by Caitlyn Dare
Staggering back, I collide with the wall and slide down until my ass hits the floor.
My world spins.
She's gone.
The one thing—the one person—I've wanted more than anything has just walked away like what we had meant nothing.
"You're giving up?" Cole asks, disbelief coating his words.
"I don't know what the fuck I'm doing, Cole. Everything since she turned up has been fucked up beyond belief. She didn't even want to be in the Bay. She was only there because Jay thought it was the best place to leave her after what happened to her on New Year’s."
"You really think she didn't want you? You're fucking delusional, man. That girl loves you."
"Does she?" I ask, jumping to my feet and stepping into his space. "Does it fucking look like she loves me?" My voice is so low that I'm not even sure if he hears it.
"If he's involved in this, then she didn't go voluntarily, and you know it."
"Well, it doesn't look like she tried to fucking stop it." My hands slam against his chest, and he takes a step back, but I don't allow him any space. I need this right now. I need to fight to help numb the pain.
"I know what you're doing."
"Yeah? So give me what I need."
He shakes his head.
"You're different, you know that? She's turned you into a fucking pussy," I seethe, getting so close our noses are almost touching.
"Jealous?"
That one word is like fuel on the fire already raging inside me. Wrapping my fist around Cole's shirt, I pull my arm back. I'm just about to throw my first of many punches when the door opens.
"Conner," Hadley gasps, her soft voice the reality check I need. I release Cole and turn my back on both of them. "It's okay. Conner's just venting."
"It's James. He says it's urgent."
Tension crackles around the room before Cole's voice cuts through the silence.
"Yeah. Yes. Yes. Okay. We're coming back now. Okay."
Spinning on my heels, I pin him with a look. "What the fuck was that?"
"We need to go home. Shit's going down."
"What shit?"
"I don't know, he refused to tell me until we're there."
"This to do with K?"
"I assume so. He's paying for your damages. Get fucking dressed and meet us at the car."
Thirty minutes later, I'm walking toward Cole's car. He already has the engine running and ready to leave. I throw my bag across the back seat before falling down and tipping my head back.
"Everything's going to be okay, Con," Hadley soothes.
"Shut up."
"Conner," Cole growls.
"What? You wanna get back out and teach me a lesson on how to talk to your girl?" I ask, lifting my head and locking my eyes with his. "Then let's go, motherfucker."
He shakes his head at me, looks back to the road, and floors the accelerator. "You're a prick."
"Fuck you."
The drive back to the Bay is silent and tense as fuck. My fingers drum on my knee the entire time with my need to do something to expel the energy that's buzzing inside me.
I need to break that motherfucker's neck.
The second Cole's car rolls to a stop outside the house, I jump out, jogging up the stairs and ripping the front door open.
"He's in his office. What the fuck is going on?" Ace asks the second I step inside, as if he was waiting.
Ignoring him, I storm past, my shoulder colliding with his as I pass.
"I'll ask Cole then, eh?"
Two sets of footsteps follow me up the stairs, but neither of them says anything as I swing Dad's office door open without knocking.
"Son, thank you for—"
"Where the fuck is she?"
He looks at me from his desk, his face as always a mask of calm. How can he always be so unaffected by everything?
"Take a seat, all of you."
"What the hell is going on?" I demand, refusing to follow orders when the other two drop to the couch on the opposite side of his desk.
"I received something this morning. Something of concern." Dad's eyes flick to Cole for a beat before coming back to mine. "It seems someone has been looking at us a little too closely. They know... some things that I'd rather they didn't."
"You want to stop talking in fucking riddles?"
Dad's eyes once again find Cole. "I'm sorry, Son. It's time."
Cole nods once, swallowing almost nervously before he looks at Ace and then me. "I killed Charlie," he blurts.
I take a step back. "You what?" I ask, not believing what I'm hearing.
"After we found out what he'd done to Remi and Sarah. I… I killed him."
"But you came home with us," Ace says, staring at Cole like he suddenly doesn't recognize him. "You went to bed,” he adds.
"I went back out. Donny tipped me off as to where he was, and I put a bullet through the cunt’s head."
My lips part, but I find I don't have any words. Instead, I back up until I find a chair.
"You killed him?" Ace repeats.
"He touched your girl, Ace. He ruined our lives. Fucker deserved it."
"I can't deny that. But you fucking killed him. You risked everything for that cunt."
"Yeah, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
"Okay." I hold up a hand to cut them off. I can't deal with the fact that my twin brother killed the man we thought was our dad but was actually our uncle right now. It's too much. All of this is too fucking much. "What the hell has this got to do with Kennedy?"
“What I received this morning was a threat. A threat which I believe came from Warren."
My chin drops once more.
"I'm going to fucking kill him." I'm at the door in a heartbeat.
"Conner, no," Dad's voice booms, halting my movement. "I'm afraid it's not that simple, Son."
"Why the fuck not? He doesn't get to blackmail us. He's nothing but a fucking rapist. Scum like him don't deserve to breathe our fucking air."
"I couldn't agree more. But it's not just Cole's... indiscretion that he knows about."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you can't go in there all guns blazing, because we're likely to be the ones who lose. He knows too much."
"Too much of what?"
"Things I can’t tell you right now."
"But it was okay to tell us that our brother is a murderer,” I snipe.
"You need to trust me."
"Trust you? He's got my fucking girl, and the last time she was anywhere near him, he..." My stomach turns over before my fist connects with the wall. "I won't let you stop me from protecting her."
"Conner," he breathes. "Trust me when I tell you that your safety is at the top of my priority list right now. Yours and hers. If you go storming in there, you're going to cause more harm than good."
"So what am I meant to do? Wait for her to be delivered here again, black and blue? Or worse..." I shudder, not even wanting to think about it. "He needs to be fucking taken down."
"He will be, Conner. But it needs to be my way."
Chapter Three
Kennedy
I wake suddenly. My body is frozen in place, Warren’s big, tatted arm roped around my waist.
Anyone else might think it’s a sign of affection, but I know better. He is literally caging me to the bed with his big body, holding on for life as if he plans to make good on his promise to never let me go again.
Tears burn the backs of my eyes, but crying won’t get me anywhere.
Gingerly peeling his arm off my body, I manage to slip out of Warren’s grasp and climb out of bed. I need to pee, and then I need to figure out what the hell I’m going to do.
But as I slip out of the bedroom, pain racks through me. Conner will know by now. He’ll know and he’ll hate me for it.
I swallow a fresh wave of tears. I have to do this. I have to protect Conner and his family or it’ll haunt me for the rest of my life.
I always kne
w getting out of the Heights was nothing more than a dream. This—the Heights, this stinking rotten trailer... Warren—it’s my destiny.
And there’s no escaping destiny.
No matter how hard you try.
“Kennedy?” Warren’s dad, Mitch, squints at me through bloodshot eyes. “Didn’t expect to see you here again.”
He drags his body over to the breakfast counter and uncaps the bottle of whiskey on the side, taking a long pull.
Just the sight of him standing there in his dirty wife beater and baggy pants makes me want to vomit.
“Seriously, old man.” Warren appears and ropes an arm around my neck, pulling me back to him. “Where’d you go?” He nips my neck, sending a shudder through me.
“I needed coffee.” I motion to the coffee pot.
“Make me one, yeah?” Warren slaps my ass before padding over to the threadbare couch. “You should try one, Mitch. Fuck knows, you might like it.”
“Quit bitchin’. There’s nothing wrong with a little pick-me-up before breakfast.”
“Speaking of breakfast,” Warren adds, “be a good girl and run to the store for us? There’s some cash in my wallet. Actually,” a dark expression washes over him, “I’ll drive you.”
The seed of hope withers and dies in my chest. For a second, I thought Warren might let me go alone. But I see the possession in his eyes as he stands and grabs his keys.
“Get me a bottle,” Mitch says.
“Get your own bottle, old man.” Warren holds out his hand to me. I drain my coffee and slide my palm against his. His touch is all wrong, but I swallow down the painful memories.
Warren is a predator. If you show even an ounce of fear, he’ll pounce.
The second we step out of the trailer, I inhale a deep breath, relishing the cool air. Inside the trailer it’s like a cesspit, but out here it’s fresh and clean, even if there’s a permanent hint of weed in the air.
“In you go.” Warren yanks open the door and waits for me to climb inside.
He’s relaxed, too damn relaxed. His composure unnerves me. I know Warren well enough to know he’s stewing, biding his time until he punishes me for leaving him.
“What are you in the mood for?” he asks, grabbing my hand and keeping it in his as he backs out of the small parking spot beside the trailer.
“I don’t mind. Whatever you want.”
His eyes glitter with approval. Warren likes it when I put him first. He needs the validation, the power.
“I’m in the mood for pancakes and bacon. Maybe some French toast.”
“Whatever you want,” I say, trying to keep my voice even.
“I’m so happy you’re back where you belong, baby. You had me so worried.”
My spine stiffens at his words. This is it. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.
The moment he unleashes his fury at me.
The air crackles. My heart beats wildly in my chest and I hold my breath, waiting...
But nothing comes.
Instead, Warren lets out a shaky breath. “You really fucking scared me, Ken.” He finds a parking spot and cuts the engine. “When I woke up and you were... gone, I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t mean it, baby. I didn’t mean to hurt you. But you just made me so fucking angry.” His body vibrates as he white knuckles the steering wheel. I don’t move.
I daren’t.
The air has been sucked clean from my lungs, fear trickling up and down my spine.
“I love you, Kennedy.” His gaze slides to mine, trapping me in his darkness. “I love you so fucking much. I don’t know what I’d do if you left me. I’m nothing without you, baby. Nothing. Come here.” He yanks my arm sharply and my body falls into his. He roughly grabs my face and leans down.
“The thought of just losing you... it makes me feel unstable,” he grits out, his eyes so dark they swallow me up.
“I’m right here.” I force the words out over the lump in my throat. “I’m right here.” Pressing my hand to his cheek, I hope it’s enough to pacify him. But Warren grips my chin and before I can stop him, crashes his mouth down on mine. His tongue plunges past my lips, almost choking me, as he kisses me angrily.
It hurts, his grip on my face, his deep, unrelenting licks. I can’t breathe, and tears trickle down my cheeks as I try to claw at his chest to get him to let up a little.
“Fuck, Ken, you get me so fucking hard.” He rasps the words against my lips, finally letting me up for air. The sound of his zipper makes all the hairs along the back of my neck stand to attention.
“I need your mouth on me, baby.”
I stare at him, disbelief shooting through me. “H-here? But we’re in the middle of the store parking lot.”
“No one can see. And if they can, that’s on them. I need you, Kennedy.” He grabs my hand and forces it to his hard length. My stomach churns and I have to fight the urge to gag.
“Wrap that pretty little mouth around me, baby, and show me how much you’ve missed me.”
I’m going to puke.
Right here, all over him, I’m going to expel my morning coffee.
Oh God.
This can’t be happening.
What did you think would happen?
“We should wait until later,” I rush out, forcing a smile. “Where we can have some privacy.”
His eyes narrow dangerously. “Feel that.” He thrusts into my hand. “I’m hard for you now. You got a problem suck—"
A knock at the passenger window startles us, and I glance back to find Levi Miller frowning.
“Fucking cockblock,” Warren grumbles, fixing his jeans.
I scooch over and open the door. “Levi, what a surprise.” My eyes widen as I climb out, hoping he’ll understand.
“Kennedy? What are you—"
“Hey, Miller. What’s up?” Warren comes around to us and hooks his arm around my shoulder.
“Nothing, man. Just wanted to say hey is all. Will I see you at school tomorrow?” I can read between the lines of his question, but I don’t have the chance to tell him I’m not sure because Warren beats me to it.
“Of course she will. Why wouldn’t she be?” he says coolly.
“I... uh, no reason.” Levi smiles. “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Yeah, see you.” My heart deflates as he walks away. I want to yell at him to stay, to take me with him and keep me safe. But people are reluctant to get all up in other people’s business in the Heights. I know Levi and Conner are friends, and maybe he’ll call or text him after seeing me, but I’m under no illusions that he’ll try to intervene. It’s just not how things are done around here.
“What’s his problem?” Warren asks as he guides me toward the store.
“Who, Levi?”
“Yeah,” he grunts. “I didn’t like the way he was looking at you.”
“I think he was just surprised.”
“Surprised? Why the fuck would he be surprised? It wasn’t like you were gone forever. I always knew you’d come back to me.”
I don’t say anything else. Warren is angry, his mood deteriorating by the second.
We grab everything we need to make breakfast and join the line. The cashier smiles at Warren, her cheeks flushing as she blatantly checks him out. There was a time when I’d feel a pinch of jealousy, but now all I feel is numb. I wish she’d flirt with him, bat her eyelashes and try to catch his attention. But Warren only has eyes for me as we load our groceries onto the conveyor belt.
“Did you find everything you were looking for?” she asks Warren.
“Yeah,” he says, not taking his eyes off me. “I found it.”
The knot in my stomach tightens at the double meaning.
“Okay, all done. That’s twenty-one dollars and ten cents.”
Warren pulls some bills from his wallet and hands them to her. “Baby, pack the shit,” he says, a little too forcefully for being in public.
The cashier notices and shoots me an apologetic smile.
We leave the store in a hurry. Warren’s grip on my hand is too tight, his pace too quick. I stumble alongside him, trying to keep up.
By the time we’re in his car, the air is so thick I struggle to breathe.
“What is it?” I ask quietly. “What’s wrong, babe?”
His hands come down hard on the steering wheel, making me flinch.
A beat passes. And another. The air turns even thicker as we sit in silence.
Warren’s mood is dark, like a black thundercloud circling overhead.
“Warr—"
“Shut up,” he says. “JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP.”
I press myself against the seat, trying to disappear.
Time seems to roll by slowly, every minute longer than the last. Eventually, Warren jams the key in the ignition and fires up the engine. The backfire of his rust bucket of a car reverberates through me, but still I say nothing.
“Jagger thinks he’s so fucking smug,” he mutters to himself. “I’ll show him. I’ll fucking show him.”
My body trembles at his tone. He isn’t angry… he’s furious. It bleeds from him, poisoning everything around him.
And I know it’s only time before I’ll be infected too.
Chapter Four
Conner
An incessant ringing drags me from the darkness. Aside from the irritating noise, the only thing I notice is the pounding of my head.
What the fuck hap—fuuuuck.
I sit up so fast that the room spins and my stomach turns over. Throwing the covers off, I fly out of the room and land on my knees as I hug the toilet bowl and empty what little I have in my stomach.
She's gone.
She's fucking gone, and that motherfucker has her.
Thoughts of what he could be doing to her right this second have me heaving into the bowl once more.
James said to trust him, that he knows what he's doing. But how am I meant to do that when I know what Warren is capable of?
I remember her cuts and bruises all too well from when Jay dropped her off here on New Year’s. Warren and I might have been friends for years, but even back then, I knew there was something odd about him. He was too inquisitive, too perceptive. Sometimes more than Cole. I figured it was just who he was. He never really gave me a reason to question his weirdness. Now though? Now I want to kill the motherfucker for ever breathing the same air as my girl, let alone laying a finger on her.