A devilish grin spreads across Damian’s face. “What can I say? I’m proud of my work.”
“You’re so freaking gross,” I say, scrunching up my face in disgust. “Please tell me those girls knew you were filming them.”
“Of course they did,” he rushes out. “Half of them even suggested it. Every chick around here is chasing fame and if Kim K can get famous with a sex tape, then they think they can too. Besides, you know these girls, the second the camera is on them, they turn from a lousy fuck into porn stars who are all about putting on a show. It’s fucking awesome.”
I shake my head and look across at Slade. “Just for the record, I’ll never let you film me.”
“No problem there, babe. I wouldn’t want to risk something like that getting into the wrong hands. What you’ve got on offer is for my eyes only.”
“Okay, seriously?” Blake grunts as he shoots the ball through the hoop. “Can you guys stop talking about my sister in the sack? It’s fucking weird.”
Slade grins and I realize that tormenting my little brother is something he’s going to really enjoy, hopefully for a long time to come.
“You know,” Damian murmurs low, making me wonder if he’s talking to himself or us all. “I’m kind of bummed our three-way wasn’t included. That shit was hot.”
“THE FUCK?” Blake roars, storming toward Damian.
Aw, shit.
“Seriously?” I shriek, glaring at Damian as Slade laughs, more than entertained. “You really had to go and say that in front of my little brother?”
“Sorry,” Damian says with a cringe. “I hear him speaking but I just keep forgetting that he’s here.”
Fury rolls off Blake in waves as he looks down at me as though I’m some kind of stranger. “You and I need to have a serious conversation when we get home.”
I know I shouldn’t stir him, but the opportunity is too good. “Why? You want to know the details? It’s fine, we don’t have to wait until we get home. I can just tell you now. Slade was going down-”
“STOP! STOP! STOP!” Blake yells, pressing his palms against the sides of his head as though it could help remove the image. “I don’t want to fucking know about the details of your dirty ass three-way. Just…Argh. Stop.”
I get to my feet and walk over to Slade while holding my hands out for the ball. “Come on,” I tell him as he tosses the basketball right into my waiting hands. “I need a distraction from all this bullshit.”
“Alright,” he grumbles, getting up and following me to the court while Blake drops down onto the bench with a cloud of disappointment surrounding him. Damian snatches up his discarded ball and comes bounding across the court, cutting in front of us and leaping up to the hoop to dunk the ball.
Slade scoffs but I can’t tell if it’s from Damian trying to show off or because he thought his dunk was lacking. Either way, I don’t care as I step up to the basket and shoot the ball, grinning as it drops straight through the basket.
“Not bad,” Slade grumbles, dashing around me to catch the ball on its bounce, he tosses it straight back up and it sails through perfectly. “I’ve been practicing my trick shots.”
“Alright,” he says as an excited smile slowly spreads across his face. He grabs the ball and tosses it back to me. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Half an hour later, I’m running toward the basket, not giving a shit that the bell for class has already rung and from the looks of it, neither do the boys. I leap up into the air, determined to dunk this bitch. Slade grabs my waist and hoists me up towards the basket. My tongue hangs out in concentration as my arm comes around in a beautiful arc.
The ball slams down through the basket and I scream out with pride as my fingers curl around the metal hoop, holding me up. Slade drops his hands from my body and I’m left dangling from the hoop as the ball bounces far below.
Slade steps away with a cheesy as fuck grin before turning and heading back toward the bench to where Damian and Blake have been fucking around. “Wait,” I call, glancing down to see just how far of a drop it is. Slade’s laughter echoes through the gymnasium and I want nothing more than to pummel my fists into his perfect face. “Get your ass back here and help me down.”
“The deal was to help you dunk. You said nothing about what comes next.”
“Fuck you,” I say, dangling. I glance at my brother. “Blake? Come on, a little help?”
“Nope. Sorry, I can’t hear you through all these mental images of you having a three-way. Is there anyone on my team who hasn’t seen you naked?”
I let out a heavy sigh and slice my eyes toward my last resort, ignoring Blake’s question. I pout out my bottom lip and flash him my best puppy dog eyes. “Damian, please?” I beg. “You know you’re my favorite.”
“Sorry, babe,” he says, hardly glancing up. “As your brother just reminded me, I’ve already seen you naked. You’ve got nothing left to offer me.”
“Fuck you all. How did I manage to get stuck with the biggest group of bastards Aston Creek has ever seen?”
I stare down at the ground, wondering how the fuck I’m going to do this. Is it better to swing and then drop to try to lessen the blow on my legs or should I just suck it up and go straight down? Either way, I’m going to end up with a bruised ass.
Clenching my eyes, I go for it and just as expected, I go crumbling down to the hard court, though lucky for me, my ass escapes the brunt of it while my knees aren’t so lucky.
I get up from the ground with all three of the boys smirking at me, each of them way too proud of themselves. I start making my way over there to give them a piece of my mind when the door of the gymnasium swings wide.
We all stop and stare, ready to face whatever threat is coming our way. Other students are easily handled, teachers are a little more of an issue, but Roman Fucking Westbrock, that’s a whole other disaster.
He strides through the doors to our court as though he owns the place with a cocky, knowing grin that has my blood running cold.
The boys are on their feet within seconds.
The four of us storm toward him and the only thing holding Slade back from knocking him out is the way he holds up his hand. “Tsk, tsk. I wouldn’t, if I were you,” Roman says, looking over each of the boys and then scanning his eyes over my body. “Always a pleasure, Sky. You know it’s not too late to come over to the dark side. I caught your video. You know I’m down.”
Blake forges forward but Damian slams a hand out over his chest as Slade pushes me behind him, always keeping his hand on me. “What the fuck do you want?”
“Geez, I’d love to say that I’m here to settle the score, but I’m here to deliver a warning…”
Slade scoffs. “Warning? About what? Your boys looking to come and fuck me up? Guess what, I didn’t get no warning last time and we still kicked your ass.”
“Not that kind of warning, dickhead,” Roman snarls, clearly still dirty over the fight. “I was sent here to warn you to follow through with what was promised. If I had a fucking choice, I’d say you don’t deserve a warning. I’d just let him have you.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
Roman’s sickening grin has my stomach sinking and as his eyes find mine, chills run through me. He steps forward, getting way too close for liking. Slade slams a hand against his chest, not allowing him any closer. “Your daddy dearest really is a piece of work, isn’t he? I bet he did a real good number on you.”
I step around Slade and get right into Roman’s face. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, I think you know,” he says with an amused chuckle. “He’s not too thrilled that you haven’t run your pretty ass home yet.”
My breath comes in hard, sharp gasps and Slade pulls me back. “The fuck? Who do you think you are talking to her like that? You don’t know shit.”
Roman’s eyes darken and that smile that used to blow me away just makes me feel sick. “I know she left her big mansion for this bullshi
t and I know you were tasked to get her back there. Lucien ain’t happy that you haven’t completed your task, but I think I see why now. You’re keeping her all to yourself. You know, why don’t you do everyone a solid and share her around before sending her ass back home?”
Knowing me far too well, Blake’s hand snakes around Slade’s back and he latches onto my wrist, keeping me from doing anything stupid, but right now, I’d dare say Slade has got this one covered.
His jaw clenches and I swear I’ve never seen anything quite so sharp before. “The only way you’ll ever touch her is if you go through me first, and we both know that you haven’t got what it takes.” Slade steps closer to Roman and as if on cue, Damian, Blake and I step with him. “You know what? Why don’t you deliver a warning right back? I’m not his fucking pawn and he’ll never touch her again. She ain’t ever going back there and if he comes for her, then I’ll be ready.”
Roman laughs. “You’re a fucking dead man.”
Slade’s fist rears back and like lightning, it cracks across Roman’s face, sending him flying back onto his ass. “No, you’re the only fucking dead man I see here. You come into my house and threaten my girl, and you’re good as done. The only reason you can still walk is because you need to go and deliver your little message. How do you think Lucien is going to react when you go back to him, telling him that you failed?”
Roman’s eyes bug out but Slade doesn’t bother to stop. “If you think Lucien is the one to be afraid of, then you’re sorely mistaken.” He steps toward him and leans down into a crouch, lowering his voice, deep and deadly. “You have three fucking seconds to get out of here. Three.”
Roman blanches, realizing that Slade won’t hesitate to fuck him up.
“Two.”
He begins scrambling to his feet, looking absolutely terrified, especially as he doesn’t have his boys at his back.
“One.”
He runs.
We watch as he bolts back through the door, leaving it swinging in his wake and we all stand in silence for a short moment, staring after him and wondering what the fuck he thought he was going to achieve. But one thing is clear, that didn’t go nearly how he thought it would.
Chapter 11
Slade
My knuckles burn as I stand at my kitchen sink with a packet of frozen peas over them. I spent the whole afternoon with Sky, making sure she was alright. Despite the fact that she told me over and over again that she was, I didn’t believe her. I saw the doubt in her eyes, the pain and embarrassment of having that video come out. It fucking sucked. I hated seeing myself flashing up on every phone in the school, but for Sky, it was worse.
She hasn’t got a damn thing to be embarrassed about. Her body is fucking killer with clothes on, but without…fuck, she’s everything. That was a private moment between us and while I don’t give a shit about people seeing me like that, she’s my girl and having the world see what she chose to share with me has me ready to knock some fucking heads together.
Having Roman show up was the fucking cherry on top. I really got the fucker good and despite the pain that shoots up my arm every time I curl my fingers into a fist, it was worth it. I’d do it again and again just to watch his face rebound off my fist, sending him down to the ground, right where he belongs.
Now I’m paying for it though. My hand is fucking killing me. I should have iced it hours ago.
Who the fuck does that little prick think he is? He’s been causing trouble for me ever since the beginning of my junior year when I made a fucking mockery of him on the court. He’s been five steps behind me ever since and the sorry fucker has never been able to get over it.
But now he’s gone too far.
Lucien Valentine has been a fucking thorn in my side since the night he stole my freedom on that court. He threatened me, my basketball career, and my fucking family all at once. I had no choice but to take his deal, but the second I laid eyes on Skylah Daniels, I knew I was fucked.
Seeing her standing by her locker on that first day blew me the fuck away. She was radiant. She had a permanent scowl etched onto her face and fear lacing her eyes. I knew instantly that something wasn’t adding up.
Lucien made out like this girl was going to be dangerous in Aston Creek, that she was going to fuck everything up and it was in my best interest to get rid of her. How could I have said no? She was just some girl and getting rid of her meant my family would be safe.
Fuck, one glance of that face and I knew this was going to be the hardest thing I’d ever face, and I was right. I crumbled like a fucking bitch.
She came at me, guns blazing and I let her because she was fucking gorgeous. I’ve never seen anyone quite like her. She captured me within seconds and that fiery attitude had me desperate to dig deeper. I knew from that very first meeting that I was never going to give this girl up to that despicable man, how could I? She was radiant and he was trash, but I had to at least try for my family.
As I learned more about her and of her life before coming here, my heart shattered. I’ve never felt anything like it. I was broken for her. How could anyone be so fucking strong? She’s so much more than just incredible. Her parents were murdered before her very eyes, she was taken and sold to a family with bad intentions, and then she endured hell by that man.
In what world would Lucien think I’d ever give her up to him? He’s a fucking joke and deserves to be in prison. I hate the fact that she’s spent thirteen years with the man, I hate that he touched her and I hate that he stole her innocence.
What’s his fucking problem? He has more than enough cash to do whatever the fuck he wants. If he wanted to get his dick wet, there are people he could have called. Horny bitches who would have done it for free just to get his attention. There’s no reason why he had to touch her and it kills me knowing that while I was here fucking around with a basketball, she was over there enduring something no woman should ever have to endure.
I don’t know what I’m going to do. That thought has plagued my mind since I first realized that I was going to keep Skylah. She’s mine, it may have taken a while for her to understand and accept that, but now that I have her, I’m never letting go which means sooner or later, Lucien is going to come looking and when he does, it’ll be me standing in the crosshairs.
I’m fucking ready. Every step he takes, I’m going to be there, waiting and ready. He will not hurt her and he sure as hell will never touch my family.
I know he’s coming. There’s no way in hell he wouldn’t. The only silver lining is knowing that Roman Fucking Westbrock is going to have to go back to him and admit that he couldn’t come through. I don’t doubt there are going to be repercussions for him and one day, I’m really going to enjoy hearing all about them.
It was a rookie error sending a fucking child to do a man’s job. If Lucien was hoping to get a reaction out of me, he went the wrong way about it.
My mother strides into the kitchen and as her eyes lower to the peas on my knuckles, her lips pull into a tight line and she lets out a deep sigh. “What did Damian do this time?”
“Wasn’t Damian.”
Mom walks over and takes my hand, removing the peas. “Slade,” she groans. “Why do you do this to yourself? One day you’re going to take it too far and break something.”
“It’s fine,” I tell her, trying to pull my hand away.
“Really?” she questions, curling my hand into a tight fist and smirking at the cringe on my face. “It’s not fine. You should go and get it checked out.”
I finally pull my hand free. “Really,” I say, leaning in and pressing a kiss to her forehead, hating how she worries about me. “It’s fine.”
She lets out a heavy sigh and turns as I start making my way out of the kitchen. “Is this about Skylah?”
I look back at mom to find worry in her eyes. She absolutely loves Skylah which is great. She’s never liked any of the girls I’ve brought home before. She’s protective of her and whenever Sky is over here, mom trea
ts her as one of her own. I love seeing it and I love it more that they share a special bond through her mom.
Seeing that mom isn’t nearly ready to give up on this, I give her what little I can. There’s no way in hell I’m about to open her world to Lucien Valentine. She has enough to worry about with me, the girls, and my brother currently deployed.
“It’s complicated, but there’s no need to worry. Skylah is fine. It’s nothing we can’t handle,” I lie, knowing that if Lucien does come for her, it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be the biggest fight we’ll ever suffer through.
I give mom a smile, hoping that it somehow manages to ease the panic within her, but I honestly doubt it. She’s a lot smarter than she looks. I turn away and start heading out of the kitchen when her voice stops me. “This complication,” she questions. “It wouldn’t happen to have something to do with Lucien Valentine?”
The fuck?
I look back at mom as my world flashes before my eyes and dread sits heavy in my gut. I take a step toward her and take her shoulders, suddenly not giving a shit about my knuckles. “How do you know that name?”
Mom watches me for a silent moment and it nearly kills me. Her eyes fill with all sorts of emotions, each one of them worse than the last. Resolve comes over her and she lets out a shaky breath. “Come and sit,” she tells me. “There’s something I’ve been needing to speak with you about for quite some time now.”
“What’s going on, mom?” I demand, refusing to move until I get the answers I need.
“Let’s sit,” she says. “What you’re about to hear isn’t going to be easy.”
“How the fuck do you know that name?” I roar, knowing I’ll feel like shit about that later.
Mom’s emotions get the best of her and instead of reprimanding me for my language, her horrors come shooting out with a sick, gut-wrenching, hatred. “Lucien Valentine did to me exactly what he did to Skylah when I was only eighteen years old, only then we knew him as Lucas Valery.”
Lost Girl: Aston Creek High (Book 2) Page 9