Stacy
I wander through the gardens alone, slowly walking under the dappled shade of the trees as I try not to think of Percy. Of course, easier to say than to do.
Percy has become this ever-present figure in my life, and I have no idea how I can shake him off my mind. The only time I can stop thinking of the situation I’m in, is when I’m with Carter, Kieran, or Nolan. Or, really, whenever I’m with the three of them.
I still can’t believe that something like that happened between the four of us. I tought that the moment the limo drove through the gates of this mansion, that my life would be one of misery—instead, I found the three most perfect men. Forget about a Prince Charming—these three are so much better than that.
Ah, if only Percy wasn’t a part of it, my life would be absolutely perfect. But, then again, if Percy hasn’t stormed into my life like this, I would have never met those three brothers. In a twisted way, I guess I have to thank Percy for introducing me to them.
“You slut,” I hear someone say behind me, and I turn around on my heels to meet Percy. He’s standing right behind me, and my gaze is almost immediately drawn to the flask he’s holding in his hand.
“Stop it,” I tell him, balling one hand into a fist. I’m tired of having him treating me like some used rag.
“Stop what?” He asks me, closing the distance between me and him and grinning wildly. The moment he closes in on me, I can smell the vodka in his breath. He’s drunk—the kind of drunk who can’t help but stagger, stumble, and fall.
“You don’t like it when I call you a slut, huh?” he continues, his grin frozen on his lips. “Too bad, because that’s exactly what you are, you bitch.”
“Leave me alone!” I cry out, taking one step back and preparing to get out of here. He moves fast, though, and reaches for me. Grabbing me by the wrist, he forces me stop and pulls me toward him.
“You’re a whore, Stacy, why don’t you admit it?” He insists, his beady eyes locked on mine. “You’ve always been one…I remember watching you growing up, and I always thought that you were nothing but a slut.”
“What are you even talking about?” I try to release my hand, but his grip around my wrist is a tight one. “Let go of me, you loser!” I insist, and give him one hard push. “You’re a creep!”
“I’m a creep, huh?” He growls, his fingers becoming so tight around my wrist than I can feel my bones burning. “I think it’s time I start teaching you respect,” he lowers his voice then, and before I can prepare myself for it, he slaps me with the back of his hand.
His movement is so sudden and hard that I don’t even resist. I feel the force of impact and I stumble, my cheek burning. I look at him, lips pursed as I imagine what he’s going to do next. We’re alone in the garden, and even though he’s much smaller than his brother, I don’t know if I can take him on.
He starts walking toward me, his eyes narrowing into two slits, and he reaches for my hair.
“Come here, you lil’ bitch,” he whispers, and I can’t help but feel scared. I close my eyes, anxiety gripping me tight.
“Not so fast, you fucking asshole,” I hear Carter say, and when I open my eyes I see him holding Percy by the wrist. “What’s going on in here?”
“None of your business, Carter! She’s my wife, and I’ll do whatever I—”
“If I were you,” Carter says, his tone a threatening one, “I’d think very hard about what you’re going to say next.”
Percy seems taken aback at Carter’s words, and so he just sinks down into a sunken silence.
“Is this how it’s going to be?” Percy says, finally managing to find his voice again. “You’re going to choose this whore over your own brother?”
That does it for me.
The moment I hear the word whore leave his mouth, I don’t even think—I just act. I take one step back, allow my right leg to swing back and then I launch it straight at Percy’s crotch.
I feel my ankle smashing right between his legs, and all blood leaves his face in a fraction of a second. He becomes as pale as a snowman, and when Carter lets go of him he just folds onto the floor.
“I told you not to call me that,” I tell him, leaning in and looking straight into his eyes. There’s pain there—pain, confusion, and surprise. But there’s also rage, a desire for vengeance. After what I just did, I know that my time’s running out.
Percy will come after me, and he’ll pull no punches.
Oh, well, if that’s how it’s going to be…
Without even thinking about what I’m doing, I reach inside my purse and take out my can of mace. I point it straight at his eyes, and before he realizes what I’m doing, I mace the fuck out of him.
“ARGH!” He screams out, covering his eyes with the palm of his hands as if they were on fire.
“That’s the lesson of the day,” I tell Percy, suddenly feeling more confident than I’ve felt in weeks. “Don’t fuck with me.”
With that I turn on my heels and, arm-in-arm with Carter, start walking out of the garden. We leave Percy behind us, crying out of in pain.
Well, this is it.
Retaliation is coming.