by T. L Hodel
My brow lifted at her accusatory tone. “I’m not the one who crossed the forbidden barrier.”
Her eyes narrowed, swirling with that storm that got my heart pumping and made my dick hard. An intoxicating mix of anger, with two parts fear, and a hint of self hatred. If her alarm wasn’t grating on my nerves, I might’ve kissed her.
No. I’m going to make her ask for that.
“Can you turn that thing off?” I asked, unable to take it anymore. “Why the fuck do you have it so loud?”
“Well, obviously,” she growled, heavily slapping her alarm, “I’m a deep sleeper.”
She had no idea just how much of a deep sleeper she was. How many times had I snuck in her room? And not once did she wake up. But what if someone else wanted to sneak in her room? My hands fisted at the thought. She better not take those fucking sleeping pills anymore.
“Why the fuck you have to sleep so deep?” I barked out, pissed off at her lack of self-preservation. “Do you have any idea what I could’ve done to you?”
Riley’s eyes narrowed and her face scrunched up. “What, do sleeping girls not have enough fight for you, you sick fuck?”
She had no idea how true her statement was. I was on her side in two seconds. Crawling over her as she gulped and fell back against the mattress.
“Such a mouthy little mouse,” I tsk-ed and swept my finger down her cheek. Her fair complexion stood out against my tanned skin. Did her ass have my marks on it? The thought made me hard.
Riley glanced over at a pencil on the bedside table, lips pursing in contemplation.
Do it.
My dick jumped when her arm moved, her hand inching closer to the bedside table.
That’s it, Mouse . . .
She wanted to do it – it was written all over her face – and I wanted her to. But to my dismay, her hand stilled.
“Do you mind?” she said in that snarky little demanding tone. “I need to get ready for school, or is the great Micha Kessler too good for school?”
As much as I would like to break my punctuality rule and play with her, Riley was right. School was important, and I didn’t do late. Besides, whoever left that note might be watching Ashworth, something Preston was counting on. If I showed up late, which I never was, then he might change his tactics, and we may miss our chance.
I sighed disappointedly and crawled off the bed to grab my bag. “I’m going for a shower.”
Riley’s face flushed bright red, and she quickly adverted her gaze from the tent in my pants.
“Care to join me?” I smirked.
“Thanks, but I prefer to keep my distance.”
“Is that why you threw yourself over me last night?” I cocked my head and looked over my shoulder at her. “Because you wanted to keep your distance?”
“Careful in there,” she growled, “I wouldn’t want you to slip and break your neck.”
“Don’t worry about me, Mouse,” I said sauntering in the bathroom, “I always land on my feet.”
She muttered something under her breath, probably cursing me out. Smirking, I closed the door. I dropped my bag onto the counter, turned on the shower, and stepped under the warm spray. Would I find another note today? Who the fuck was this guy? He called himself The Piper, knew where the tape was, and since I found the last note in my locker, he’d somehow gotten into Ashworth.
Ashworth had decent security for a school. Considering who the student body was, they had to. Still, we weren’t sure how he disabled the alarm. This guy was a professional, and he wanted us to know it too. Fucker looked right at the camera before he walked in. Even with his face hidden by a hood, he seemed familiar. I’d seen it before, the little skip in his walk, and the cocky way he carried himself. I just couldn’t remember where?
Preston thought it might not be about me. Maybe, this guy, whoever he was, was after my father. After all, what better way to get to the King of Kings, than through his son? My father didn’t have many weaknesses. He didn’t even care about his wife. My mother was simply a business arrangement; a way for him to have an heir and nothing more. The only woman I’d heard him talk about with any affection, was the mysterious blonde he spent a night with in college. So, it would make sense for someone to come after his sons. But if that was the case, Mase was the easier target.
And then there was Riley. She was pretty squeaky clean. Chase Mathers on the other hand, wasn’t. It wasn’t unheard of for MC’s to spill blood over turf, and product. The president of the Lost Souls, one of the biggest MC’s in this state, would have some pretty powerful enemies. Question was, did anyone know he was alive?
Of course, there was the possibility that Riley’s dad was the target. He was the sheriff, and law enforcement wasn’t exactly a favorite in some circles. He hadn’t arrested any major players here, but he did start his career in Miami, where Riley was born.
Even though they moved here when she was a baby, my little mouse acted like a city girl, with her sharp attitude and snarky comments. That didn’t help her last night, though. She tried so hard to hold back her orgasm. My dick hardened as I thought about how badly, I wanted to lick the tears of frustration off her face. Nothing tasted sweeter than victory.
I pressed my palm against the tile wall, letting the warm water spray over my head and shoulders, and fisted my cock, stroking from root to tip. I wanted her bent over the bed, blue eyes filled with rage. She’d try to hate what I did to her. She’d try to make me stop, while her body pleaded for more.
“Fuck.” I grunted, tightening my grip and pumping faster.
She’d beg me to stop; bite me, scratch me. But I wouldn’t. I’d hold her down, force my cock inside her tight little pussy, and steal her innocence. I’d fuck her hard. Show my mouse that the same rage lived inside me. And she’d love every minute of it.
My fingers tightened on the tiled wall, as my balls pulled up and I came.
“Shit,” I huffed, resting my forehead on the wall. My knees were a little shaky. If Riley made me cum that hard jerking off, what would it be like when I fucked her? I couldn’t wait to find out.
Once I caught my breath, I grabbed Logan’s shampoo and shook my head at the vanilla scent. I’d have to make a pit stop at home, after school and grab mine.
I squeezed some shampoo into my palm and muttered, “Fucking girl,” and lathered up my hair.
I met Logan in the kitchen for breakfast.
He smiled at me. “Sounds like you had fun last night?”
“Not as much as I’d like,” I grumbled, grabbing myself a plate and joining him at the table. “She been down yet?”
“Yep.” Logan nodded. “Came and grabbed an apple, told me to fuck myself, and went back upstairs.”
I chuckled. Guess she’s still pissed. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to give her an attitude adjustment. Riley wouldn’t see me until tonight. Jack’s friend was becoming a thorn in my side, and I needed to figure this shit out. Maybe there was something in the King’s ledger. It was a book my father kept, full of information on the Kings, the heirs and anyone else he thought might be important. I don’t know what he did with it, but I’d like to know how he got it.
That was something I’d have to do alone though. The only reason I knew it existed, was because I was next in line to lead the Order. When my father showed it to me, he said the King of Kings can’t afford to trust those under him. People will stab each other in the back to be on top, and information was power. No one wanted their secrets out.
“Hey,” Logan said, calling me out of my thoughts. “So, I’ve been thinking. What about Nash?”
“What about him?”
“Maybe your admirer is him?”
Fuck, why didn’t I think of that? Nash was the former sheriff and one of Ryker’s friends. Or at least as close to a friend as someone like Logan’s father could have. They were both twisted fucks who used to have parties with Logan and the other kids. Nash was the reason Ava couldn’t have children. It made sense – he knew about us and t
he Order.
I swallowed my last bite of eggs, and looked up at Logan. “Where is Nash these days?”
“It’s not Nash,” Preston stated, waltzing in the room.
“What are you doing here?” Logan asked.
Preston plucked an apple out of the bowl on the counter and took a bite. “Security detail, remember?”
Logan nodded and gave him a sideways glance. “Wait, so you’re just going to follow her around?”
“Yep.”
“Oh man, she’s not going to like that.”
“Too bad.”
I eyed Preston’s denim jacket. He had some weird attachment to that thing. It wasn’t special, I could probably find a dozen more just like it in any department store. Then again, Preston never was much for primping. I wouldn’t be surprised if all he did in the morning was shower and run his fingers through his sandy hair. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t like Logan – who spent hours getting ready, like a fucking girl – but I did like the designer clothes.
“How do you know it’s not Nash?” I asked, tipping my chin in question.
“Cause he’s dead,” Preston stated flatly. “Took care of him three years ago.”
“Jesus Christ, Preston!” I growled. “You can’t just go knocking people off.”
He just shrugged. I got why he did it. Ava was his sister, and Parker, who was also victim to Nash and Ryker’s sick games, was his brother. If Preston was capable of caring about anyone, it was his siblings. And that didn’t include the shit Nash and Ryker did to him. But he couldn’t just do this shit on his own. There were ways to handle this kind of thing – people to pay, clean up to be done. We had our way so no one would come looking.
“Nash had a family,” I pointed out.
“Don’t worry,” Preston said so calmly that I wanted to punch him in the face, “no one made it out of the fire.”
Logan got up and deposited his plate in the sink. “Wasn’t his son like fifteen?”
“Seventeen,” Preston corrected.
I sighed and scrubbed a hand down my face. I could hear my father’s voice. Preston’s your responsibility. Why didn’t you know about this? You should have better control of your people. “I don’t need this shit right now.”
“If it makes you feel any better, he was dead before I burned the house down.”
It didn’t.
Logan shook his head. “You’re one cold son of a bitch.”
Preston cocked a brow at Logan. “Weren’t you the one who fed Jack his own balls?”
The last thing I wanted was to be reminded of that night. I got up and walked my plate over to the sink. “Could you assholes not talk about that shit? I’d like to keep my food down.”
My attention was drawn out of the room when Preston whistled and jutted his chin. “That your girl?”
I looked at Riley, who was standing by the door with a scowl on her face, and her foot tapping impatiently.
“Yeah, that’s her.” I said, eyes rolling over her uniform. God, she looked hot in that. I was half tempted to push her skirt up, and fuck her against the wall.
“She doesn’t look too impressed with you.”
My lips curled at Preston’s comment. She’d probably be even less impressed by the end of the day.
“Well, are you just going to stand there and stare at me all day,” Riley waggled her head and cocked her hip, “or are one of you asshole’s going to take me to school?”
Logan snickered while Preston arched his brow. I should’ve reconsidered putting Preston on security detail – he wasn’t one to take lip, especially from a girl. But despite being a cold son of a bitch, he respected the order of things and fell in line when told to. Besides, all I could think about was if her pert little ass had my marks on it under that red skirt. I was ready to march over there and find out.
“You know,” Logan called out, loud enough for her to hear, “girls are supposed to be less bitchy after they come.”
I couldn’t help but smirk when her eyes rolled his way.
If looks could kill.
“I’ll be waiting outside,” she said, and promptly marched out the door.
“Is she always like that?” Preston asked.
“Yes,” Logan and I said in unison.
He hummed and cocked his hip against the counter. “Can I hit her?”
“Only if you want me to hit you back.” I murmured, giving him a sideways glance.
He crossed his arms and eyed me. Fucker was actually considering it.
I scrubbed a hand down my face and headed for the door. “Touch her and I’ll rip your fucking balls off.”
Chapter Seventeen
Riley
I don’t know who the new guy was, but there was something seriously wrong with him. At first glance he seemed normal, handsome even. His eyes though . . . A shiver ran up my spine just thinking about that steel gray glare. There was nothing in it – no shine, glimmer, or sparkle. No emotion whatsoever. Something told me that this, guy wouldn’t have a problem putting a bullet in someone. I think he might even enjoy it.
I was a bit relieved when he didn’t join Micha and I in the Jeep. He looked too old to be a high school student, but then again who really knew? Micha didn’t look like any of the boys in my old school, either – all tall and firm with a deep domineering voice. Maybe they put something in the water in this part of town? My hopes of escaping Death’s scrutinizing glare evaporated when his red BMW started following us.
“Who is that guy?” I asked Micha. Maybe he was just going the same way?
“That’s Preston. He’ll be keeping an eye on you.”
Followed around by some creepy guy? Yeah, no thanks.
“I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
I glared at Micha, who stared blankly out at the road, as if what I wanted didn’t matter. Why was I surprised? Micha Kessler didn’t ask permission, he just did.
Like last night.
My eyes fell to his large hand controlling the steering wheel. My face warmed thinking about what those fingers did. How he played my body like an instrument. Strumming me perfectly until I sang the song he wanted me to. And that’s when it hit me. I had my first orgasm, and it came from Micha fucking Kessler.
How could I let him do that to me? I should’ve fought harder. It was my body damnit! I could’ve held myself back, instead of liking it. And boy, did I like it. My eyes raked over him, drinking in the sight of Micha in his uniform. Asshole.
Who the fuck does he think he is, looking all good and smelling even better? Oh, right; he’s Micha fucking Kessler. King of everything.
He could at least spare me a courtesy glance.
“All you have to do is ask, Mouse.”
Oh, so now you acknowledge me?
“Ask for what?” If I tilted my head, I could almost see his abs through that shirt.
Micha took his eyes off the road long enough to roll his hungry gaze down my body. “Just say the word Mouse. I’ll pull over right fucking now, bury my face between your thighs and fuck you with my tongue.”
My jaw dropped. He wouldn’t?
Micha licked his lips.
Oh my God, he would!
Would his mouth feel better than his fingers? His lips were all soft and warm, and tasted sweet and masculine, like sin-flavored candy. With my eyes still locked on his lips, I leaned over the center console, closer to his warmth. Damn, I really wanted some candy right now . . .
Thankfully my ringing phone brought me back to reality.
Get a grip, Riley!
My heart picked up for an entirely different reason, when I saw Shelby’s name light up my screen. I chewed my lip and stared blankly down at my phone. I had to keep her far away from Micha. But if I kept dodging her, she’d eventually show up with questions. Questions I didn’t know how to answer.
“You gonna answer that?”
I wanted to, I really did. I missed Shelby so much it hurt.
Sighing, I slipped my phone back into my bag, and flopped my head back against the leather seat. “No.”
Micha’s brows knit together. “Wasn’t that your best friend?”
“Yes.”
“So why don’t you want to talk to her.”
“What the hell am I supposed to say?” I snarled. It was his fault I couldn’t talk to her. “‘This is my house, don’t mind the looming, asshole, I’m under contract to be his girlfriend or some shit?’ That’ll go over well.”
“Tell her I’m your boyfriend.”
“I’m not gonna lie to Shelby.” That would be worse than dodging her.
“It’s not a lie Mouse.” Micha turned his upper body, and slung his arm over that back of the seat. “Whether you’re willing to accept it or not, you’re mine. If you need to put a label on that to talk to your friend, then so be it.”
“Great,” I huffed out a snort. “I can join the ranks of the hundred other girls who once called you boyfriend.”
Micha released an exasperated sigh. “Do you know how many girls I’ve slept with?”
“Please, enlighten me.” I sang with a snarky head shake.
If he was anything like Logan or his brother, it was probably somewhere around a thousand.
“None.”
“I think Naomi would argue.” I may not have been part of the popular crowd or in the inner circle of this town, but I wasn’t stupid.
Micha arched his brow. “I said slept with, Mouse.”
“Oh please,” I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “You’re not a . . .”
Oh . . .
My eyes widened in realization. Did he seriously expect me to believe that he’s never spent the night with a girl? Then again, why would he lie? Micha never had a problem telling me what he thought. Out of everyone in my life, he was probably the only one who’d never lied to me. How sad was that?
“I’m not trying to isolate you, Mouse.” Micha sighed. “Call your friend.”
“Why, so you can use her against me.” If he thought I was going to hand Shelby over on a silver platter, he was wrong. “No thanks.”