My molars grind together until they feel like they’re about to break. Jerry sold Madison to a man to get richer. That’s how little she means to him.
“I told you everything!” Justin yells.
I tighten my grip around his throat. Justin’s screams die out, and his eyes bulge out of his head as he fights for air. I lean forward until the extended piece of my helmet touches his face.
“You come near my sister again, and I’ll throw you down a set of stairs, drag you outside, and curb-stomp the fuck out of you until you’re a part of the cement. Do you hear me?”
Justin’s eyes roll into the back of his head; he’s most likely on the brink of passing out. I loosen my hold on his throat, once again allowing this piece of shit to breathe when he doesn’t deserve it.
Most of the people within the secret society aren’t good—even the people who unknowingly work with them. They’re corrupt. The Kings and Queens don’t care about anything but themselves and what they can gain.
None of them deserves to breathe.
They can threaten to kill me all they want. Death hasn’t scared me since I stopped giving a fuck about life. The only thing that makes life remotely good is Madison—as much as she drives me up a wall.
Now this asshole wants to take the one person I give a fuck about. He hurt her. Scared her.
Madison is mine. Always has been and always will be, and no one will take her from me.
Justin lets out a ragged breath. “Fine. I’ll leave her alone and won’t tell anyone. Just let go of me.”
I smile and gently slap his cheek. “Good choice.”
I release Justin and gather his dismembered fingers, then shove them into my pocket before I stand. He rolls onto his side and curls into a fetal position as he tucks his mutilated hand against his chest. I mount my motorcycle and right before I take off, Justin says something loud enough for me to hear over the engine.
“Watch your back,” he says. “You never know who’s got their eye on you.”
“SICK THOUGHTS” LOU BLISS
Iroll onto my side as I slowly wake from a deep sleep. The pillow beneath my head is perfectly soft, and the warm blanket I snuggle into smells like Ryder. If lying on a cloud while being hugged from behind by my stepbrother came in a package, this would be it.
Wait.
My eyes snap open, and I pop my head up to take in my surroundings. Colorful LEDs give the shadowed room a deep-blue hue bordering on violet. Band posters cover the walls, and clothes are strewn over the floor.
This isn’t my bedroom.
Last night’s events rush back to me. Parts are spotty, thanks to the alcohol, while others stand out from the rest.
Anger squeezes my throat and tightens my chest as I remember how Justin got upset with me for drinking so much, then dragged me outside toteach me a lesson.It could have ended worse than it did if not for Ryder stepping in and sending Justin inside with a bruised ego.
Hurt and self-pity override the anger.
I threw myself at Ryder, and he rejected me, then left me all alone in his room. I passed out not long after he disappeared, but not before I shed a few tears. It’s silly, I know, but I can’t stop the ache in my chest.
He left me here.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed about waking up alone. After what happened with Justin, all I want is to be held and told he’ll never hurt me again. I’m tired of being a punching bag—a girl to be bossed around by shitty men.
My bladder screams at me, reminding me how much I drank. I push back the sheet and crawl out of bed. Dizziness hits me, and I stumble a few steps before I catch myself on the nightstand. I drop my chin and take a few deep, calming breaths. Cool air kisses my legs and my bottom. I crack open my eyes and notice I’m not wearing my clothes. Pinching the T-shirt between my fingers, I frown at it before it clicks in my head.
It’s Ryder’s shirt.
After he left, I must’ve drunkenly stripped out of my clothes and thrown on one of his shirts to stay cool while I slept. It’s larger than him and fits me better than the hoodie he let me borrow. I still haven’t returned it, too attached to it to give it back.
Shaking away the strange, warm feeling glowing in my chest, I go to the bathroom to relieve myself.
I’ll admit, I drank too much last night. But in my defense, I couldn’t stand another sober moment around Justin and my father. Hell, even Ryder’s absence bothered me, because for whatever reason, he makes me feel safe when no one else has.
