Текст книги "Pretty Little Things"

Автор книги: Teresa Mummert

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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 10 страниц)

Chapter 8 – Annabel

“So what is it? You’re a slut, a junkie, your momma forcing you to turn tricks to feed her habits?” Colin asked as he brushed by me, coldness in his eyes.

“What? No. None of those things. I swear.” I tucked my wild honey-blond hair behind my ear as I looked to the ground.

He eyed me suspiciously, and I shrank under his accusatory glare. “It’s got to be something.”

“M-my mom…wanted me to learn to help others in need,” I stuttered, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

“You’re telling me that you were pulled off the streets and brought here? Kidnapped?”

“Oh God.” My hand flew over my mouth as my heart leapt into my throat. I knew something was wrong. “He’s not going to let us leave, is he?”

He sank down in the chair in front of me, his chin in his hand as he stared at me for an uncomfortably long moment. Why was it bothering him so much that I wasn’t a depraved junkie? And why wasn’t he upset, scared, and wracked with panic right now?

“You can’t even spit out a goddamn sentence. You made it too easy for him.” He shook his head angrily. “Here we don’t pray for the weak—we prey on the weak.”

“Are you staying in bed all day?”

I yawned and stretched before glancing over my shoulder as I lay facedown on my bed. Colin was leaning against the doorframe, his head cocked to the side. “Don’t you ever knock?”

“Close your door if you want me to knock,” he chuckled as he sauntered into my bedroom. “People are going to start showing up soon. Get ready.”

“I don’t feel like it.” I rested my chin on my fist as I stared at my headboard, still wallowing in self-pity over my fight with Jacob. I’d texted him several times asking him to come to the party, and he’d reluctantly agreed, but now I was worried about him meeting my family. Colin’s fingers wrapped around my bare ankle, and he began pulling me toward the foot of the bed.

“Damn it! Let go of me.” I clutched at the comforter as he continued to drag me down the mattress, causing my shirt to ride high on my stomach.

“A lot of work went into this party.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me from the bed as I kicked at him and struggled to pry his arms off me. “So stop acting like a spoiled bitch and get ready.”

“You’re such a jerk!”

He carried me toward the bathroom and put me down inside the shower stall, blocking the doorway as I pounded my fists against his chest.

“This isn’t funny. Let me out of here.”

“There’s the easy way,” he said, and with a wicked grin he reached forward and turned on the water full blast. “And there’s my way.”

“You asshole!” I pressed myself against the sandstone tile as I struggled to get out from under the cool spray, the oversized white T-shirt I was wearing and my dark-blue panties getting soaked. “I’m still wearing clothes.” The thin fabric clung to my curves, and I knew it immediately had become see-through. My teeth began to chatter, and I gripped either shoulder trying to keep warm.

His gaze drifted over my body as he laughed. “I told you to stop stealing my shirts.” He narrowed his eyes as they settled on my bruised face.

I turned my back to him and peeled the wet fabric from my skin, tossing it over my shoulder as hard as I could. He caught it as it hit his chest, never breaking eye contact.

The doorbell rang, and I jumped, nearly slipping as it startled me.

“You have fifteen minutes.” He closed the door to the shower and disappeared.

Chapter 9 – Colin

I greeted Amanda at the door and took the large wrapped present from her hands, kissing her on the cheek.

“It’s a dress. I thought Annie might want to wear it tonight.”

“Tasteful, I hope.” I looked into her deep, artificially blue eyes.

She gave me a look, and I laughed as I closed the door behind her.

“Where is the birthday girl?”

“Showering. I was just about to run through myself.”

“I see that.” She glanced down at the wet spot on my shirt. “Want some company?” she asked, a coy smile on her lips, her eyebrow raised.

“Come on.” I began to climb the stairs with Amanda behind me. “Set the water. I’m going to put this on her bed.” I carried the package into Annie’s room. I could hear the water still running, and there was a pair of dark-blue panties on the floor outside of the stall.

I dropped the box and closed her bedroom door behind me as I crossed the hall. The water was running in my own bathroom, and Amanda was inside. I stared at her naked silhouette through the fogged glass as I pulled my shirt over my head and slid my jeans down to the floor.

I stepped in behind her, my cock stiff as I pressed it against her ass with a groan. The last few days had been nothing but stressful. Connor had barely called, and I was on edge for tonight. I needed to relieve some tension.

“Let’s get dirty, and then we can get clean.” I gripped her hips and pushed against her. “Put your hands on the wall.” I ran my lips over her damp shoulder.

“I want to face you.” It was a little late to be modest given the things I had done to her in the past, but she played the part of willing victim well.

“I want you just like this,” I whispered against her ear as I pulled back on her hips, bending her at the waist. “Don’t take your hands off the wall.” With one hand holding her, I grabbed my cock with the other and positioned myself against her bare entrance. I pushed slowly inside her as I panted against her wet blond hair. She moaned as I pulled back, nearly sliding out of her before slamming against her, hard. She cried out as I pulled her hips back with each rough thrust. Gripping her harder, I used my other hand to cover her mouth, muffling her cries, and her teeth scraping against my flesh only fueled my desire.

I rested my forehead against the top of her head as I held her still, fucking her fast. My breathing was ragged as I struggled to rid my mind of all other thoughts and focus on coming. I wasn’t the type for soft and gentle caresses. I liked angry, violent fucking, and Amanda only wanted to please me. That was why I put up with her mindless bullshit and shallow personality. My feelings for her were as much of an illusion as my public persona. It was easier for me to fuck a stranger than to share my feelings with someone I loved—not that I was even capable.

I growled, gripping hard enough to bruise as I thrust into her one last time, coming hard inside her as her walls gripped me and she found her own release. I struggled to catch my breath as my hand slipped from her mouth and down over her throat as I pressed a kiss into her damp hair.

“Did I hurt you?” I asked between heavy breaths as I brushed her hair from the back of her neck and placed a kiss in between her shoulder blades.

“No.” She was equally breathless.

We washed ourselves quickly and engaged in minimal small talk as we both got dressed for the party.

“It’s a shame your dad couldn’t be here,” Amanda called to me from the bathroom as she fixed her makeup in the mirror.

“Yeah, it is.” I slipped my shoe on and stood to look over myself in the full-length mirror next to my closet, and I saw the reflection of the monster I was raised to be in Taylor’s commune. I hated that part of myself that still lurked below the surface, begging to be let out to play, and I struggled against the demented urges daily.

Amanda came to stand next to me, her hand on my stomach as she smiled at our reflection. “You look handsome.”

I gazed over my dark jeans and black polo shirt. I was in no mood for a suit, and tonight was about making Annie comfortable. Amanda was wearing a black strapless dress that barely covered her ass, and I tried not to let my possessive nature take over. I’ve never been good at sharing my toys.

“Where’s the rest of your dress?” I asked as I ran my finger along her exposed upper thigh.

“I like to keep you jealous so you won’t ever forget how good you have it,” she said with a smirk as she walked to the bedroom door.

I groaned, hating that I had to deal with her little games. “I’m going to grab Annie’s present. I’ll be right down.”

“All right. I’ll go see if she needs help getting ready.” With a smile she left, and I blew out a heavy breath, running my hand over my hair. I turned to face my walk-in closet as I heard Annie and Amanda talking in the hall.

I turned on the light and walked through the racks of clothing to the back where a mahogany dresser was built into the wall. Bending down, I pulled open the bottom drawer, wiggling it free from its track and pulling it all the way out to set it on the floor. The small space below the drawer was where I kept things I didn’t want Grace finding when she cleaned the house. It was all that remained aside from the nightmares and Annie. There were a few old photos, and I smiled as I picked one up of Annie and me. I was always taller than her. Our hands were linked together as she smiled weakly, but her eyes told of heartache, and I wore an angry scowl. The day this picture was taken was seared into my memory.

“It’s not her,” I repeated again to Taylor, who was pacing the floor.

“How do you know if you haven’t tried?” He bent down to my eye level, gripping the arm rests of my chair.

“She’s not a sinner; she’s just a victim of circumstance. She said you forced her to come here.” Trying to hold a rational conversation with an irrational person was frustrating, to say the least. I’d lost my grip on reality years ago, but I still understood the basic concept of right and wrong, even if my actions didn’t reflect that.

“So tempt her.” His eyes were wild behind his thick brown frames and devoid of all reasoning. “She trusts you.”

“I’m not you. I can’t do it.”

The back of his hand came down across my cheek, and in an instant my chair flew back against the wall. Then I was standing, towering over him as he took a step back.

“If you ever touch me again, you will be meeting God a lot sooner than planned.” Any compassion I had felt for this man in all of my years had vanished in that singular act of betrayal. He should be proud. He’d raised me in his image, and I’d grown to exceed the monster he was. All I wanted in that moment was to spill his blood, bathe in it. I rationalized it in my mind—so many others would be saved by sacrificing one.

“Colin…Colin…you need to listen to me. We’ve worked for years.” His eyes fell closed as he shook his head, his hands extended toward me looking for mercy. Where was his mercy for those girls?

“I won’t do it.” I swiped my hand in the air in front of me, finalizing my decision. As I turned my back toward him, his hand fell on my shoulder.

“Then I’ll find someone else.”

I slowly turned around, murderous rage coursing through my body. There was a steely, determined look in his eye, and I knew he wasn’t bluffing. It was only a matter of time before something happened to Annabel, and her blood would be on my hands. I had to buy us some time. There were too many of them. I left his office and hurried across the field, anxious to get back to Annie. I’d left her in my cabin studying Bible verses. Being one of Taylor’s favorites had its perks, and that included privacy.

When I opened the door, I was immediately filled with a sense of calm seeing her lying across my bed reading, oblivious to the deals I was making with the devil himself to keep her safe. Every day we grew a little closer, and slowly she’d begun to trust me, opening up and telling me stories of her life outside the commune. It fascinated me to hear how she was raised by a single mother because her father had left them when she was only a few months old.

The Bible, a book that I had learned to use as a guide to immorality, brought her comfort as she worried about her mother and her own safety. I lay down beside her on my stomach, glancing over her shoulder to see what passage she was reading. She no longer recoiled, but turned her head to smile at me. That was when I did something that to this day I couldn’t explain; I kissed her. It was a chaste kiss on the lips, but it was anything but innocent, at least on my end. I rationalized it as testing how much she trusted me, but the thrill of someone looking me in the eye and not being afraid, for her to smile when I walked in the door—it was addictive.

I set the pictures back in the corner and pulled out a tiny box. I flipped the black velvet lid open and looked down at the old cross necklace my mother had worn until the day she had died. It was a present from my father.

Still, it was the one thing that had a true connection to my past, to a time when I still had some semblance of a conscience. After she passed away, my innocence was lost with her. It was only fitting now that at the age she could officially act on her own, I gave Annie this symbol of our past to remind her of what our freedom had cost us, what freedom truly meant.

I slid the necklace into my pocket and replaced the drawer before turning off the closet light and closing the door behind me. I left my bedroom and made my way downstairs to where Amanda and Annie stood, giggling as they chatted about the impending event.

Annie was wearing a simple white dress that flowed to just above the knee. It was strapless, but the snowy color made it seem innocent and virginal, the polar opposite of Amanda’s dress.

“Little Orphan Annie, all grown up.” I smiled down at her, wondering how she had somehow managed to make it to adulthood in one piece. I continued to descend the stairs as she shook her head.

“You think you could stop calling me that now?” she replied dryly as she folded her arms over her chest.

“Not a chance, little one. You look beautiful.” I pressed a kiss into her hair, and she rolled her eyes.

“At least not when the guests are here?”

“I make no promises.”

Amanda bumped my arm with hers and laughed. Being an only child, she thought the way I picked on Annie was hilarious. Of course she had no idea that we weren’t related and didn’t even know each other until a few years ago.

I left the girls to gossip as I went and checked on the caterer. The doorbell began to ring shortly after, and guests filed in. My eyes danced over the crowd. Everyone who was anyone was here.

“I’m going to make sure my door is locked,” I said to Amanda, who stood in the doorway. The last thing I wanted was some asshole trying to fuck his girlfriend on my bed. I said hello to everyone as I passed by in the crowded hallway. Luckily, no one had ventured upstairs yet. I pulled my keys from my pocket as I hurried to my room. I glanced around, making sure no one had slipped inside, before twisting my key in the lock I had added to ensure my privacy.

I rushed from my room, plastering on a smile as I casually strolled down to the first floor. Casey and Mara stood just at the bottom and I shot them a wink as I greeted them.

“You guys seen my sister?” I asked as I rounded the banister.

“You’re not even going to talk to me?” Casey laughed flirtatiously as she pushed her long brown hair over her shoulder.

“I’ll be back. I promise.” I put my hand over my heart as I walked backward a few steps down the hall before turning around and shaking my head.

“Hey, man.” Shawn grabbed my hand and pulled me in for our shoulders to bump. “Friday night at my place.”

“I’ll be there as long as you aren’t drinking vodka,” I called over my shoulder as I continued through the growing maze of people.

“That was one time, man.” He shook his head, and I focused my attention on finding Annie.

I stepped into the dining room and through the kitchen before I heard her laugh from the entertainment room. I grabbed a bottle of beer from the fridge and twisted off the cap, tossing it into the trash. I took a long pull, nearly emptying the bottle as I walked across the hall and under the staircase. The entertainment room was decorated like it was New Year’s Eve, and it was packed full of people from every corner of town. Annie stood in the center of the room surrounded by her friends, with a boy to her left. She stiffened at his side when she saw me, and her laugh was strained, her smile not reaching her eyes.

I looked him over as I slid between Maggie and Jess, looping my arm over Jess’s shoulders, trying my hardest not to show how pissed off I was. I’d never wanted to give in to my darker side as much as I did at that moment.

“There you are. I looked for you earlier, but you must have been hiding.” Annie’s cheeks were tinged pink, but she wore a smile on her face.

“You must not have tried very hard.” I took another drink from my bottle and held it up to show that it was empty. One of the caterers took it from my hand as she muttered under her breath. “So who is your friend?” I smiled as my eyes locked on his. He was wearing a faded blue Pink Floyd T-shirt and ripped baggy jeans. Clearly he didn’t get the memo about a dress code.

“I’m Jake,” he said as he ran a hand over his shaggy hair. I titled my chin up in acknowledgment but didn’t introduce myself. There was no need. He wouldn’t be staying long. The waitress held out a new bottle of beer.

“Thank you, beautiful.” My tone was clipped as I took the bottle and drank a sip.

“This is my brother, Colin,” Annie chimed in.

“Nice to meet you,” Jake said as I whispered into Jess’s ear that her pink lace bra was a good choice. Being taller than most of the girls around here had its advantages.

“I’m sure it is,” I replied as I caught Annie’s pleading stare. I rolled my eyes and pulled my arm from around Jess. “You want a drink?” I asked in the nicest tone I could manage.

“Sure. Sounds great, man.”

I motioned for him to follow me to the kitchen, and we made our way through the crowd.

“Have I seen you around before? Football game or church?” I was feeling him out.

“No. I’m not much of a sports kind of guy, and I go to Dyer Public.”

“Ah…” When I reached the fridge, I pulled open the door and grabbed a bottle of beer. “I wouldn’t think you needed any alcohol. Is your high wearing off?”

“I’m sorry?” he said as he took the bottle from my hand, confusion on his face. Perhaps he had killed any brain cells that should have alerted him to who the fuck I was.

“You will be if you go near my sister.”

“I’m not sure where this is coming from, but Annie is my friend. She’s eighteen and doesn’t need anyone’s permission.”

I stepped forward, towering over him by several inches. I lowered my voice to keep our conversation private. “She always did have a soft spot for the less fortunate. Empathy was never my thing. You should leave.”

“I’ll leave…when Annie tells me to go.” He glared at me before stepping out of the kitchen and back into the crowd. Mouthy little shit. I wiped my hand over my jaw before slamming the fridge door closed. I had to tread lightly with this little prick because of Annie, but that didn’t mean he could do whatever he wanted. One way or another, he would leave her the fuck alone.

Chapter 10 – Jacob

I took a sip from my beer, wishing I could beat the living hell out of Annie’s brother. The piss water he drank made me cringe, but I’d gladly drink it down just to spite him. Whatever happened to good old American beer? I spotted Annie in a group of girls as they laughed, oblivious to our little meeting. My fingers looped around her arm, and I pulled her from the conversation, momentarily distracted by the softness of her skin.

I knew just showing up was a bad idea, but everyone from my school was here, and there shouldn’t have been any problem blending into the crowd.

“What is it?” she asked, a smile still on her face as her eyes searched mine. I realized I would be playing right into his hand if I upset her at her birthday party, but I wasn’t going to let him intimidate me. He may have the wealth, but I had Annie’s attention.

“I just didn’t get the chance to tell you how beautiful you look in the dress.” I glanced down, taking in her slender frame as her hips swayed lightly under my gaze.

“I feel like an idiot, but Colin’s girlfriend got it for me.” She rolled her eyes, putting me more at ease. She wasn’t like Colin or the rest of these people. There was a nervousness about her that inflated my ego.

“The fact that you have no idea makes you even more incredible.” My words were rewarded by her cheeks flushing as she ducked her head and looked up at me through her lashes. “You want to go for a walk or something?” I asked, leaning in for only her to hear. She looked around the party before nodding. I grabbed her hand and pulled her farther from the crowd.

“Come on. I know where we can go.” She tugged me by the stereo system that was in the back of the room. Behind it was a door. She glanced over her shoulder before opening it and waving me through. With a laugh, she followed and shut it behind us.

“I can’t see shit.” I laughed as she flipped on a switch, and I had to shield my eyes from the blinding light with my arm.

“How about now?” She tugged my arm, pulling me into the center of the room.

“Now you’ve blinded me.” I chuckled as I blinked away the spots in my eyes. I glanced around the room, which was full of boxes.

“What do you think?” she asked, worry marring her perfect face.

“It looks like a storage room.” I sighed as I took another look around like I had missed something.

“Not the room. The party. Are you having fun?”

I shrugged as I ran my hand over my jaw and glanced down at the beer bottle Colin had given me. “Of course. Everyone is really nice. Thanks for inviting me, even after I was such a dick. I had no right to flip out on you like that.”

“It’s already forgotten.” Her smile brightened as she leaned against the wall, her hands tucked behind her back. I took a small step closer to her.

“Good, because I’ve been dying to kiss you.” I stepped closer, looping my hands behind her back. “You’re worth it.”

“Jake, someone could walk in.” She laughed as she pressed her lips against mine.

“Let them.” I looked over at the closed door, knowing it was only a matter of time before someone discovered the birthday girl missing, and I hoped it wasn’t that prick Colin. “Maybe you could come over later?” I asked as I scratched the back of my head and stepped back from her.

“I hate these stupid parties.” She slipped her right foot out of her heel and held on to the stack of boxes beside her as she slid off the other. Her purple pumps lay on their side next to her, and she went from matching my height to the top of her head coming eye level.

“You should enjoy it. All of these people came to see you.” My voice trailed off as she stepped forward, and only a few inches remained between us.

“They didn’t come for me. They came to see for themselves how much money my family has.” She shook her head, her wild blond hair framing her face. “They came to judge.”

“I’m here for you.” I reached out, hesitating before tucking her hair behind her ear, my fingertips skimming over the shell as she made a face. “But something tells me you don’t let them see the real you.” My arm froze midair as we stared at each other.

The door opened, and both our heads snapped to look at Colin as his eyes narrowed. His anger wasn’t directed at me, and I instinctively took a step in front of Annie. “I should let you get back to the party,” I called over my shoulder as I looked him in the eye. I turned to face her when he didn’t move from the doorway. “I hope you have an amazing birthday. I’ll see you later? Tonight?” She nodded fractionally. The adrenaline spike that was coursing through my veins escalated as I placed my hands on either side of her face and pulled her lips against mine. It was brief and innocent, but the softness mixed with the undeniable electricity would forever be burned into my brain. I’d kissed many girls, but something about her sweet innocence amplified the emotions that swirled around us tenfold. She was different. I turned back around, glaring at Colin before my shoulder bumped against his on my way out of the door. I hoped that whatever big brother macho test I was being put through, he would respect my ability to stand up to him.

I kept my eyes downcast as I wove through the crowd, my hands shoved into my pockets.

“You leaving already?” Reagan asked, her chest pushing against mine as she stepped in front of me. It was like every girl from our school had shown up just to glimpse how the other half lives.

“I have shit to do.” I avoided her eyes as I looked around her to the front door.

“I need some brown sugar. My step-monster found my stash.” Her eyes were pinned, and her hands trembled as she pushed her light brown hair over her shoulder.

“Where’s Nat?” I glanced around the endless sea of bodies. I was hoping that I could find her and convince her to keep what we had done together just between us.

Reagan shrugged as her head cocked to the side, waiting on my response. “You’re the only juggler left after last month’s bust.”

I lowered my voice as I glanced over my shoulder to the room I had left Annie in with Colin. “Stop by later and I’ll hook you up. Just keep it hush. I don’t want bedbugs swarming.”