just as big as my father’s house, but I’m not surprised. I park the bright red BMW my father bought me in the front and get out. The evening chill making me shudder. During the daytime, it gets up to mid-fifties, but it gets cold at night. Thankfully, that gives me a reason to wear long sleeves to cover my stitches.

I bought a thin deep red sweater that hangs off the shoulders with a black, tank top to wear underneath. I paired it with black skinny jeans and black high heels. And topped off the look with red lipstick. I hate to admit that I tried a little harder than I would have if not for Cole. And then that pissed me off. But of course, I didn’t change. Instead, I hung out at my house for thirty more minutes, knowing I would be later than he stated.

I walk into the house, and “Fuck Away the Pain” by Divide the Day pounds through speakers that hang on the walls. Kids of all ages crowd the foyer and hallways. Some even look old enough for college. I scan the crowd for Deke or Cole, not knowing what they have planned for me. Once again, I’m suspicious about why I was even invited.

I make my way into the large open kitchen and find red Solo cups along with bottles covering the countertops. I pick up the Fireball, pour a small amount into a cup, and toss it back, needing some courage to face them once again. Then I do another one.

“Hi,” a girl says, coming up to me.

“Hello,” I say with a head nod. She’s got bleach blond hair and big blue eyes with pouty lips and a small face. She looks like one of those Instagram girls who have millions of followers—absolutely flawless.

“I’ve never seen you before.” She holds out her right hand. “I’m Becky.”

“Austin,” I say. “And I just moved here.”

“Oh, how exciting,” she says, grabbing a Solo cup and filling it with rum and Coke. “Are you going to Collins High?”

I nod. “Yep.”

“I’m a senior. How about you?”

“Same,” I say and pour myself another shot of Fireball.

“I wonder if we’ll have any classes together.”

I secretly hope we do because she seems nice enough. Swallowing another shot, I look around the massive kitchen and the bodies that fill it. “Who throws a party on a Monday night?” I ask myself more than her.

“Cole Reynolds.” She rolls her eyes. “He and the Great White Sharks do whatever they want, whenever they want.” Then she smiles. “But they do throw some awesome parties.”

“Where are their parents?” I ask.

“Never around. They are all socialites in this town with big careers. Always busy and not enough time for their children.”

“I see.” They’re like my father. Maybe that’s why Cole takes care of Lilly so much.

“Where are you—”

“Austin?” a demanding male voice interrupts her.

We both turn to see one of the guys standing in the entryway to the kitchen. I can’t tell you if it’s Kellan or Shane, but his narrowed dark eyes are on mine. Everyone stares at him as he glares at me.

I arch a brow in question.

“Cole is looking for you,” he snaps. “Let’s go.”

I turn my back to him and roll my eyes, but when they meet Becky, hers are round in surprise. “What?” I ask.

She just shakes her head. I grab the bottle of Fireball, ignoring my cup, and walk out after the warden who was sent to fetch the servant.

“Shane?”

“Kellan,” he growls.

Okay then. I take a sip of the Fireball as we walk past kids in the hallway. He takes me up a flight of stairs. My heels sink into the rich beige carpet. He comes to a stop at a door, and I go to walk in, but he blocks me. I look up at him. “I don’t want you here,” he states.

I smile. Finally, someone who feels the same as me. “Well, that makes two of us.”

His brown eyes drop to my chest and slowly run down over my legs, and when his eyes meet mine again, there’s a challenge in them that I’m not sure how to take.

He reaches behind him and opens the door. We step into a dimly lit room. There’s a couch to my left. A few chaise lounge chairs ahead of me, facing a TV that hangs on the wall. There’s a basketball game playing, but the sound is off. “Gravity” by Papa Roach plays through the speakers but not loud enough to where you can’t hear yourself think.

“Found her,” Kellan calls out to the room.

Three heads turn toward me as the guys stand over by a pool table in the corner. Each one has a girl under their arm. None of them are Cole.

I lift the bottle to take another sip, enjoying the burn of the alcohol.

“About time.” I hear his voice, and my skin breaks out in goosebumps.

I look to my right to see him sitting on another chaise lounge with his right hand propped behind his head and his legs crossed at the ankles. He’s dressed in a pair of blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a pair of Nikes. Simple yet still looking just as frightening as he did on the steps of the church. His blue eyes take me in as he looks me up and down twice. They linger on my chest, and I bite my bottom lip. When his eyes meet mine, he stands.

I take a step back. My heart picks up speed, still very well aware of what this guy is capable of.

“Girls, leave,” he orders. They all whine in unison, but the guys pull away from them and push them out the door, shutting me inside with them.

“Why am I here?” I ask, wanting to get this over with.

He takes the bottle from my hand and brings it to his lips, taking a big gulp. His Adam’s apple working as he swallows.

I cross my arms over my chest, trying to look unaffected. But I’m having trouble breathing.

“We’ve been thinking …” Cole says, rubbing his chin.

“We want you to be part of our group.” Deke finishes his sentence.

I look among the five of them and start laughing nervously. “You’re joking, right?”

“Not one bit,” Deke says, shaking his head.

“No thanks,” I say and turn to the door. I twist the handle and start to pull it open, but a hand slaps on the door over my head, holding it shut.

I jump back to look at Cole. He leans against it casually, getting comfortable and blocking my only exit. “It wasn’t an offer, Austin.”

My eyes narrow on him. “What makes you think I want anything to do with you guys?”

“Deke,” Cole says, lifting the bottle to his lips again.

I spin around to see Deke step up to us, his phone in his hand facing Cole and me. A video plays, and it’s of me driving Cole’s car away from the warehouse after he stole the red car.

“How did you get that?” I demand.

Deke just chuckles, placing the phone in his pocket. “I don’t kiss and tell, baby.”

My eyes narrow on him calling me baby. I turn back to face Cole. “You’re blackmailing me. Again.”

He shrugs carelessly. “You can call it whatever you want.”

“I’m calling it what it is,” I snap. “You know damn well that I had no idea what you had planned.”

He pushes off the door and leans down, his face inches from mine. I can smell the cinnamon on his lips and can’t help the shudder that courses through me. “I dare you to prove it.”

“You son of—”

“In order to join,” Deke interrupts me. “You have to pass a test,” he says, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

“I’m not interested.”

“Initiation.” He corrects himself.

“I don’t want to be involved with whatever fucked-up shit you guys are in.” How many different ways do I have to say it?

“Just let her go,” Kellan says. But no one listens to him.

Deke continues. “You have to fuck one of us while we all watch.”

My heart starts to pound at his words. And my eyes widen when he takes a step toward me.

This is a joke. It has to be.

He arches a brow in challenge when I just stand there staring at him. “You want me, baby? I’m ready.” He licks his lips as his blue eyes settle on my legs. Then he reaches down to his jeans and unbuttons them.

He’s serious! I immediately look at Cole.

His eyes hold their usual anger as they glare down at me, but a slow, devious smile spreads across his face, and the guys start laughing. “Well, there’s your answer, man,” one of them calls out from behind me.

My jaw tightens. “I don’t want to—”

“Leave us,” Cole orders, interrupting me. And like the trained sheep they are, they all walk out. I can still hear their laughter as they walk down the hall, the door slowly shutting behind them.

I plop down on one of the chairs, trying to slow my racing heart. “You can’t force my hand, Cole. Not with this.”

He walks over to where I sit. Reaching out, he runs his busted knuckles along my cheek. I swat his hand away, afraid of what will come out of my mouth if he touches me.

His hand grips my hair and yanks me to stand. I cry out as he shoves my back into the closed door, making it rattle from the force. He towers over me, pushing his body into mine. I’m panting while he holds me still. He dips his head to whisper in my ear. “Are you a virgin, Austin?”

“No,” I growl. My hands come up to push him off me, but he grabs them and pins them above my head. I whimper, and my thighs tighten.

“That’s a shame.” He sighs, and his breath skims across my skin, making me shudder. “I like to take pretty, innocent things and destroy them.”

“You’re sick,” I say, panting.

He chuckles but doesn’t deny it. “But that doesn’t make you want me any less. I saw the way you stared at me in the car. The way you licked your lips when I thought about kissing you. The way you whispered my name. How you stared at me when I got out of the pool. And let’s not forget the way you allowed me to touch you last night. Tell me, were you disappointed when I didn’t throw you on the bed and fuck you right then?” I moan. “I bet you’re wet right now.”

“Cole.” I growl his name, not wanting him to see how right he is.

But he ignores me. “You wore red for me again, sweetheart. You wanted my attention. And you got it. Now what are you gonna do with it?”