Текст книги "Fear me"

Автор книги: B. B. Reid

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 1 (всего у книги 25 страниц)

    Fear Me

Broken Love #1

B.B. Reid

Copyright

Copyright © 2015 B.B. Reid

All rights reserved.

Editing by Robin Griffin of Words In Play

Cover Photo by Jozsa Levente from Shutterstock

Cover Design by B.B. Reid

All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the author or publisher constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use the material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained from the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead, are coincidental.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to every romance author that fulfilled my romantic heart and fantasies.

Acknowledgements

The easiest part about writing Fear Me is thanking the wonderful and dedicated people who have helped me along the way…

First, I want to thank God for blessing me with the courage to not only chase my dream but to catch it.

Mama, thank you. There is so much I can say but all of it would never fit on paper. I’ll do any and everything to keep your proud of me. Oh, and if you read Fear me…please don’t tell me. It would be weird. I love you!

Deven, you have encouraged me in ways you will never know. Thank you for putting up with being ignored and all my crankiness. I hope I haven’t neglected you too much while I wrote Fear Me. You are everything a girl could ask for…sometimes. You can still be such a guy sometimes.

Tiera, my very best friend and most likely the first person to buy Fear Me, thank you for all the support and love. You were the very first person I told when I decided to pursue my dream because I trusted you to be the one to encourage me the way I needed. Plus, your antics keep me going.

Tae, for the last time I am not writing another Fifty Shades of Grey. Stop obsessing and meet your new book boyfriend.

Kimie, Sharee, Stephanie, & Kimmy I don't think you know how loved you are among the writing community. Pussycat Promotions will go extremely far with the dedication and love you show each person you work with whether it be authors, bloggers, or PAs. Your names should be revered. I couldn't have done it without you ladies. With the teasers, cover design, cover reveal, and even beta reading, you guys have been there. Thank you so much.

To any new author out there looking for a promoter or even a friend, these ladies are who you need to see. They have many connections and know how to work them. You can find them on Facebook or their business website. They can and will meet all of your promotional needs.

Robin, my very gifted editor, your tenacity won me over and I am so glad we got to work together. Because of you Fear Me will flow, Fear Me will make sense, and Fear Me will be perfectly flawed. If there is any author out there looking for an editor with really good prices visit her at Words in Play on Facebook

Sharee, my beta reader/editor, you put up with my doubts and second guesses to the very end and as my very first reader, I thank you for your honest opinion and the extra time you spent making sure Fear Me was written the way it was meant to.

Shantaye! My best author buddy…Girl, you are fifty shades of crazy but I thank you for the inspiring way you motivated me to write Fear Me how I wanted. I owe much of its success to you. Zel (Deviants & Saints) was an awesome dark read. Continue to write with your heart.

Sabrina, Karina, and Dani, you ladies were the first authors I met who would even give me the time of day. Thank you so much for the support!

For all of the awesome blogs and fans that participated in promoting Fear Me, thank you!

Here’s to Fear Me.

 

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Prologue

I huffed and wiped the sweat off my eyebrow for the hundredth time in the last five minutes. The pink toenail polish that Aunt Carissa helped me paint on this morning glistened in the sunlight.

I wasn't having a very good time.

“Wanna play hopscotch? I’ve got chalk. Pink ones too if you like. My mom says girly-girls like pink. Your bow is pink so you're definitely a girly-girl. I like your bun. You look like a ballerina. Are you a ballerina? Can you show me your moves?”

The soft voice above me rushed the words out before I could raise my head. I looked up and was staring into twinkling green eyes and a chubby face. She reminded me of my mom’s statues that she often called a cherub.

“Willow,” she stated.

I continued to stare.

Her wild mane of curly red hair that was more like a copper color was currently spread in every direction like it had never met a brush before. Freckles covered what seemed like every inch of her face and framed her big round eyes. Her bright green overalls had a yellow daisy print that she paired with purple sneakers. She definitely had the adorable kid look down.

“Hi,” I finally responded after the silence became awkward. I could see some of her confidence disappearing when I continued to stare.

“What’s your name?” she prompted nervously. I wasn't sure I should answer her. She looked like trouble and a long day. I didn’t get the chance to answer though. A lady with equally red hair, but carefully swept back to rest on her shoulders, interrupted before I could.

“Willow,” the lady called out in a stern tone. “What happened to your hair? Oh, never mind. Where is your brother? It’s time to go home.”

“Mooooom,” she whined. “How would I know? Buddy’s five! He’s practically an adult!”

I‘m almost sure that isn’t right.

“Willow Olivia Waters,” her mother started, turning red.

Uh-oh.

“Lake”, I stated abruptly.

They both turned to me, her mother appearing confused while Willow grinned at me triumphantly.  I guess learning my name was some kind of victory for her. Weird.

I only gave my name as a distraction because for some reason I didn't want the other girl in trouble, but now I didn't know what to do as they both stared at me.

“Mom, Lake and I will find Buddy and we’ll meet you at the car,” the girl rushed out as she grabbed my hand and took off running across the playground.

We quickly passed swing sets, merry-go rounds, and jungle gyms, but I never really saw any of it as she pulled me across the park at top speed. We finally came to a stop near a set of bright blue monkey bars. It looked pretty scary to an eight-year old so I could only imagine how the younger boy in denim overalls, crouched over in tears, on top of the bars felt. I wondered how and why he got up there. The monkey bars were meant for kids three times his size.

“Buddy!” Willow called out next to me.

“Willow, help me. I can’t get down!”

I could see him shaking from where I was standing and felt sorry for the little guy. I turned to his sister expectantly to see what she would do but she no longer looked like the vibrant girl I met a moment ago. She looked scared. I nudged her, which seemed to break her out of her trance.

“Well?”

“I can’t go up there,” she whispered softly. Her rosy cheeks paled as she turned to me with wide eyes.

Great, she’s scared of heights.

I looked around for their parents and noticed we were surrounded by trees on the far side of the park away from any adult help. I thought for a moment to go and get help but the little boy was near hysterics and Willow continued to look around nervously.

What was the big deal anyway? The monkey bars weren’t that high. I sighed, knowing I was going to be the one to climb the monkey bars and coax her little brother down.

I knew giving her my name meant a really long day. I started forward and grasped the first bar, ready to climb, when I heard him.

“Stop.”

I froze and immediately looked in the direction of the unknown voice. I was looking into a stranger’s eyes for the second time today. These eyes didn't twinkle though. No…they were dark and reminded me of the thunderstorms I hated so much. They were scary and mean.

Everything about this moment felt different. I was unable to look away from his startling gray eyes. They were taunting me, daring me to look away and risk the consequences.

I didn't, or rather I couldn't look away and I didn't know if I wanted to.

I watched him watch me and suddenly I wanted to know what he thought of me. I needed to know what he saw when he looked at me. I wasn't entirely sure what I saw when I looked at him but I knew the reaction we were having towards each other wasn’t normal. It was too powerful.

He was leaning casually against the ladder on the opposite side from where I began my climb, but his intense stare said this encounter was anything but casual.

I could tell he was around my age or maybe older. His dark shaggy hair fell forward partially shading his eyes because it was slightly longer in the front.

Little rivulets of sweat lined his angular face and sharp cheekbones that were still slightly rounded with youth. A basketball was lying at his feet so I guessed he just finished playing.

“I want to go home.” I heard the sniffled cry from above, snapping me out the trance I was in. I noticed a few other kids now standing around the monkey bars watching Buddy cling to the bars but no one moved to help.

There was a smaller boy standing close to him who favored him. He was staring at us; watching our silent exchange. Without giving a response or another glance I continued on, the moment gone, but the awareness very much present. However, I didn't get my foot on the next bar before he stopped me again – this time with a hand on my right leg. His eyes seemed even darker up close. It made me pause.

How did he get over here so fast?

“No,” he said this time. It almost sounded like a growl, but that couldn’t be right. People don’t growl. But apparently he could because he continued speaking in the same forceful tone. “He got himself up there, he can get himself down.”

What? He was just a little kid, I thought angrily. But then so were we.

 

“Look, I don't know who you are or what your deal is, but he needs help and he is going to get it from me. Got it?” I rushed out when I found the courage to speak. Truth be told, he was scaring the crap out of me.

I immediately realized I made a mistake. But no, it wasn’t the shocked sounds from the other kids surrounding us that made me realize my error. It was his hand that tightened and the anger growing in his eyes turning them black.

I looked around and saw Willow in the same spot where I left her. She was chewing on her lip with a worried expression on her face. I assumed it was for her brother, who had stopped crying and instead watched us with wide eyes.

Still, I yanked my leg free and continued my climb, quickly reaching the top of the monkey bars. I started to move closer to the younger boy waiting for help.

Don't look down.

I should have looked down.

The split second warning as I reached out my hand to Buddy, when his eyes widened in a terror, unlike what I witnessed below, didn’t prepare me for what would happen.

Something shoved me and then I was falling.

Pain unlike anything I’ve ever known rushed through me, almost blinding me after I hit the concrete below on my left side.

I managed to roll over onto my back and look up. Once again I met his eyes as they watched my tears fall.  He no longer seemed so beautiful to me. He looked like the monster I never knew I needed to be afraid of.

“I told you I couldn't go up there.” It was Willow speaking from somewhere far away. “Keiran wouldn’t like it.”

Chapter One

Ten years later…

 

“Lake!” I snapped out of my daydream as the last bell of the day rung, signaling the end of school and junior year.

I survived.

I knew why, although I didn't dare speak it aloud foolishly, believing that reason would appear suddenly in front me like a dark cloud.

Be for real, Lake.

I looked over at my best friend who was looking at me with questions in her eyes. I said nothing, gathered my books and stood by the door. Willow finished collecting the many colorful pens she used to take notes in class. That's just Willow. She’s flamboyant in everything she does—no exceptions. The rest of the class along with the teacher had already disappeared. Everyone was equally eager for the start of the summer.  Willow stood and approached the door with the same mischief in her eyes that was present from the very first day we met.

I closed my eyes briefly. Don't think about that.

We silently walked to Willow’s purple Eclipse in the parking lot. Of course it was purple or it wouldn't be Willow. I cut my eye at her waiting for whatever was on her mind to spill out. I knew I wouldn't have to wait long because Willow was a talker.

“So did you hear?” she asked as she stopped just outside the driver’s side. I waited patiently, but she hesitated to unlock her door as if she didn't want to let me in.

No, I pleaded silently. There was only one thing Willow was cautious about with me or rather one person. Don't bring him up. Don't bring him up. She continued on, completely missing the change in my body language. One would think after ten years we could read each other better or maybe we were just too comfortable to care.

“No, what?” It slowly became harder to breathe.  Sometimes I think I enjoy pain, physically and mentally. Sick right?

“The Dark Lord of Bainbridge High returns next year.” I met her worried gaze. I guess she isn’t as oblivious as I thought. She’s warning me.

Breathe.

I used controlled, breathing exercises to keep myself from hyperventilating whenever he was brought up. Ironically the habit developed after he left last year. After years of allowing him to control me out of fear, you would think I would be skipping with joy after he left. I finally controlled my breathing and looked up to find her on my side now rubbing my back soothingly.

“I’m fine,” I said only after I was confident my sanity was intact. “Besides I have all summer to prepare myself and your slightly illegal antics to distract me,” I stated, attempting humor to lighten the mood. Willow looked away and began chewing her lip. Okay…

My heart was beating fast now—too fast. My breathing was out of control again as I waited for the final blow to my sanity. “My parents are sending me away this summer…and he’s already here.”

I died.

* * *

 

No, I didn't die but it was a close second.

I woke up to find the school nurse standing over me, pressing a cool cloth to my forehead. The principal and gym teacher were sitting with a crying Willow in the corner, attempting to console her. “It’s all my fault,” she kept repeating as Principal Lawrence hugged her.

“She’s awake,” Nurse Kelly announced.

Willow rushed forward as everyone turned to me. “I’m sorry Lake, I shouldn't have said anything!” I gave her a shaky smile but didn’t respond. I couldn’t in front of them. Principal Lawrence interrupted to say that my aunt had been called and was on her way.

She’s going to ask questions. I quickly sat up, thinking there might have been time to escape. She would want answers I wasn't ready and never would be ready to give.  I might have escaped if the nurse hadn’t nudged me back with a stern look. “I’m fine, really. Willow can drive me home.” I gave her what I hoped was a healthy smile.

“Miss Monroe, our policy requires us to notify parents or guardians when incidents such as these occur. We chose not to call an ambulance because you had a strong pulse and began to come around quickly…and then you started talking.

I was talking? Oh no, what did I say? Was it bad?

Principal Lawrence continued speaking, but I’d tuned her out as I wondered what I could have possibly said in near unconsciousness. My mind went through many scenarios in a small space of time. “Miss Monroe did you hear me?” she asked impatiently.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” She huffed as if I was wasting her time. I fought the grin tugging at my lips from her mini tantrum. The staff at school sucked and I didn't care for any of them but that was mostly due to the fact that they turned a blind eye to my tormentor and the reign he had over the school. It was too fucked up for words. “I said we think you should speak to Mrs. Gilmore.” I immediately looked at Willow, wondering if she told anything to make them want to involve the counselor. She immediately shook her head, knowing what I was asking.

So it was bad.

I was saved from answering, however, by my Aunt rushing into the nurse’s office, followed by the flustered school secretary. My aunt could be a worrier.

“Lake!” she exclaimed as she bounded forward to grab me in a hug. “What happened, why did you faint? Are you okay? Let me look at you. Hold still!”

I never moved an inch but my aunt was far from rational right now. She would make an incredible mother, but she never had children or a man in her life despite the fact that she was beautiful in every way.

She looked a lot like my mom, her sister – blonde with blue eyes, long legs, great body and personality. She was also one of those Star Trek geeks who liked anything sci-fi. I guess that's why she is a best-selling fantasy fiction author. I was proud.

We’ve grown close after the disappearance of my parents ten years ago after…well it happened during that summer. I don’t know if they are dead or if they abandoned me. My aunt is adamant that my parents would never leave me willingly. It hurt either way. They were gone. Just like that, out of thin air. I found out a month after the playground incident. It had been my birthday and we’d just left the doctor’s office after an X-ray for my arm.

I had been unconscious for two days and suffered a broken arm after he pushed me off the monkey bars. It was pretty harsh stuff for an eight-year old. I never said a word and neither did anyone else. The adults pretty much assumed I fell off trying to help Buddy. I wonder even now how he could hold so much power at a tender age, but I’ve learned over time and after years of torture that there was nothing tender about him.

Focus.

“Honey, they want you to speak to the school counselor,” my aunt said but it was more of a question than a statement. Despite our closeness, I never told my aunt anything about what happens to me within these halls, outside these halls, in my nightmares, in my dreams. Knowing my aunt she would move us away and I couldn't do that. My aunt loves Six Forks. She says it inspires her. Whatever that means. I just know I couldn't take that away.

So I endured.

Ten long years of endurance and then it would be over and I could finally breathe and finally live, without fear, without control, without desire for the dark and unobtainable.

Yeah, not going there.

Mrs. Gilmore had arrived and immediately introduced herself to my aunt and me. I already knew who she was but we had never crossed paths before. Like I said, I’ve endured.

“Why don’t you two follow me to my office so we can talk privately?” I wasn't ready for this but what could I do? I needed to know what I said while I was unconscious.

“Willow, why don't you go ahead home? Thank you for staying with her but I’m sure you parents are worried by now,” my aunt suggested. I’d forgotten Willow was here. She nodded and smiled nervously at me. I smiled back but didn't have anything to say, at least not with present party involved.

Mrs. Gilmore led the way to her office as we followed silently behind. You can do this. We reached her office and went inside. I took a moment to look around. Her office was homey although a bit messy with papers and files strewn everywhere. My hands were itching to straighten up her office or point her in the direction of the nearest office supply store for a better filing system.

We each sat down and just looked at one another, not sure how to proceed. My aunt was the first to speak after a few moments of tense silence. “Principal Lawrence said she talked while she was becoming conscious?”

“Right! Yes, people sometimes do as they regain consciousness, but in this case it was the nature of what was said.” It took everything in me not to scream for her to spit it out when she fell silent again. “You said…” The more her cheeks colored the more dread built in the pit of my stomach. I swallowed deeply and waited. “Well you said,” she continued, “Master can’t come back.”

Silence.

Complete and utter silence filled the room once more and only I could hear the deafening roar of mortification and feel the room spin. It had grown so quiet you could hear a pin drop…down the hall. This can’t be happening. I must have repeated that a million times in my head and few times out loud.

But it happened. I knew it did. My body was wound tight, so tight I thought it might break. Not if my mind did first, I admitted. My aunt’s gaze was locked on the counselor. I knew it wasn’t what she was expecting the counselor to say. Neither did I. Mrs. Gilmore clapped a hand over her mouth as if she couldn't believe she said it either. Join the club.

“Are you…are you sure that’s what she said?” my aunt asked.

“Ms. Anderson I understand your doubt as the situation is a tad disturbing,” she responded. Yeah, no kidding. “But Coach Lyons was quite sure that was what he heard her say.”

Coach Lyons was the male team’s basketball coach and one of the school’s gym teachers. He was also a fan of my tormentor who also happened to be the team captain until he left last year. I’ve never had any issues with the man, but he never cared about anything except making sure his star player stayed happy.

“I have to ask…is there any trouble in the home?” My aunt’s back straightened at the counselor’s question and implication. I guess she didn't know that my aunt had a temper when riled, which wasn't often but when provoked, even I ducked for cover.

“Excuse me? Are you implying that I would actually hurt my niece? Are you insane?” she yelled. “Let’s go Lake, my right hand is twitching.”  She stood up to go and Mrs. Gilmore quickly tried to recover the situation.

“Ms. Anderson, please. It is only a routine question we have to ask. This doesn't have any personal bearing on your ability as a guardian. Please, sit down,” she pleaded.

Aunt Carissa still looked as if she might jump the poor counselor so I decided to speak up. “Mrs. Gilmore, my aunt is the best parent I could have asked for. There isn’t anything she wouldn't do for me. I am completely safe with her.” My aunt’s expression softened from my reassurance.

Situation saved.

“I didn’t think so,” the counselor replied. She gave Aunt Carissa an apologetic smile and we turned to go, but her next question stopped me in my tracks. “One more thing…”

I turned back around to face her again. “Yes?”

“Does this have anything to do with Keiran Masters returning next year?”