Текст книги "Run"

Автор книги: Holly Hood

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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 14 страниц)

JUNE 25

TH

THE NEXT TWO DAYS flew by. I stayed inside most of the time, barely showing my face to the sun. It was clear I was upset…for many reasons. First of all, I was angry that I let Mason have the power to upset me. I’d let him crawl inside my mind and behind my emotional barricade. I thought I was okay with the feelings he was starting to show.

But now, seeing Mason do what boys do best, the feelings had almost vanished, leaving me angry at everything. I was starting to care less and less about anyone. My skin had thickened with every blow to my heart. It made me wish I was more robotic by nature—having no human feelings or cares.

I finally ventured outside to enjoy the sunny day. I walked barefoot through the grass, and it tickled my feet. As I walked around, I admired the natural beauty of the land Roger and Anna owned. Yeah¸ it was hard to hide inside on a day like this.

Anna was in the yard hanging colorful quilts on the clotheslines. Her white dress blew to the side like ivory petals, making her look like a flower, tiny and delicate. She always had a smile on her face. I sat beneath a big tree, eventually lying back in an attempt to clear my mind and relax.

“Are you hungry, sweetie?” Anna asked. I stared up at her, the blue sky behind her making her saintly looking.

“No, not really,” I said softly, breathing in the fresh air.

She dropped the wicker laundry basket in the grass and took a seat beside me. Her dress slid up past her thighs as she wrapped her arms around her legs. And she didn’t seem to care. She stared off, lost in thought.

“Roger tells me your mom and you don’t speak anymore,” she said. She kept her gaze straight ahead.

I sat up, propping myself up with my elbows.

“It’s been a couple years,” I lied. I wasn’t sure what to say.

“He also tells me you’ve been through a lot in your life–and you’ve had no real role models.” She eyed me, waiting for a response.

I sat up straight. I wasn’t one to divulge much information about my family. I never talked with anyone about them. Oh, Mason knew some things, but he didn’t know everything. Mason knew only what he’d witnessed himself.

“We can’t all be so fortunate to have what you guys do,” I said defensively.

“I’m not trying to upset you. I’m just trying to show you there are women that are good, that have good hearts.” She smiled.

My heart sped up rather than calmed down. I swallowed down the anger I could feel bubbling in my soul.

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never known a single person like that in my life.”

“That’s very sad. You’re a nice girl, Kendall,” she said.

“You don’t know anything about me. Nothing nice comes from a rotten life like mine. I do what I know. That’s all I can do,” I said, lying back down. I reached down with my hands and pulled at the grass.

Anna stood up. She knew she wasn’t getting through to me. Some people just couldn’t be helped.

“I had a rough life growing up. And then I met a wonderful man who loves me, scars and all. There is always someone out there willing to give you a shot,” she said softly, heading into the house.

I closed my eyes. Sometimes people were so full of it. Most people weren’t looking to see who you really are. And most people were never going to show you who they really are.

She was a batty woman, I thought to myself, letting the wind waft over me.

A loud tapping pulled me from my reverie. I followed the sound to an old workshop behind the duplex. I dragged my hand over the chipped paint as I walked to the door.

Roger was hammering away at an old bookcase. I watched his arms moving in rhythm to each strike of the mallet. He wore a red flannel shirt that revealed part of his chest. I was attracted to the power he seemed to hold in that mallet.

“Well, hello there,” he said, when he realized he had an audience.

He motioned me in as he continued hammering. I moved closer and saw he’d been carving a rose into the wood.

“Wow,” I said, breathless, admiring his craftsmanship.

“It looks simple, but it’s very detailed,” he said with a grin. He took my hand, bringing it up to the rose carving, pushing my fingertips into the grooves.

“Wow, this is so cool, Roger,” I said with a smile.

He watched me closely as I ran my fingers down the wood examining every inch of it. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

“When did you learn to do this?” I asked, not taking my eyes away from it.

“Probably around your age—my old man owned an antique store. He taught me everything he knew.”

I nodded, finally looking up. Roger was leaning against the tool bench, a big grin on his face.

“What?” I asked.

“It’s uncanny how much you look like Joy-Ann. I always thought she was the most breathtaking woman I ever laid eyes on.” He wasn’t sorry he said this from the expression on his face.

“I guess it’s hard to see when it’s you,” I said, staring at the ground.

“I totally had a thing for your mom. She never gave me the time of day though,” he said, moving back to the bookcase. He lifted the mallet and gave me a look.

“You were lucky,” I laughed. “Your wife is much better than my mother.”

Roger glanced up at the house through the open door. He moved closer to me.

“She is and always will be,” he said. He pursed his lips, scanning my eyes for a hint of what he should do next. My heart pounded in my ears. He took my hand, pulling me closer. His hand shaking.

“You look just like her,” he breathed, running his hand across my arm. I stared into his eyes, totally sucked into the moment. He was a good looking man. Sometimes there was something about a man old enough to know better that made me curious.

He looked at the door again. His hand quickly slipped underneath my shirt, his fingers sliding up, his eyes pinned to mine. I moved closer, running my fingers down his chest, pulling at the buttons of his shirt. I coaxed his hand to my shorts, and without much urging he slipped a hand down the front of them.

“You can do whatever you want,” I whispered.

“I don’t think you mean that, Kendall,” he whispered back, undoing my shorts. I bit my lip as his fingers slipped past my underwear.

He used his other hand to drag my shirt up, running his hand across my breast. I waited for him to kiss me, wanting nothing more than his lips against mine.

My breath quickened at the feel of his fingers against me, the way they moved, the power and skill behind them. I wanted more. I wanted to feel more than Roger’s fingers.

“I can’t be doing this. I don’t know what it is about you,” he stammered, pulling his hand from my shorts. He studied me, trying to pull it together. I pulled him by the shirt, bringing him closer, my lips grazing his gently. I slowly kissed him, running my tongue across his bottom lip, taking hold of his neck, tugging on his shirt, my body ready to burst. Nothing had ever turned me on more than this moment. I felt flawed… so wrong for wanting this man.

I kissed his neck.

He pawed at my body. Stopping every couple seconds to look at the door and then his mouth would meet back up with mine. He kissed me hard, holding tight to my waist, his fingers digging into my flesh so passionately—his lips warm, his facial hair rubbing against my chin. His tongue gliding perfectly against mine, he knew what he was doing.

“Hey, Dad!” Noah yelled from outside the workshop. Roger pushed me away, shocked. I hurried to pull my shirt down, quickly buttoning my shorts.

Roger adjusted himself, rubbing his hands across his face.

Noah appeared in the doorway. He gave us a strange look. “Mom needs your help with something,” he said, eying me. Roger grunted, heading out of the shed in a hurry to get away.

I sighed. Before I could make it out of the workshop, Noah stopped me in the doorway.

“My dad is a good man, but he is a man. My mom is a good woman, but she will still kick your ass,” he said, staring me down.

“I was looking at his woodwork.”

“Yeah, woodwork.” He rolled his eyes.

“Whatever,” I said. I shoved him, but it made no difference. He wasn’t budging.

“Looks to me like you’re in a sticky situation. You’re a gypsy. You need a place to stay. I could run in there and tell my mom you were out here getting felt up by my dad, or you and I could work something out.” His expression proved he wasn’t joking.

He moved closer.

“What does that mean?” I asked, taking a step backward.

“I want what you were willing to give my dad,” he grinned.

I had to admit he was cunning. I nodded, allowing him to pull my shirt up.

“Couldn’t be that bad. I’m a good looking guy, right?” he asked, pressing his lips into mine.

I nodded, closing my eyes as he kissed down my neck, his hands groping my chest. And then he returned to my mouth.

“Take your pants off,” I whispered in his ear. He did as I asked in an instant. He kicked his pants off, standing in his boxers, tugging his shirt over his head.

“You like what you see?”

I nodded, motioning him over with my finger. I slipped my hands to his shoulders, holding on tightly and in a swift second I brought my knee up, hitting him right in the groin with enough strength to drop him to his knees.

He groaned, falling over. “You stupid bitch!”

I stood over him, amused he would be so stupid. “You’re a stupid kid,” I told him, watching him wither in pain. “Go ahead and tell your mom. I’ll tell her you tried to have your way with me.” I headed out of the workshop, pleased.

Being able to put someone so arrogant in their place was a rush. I grabbed the railing, heading up the stairs. I knew he wouldn’t say anything after I’d humiliated him.

I turned around, looking at Roger and Anna’s house. My heart fluttered at the thought of Roger’s kiss. The memory of his hands touching me was exciting. Something about it pulled at my mind. I wanted another run in with him.

I looked back down and found Mason staring up at me. I turned, going inside the duplex. I had nothing to say to him. He had hurt me one time too many. And he hadn’t said anything to me for days.

Aunt Wanda was gone…I wasn’t sure where. This left me alone. But that soon ended when Mason barged right in without knocking.

He stood there just waiting. He didn’t utter a single word, he just stared at me.

“What did you do?” he said finally, once he knew I wasn’t going to be the first to speak. He eyed me suspiciously.

I scoffed, looking out the window. The sun was starting to set.

“You seem to forget something,” he said, crossing his arms.

“What’s that, Mason?” I asked, humoring him.

“I know you. I’ve known you for a long time. You’re going to sleep with that woman’s husband, but you’re pissed off at me for kissing his daughter.”

I laughed to myself, turning away from him. There wasn’t anything to say when he was right.

“He’s in his forties. What could he possibly do for you that I can’t?” Mason grabbed ahold of me. “For the record, Kendall, her lips met mine. I had no intention of kissing her. I didn’t even want to kiss her. I was trying to go along with it so I didn’t ruffle any feathers,” he said.

I slapped him on the arm, offended.

“What happened to the Mason in the car who gave a damn?”

“I’m not thinking about sleeping with Lainey. I don’t want to. But you, you’re willing to let that man have his way with you. He’s old, Kendall. Think about why he would want to do such a thing,” Mason said. He pulled at his hair, turning away, irritated with me.

“Men are men, they’re all alike. You proved that today. Just when I thought you were proving me wrong,” I said.

“If you sleep with him, Kendall, I’ll… God I don’t know what I’ll do, but it won’t be good.” He wagged his finger in my face like I was some child he had the right to tell what to do.

“Mason, shut up,” I said, daring him to make a bigger deal of what had happened.

I didn’t want to talk about it anymore. He was used to being pushed around, and although I hated to push, he deserved it.

“No, I’m not shutting up. This was supposed to be me and you. And you’re letting this flaky family get between us. I still care about you, Kendall. And I know you care about me. Or you would have never mentioned me kissing Lainey.”

“Oh, don’t flatter yourself,” I said, rolling my eyes. My cheeks heated.

“It’s never been an issue before. Don’t lie to yourself,” Mason said, throwing his hands up in defeat. He left, the sound of his heavy footsteps echoing down the stairs. He was angry, but I didn’t care.

Maybe he was right, but at this time and in this moment, I didn’t mind being wrong.

JUNE 27

TH

WE WERE STILL at Roger’s. Aunt Wanda had had no luck getting her hands on any more money. She was playing it safe to maintain what connection she had with Roger and Anna. This wasn’t something I’d ever seen her do before. Most of the people she knew were either dead or wondering how they could get to her so they could beat the tar out of her.

It was a unique situation. I knew she wouldn’t hurt Roger and his family. I tried to crawl inside Wanda’s mind, to figure out the weird loyalty. Could this be the man Aunt Wanda had a thing for? He was good looking—what woman her age wouldn’t want him?

Anna had convinced me to come outside to garden with her and Lainey. She had me pulling weeds and digging holes for her flowers.

I did my best, trying to keep busy so neither one would talk to me. My knees were sore from resting in the dirt for so long. I wiped the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand, my shoulders aching.

“Almost done, girls. I’ll get us some lemonade,” Anna said sweetly, taking her gloves off. She pecked Roger on the cheek and went inside. He took a seat in front of us at the patio. Lainey was oblivious to her father’s presence as she went about covering roots with fresh dirt.

“Looking good,” he said, chewing on a toothpick. He flicked it back and forth between his lips. I tried my best to keep him out of my head. His eyes were glued to my every move, and he was probably getting quite a view as I dug the holes.

I fumbled with the straps of my camisole, hoping my chest wasn’t visible from the position I was crouched in.

“I never cared for tulips,” Lainey said, more to herself. She stared at Mason as he mowed the grass off in the distance. Anna had found a job for all of us. I didn’t think Mason was too upset since he hadn’t wanted to talk to me since the temper tantrum he’d thrown the other night at the duplex.

I watched him use the bottom of his shirt to wipe the perspiration from his face. His flat muscular stomach called out to me, along with the dark happy trail that leads to impressive parts of him that I was quite familiar with.

I shook my head, wondering when I had become such a pervert. “I never cared for flowers,” I told Lainey.

She didn’t respond. She removed her gloves and tossed them down. It was all too obvious she was busy staring at Mason now.

“He hasn’t said more than two words to me in days,” she said faintly.

“Mason is a jerk. Don’t waste your time,” I told her, tossing a hunk of soil in the hole I dug.

“Yeah, but he’s so smart and carefree. And so nice, he’s got the most incredible eyes. He’s exotic.” She bit her lip and she studied him at work.

“His dad was Spanish. That’s not exotic, he’s a mutt.” I laughed.

Lainey glared at me, agitated by my remark.

“It was a joke, I apologize,” I said, standing up.

“Not a very funny one, Kendall. Do you think he’s upset with me?” She stood too as if lost in a dream—completely mesmerized by Mason.

“I don’t know. Best way to find out is to ask him.” I jumped as a bunch of wood was dropped at my feet. Noah shot me an angry glare as he pushed the wheelbarrow past me.

“Now if you want to know what a jerk is, that’s one right there,” she said, pointing at Noah.

I laughed, watching Anna make her way out with a tray of lemonade.

“Wow, good job, girls,” she said, setting the tray on the table.

“I agree. Looks good,” Roger spoke up in agreement. He leaned back, resting his arm on the chair beside him.

“Have a seat, girls. I’m going to get Mason and Noah so they can take a break before they die of heatstroke.” She hurried off.

I studied Roger’s pleased expression as I took the seat next to him.

I ran my hands across my knees wiping off some of the dirt.

“Nothing a shower can’t fix,” he said, trailing a finger across my kneecap. I gave him a weird look, suddenly growing a bit uncomfortable.

“Lainey, could you grab my paper?” Roger asked. She shot right out of her chair, eager to please him, and left us alone.

“Sorry about the other day…getting interrupted and all,” he said.

“Maybe it’s for the best,” I said, my eyes pinned on Anna who was approaching with Mason.

“Well, that’s a little disappointing to hear,” he said.

“I think your wife is really nice. I don’t want to ruin her impression of me.” I felt a bit ill all of a sudden. The smile on Anna’s face, as she closed in on the patio, was nauseating.

“I agree. My wife is a wonderful woman.” He nodded, watching Anna.

“I’m glad we agree then, Roger,” I said.

“I could make you feel things you never felt before. You’re a beautiful girl, Kendall. You have a lot to offer someone.”

I pondered what he said—what it could mean.

All he knew about me was the way my breast felt in his grasp. Or what my lips felt like against his neck. He knew nothing about me.

To him, I was just a naïve girl—a girl who resembled her mother, and who he was attracted to. He probably thought I was stupid and would let him do to me what his wife wouldn’t let him do to her anymore. Or maybe it was the thrill of having a young girl on the run. I didn’t really know, but odds were Mason was right. He was hoping to live out a fantasy of my mother through me.

“I’m sure I can imagine what it would be like.” I smiled as soon as Anna’s feet touched the patio. Mason plopped his shirtless body down next to me. I looked at him, and Roger watched my every move.

“I could really use a swim,” Mason said, looking at me to agree with him. I ignored him. Lainey came out of the house excited.

“I forgot your paper, Daddy,” she gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth.

“It’s allright, don’t worry about it,” Roger said dismissively.

Mason grew visibly uncomfortable as Lainey took the seat next to him.

“I think you’re doing a great job on the lawn,” Lainey said, breaking the awkward silence.

“Thanks,” Mason said dryly.

“I heard you say you could use a swim. I don’t have anything to do, I could take you down there.” She smiled at him, hanging on for dear life.

Anna handed me a glass of lemonade, agreeing with Lainey.

“I think that would be great for all of you,” she said, with a smile, sipping at her glass of lemonade.

Noah groaned, loud enough for everyone to hear. “I don’t like them. And I am not going to sit here anymore and pretend I do,” he said, knocking his mother backwards into her chair. Roger’s eyes were huge and my heart plummeted to my feet.

“Noah Wylie, these are our guests. Do not talk like that in front of them,” Anna said sternly.

“I don’t give a shit. I’m sorry, but they could be the God damn president of the United States of America for all I care. I’m not playing nice and going down to the water. I want nothing to do with them,” he said, laying his eyes on me and only me.

Anna pulled a smile from somewhere, her body rigid and seething with anger. She stood up, clutching her drink with one hand and pulling at her shirt with the other. “I apologize, Kendall and Mason. I don’t know where his manners went to. Noah, I’d suggest you excuse yourself before I do something I’ll regret later,” she said, through gritted teeth.

Noah stood, nodded his head, and gave everyone one more troubled glare.

Lainey twirled a strand of hair, her jaw agape.

Roger was as white as a ghost. He knew his son could bring him to his knees. I knew he wasn’t going for that. He just wanted to voice how much he hated me now.

“I’m pretty sure we won’t be here much longer,” Mason spoke up, downing his lemonade, an eyebrow raised at Noah’s theatrics.

Noah stalked off, slamming the door like an enraged child.

Lainey looked around, chewing her fingernail. The girl had nervousness written all over her face.

I sighed, finally giving in. I looked at Mason. “I have a swimsuit in my bag. Let me grab it,” I said. Lainey lit up from head to toe.

“Mason are you coming too?” she asked. Mason nodded, heading back to the duplex with me.

“You’re not one to be so agreeable—what’s up with that,” he said as we walked to the duplex.

I shrugged. “They mean no harm. They’re the first people I’ve met who are decent and kind.”

“Are you falling in love with the thought of their happy family?” He grinned.

“Mason, knock it off. She really likes you,” I said. Mason just glared at me.

“I’m not some prostitute you can pawn off. I’m not going to sleep with her to make you or her happy. What the heck is wrong with you people?” The shocked expression on his face made me want to laugh.

“I didn’t ask you to,” I grumbled, heading up the stairs. He just stared at me, like he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. I was beginning to think Mason thought I had no morals at all.

“I just want to get out of here,” he said, going inside.

After throwing on our swimsuits, we headed back through the woods to the water. Lainey proved to be quite the country girl. She knew every step of the way. To me it was nothing more than a mass of trees. I’d have been lost in seconds if I were alone. I found it interesting how similar, yet so different, I was to her. We were both from the South, but I didn’t feel “southern” anymore. I’d grown up in nearly every other state, so the South had been sucked out of me a long time ago.

“Well, here we are guys,” she said, standing at the edge of the water. Tall trees lined the edge, like a scene right out of the movies. I just hoped I wouldn’t come out covered with blood-sucking leeches.

Mason pulled his shirt off and tossed it on the ground. He took off before Lainey could give him another dreamy look.

I wiggled out of my shorts, dropping them at my feet. Lainey watched, before taking her own clothes off. She was comparing herself with me—typical girl thing to do. I was comfortable in my skin, always had been.

She was skinny but in a sporty way, not an underdeveloped girl way. Her hair glistened in the sun, her purple bikini made her alabaster skin look even more porcelain-like.

“I love your swimsuit,” she said, pulling her hair back.

I smiled, securing the ties on my hot pink bikini. It was the girliest thing I owned. And I loved it.

I wasn’t skinny like Lainey—I wasn’t fat either. I had the body of what a woman was meant to look like. I had a tiny waist, small hips, and muscular legs—probably from all the running I did. My arms were long and thin and toned. I had a rear that went well with anything I wore. My butt was my favorite part of my body.

Mason always said I was the most incredible looking girl, and that my body drove him crazy. He said I was made that way to get men all revved up. I always thought he didn’t know what he was talking about.

But as I watched him watching us, it was obvious whose body was drawing all his attention. Lainey grabbed my arm and started running toward the water. I quickly shook my sandals from my feet before our feet hit the water.

We both went under simultaneously. The cool water filled my ears and shocked my hot skin. I immediately opened my eyes, seeing a million particles floating past my face as I swam. I could see Mason and Lainey standing a safe distance away from each other. I stretched my arms and legs, swimming farther.

As I swam, I relaxed and felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I was in the here and now and nothing else mattered.

I’d never known what it felt like to have someone worry about me or to care about me. Living like I did, it was impossible to be normal—whatever normal was.

I tried to not feel sorry for myself and I didn’t want to be sad. I never saw anything good in my mother when I lived with her. In fact, I didn’t see much of her at all. She was never there, never cared, and I was alone nearly every day.

I got used to it, though, and discovered that I was my own best friend. But, even I couldn’t give myself the love and care I needed.

And like a leaf in a stream, I was swept through life’s current, and no matter what was happening around me, I still had to move on.

My mother was never angry and bitter like Wanda. She was the opposite. My mother was overly emotional. She was always crying or upset about something. What? I’ll never know.

My mother sought her comfort—or torture—in men. She was a beautiful woman with a broken soul. She and I may have lived in the same house, but I was a burden to her—a burden she ignored and never looked at. Not once did I feel like she was my mother.

I resurfaced once my lungs were on fire and begging for air. Mason’s body was floating off in the distance. Lainey trailed behind him, caught up in the conversation they were having, as they drifted farther away.

I decided I’d had enough swimming and headed back up the hill, grabbing my clothes from the ground. They’d never even know I was gone. This would give Mason a chance to make Lainey happy. He would never treat anyone badly if he didn’t have to. There was really no reason that I knew of to not trust Lainey.

As I headed through the trees, I hoped I knew the way back. I could hear the birds chirping overhead as I moved along.

Twigs snapped behind me. Startled, I spun on my heels and screamed. It was Noah. He was wearing board shorts and had a towel slung over his shoulder.

“Were you trying to go back?” he asked.

I couldn’t form words. I was too shocked to see him. He waited for me to say something, but all I could do was nod.

“Well, you’re going the wrong way,” he said, turning around and heading back the opposite direction.

I stopped in my tracks, worried going back with him wasn’t the best idea. But pushing all the negative vibes away I followed him until I realized we were nowhere near the house or water anymore.

“This doesn’t look like the right way,” I said. Noah turned and shrugged.

“I’ve lived here my entire life. Of course it’s not the right way,” he said, watching me.

I kept my expression stoic. I wasn’t going to panic. This wasn’t the worst set of circumstances I’d ever faced.

He grabbed me by the arm, squeezing it tightly. “You think it’s okay to make me look like a fool?”

I pulled at his hand. His grip nearly crushed my arm.

“I don’t like looking like a fool, either. And I wasn’t about to let you do what you wanted to do.” My heart was racing, my mind trying to come up with a plan for what could happen next.

“I don’t like girls like you. You and your so-called family come here pretending to need a place to stay. But I know you’re all a bunch of con artists. I know you are,” he insisted.

I pulled away, backing up to a tree when I tried to get away from him.

“I’m not a con artist. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Let me go before you do something really stupid,” I said.

Noah shook his head, wrapping his arms around me. He kicked my feet out from under me with one quick kick to my legs. We fell to the ground with a thud, his body falling on top of mine and knocking the air out of me.

“You were willing to let my dad have what he wanted, weren’t you?” he asked, pulling at the strings of my bathing suit top. I closed my eyes, his hands clamping down on my throat.

Noah was nuts.

“Just tell me. I want to hear you say it. Say you were going to bang my old man.” He pushed my face into the dirt and leaves.

“No.” I choked, his hand crushing my windpipe.

“What kind of girl does that?”

“I don’t know,” I said, squeezing my eyes tighter so I didn’t have to look at him.

“Tell me right now. Say it!” He grabbed my face, nose to nose with me.

“Let me go,” I screamed, lifting my head from the ground trying to get loose. Noah slammed my head back down.

“My parents may be stupid, but I’m not. Tell me why you guys are here,” he said again, spit flying from his mouth, anger radiating through his entire body.

He pulled back and slapped me across the face and waited. When it was clear I wasn’t going to answer him, he slapped me again.

I fought hard, trying to punch him in his smug face, but he only crushed his body against me harder.

“You need to get far away from my house. You and the rest of your so-called family. And if you don’t, I’ll tell my mom what kind of girl you really are. Because I don’t like you, any of you.”

“Fine,” I breathed, my head pinned under his elbow.

“Are you guys wanted? Did you do something?” he pressed.

“No!” I winced as he tugged my head to the side by my hair.

“Then why are those broads so sneaky and strange acting all the time?”

“I said we would leave, just let me up,” I begged.

Noah sat up, he squeezed my throat with one hand, pushing into my shoulder with the other to keep me in place. It was all a game to him. He stared down at me as if I were a wild animal at his mercy.

Even if he was angry, knowing what kind of people we were, he should have known better than to mess with us. I wasn’t sure how or why he knew, but he did.

I gasped as a large branch crashed down upon his head.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Mason yelled, swinging the branch at Noah over and over again. Noah blocked the brunt of his attack with his arms, having been caught off guard and unable to defend himself.

Lainey helped me to my feet.

“Noah, what is wrong with you?” she exclaimed, in tears.

“Mason, stop!” I screamed, grabbing Mason’s arm to stop his assault on Noah. I pushed him away.

“Let’s go! Right now!” he demanded, taking hold of my arm. I pulled away, grabbing ahold of him instead.

“That’s right. We need to go…all of us,” I said, giving him a severe look.

Mason turned around and looked at Noah. Noah picked himself up off the ground. His face was fine, but his arms were scratched and bleeding.

“You two aren’t related. And those women you’re with are bad news. Not to mention her and her scheming ways. My parents have a lot, and you’re not taking what’s mine,” he said in shaky breaths, struggling to explain himself.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Mason asked. “Beating Kendall senseless isn’t going to fix anything. And if you think think we’re such bad news, then why would you even want to mess with us?”