by Slash, Ana
Twisted Hearts
A Dark High School Bully Romance (Wexley Exclusive Prep Book 2)
Ana Slash
Edited by
Anastasia Slash
Copyright © 2019 by Ana Slash
Edited by Anastasia Slash
All rights reserved.
Publisher's note: this is a work of fiction. Names locations characters are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to anyone is purely coincidental. Any resemblance to anybody living or dead, actual events or organizations is coincidental.
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 written permission from the author.
Subscribe to Ana Slash’s mailing list for updates and new releases HERE
See Ana Slash’s books on Amazon
See Anastasia Slash’s book on Amazon
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
1
Bella
"Don't break me!"
I screamed at the top of my voice, staring at the screen. I felt as though I was choking, the moment I saw the news report. Heaven help me, what's happening? The news reporter spoke about an unfortunate incident at Wexley but wouldn't go into specifics.
Her actions bothered me why wouldn’t she say exactly what happened in detail?The tears streamed down my face like a waterfall. I couldn't breathe. I stood still morbidly staring at the television screen, thinking by so doing it would change the report.
I closed my eyes and opened them yet again, but it was the same story. The story about the incident involving the guys felt like a knife thrust in my chest. I shook, wondering what to do.
I couldn't move; it seemed as though the floor held me down. I was helpless and struggled to understand what was going on.
"Oh no…oh no, what's happening? What happened to Maxim? What happened to…"
It seemed like an eternity standing there because I didn't realize Mom had stepped into the room.I winced the moment she placed her hand on my shoulder.
"Mom!"
I turned to watch the news, but the television had turned off.
Mom looked upset.
I swallowed thinking, did something happen on their trip?
They were back earlier than expected. She said, "Young lady, you have some explaining to do."
I looked at Mom with widened eyes. Tears welled up in my eyes, and it surprised me Mom did not notice how upset I was.
Then again, I guess it didn't matter. I wondered what nonsense my stepfather was feeding into her brain about me? She marched me to the bed and said," What happened in my bed, Bella?"
My stepfather then stepped into the room and stood grimly behind my mom. He placed his hands on her shoulders.
His actions made my skin crawl. I knew what he was doing. He was controlling Mom, and worse, he wanted to make it look like I'd done something wrong.
He narrowed his eyes on me as though saying, I know what you did.
My heart thumped in my tears. Should I tell mom, I had sex in her bed, and worse, the guy I did it with might be dead? I wiped my eyes.
My stepdad pressed his palms firmly into my mom's shoulders as I began to stammer, trying to figure out how to explain the crumpled sheets and the bloodstain on the bed a clear sign of my lost virginity.
My Step dad turned, glanced at the sheets, and frowned.
He stared directly at me and said, "Well, perhaps the maid forgot to clean up, dear." I couldn't believe it. He'd lied for me, but why did he do so? And surprisingly, Mom accepted his explanation like it was the law.
She turned and nodded, her flouncy curls bounced as she did so. She placed her hand on my stepdad's shoulder and smiled.
I frowned, I wanted to say, Mom, how could you be so naive? Can't you see what he's doing, Mom? Jesus, how could you not see he is evil?
He then said, “You know what darling I will take it from here. Why don't you go get your medication to help you relax? We have had quite an evening. You know what the good doctor said about overexerting yourself, right?"
She nodded. My stepdad paused and narrowed his eyes on mine.
Then he continued whispering into her ear, "Plus, you should get some sleep in the fifth guest room. I'd call the maid to clean up here. You know she does great work, nothing to see here, darling?"
His words sounded like the ramblings of a mad man. I shook my head. I couldn't understand what Mom was doing with him? Why would she put herself through this? She was a shadow of her former self, and for some reason, she didn't see it. I started to think maybe I was the crazy one as warped as it sounded, but that's what I was thinking.
"Yeah, I guess so," she said wearily; Mom looked like she had her drug of choice in her system, Alcohol maybe? Or something else mixed with the alcohol.
I shook my head and watched as Mom like a robot under his command did as he requested. She slid away from him, turned to me, and without uttering a single word, she walked out of the room. I thought, hell was Mom crazy? Why would she do that? Worse, why would she leave me all alone with her piranha-like husband?
Freaking hell, Mom, I am your only daughter!
She didn't even ask about my night and why I was in tears?
"Mom…" I said in a cracked, tear-filled voice.
I tried to stop her from leaving, but she didn't turn back. I flinched as she stepped out the door. I didn't want to be alone with my stepdad, because I knew what he wanted. I knew he could make good on his threat to pull my school funding.
I hoped and prayed he wouldn't do it.
The moment Mom walked out and the door slammed behind her,
I turned and stared at my stepdad.
He moved close and then started walking circles around me. I clenched and unclenched my fist.
I took in a deep breath and exhaled, I honestly don’t know how I kept it together, and then he stood behind me.
He placed his firm palms on my shoulders. I cringed.
Inflamed nerves fluttered in my belly. I wanted to spin around and kick this man where it hurts!
No, instead I slid his hands off my shoulders and stepped forward. Amused for some crazy reason, he laughed wickedly.
He stepped forward and gripped my hand tight, Ouch it freaking hurt. He said, "Don’t be freaking stupid, girl. You need the money, and you fucking know you do. Why'd you fight it, hmm? You need the money for school."
The pain from his grip hurt so bad I thought I'd die. I said, "Stop it, please, you are hurting me!"
He slid his hands off, and then he leaned back, rubbed his jaw, and said, "Take your top off."
I refused and backed away.
My stepdad said, "You think you can do this on my bed, hmm? Well, since that's what you do, you must do what I ask or find yourself homeless and expelled from the school.
My stepdad said, "you think you can do this on my bed, hmm? Well, since that's what you do, you must do what I ask or find yourself homeless and expelled from the school. No chances of go
ing to any of the Ivy League school, plus you never know people disappear all the time.” I stood up to him and said “No!” I refused. He continued his threats and moved towards me to grab my hands and force me to do as he requested. But I slid underneath him and ran as fast as I could out of the house into the dark. Luckily I had my cell with me. I called Susan, but she didn't respond. I sent her numerous texts as I shivered in the cold night. I had to find out what happened to Maxim. I had to go over to his place. I refused to believe the guy I'd just lost my virginity to may be dead. The love of my life may be dead? I mean, how could I deal with that? Plus, what a crazy night? I couldn't believe my step dad had propositioned me. I wanted to throw up. I checked my phone's signal because it kept cutting off. Oh no, I didn't have a lot of battery life left. I had to find out what happened to Maxim.
If Maxim was alive, why was the report so vague? Why didn't they say where they took him? I tried texting him, but no response. What was happening? Where was he? Where were they? Who died? Who was the fatality?
I decided to walk to their home on Billionaires Row in the dead of night. I thought, what are you doing Bella, what good will it do? You know what happened to them, why risk it? You wouldn't get anything from this? You are going to find the place empty, so what's the point?
I knocked on the door, and no one answered. That was the moment, Susan finally responded. She said, "I am sorry, Bella, but they deposited the body in the morgue."
I let out a blood-curdling scream and noticed a light in the Maxim's home turn on, and then the light flickered and turned off. I winced in fear. Could someone be in the house, or did I imagine things?
Holy freaking hell! I glanced at my device, Susan asked, Where are you?
I texted back, I am over at the guy's place.
She sent a response: You can't be out there in the dead of night all alone. I will call a shared ride. You shouldn’t be out there alone. You should come over to my place.
I sent her a text back telling her thanks. And with that, I shut my phone off to conserve the power I had left.
"Oh my God, are you all right? she asked the moment I walked in the door. Listen to her, "not really." And then I laid my head on the shoulder. She said in a trembling voice, "I'm so sorry about what happened."
I said to her, "what happened? What seemed an efficient story?"
She sighed, and then she looked around the home.
She said, "Let's go up to my room and talk about it and tell you everything. The moment my stepdad climbed up the stairs, Mom called out, "Are you still up there?"
She said, "Yes, Mom, just headed back to bed now. I need to go to sleep."
She then said, "Oh, alright, I just want to make sure you’re okay."
She looked at me and said, "I know it's been a rough day."
I nodded.
She said, "I was with your stepdad."
I looked at her and thought, that's crazy it's not possible. I raised an eyebrow at her. She averted her gaze.
She said, "Yeah, I know it sounds insane, but it's the truth. I was with your stepdad that night. I know it sounds crazy. Maybe he dropped your mom off before giving me a call to join him."
I folded my arms.
Then I asked, "What the hell are you doing with my stepdad, and why are you doing this?"
She said, "Could we not about my relationships, please."
“And Maxim’s dad?" I interjected.
She said, "I thought you were my friend Bella. I thought we discussed this. I don't want to talk about it anymore."
I swallowed and decided, okay, fine woman change the subject would you know about the accident?
She said, "A lot is going on in this town, it's fucking crazy. I feel like we're in the twilight zone or something, just that no one wants to admit it. Who knows what happened, the news is being vague. All they said is there's a dead body deposited in the morgue."
Her words struck a chord.
I palmed my face and begged her to tell me it's not Maxim. Was Liam or Connor? Who was it?
Susan sighed and looked at me, concerned.
She shook her head and said, "As much as I'd like to tell you who it is, I just don't know either."
I sat down on her bed and palmed my face.
Then Susan said, "Could you tell me why you were out this late before I called?"
2
Bella
"It's a long story. Let's just say things are not peachy at home. Still, I don't know why you do it, Susan."
"Do what?" she asked, feigning ignorance.
"You are one of the brightest students in school. You should report Maxim's dad and…"
"Your stepfather?" I swallowed. Here I was giving her advice when I was in a similar situation. I was keeping secrets from her and my crew, yet I expected her to do something drastic. I didn't respond.
Instead, I looked away. She shook her head and said, "You know the power these men have? There's no way I'd take that risk. Besides, I'll soon graduate, and as soon as I can get into one of the Ivy Leagues scandal-free, then my future will be certain.
But for right now there's nothing I can do that wouldn't jeopardize it. Besides, he would deny it all, and I don't think you'd want your mom to be without her billionaire husband, would you?" Susan said, throwing it in my face. I frowned and shook my head. She had no idea what I was currently dealing with now. If only she knew life was not exactly peachy for me right about now.
I said to her, "Listen, whatever decisions my mom makes about my life has no bearing on mine. I didn't ask to go to Wexley, Hell I wished I'd never gone there in the first place. It's been nothing but pain, pain, pain!"
She rolled her eyes at me and said," Sure, pain for you? You got the attention of the billionaire hot rich guys."
"Who I might add maybe dead," I replied. Susan shook her head and said, "You don't know that?"
I said, “Whatever. You know what?” I was about to say something else when her device buzzed. She turned; her face got pale.
She said, "I have to take this."
I said, "Yeah, sure you do. I'll let myself out."
I turned before she could say another word. I wanted to figure out this insane mystery myself. I hurried out of her home without looking back.
The moment I got out, it started to rain. Then I realized what was I thinking? I didn't have anywhere to go. And if a storm was brewing, I might as well go back into Susan's home. I couldn't go back home.
I knocked lightly on her door, not wanting to wake her mother up. At first, she refused to open the door, and then she sent a text.
"Go through the back. I will let you in through my bedroom window."
The rain came down even harder. I hurried towards Susan's window. By the time Susan got round to opening the window, I was already drenched.
She pulled me into the home and said, "Take your clothes off. Here, put this on."
She handed me a tee-shirt and shorts. "Change in the bathroom."
I wanted to say something else but didn't because she was kind enough to let me back into the house. I didn't want to jinx things.
Besides, I wanted to needed to stay here until I could figure out my next move. I worried about Maxim Connor and Liam. Where they alright? I changed in the bathroom and stepped back out into her room. She said, "We should get some rest."
I nodded and got in bed next to her. And that’s the moment she revealed her tryst from the previous night with Maxim’s dad.
She said, "My scholarship will only last a few more months. I need to stay in school, Bella."
I couldn't believe she was just now telling me this. I asked, “What do you mean?” She said, "Exactly what I said. The scholarship is only good for six months, and then that's it. Maxim's dad wouldn't pay for it anymore."
She sighed and looked away dejected. I clenched my fist and unclenched it. I wondered if her mother knew about this creep. Then I thought, who am I kidding? My stepfather is also one of the guys involved too.
Susan th
en remarked, “Listen, the craziest thing happened when he left. He didn't look worried about his son. He seemed fine and acted as though nothing happened.”
I sighed, and then I turned to stare at the news blaring on her TV.
"On my God, it's true," Susan said to me.
I asked, "What's true?"
"Look, look at the television screen Bella; it's telling you everything" I turned and looked at the television screen. That's when the tears started again. They confirmed the student that died was Maxim Rothschild."
No, I said. There's no way it can be Maxim; it's not possible. "Susan said, "We don't know that for sure, OK? Why don't we wait to hear something else. Besides, we don't know if he is the one. It could have been anyone else.” I raised an eyebrow and said to her, "I doubt it was anybody else. God, I hope I am wrong about this. And you are not the only one who kept secrets."
She looked at me with widened eyes. Then she palmed her lips. She said, "Oh no, don't tell me. Did you?
I nodded and said, “Yes. You know you are right.”
"What you fucked Maxim? Are you serious, or are you just shitting me right now? Bella, this is serious. Tell me the fucking truth. When did this all happen?"
I sighed and said it happened last night.
"No way!" she said. "I was with Maxim's dad too. That means we both…"
"Spare me the details, Susan. This situation is serious. How could you seriously have anything to do with that guy? I know you don't want to hear it, but you should report him before he wrecks your future.” She scoffed and said, "Easy for you.to say. Your new daddy is so rich. Hmm, let me guess, he's probably going to get you a darn great car, right? Or better still an eleven-thousand-square-foot mansion in Great Falls or …"
"Listen, Susan, now is not the time to talk like this; something strange is happening in this town whether we like it or not."