Lost Girl: Aston Creek High (Book 2)

by Sheridan Anne

  In the end, it doesn’t change the fact that Ben betrayed my parents, but Anton is the one truly at fault here. He’s the one who stormed into my home in the middle of the night, he’s the one who tied us up, he’s the one who forced children to watch as their parents were brutally murdered.

  What kind of man does that? Does he get a kick out of hurting people? Does it make him feel all gooey inside? Or does he do it to prove himself, prove that he’s the toughest asshole in the country? Whatever it is, I’m glad he’s now locked up, but my gut keeps telling me that it’s not enough. Sitting in a prison cell isn’t enough. I want him to suffer, I want him to feel it like the rest of the world feels it, but more importantly, I want him to endure the pain of a million deaths.

  Jesus, what have I become? That sounds so morbid.

  I try to put Anton to the back of my head, right where he belongs and focus on the comforting sound of the ball in the distance while drawing the fine lines of my mother’s face.

  I soon zone out and get lost in my drawing. I have too much good in my life to be thinking of the bad. I’m moving forward and while the threat of Lucien coming for me is extremely real, I can’t let it affect how I see the world. I know the world is full of monsters, but I’ve finally found a place that’s going to allow me to shine.

  If and when Lucien comes for me, we’ll be ready. He won’t stand a chance in hell. I’ve built an army here and though it may be small, it’s filled with love and there’s nothing stronger. Lucien can withstand any kind of storm, but he wouldn’t be able to match that, not when he’s never experienced love. He doesn’t know what it is, he doesn’t know how to feel it or how to get anywhere close. He doesn’t know its effects and he sure as hell doesn’t know how damn strong it is. In Lucien’s eyes, love is a weakness but he couldn’t be more wrong and that’s exactly how he’s going to meet his downfall.

  The sound of the ball comes to a stop and I glance up to find my boys making their way back over here. “So,” Damian says as Slade drops down beside me and glances over my shoulder at the sketchpad. “I know you two are like together and all, but you’re not still down for a three-way, are you?”

  “The fuck, man?” Slade grunts as my eyes shoot up to the idiot. Does he have a death wish? Surely, he’s just saying this to get at Slade after getting his ass kicked. He knows how possessive Slade can be.

  “Come on, bro,” Damian says with a glisten deep in his eyes. “Ever since your girl fucked up Rachel, I’ve been dry. I need to get my dick wet. What do ya say? We could run back to your place. I swear, it’ll be quick.”

  “The fuck?” Slade repeats.

  “I mean, if you’re not down, I’m sure Sky and I would be fine on our own.”

  I shake my head, looking up at him in horror. “No chance in hell.”

  “But you’re so good with your hands. Though, I’d like to see what that tongue can do.”

  Slade shoots the ball so hard into Damian’s chest that he’s forced back three steps. “Knock it off before I have to do it for you. That’s my fucking girl you’re talking about.”

  “Bro,” Damian groans, dropping down onto the side of the court and placing the ball beside him. “Chill out, you know I’d never cross that line. I just like messing with you, but I’m serious. I’ve got fucking blue balls here. I haven’t gone this long without getting laid in ages.”

  “Wow,” I laugh. “I didn’t think you’d ever have issues finding someone to suck your dick.”

  “I usually don’t,” he agrees. “But Rachel’s got everyone running scared. If she can’t have it, she doesn’t want anyone else to.”

  “Are you serious? Why didn’t you say something? I can handle that for you.”

  “No thanks,” he grunts. “That’s exactly how I ended up in this situation in the first place. I just have to find someone who’s not going to be scared off by her.”

  “What about Nessa?” I throw out there, making the boys chuckle under their breaths. “I’m serious. You two would be cute together.”

  “Woah,” Damian panics, holding up a hand to cut me off. “I’m not looking for a chick to be with, I just want one to fuck.”

  “Exactly,” I grin wide, realizing just how perfect this could be. “That’s exactly what Nessa wants. No one is man enough to touch her after being with Slade. They’re all scared he might go into a jealous rage or some shit like that.”

  Slade scoffs under his breath, knowing just how absurd that suggestion is. “More like they’re terrified they wouldn’t live up to what I’ve got to offer.”

  I roll my eyes at his ego but he’s not wrong. No one could possibly match Slade. Nessa is just going to have to come to terms with the fact that from now on, she’ll only ever receive second best. Though, I’m sure Damian wouldn’t be too much of a downgrade in the sack. He looks like the kind to know what he’s doing and he certainly comes off confident about his abilities. Besides, this whole thing could only mean good news for me and Slade. If Nessa and Damian can put aside their differences and start fucking, then there will be nothing but time for me and Slade to get nasty. This could only be great for all of us.

  Damian scoffs back at Slade. “Trust me, I’ll have no issue living up to what you’ve got. It’s nothing special.”

  Slade raises a brow at me and grins, knowing exactly how he sets my body on fire. I instantly squirm under his heated gaze and have to force my eyes back to Damian's. “Believe me, what Slade’s got is definitely something to be intimidated by. He could just stand in front of a woman and she’d come just from the look he’d give her.”

  “You want to try that?” Slade questions, nudging my elbow.

  “I’m down.”

  “Seriously?” Damian grunts. “We’re focusing on me here.”

  “I’ve already given you your solution. Get Nessa in bed and you’ll both be happier for it. Not to mention, satisfied enough to not have to ask me about three-ways.”

  Damian’s gaze goes far away and I realize that he’s actually considering this though he should be warned that it won’t be easy. Nessa isn’t just going to drop her pants for him, he’ll have to work for it and sweep her off her feet in the process. Who knows, this whole thing could actually go somewhere. They’d be an awesome couple.

  Damian shakes his head, clearly thinking he’s already considered this enough for one day and gets to his feet. “Come on, I’m fucking hungry.”

  “You’re always fucking hungry,” Slade grumbles, getting up anyway and sliding my sketchpad off the bench before pocketing my pencils and taking my hand.

  Damian grins as though he just won something and we start heading out of the park, though I’m sure we’ll probably just end up back here later this afternoon.

  We start heading to Slade’s Dodge RAM that’s been parked on the opposite side of the park after we came here straight from Damian’s place this morning. As we get closer and turn the corner, finally putting his truck in view, we realize that some people need to learn to quit while they’re behind.

  Roman stands on the hood of the big Dodge RAM, sledgehammer in hand and his boys hovered around, egging him on.

  The back window is already smashed and they’re so excited about fucking up the rest of my man’s ride that they don’t even notice us here.

  Big. Fucking. Mistake.

  My sketchpad is dropped to the ground and I cringe as my parents' faces go tumbling down into the grass, but I can fix it later, for now, this is more important.

  Slade silently bounds toward Roman as he raises the sledgehammer and I realize that he’s approaching in a similar way to when he’s about to dunk on a bastard. His strides are long and powerful, filled with strength and a shitload of determination.

  Damian follows behind but aims for the guys on the ground.

  I can’t tear my eyes away from Slade. He’s fucking lethal and when he launches himself high into the sky with a perfect swan dive and curls his arms around Roman’s body, they both go tumbling right over the othe
r side, completely clearing the hood and sending me into heart failure.

  Holy shit, that was hot. I take back my comments about Slade being able to make a woman come with just one look. Apparently, the rules have changed. He can now make me come without even looking at me. Damn, I know what image is going to be on replay in my mind tonight…all fucking night.

  Roman’s boys rush around to his aid but Damian is on them in an instant. I race around to the other side of the Dodge RAM to find Slade’s fist slamming down into Roman’s stomach, completely winding him as they fight for the upper hand.

  I don’t doubt that Roman has a nasty road rash on his back and is going to walk away from this a lesser man. It’s damn clear they’re here because they know what we did to their locker room yesterday, but going after Slade’s car with a sledgehammer was a huge error in judgment.

  I’m not one for backing down from a fight and despite my better judgment telling me to throw myself in there and give Damian a hand, I find myself holding back. This fight just seems far beyond my capabilities. This is a man’s fight, no place for a woman like me.

  Wanting to do my bit, I scramble for the sledgehammer that lays forgotten beside the tire and hold it up, ready and prepared to fuck someone up if they were to get past Damian. This is Slade’s chance to finally teach this prick a lesson and I won’t allow anyone to stand in his way. After all, Slade was the one who stood back and made sure I could get my hands on Rachel for wronging me, I guess I’m simply doing the same for him.

  Roman has been a thorn in our sides since day one, and to think this shit has actually been going on long before I got here. He’s tried to cause shit between me and Slade, his bullshit had Slade arrested, then he went and got in league with Lucien Fucking Valentine who would have surely kicked his ass when he didn’t come through on whatever deal they made.

  This fight has been a long time coming.

  Seeing that Slade has more than the upper hand and doesn’t need me, I hurry around to Damian to find him handling himself like a pro. There are three guys here but one of them is already lying unconscious on the ground. Damian must have some built-up anger to be able to handle himself here, but that’s something we can talk about later. Now doesn’t exactly seem like the best time.

  My eyes flick between my boys which is when something catches my attention. A petite brunette races away from the fight and my eyes bug out of my head.

  Maze.

  I don’t know what it is but my gut is screaming at me that she had something to do with this. She led them here, showed them exactly where to find us and Slade’s truck. Now, I may not be stupid enough to involve myself in the boys’ fights, but I can sure hand this bitch her ass.

  I take off after her, tossing the sledgehammer aside as it’s only slowing me down. I was born to run away from my problems so catching up to her takes no time at all.

  I grab a handful of hair and put on the brakes.

  She squeals out and instantly drops to the asphalt, begging me to let go. I’m a bitch, but I’m not cruel. I release my hold on her hair as she scrambles around on her knees, turning to face me. I hover over her, letting her see exactly what I think of her.

  “Please,” she begs. “I didn’t mean to…”

  I laugh out, cutting off whatever she was about to say as I already know that it’s complete bullshit. “You’re a fucking snake, of course you meant to. I wouldn’t even be surprised if you went to Roman, not the other way around.”

  “I…I…”

  I see the truth in her eyes. I’m right and she knows that I know.

  “I’m sorry,” she rushes out as tears spring to her eyes, desperately trying to save herself. “I really tried, I swear, but he hurt me. He just tossed me aside like I was nothing. Do you have any idea how pathetic that made me feel? He deserved it. I’ve done nothing but pine after him for four fucking years. I’ve loved him and said hello every morning as he passed my locker but I’m not even enough to qualify for a small fucking smile. He’s a bully. He’s mean.”

  “No. You’re a snake. He’s neither of those things. He’s fucking perfect, but you already know that, don’t you? You want to know the reason he doesn’t give you the time of day?” I wait for a beat as her eyes search mine. “Because you’re fucking annoying. You follow him around like a bad smell. Why would he willingly invite you in? You’re batshit crazy.”

  “I am not,” she screeches, attempting to get back to her feet. “I could have given him everything but he pushed me away like trash all because of you. You’re the problem here. You’re the trash, not me, and to think I was actually jealous of you and Nessa.”

  I bark out a sharp laugh. “Jealous of me and Nessa? Are you fucking insane? You didn’t stand a chance. You betrayed my trust for a night with my man and he tossed you aside yet you're blaming it on me and him. Don’t you see you’re the common problem here? You’re the snake, Maze. Nessa may be a bitch, but she’s a fucking loyal one with a backbone.”

  With that, I turn and walk away, not wanting to waste my time on this trash, only a battle cry sounds behind me and I spin around to see Maze coming straight for me, letting every inch of her crazy show.

  I hastily step back, giving myself just a second more to rear my fist back, and as she tries to barrel into me, I let it fly, punching her right in the face and listening to the sweet sound of her nose crushing beneath my fist.

  Chapter 21

  It has been a month since Lucien came for me and every day it weighs heavily on my mind. I know he’s coming back. I feel it in my bones and now my eighteen birthday is only two months away. It’ll be soon, I just hope we’re ready.

  Lucien is sneaky and despite having this army of new friends and family at my back, I fear that it won’t be enough. All it would take is one careless moment for me to be swept away and taken back to hell.

  The crowd cheers around me and I snap my eyes down to the court to see my boys filing in for one of the most important games of the season. Slade comes out, pumped and ready. He instantly finds me and winks.

  My skin flushes under his gaze and I can’t wait for this game to be over. I’ve got big plans for him and it’s got something to do with the handcuffs and whipped cream that I may or may not have acquired.

  “Where’s your head been at today?” Nessa questions, not bothering to look across at me as she watches the boys barge out onto the court.

  “Nowhere,” I tell her, hating when she worries. Our friendship has grown to the point where I might even consider her my best friend. Well, I guess she has no choice but to be my best friend seeing as though I have no other contenders. Though, Damian might be a little dirty if he heard me say that. “My mind has just been a mess, but what’s new?” I say with a cheery smile, letting her know it’s no big deal.

  Nessa rolls her eyes. “How many times do we have to tell you that you’re not going anywhere? If Lucien shows up here, I’m going to kaboom his ass until he’s crying for his mommy.”

  “His mommy is dead.”

  “Even better,” she says before her eyes widen. “Actually, I take that back. That was an awful thing to say.”

  “His mother was a cold bitch.”

  “I guess I’m not surprised. He had to get his douchey ways from somewhere, right?” she says with a grunt. “I’d hate to see what his father was like.”

  “I heard some pretty horrible stories, but I never actually met the man. Apparently, he died at war or something like that but they had no uniforms or badges or any of that stuff that soldiers usually have, so my theory is that she killed him.”

  “What? The mother?”

  “Most likely.”

  “Jesus. What kind of people were you raised around?”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty bad.”

  Nessa glances across at me as the boys warm up on the court. “To be honest,” she grumbles. “For being a little mobster princess, I thought you’d have a nastier right hook.”

  “Hey,” I demand, ready to show her just
how bad my right hook can be as Slade’s sisters make faces at their brother from down on the sidelines.

  “Fuck me,” Nessa grumbles under her breath, glancing away from the court.

  “What?”

  “Freaking Damian. He’s doing that eyebrow thing again.”

  I glance down at the idiot to find him grinning at Nessa as though he’s picturing her naked. His brows bounce suggestively and I do my best to hold back a laugh. “You know, you two would really hit it off.”

  “Sure, we’d really hit it off if I felt like getting some sort of sexually transmitted disease. Just think, he’s the kind of guy to let an STD sit and fester. I can only imagine what’s going on below the belt.”

  “He’s not that bad and you know it.”

  She groans and flips him the bird, making him grin even wider. “He’s been non-stop hitting on me for nearly three weeks. Do you have any idea how irritating that is? Any other guy and I’d be able to handle it, but him…fuck. Every time it gets worse. Yesterday, he offered to eat me out from under the desk in the middle of class and thought he was such a gentleman because he didn’t ask for anything in return.”

  “Well, how could you possibly turn down an offer like that?” I say, pressing my lips into a tight line, trying to keep serious, but really, is anything ever serious when we’re talking about Damian?

  “How could I not?”

  “Come on,” I laugh. “When was the last time you got any action? You said yourself you wanted to skank around a bit. Why not skank with Damian. It’d be perfect. Once you get past the disgust and peel back all the STD’s, you two would have fun.”

  “Doubt it.”

  “No wonder your vag is such a ghost town,” I grumble under my breath.

  “Hey, it is not a ghost town. It has an occasional visitor.”

  “Battery-operated doesn’t count.”

  Nessa scowls and leans back into her seat with a huff before flying straight forward again. “Oh, shit,” she gasps, sucking in a deep breath. Her eyes go wide and she points across the court to the massive crowd sitting on the other side. “That’s the scout that came the day you turned Slade blue.”