by Sarah Bailey
Our
Darkest
Path
OUR DARKEST SERIES
BOOK TWO
SARAH BAILEY
Our Darkest Path Copyright © 2020 by Sarah Bailey
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Please note the spelling throughout is British English.
Cover Art by Sarah Bailey
Published by Twisted Tree Publications
www.twistedtreepublications.com
[email protected]
Contents
Prologue
Part I
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Part II
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One
Chapter Thirty Two
Chapter Thirty Three
Chapter Thirty Four
Part III
Chapter Thirty Five
Chapter Thirty Six
Chapter Thirty Seven
Chapter Thirty Eight
Chapter Thirty Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty One
Chapter Forty Two
Chapter Forty Three
Part IV
Chapter Forty Four
Chapter Forty Five
Chapter Forty Six
Chapter Forty Seven
Chapter Forty Eight
Chapter Forty Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty One
Chapter Fifty Two
Chapter Fifty Three
Chapter Fifty Four
Chapter Fifty Five
Chapter Fifty Six
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About The Author
To Rory and Ash,
Your son is precious in so many ways.
I’m so happy I got to give him a voice and a story.
Prologue
Meredith Veronica Pope. That name was like a fucking taunt every time I heard it. Every time I saw her, knives dug into my skin, making me feel things I never wanted to feel for another person. Those damning green eyes and strawberry blonde hair curling around her shoulders. Every teenage boy’s wet dream, except this one made me lose my fucking mind.
I couldn’t have Meredith Pope.
Couldn’t touch her.
Taste her.
Tease her.
Meredith Pope was out of bounds. Not least because she wouldn’t look my way. Why would she? I was sixteen. She was two years my senior and in sixth form. Didn’t stop me looking. Didn’t stop me wondering. Didn’t stop me planning to take her and make her fucking well mine. I might not have been with a girl before, but as far as I knew Meredith hadn’t been touched either. Keeping an eye on her activities had become a game to me. Listening to rumours and gossip. Anything to do with Meredith and I was on high fucking alert.
Why I even liked her was a question I’d love answering. Meredith was rude, brash and overbearing. Apparently, I didn’t care about her tendency to bulldoze over everyone and everything. It only made me want her all the more. I’d teach that girl a lesson. I’d teach her how to submit. Nothing would stand in my goddamn fucking way.
I didn’t care if Meredith was out of my league.
I didn’t care if she was older than me.
I’d make sure she could never forget me.
I’d be buried so deep inside her fucking soul, she’d never be able to dig me out.
Meredith Veronica Pope better fucking watch herself.
Because I, Cole Carter, am coming for her.
Part I
persevere
verb, per·se·vered, per·se·ver·ing.
to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.
Chapter One
You know when you’re relatively sure someone is watching you, but whenever you look around, no one is there? That’s how I felt every time I sat in the library to study. Eyes were on me. Who they belonged to had me curious as hell. It started a few weeks ago at the beginning of term and it bugged the hell out of me. Always during lesson four right after lunch when I had study time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
My eyes roamed across the room, hunting down the source. But no one seemed to be looking my way.
Who the fuck is watching me?
It was like an itch against my skin I needed to scratch. The gaze burnt into me and made me uncomfortable. There were several other students in here. A couple from sixth form who were doing the same A-Levels as me. Kyle and Lucinda were inseparable, usually glued to each other’s faces. Some younger kids I didn’t know the names of. And in the corner sat that kid two years below me, Cole Carter, who had five parents. Five. A mother and four fathers.
His brother, Raphael Nelson, was in sixth form with me and his other two older siblings had already left school. They all had the same mother and different fathers. It wasn’t like their mother had gone through four different men. Oh no, their parents were in some kind of polyamorous relationship. Probably why they got teased relentlessly until Duke Scott, Raphi’s older brother had beat a kid up for calling his mother a whore, then no one messed with them. At least, not as often as they had before.
I liked Raphi. He was smart, funny and respectful, most of the time. Cole Carter, however, was a law unto himself. I swear the boy had issues. It wasn’t helped by the fact he was devastatingly attractive in a bad boy sort of way.
So yeah, I’ve noticed him. He’s hard not to look at.
Dirty blonde hair and these hazel eyes, which whenever he turned them on anyone could captivate you. Didn’t mean I had any interest in him. He was trouble. I didn’t do trouble. If anyone tried to give me shit, I’d give it right back.
Probably why you have never been kissed. Boys don’t like girls who’re rude to them.
I shoved the thought away. Pretty much everyone I knew had lost their virginity. Not me.
Poor Meredith Pope. An eighteen-year-old virgin.
Thankfully, no one knew about that. It was fucking embarrassing. You were definitely judged for holding out on guys or being a prude. And gossip in this school was rife. If anyone got wind of it, I’d have people talking behind my back for the rest of the year like Wen
dy the year below me who fucked two boys in one night at a party. She’d been branded the school slut. Now all the boys leered at her and thought she was an easy lay. Teenage boys could be such dicks.
I did not want to join the ranks of those who had horrible rumours spread about them. Keeping my secret was paramount.
I hadn’t ever talked to Cole Carter. He hung out with a couple of older kids who didn’t seem to care about school. Cole, despite being trouble, did. At least according to his brother, who’d just sat down next to me
“Do those two really have to do that? Surprised Mrs Morris isn’t down here telling them off,” Raphi said, keeping his voice low and indicating Kyle and Lucinda sucking face two chairs down from us.
The school librarian didn’t usually tolerate stuff like this, but she seemed to be busy today.
“Apparently so.”
My eyes were still on Cole, who wasn’t looking this way.
“Gross.”
“Prude.”
“Why are you staring at my brother?”
I immediately snapped my gaze away and looked at Raphi instead, taking in his chestnut hair and green eyes as he pushed his glasses further up his nose.
“Why aren’t you sitting with him?”
“Cole doesn’t like me cramping his style at school.”
I scoffed.
“So what, your younger brother is cooler than you?”
Raphi shrugged.
“You have seen Cole, right?”
I shook my head and looked back down at my textbook, feeling my skin prickle with awareness. Everyone had seen Cole Carter. It was looking away from him which was the issue.
“You’re just as smart and attractive as your brother, so I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“So you were staring at him.”
I shoved his arm.
“I was looking out the window and Cole just happens to be in the way of it.”
Liar, liar, pants on fire.
I glanced at Raphi, who had a smirk on his face.
“I’m not judging.”
“Gross, Raphi, he’s two years younger than us. Also, he’s your brother and I’m so not interested.”
I couldn’t help looking over Cole’s way again. This time I found his gaze directly on me and Raphi. The scowl etched on his features made me flinch. But it also made me very aware of the way my skin prickled with the knowledge he was staring at me.
Has it been Cole this whole time?
That was ridiculous. Why would he look at me? Boys didn’t do that. All they saw was Meredith the girl who told boys to fuck off and die if they said anything inappropriate like ‘nice tits’ or asking me if my curtains matched the drapes. Boys could be right disgusting pricks.
“I’m joking, Mer. I’d advise against getting involved with anyone in my family. Trust me, having five parents is no walk in the park. Plus, my sister would actually straight-up murder you if you broke Cole’s heart.”
Fat fucking chance of that happening. More like the other way around given Cole’s reputation.
“Really?”
“Rora’s temper is genuinely terrifying.”
I grinned. Aurora Knox had a reputation for being uncompromising.
“Aww, you scared of your big sister?”
“No! Just fed up with her and Duke arguing all the time. Why they won’t move out, I have no idea. Mum likes having her babies under one roof even if we’re not babies anymore.”
“I’m sure she babies Cole more than you.”
Raphi snorted and rolled his eyes.
“You have no idea. If you ever come around my house, you’ll see exactly what kind of bullshit I put up with on a daily basis.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Is that an invitation?”
He eyed me for a long moment.
“You’d actually want to meet my whole family?”
I shrugged. I considered Raphi a friend. We’d known each other for years and not once had he invited me over until now. Though I’d kind of invited myself.
“Sure, maybe I’ll get to see if they’re really as crazy as you say they are.”
He bit his lip and glanced over at his brother, who was still giving us evils.
“Okay. Dinner on Friday, that’s when everyone is home. You can experience us all at the same time. Trust me, Mer, you’ll never want to come back.”
I stared at Cole too, wondering why he looked so pissed off at me and Raphi. What would he think about his brother inviting me to their house?
Why the fuck do you care?
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He picked up his phone. “I’ll let my dad know since he’ll be cooking.”
Maybe it would be fun. Getting an insight into how their parents’ relationship worked could be interesting. Either way, it would be an unforgettable evening in more ways than one. And if it pissed Cole Carter off, so fucking what?
Chapter Two
I rarely got nervous but waiting outside the school building with Raphi to get picked up by his dad had my stomach in knots. And by his dad I meant his actual biological father, not one of the others. The other reason I was feeling all sorts of shit was because his brother had joined us. Cole’s eyes narrowed to slits the moment he saw me.
What the hell is your problem with me, Cole? I’ve done literally nothing to deserve it.
Who knew why he kept glaring. It’s like he couldn’t stand the sight of me. It bothered me. Why that would be the case, I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I didn’t care if Cole Carter liked me or not. I didn’t know the boy. Just because I was friends with his brother, didn’t mean I had to have anything to do with him.
“You actually getting a lift home with Dad today?” Raphi enquired.
“Mum said I had to be home for dinner,” Cole ground out through gritted teeth.
His voice made my spine straighten. There was a deep note to it which made me feel… odd.
“You’re such a mummy’s boy.”
“Fuck off.”
Raphi nudged Cole with his shoulder, who gave him daggers. I looked between them. You could tell they were related as they had the same nose and jawline, but otherwise, they couldn’t be more different. Raphi had a slimmer build. Cole’s shoulders were broader, and his build more muscular. They both towered over my five-foot-five frame.
Stop eyeballing them. Raphi is your friend and Cole is… well… Cole.
“You know Meredith, right?”
Cole’s eyes landed on me. I had a distinct feeling he was not happy to see me, nor that I was coming home with them.
“We’ve never officially met.”
I could’ve stuck my hand out to him, but he was giving off don’t come near me vibes. Too bad for him, I didn’t care. If he was going to be rude, then I’d call him out on it.
“I’m sorry, do you have a problem with me?” I asked, my voice dripping with disdain.
Cole’s eyebrow rose steadily and his eyes darkened as if I’d made him want to strangle me with that simple question.
Why does it make him look so… hot? I need to get a fucking grip. Cole Carter is not hot and I’m not interested in him and his attitude.
“Why would I?”
“The glare you’re sending my way speaks volumes.”
Raphi looked between us with amusement written all over his features.
“Cole glares at everyone.”
“Shut up, Raphi,” Cole muttered.
A car pulled up in front of us. Cole immediately went to the front passenger side and jumped in. Raphi rolled his eyes and walked to the back, opening the door for me.
“Don’t mind grumpy, he’s clearly in a mood… ladies first.”
I stepped forward.
“At least one of you was raised to be a gentleman.”
“You can thank my dad for that.”
I raised an eyebrow.
I was about to meet the man in question. Climbing into the car, I scooted across the seats to let Raphi in. He shut the door and grinned.
“Dad, this is Meredith. Mer, my dad, Eric.”
I looked at the man in the driver’s seat. Raphi was almost a carbon copy of him. The same green eyes stared back at me as Eric turned and smiled. His chestnut hair had streaks of grey in it and he was pretty hot for an older guy.
Why are you thinking that about Raphi’s dad? Just stop already! You’ll be perving over his entire family if you don’t get your act together.
“Hello, Meredith, it’s nice to meet you. Didn’t think I’d see the day my son brought a girl home.”
“Dad! I told you we’re friends. Jesus, don’t be embarrassing.”
Eric winked at his son, smiled at me and turned to the front seat, giving Cole a sidelong look.
“Don’t tell your mother.”
“Why? Did she tell you and the others to behave?”
Eric pulled the car away from the curb.
“Something like that.”
Raphi rolled his eyes and sat back. My eyes drifted to Cole, watching his profile as the soft tinkle of music playing on the radio filled the car.
“How was school?”
Cole looked over to Eric.
“Fine.”
“Just fine?”
“It was school, what else do you want me to say?”
Cole’s eyes flicked to mine. His gaze burnt into me, radiating irritation and something else I couldn’t put my finger on. If he was going to look at me like that, I’d just stare right back.
“Cole…”
“Sorry, E,” he muttered. “Just tired.”
Eric reached out and patted his arm, which Cole seemed to accept. His eyes turned away from me and went to his… I didn’t know how to describe his relationship with Eric. He didn’t call him Dad, and yet Raphi had said they were all father figures to them.
“So, Meredith, Raphi says you draw,” Eric said, looking at me through the rearview mirror.
I glanced at Raphi, who sent his dad daggers. Didn’t bother me if he’d mentioned what I was into.