I roll my eyes, and we both smile.
“Yeah, we can when we get home. I want to avoid Dad, anyway.”
Nodding with understanding, I relax as calm overtakes me. Maybe this is the break from the boys I needed.
As soon as we enter two massive gates, my breathing catches. Holy shit. In the distance, my eyes practically salivate at the sight. The house—which is definitely a mansion like all us Arcadia kids have—is massive. It reminds me of old Victorian homes that are brick and mortar with huge vast walls that could be a dungeon for the wars. It’s gray and white-slated brick. It has a medieval appeal and even a bit of a creepy old-people-died-here vibe.
Is that a promise of something, or am I being dramatic?
Twenty-Nine
“This is not at all what I imagined,” I explain as soon as we’re standing outside the car.
She nods emphatically. “If Daddy didn’t get this from his family’s inheritance, it would have been taken upon his arrest, but it’s the Krane family’s home. Passed down to the first son.”
“This is insane. But, like, what if there isn’t a first son?”
She laughs.
“If there isn’t a first son, it’s skipped until there’s a son.” I nod at her and she continues. “Honestly, I can’t believe I grew up here. It feels more like a castle for a princess than a home. My brothers would always hide from me and tease me. It was hell, even if I loved them. I was isolated out here. Not many friends. It’s a surprise I turned out normal.”
I stare at the happy girl I’ve gotten to know and realize how she doesn’t seem to be secluded as she thinks. She’s been super flamboyant and nice.
“Well, I wouldn’t have you any other way,” I offer.
With that, she smiles, leading me inside. The big door opening itself reminds me of some weird cultist camp. This entire place gives me weird vibes, but I go with it.
As soon as we enter, a butler is taking our bags, halting my pursuit entirely. The inside does not represent the outside, and vice versa.
The inside reminds me more of the opulence of a castle, like my home but more natural. It has warm tans and browns. The only thing that freaks me out is the litter of hanging animal heads.
He’s one of those guys.
I stare at a huge boar and its husks at the left of the foyer. It’s massive and daunting. Next to it is a black bear that’s absolutely terrifying. The opposite is lined with deer and bucks.
“You all right there?” Mel asks.
“Definitely, just a little thrown off.” This weekend is going to be interesting, to say the least.
“These are prized wins, sweetheart,” a broad man with a heavy voice says. He’s tall, so tall that he has at least a foot on me. His shoulders are wide, and he seems to be all muscle. It’s intimidating and I can see why people are scared of him.
His face is square and Grecian, like a man carved from an image of Sylvester Stallone. Mel looks nothing like him. Not the hair, not the nose, and definitely not the shape of her head. I stare at him as if he’s a specimen and not a man who could cut me up into pieces and make sure I’m never found.
With that image in my mind, I offer a hand. “Colton Hudson.”
He takes it and isn’t aggressive like you always hear in books and movies. If anything, his big meaty palm engulfs mine with care.
“Hudson, like the diamonds?” he asks.
Of course, a man who lives off of the money of others would know that.
I nod simply, not wanting to act all prim and proper.
“Wouldn’t think Tasha had a daughter with such an outspoken personality.”
Outspoken is dick terms for odd. It’s what my extended family said last year. Like, thanks guys. I wanted to be told I can’t be myself.
“They don’t much care about anything anymore, sir,” I say, tacking on the moniker because I don’t want to make friends with a man wanted under the circumstances of killing hundreds.
“Hi, Daddy,” Mel sounds out, interrupting the pregnant pause of discomfort.
He peers around me. “Pumpkin,” he sounds out joyfully, but with an edge of sadness I understand. Mel avoids coming home at all costs, but she’s here because I convinced her. “What changed your mind?”
“My friend with an outspoken personality,” she says pointedly.
He has the respect to look ashamed at that, but his embarrassment is short-lived when a door bursts open, and two guys walk in.
And shit.
They’re hot.
They must be Justice and Prudence.
“Little sis!” one says.
At the same time, the other says, “there’s the little shit!”
I can’t help the giggle that escapes me. You can tell they’re entirely different characters, even while being identical twins.
Their hair is messy. It’s shewn in each direction, like the wind blew it, and then they put some spray in and ran their hands through to make it seem casual. It’s a dark—nearly black—color that looks more like their father’s. That’s where the similarities end from them and Mel and their father.
“And who is this?” one of them asks, observing me with a piqued interest. His wine-colored eyes, somehow red, but still brown, with flecks of gold are looking me from head to toe like he’d devour me in seconds if I’d only let him.
“Justice,” she scolds.
I look at Justice, seeing the sharp angles of his face and jaw. He reminds me of how all my favorite paranormal authors describe vampires—elegant, ethereal, striking. He smirks as I peer at him, raking my gaze over his body like it’s a museum.
He saunters to me, leaning near my ear. “Like what you see, darlin’?” he asks with his smooth and sensual tone, and I’m melting in my boots.
The other brother pushes him out of the way, touching my chin like he’s acquiring a new purchase. “Prudence Krane, and who may you be, beautiful?”
I shiver, unable to look away from his rouge eyes. Like his brother, they’re tinny in color, but his are softer and more boyish somehow. Prudence has a scar on his upper lip. It makes a white mark, and for some reason, I want to lick it.
What the hell? Why am I like this? Why do these boys have this effect on me? Isn’t five enough? I’ve already got a handful of dickbags who can’t seem to stop tormenting me.
“Could you stop making eyes at my best friend and get lost?” Mel grumps, pulling me back from his enamoring gaze.
He and his twin eat me alive with their eyes while their faces appear impassive.
“My bad, sis. Didn’t know you had staked claim.”
“We’re not fucking animals, Justice. She’s not something to claim.”
I try and fail to hold in a laugh. “Y’all are wild,” I mention.
Their father studies me, and it’s reminding me I’m not exactly safe in this place she calls home.
“We have reservations at Dellmonte’s” her father mentions. “I’m Roderick. I didn’t get to say before my boys decided to rile themselves up.”
I smile at him in kind, not wanting to make this visit unpleasant.
“What’s your name, beautiful?” Prudence questions, his attention not leaving me at all.
“Colton,” I whisper. It’s almost shy and so unlike me.
“Everyone calls her Colt,” Mel supplies. “So don’t be a dick and call her asshole names.”
They raise an eyebrow like the thought is blasphemous.
I turn to her with a smile. “You don’t have to protect me, Mel.”
“I’m well aware. These two just like to be dicks.”
I nod in understanding. I know five others just like them who are currently at our school or with their horrible parents. Not a single one of them have decent ones; they were all raised by monsters.
“We aren’t going with you guys tonight,” Mel tells her dad whilst grabbing my arm. “Have fun without us. We’re exhausted from our flight and finals.”
The twins have a disappointed expression, bu
t her dad seems almost heartbroken. “Okay, sweet pea. Taryn has delivered Colton’s bags to the guest suite.”
“Which one?”
“The lavender room.”
She seems to accept this information, but Mel’s face pinches in displeasure. Before I can make a remark, she tugs me away.
“When Mom designed the inside of this place, she had rooms designated for all people. They’re color-coded for whether they have animals or not, whether there are children or not, et cetera.”
I nod. “Smart woman.”
“The smartest.” Her eyes have this faraway look, one that says so much about her connection to her mom and how much it differs to the one she has with her dad.
She escorts me to the lavender room and then shows me where everything is. It’s immaculate here, soft, serene—what I imagine a nursery would look like for a loving family. When she finally leaves, I go to the mirror, and I’m surprised to see my contacts are not in. Recognizing my mistake by the icy blues that stare at me, I dig in my bag and put them on.
They’ve seen me fresh-faced and with my eyes. They’ve seen me, not the me I’ve been hiding behind, but the small girl inside who’s just a little too far past damaged, the one they broke.
I put on my makeup and change out of my night shorts and crop top.
Shit.
I must have not made a good impression. Here I am dressed in little to nothing while meeting new people. No wonder her brothers looked at me like I was their next meal.
My phone lights up, and I’m picking it up before seeing the caller ID.
“Girl!”
Yang’s loud holler has me moving my phone away from my ear. I put it on speaker and begin to put some sweats and a cami on.
“Jesus, could you not scream off my ear?”
She laughs obnoxiously, and I already know she’s tipsy, if not entirely trashed. “I’m sorry!” she both drags out and yells simultaneously. “I just miss you.”
By the time I’ve found my night tank, I smile. It’s holey and ratty, but it’s the last thing I have from before.
“I really want to see you, Colt. How are the boys treating you?”
The need to scoff is there, but I don’t. She knows what they’ve done, or at least, she knows what I’ve told her.
“Assholes, as per usual.”
“Figures. They aren’t exactly good guys. I told you this much when you started dating all of them.”
“Ugh,” I groan loudly. “I miss you, and I really wish you were here to help me deal with them.”
“Like you’d want me anywhere near them. You may be nice, but you’re territorial as fuck. No one would stand a chance.”
I think back to Mel and Bridger, and all the things they could have done and be doing while she tries to get information.
Maybe a blowjob.
A handy...
Sad whimpers die in my throat, and I deflect by asking, “How’s Duponte?”
“You already asked.”
“That was months ago. I’m sorry you’re evasive,” I mock. “Hiding a new boy toy?”
“Why? You want him too?” She laughs, but I don’t. “Shit, sorry. That was wrong.”
“Fuck off,” I bark, but it’s not a harsh one. Her joke wasn’t nice, but she’s drinking, and it’s not untrue that I have several guys in my life. “You’re just jealous you don’t have several dicks to ride.”
“So, you admit you’ve been riding several?” She’s full on cackling now. “God, when I grow up, I want to be you.”
“Ha.” Putting my hair up in a bun, I sit at the edge of the massive bed.
“I’m serious! You have all these dudes that want you, and you’re hot shit.”
“Who’s that?” Mel asks, entering the room.
“Her best friend. Who are you?” Yang questions, her voice too loud.
Mel cringes, her face showing discomfort. I’m sorry, she mouths.
I shake my head.
Mel answers, “Her other best friend.”
“Gross.”
“Really, Yang?” I groan. “You’re nineteen, not five.”
“It’s okay,” Mel responds. “Taking care of our girl when you’re not here.”
“Whatevs!” Yang slurs. “Going to go fuck this rando and get wasted.”
“Love you,” I say, my voice somber, filled with disappointment. Mel might think nothing of it, but Yang was being a dick.
Yang doesn’t respond, and I hear the beep of the call disconnecting.
“I’m thinking we should have a LOTR marathon,” Mel recommends, offering me a smile. She’s unbothered, and I appreciate it.
“True nerd question.” The words come out of me conspiratorially. “Which Lord of the Rings is your favorite? And don’t be like Ross and pick The Two Towers.”
She rolls her eyes and then laughs. “Wait, Ross likes LOTR?”
“He’s a total ho for Arwen.”
“I mean, he’s not wrong,” she comments.
I push her slightly. “No, that he’s not. I’d fuck her.”
Melissa’s eyes shoot up.
“What?”
She just laughs. “Didn’t know you were a girl kinda girl, Colt.”
With a smirk, I kiss her cheek. “I’m an anything flies type of girl, especially if the connection is there.”
She nods with understanding and gets up for snacks. “My favorite is the Fellowship, by the way.” When our eyes meet, she has this look in her eyes. “Legolas riding in on that horse...” She fans her face, biting her lip. “I never thought a dude with long hair could be so hot.”
We both laugh at that. Orlando Bloom in any state is hot. He’s like an entire religion.
Chapter Thirty
“So, sweetheart,” Justice says the next morning.
Mel is still asleep, and I thought it would be a good idea to wander downstairs, maybe find cereal, and smoke a joint before she wakes up.
I’m still in my sweats and holey cami, but luckily, it’s black and won’t show my nipples. The piercings, perhaps, but no transparency will be had.
“Are you ignoring me?” His question comes out amused and cheeky.
When I turn to him, I see his sharp jaw and the way it transforms when he smirks. He’s so goddamn charming.
“No, just wondering if you flirt with all of your sister’s friends.”
He bites the inside of his cheek and fully smiles, his entire face morphing with joy. It’s so fucking adorable, his face with a big-ass smile.
I raise an eyebrow as he doesn’t respond to me.
Sauntering over to cut the short distance between us, he stands in front of me, his face chalk full of cockiness, not the affronting kind, more of the type that bleeds regardless.
“You’re the first friend Mellie has brought over in years, and you’re also the only one I’ve found myself insanely attracted to.”
“Is that so?”
He bites his bottom lip. I can tell it’s not intentional. He notices and straightens a bit. Then he brings his forefinger to my chin. “Very much so, sweetheart.”
“What’s for breakfast?” Prudence asks, rounding the entryway with a big smile. His hair is in disarray, but it makes him seem boyish somehow instead of that sharp-jawed mafioso son look he had going for him last night.
“I’d say Colton here,” Justice taunts, “but she seems like she’d want to be reeled in first.”
My face flames at his words, and when Prudence looks at me, there’s a distinguishable hunger. It’s the same mirrored in his twin’s expression. It warms me from head to toe, and fuck, it really shouldn’t, but I can’t help the way my thighs rub to create friction.
“She’d be a much bigger meal than breakfast, Just,” Prudence mocks, smacking his brother’s chest. “She’d need to be a five-course meal because there’s no fucking way I could only sample her sweetness and let her go.”
Fuck.
“Exactly,” they reply in unison, and it takes me a second to realize I’ve sa
id it aloud, and they’re eyeing me with expectance.
“Dad wants Mellie to come to dinner tonight.” It’s Prudence who speaks. His face still holds a fiery tightness that reminds me of my own desire.
“Please convince her to come,” Justice practically begs.
Whether it’s because of my own broken family or the two charming guys flirting with me, I nod.
They double kiss me on the cheek before showing me where the cereal and industrial fridge is.
Later that night, I put on a black dress, one that covers my thigh tattoos and scars. It’s transparent in the center, netted with mesh, and one of my favorites. I brush my hair, straightening it right after, and pin back my bangs. I almost seem like myself again.
When I open my door, there’s a man standing there. Much like the bald one at the front door, he’s stalky and big. He doesn’t say word but nods at me in greeting.
Mel comes bounding down the hall a moment later. “You finally look like yourself!” she shouts happily.
“Why are you yelling?”
“I’m just excited I don’t have to suffer alone the rest of this week. Last night, just you and me? It was perfect. It’s been hard for me being here and not have someone on my side.”
“What do you mean? Your brothers seem nice enough.”
She gives me a sardonic really look. “Am I wrong?”
She laughs, placing her hands on her hips. Then she starts pacing. “My brothers accept my dad for who he is and even help him in his empire.”
My eyes widen. Those two sweet flirts condone the darkness? They don’t seem to have a cruel bone in their body. That’s what you thought about Jordan. I close my eyes at that recollection.
“They’re taking over for him when they’re twenty-one. Since they turned eighteen, he’s been training them for the inevitable.”
“Wow.” I don’t know what else to say. From what she’s mentioned, her father doesn’t do nice things, even if he seems kind, and if those two are following in his footsteps, they must not be good guys either.
“Yeah, but enough about that. Let’s go eat. They have a mean alligator soup.”
I balk at her. Gross.
Here Lives a Corpse: A Dark Bully Academy Romance (Here Lies Book 1) Page 22