Revenge: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Longhorn Academy Dark Bully Romance Book 2)

by Amy Brown

  “Shit.”

  “It’s okay now. We figured it out.” He blows out a shaky breath.

  “I’m glad.” I give a weak smile. We’re definitely not friends. We’re literally enemies, but the attraction we share confuses things for me sometimes. I don’t want to think about earlier today in the school bathroom. That will just make it harder to be aloof. “Maybe you and your dad should spend a day at the lake again. Like when you were a kid. Try and reconnect.”

  He laughs gruffly. “I doubt he’d have time for me.”

  My heart squeezes at how depressed he sounds. “I’m sorry.”

  He shrugs, and then seems to shake himself. “Anyway…” His mouth hardens. “I… I didn’t bring you here to talk about me.”

  It’s obvious our little heart to heart is over. “So why did we need to talk? I won’t lie, I was surprised when you texted.”

  He pushes his hands into his pockets, his jaw tense. “Yeah. Well, things have to change.”

  “What things?”

  He clears his throat. “Ever since you arrived at Longhorn Academy, there’s been problems.”

  “Problems?”

  “With you and The Elites.”

  “Yes.” I laugh dryly. “Not because of me.”

  He flicks his gaze up. “Uh, yeah because of you.”

  I look at him like I think he’s crazy, because I do. “You and your little buddies, or ex-buddies, tried to set me up. That’s on you, not me.”

  He gives an exasperated sigh. “That’s because you don’t belong here.”

  “Says who?”

  “The Elites.”

  I shake my head in disgust. “You’re not even a part of them right now, and you’re still giving me hell. I don’t get it. Why are you so loyal to them? They turned on you.”

  “I’ll be back in the fold in no time.”

  Scowling, I say, “Jesus, why would you even want to be?”

  He frowns. “You’re getting sidetracked. What I’m trying to say is it’s important that everything go back to normal.”

  “Psycho normal you mean.”

  “Think what you want, but things were better before you arrived.” His gaze flickers. “You’ve been nothing but trouble.”

  Anger ripples through me. “If you guys had left me alone, I’d have left you alone. I only did what I did to you because you started it.”

  His mouth thins. “It doesn’t really matter what you think. You need to go.”

  I throw back my head and laugh because his arrogance is astounding. Who the hell does he think he is? He has no right to tell me where I belong and where I don’t. “My stepdad is the richest guy in Blue Horn. What gives you the right to warn me off?”

  “This is just how it has to be, Charity. Either transfer to Pine View High, or suffer the consequences.”

  I narrow my eyes. “Mason, do you even hear yourself?”

  “Yes.”

  “What makes you think I’m going to transfer?” I smirk. “I’m beginning to like Longhorn Academy. I’m more popular than you these days.”

  “It won’t last. Don’t get a swelled head.”

  His smug tone annoys me. “Seriously, you must be high if you think I’m going to leave this school.”

  He sighs, and moves closer. “I was afraid you’d be stubborn.”

  “Stubborn? What did you think, that I’d be okay with this, if you asked me nicely?”

  “I hoped,” he murmurs.

  “Would you want to transfer schools? It was bad enough coming here at first. But now I know my teachers and I have friends. I’m not going anywhere, so you can just shove it.”

  He scowls. “Now, that’s not a very nice thing to say.”

  “I’m not trying to be nice.” I move toward my bike. “If you don’t mind, I have a lot of homework to finish, and this was a colossal waste of time.”

  “You love your brother, right?” His cold voice sends a chill through me.

  I freeze, but then glance at him. “I’m sorry?”

  A muscle jerks in his cheek. “I asked you if you love your brother, Luke.”

  My stomach clenches because he’s not asking me that for no reason. There’s something in his tone that alarms me. “You know I do.”

  “You said he’s even making friends this semester.” His eyes harden. “What a shame if that all changed suddenly.”

  I find it difficult to catch my breath. “What the hell are you getting at?”

  He shrugs. “I’m just saying that sure would be a shame. From what you’ve told me he sometimes struggles with fitting in.” He curls his lip. “I guess it runs in the family.”

  “Are… are…” My brain is racing so fast, my thoughts are a panicked jumbled mess. “Are you threatening Luke?”

  “I’m just saying middle school can be a rough place, if you don’t have friends.”

  I surprise us both when I lunge at him. He grabs me, and holds my hands down at my sides, but I manage to knee his groin. He grunts, and almost doubles over, but keeps his grip on my arms. Through gritted teeth, he hisses, “Do that again and Luke will be in big trouble, bitch.”

  “You touch one hair on his head, and I’ll murder you.” I struggle in his arms, fury ripping through me. I knew Mason was an asshole, but never in my wildest dreams did I think he’d stoop so low as to threaten Luke. I want to scratch his fucking eyes out.

  “Settle down,” he growls, shaking me.

  My teeth rattle he jerks me so hard. “No! Don’t you dare threaten Luke. I’ll murder you if you go near him.”

  “I won’t have to go near him. I have people in place who can make his life a living hell.”

  “You bastard,” I yell. He wraps his arms around me, and no matter how hard I struggle, I can’t get free. His hard body is warm against my chest, and I can’t believe I ever let him touch me. How could I have lusted for a guy this vile? He’s the lowest of low. “What kind of monster threatens a ten-year-old?” I squawk, still struggling. “You’re disgusting. I hate you.”

  His smile is mean. “We both know that’s not true, baby.” He grabs my face with his hand, his fingers digging into my skin. “In fact, you love my dick.”

  I’m tempted to spit in his face, but that’s not really my style. I try kneeing his groin again, but he’s too fast. He presses his mouth to mine, and I try to bite his lips. He pulls his head back. “Ah, ah, ah. That’s a good way to get slapped, bitch.”

  “Let me go,” I growl, still struggling.

  “But you like it when I touch you, remember?” His smile is more of a baring of teeth.

  “I really will kill you. If you hurt Luke, I will kill you.” My voice shakes with rage.

  “How about you calm the fuck down, so we can keep talking?” He presses his forehead to mine, his breath warm on my cheek. “Luke will be just fine, if you do as you’re told.”

  I stop fighting him, hoping he’ll let me go. I can’t stand being pressed to his chest. It brings back way too many memories, and my body doesn’t seem to understand that we hate Mason now. He pushes me away, watching me warily. He’s breathing hard, and his eyes are dark and menacing.

  “Why are you doing this to me?” I ask, feeling sick to my stomach. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

  “Because you’ve done way too much damage. I don’t see how things go back to normal if you’re around. The kids seem to think you’re something special. We can’t have that. Once you’re gone, I’m sure the students will fall back into their comatose routine, where we Elites do what we want. Those students had no will to fight before, and when you’re gone, I’m sure they’ll go back to that.”

  “I don’t understand why this has anything to do with Luke.”

  He sighs. “Because you’re not going to leave of your own free will. You’ve made that very clear. I can’t have you around.” He bites his lower lip. “You’re a distraction I don’t need.”

  “What if I back off completely?”

  “You won’t.”
r />   “Yes, I will.” I nod, hoping he’ll listen. “Leave Luke alone, and I’ll completely back off.”

  “Sorry. I don’t think you can help but fight us. It’s just how you are.”

  “Mason, this is so wrong. You must know this is going too fucking far?” I hold his gaze, hoping I can appeal to his good side, if there’s any good in him. “I don’t believe you’d hurt Luke. He’s just a kid.”

  He winces. “I’m really hoping you’ll listen to reason. I don’t want to hurt him.”

  I’m numb watching him. He’s got to be the coldest bastard I’ve ever met. How can he even think for one second this is okay? “What am I supposed to say to my mom? She’s not just going to be cool with me transferring. Fred wanted me to go to Longhorn Academy. He went to Longhorn when he was my age.”

  “Tell them whatever you want.”

  “They won’t let me transfer without a good reason.”

  He leans toward me, his eyes cold. “Then think one up.”

  Clenching my fists, it takes all my self-control not to lunge at him again. I’ve never hated anyone like I do Mason. I can’t believe I’ve gone from feeling sorry for him, to wanting him dead, in the space of a day. “What if I try as hard as I can, and they still won’t let me transfer? Will you still hurt Luke?”

  “I’m afraid so. Luke gets bullied unless you leave Longhorn. Period.”

  “I hate you so much right now. I’d kill you if I could get away with it,” I say through gritted teeth.

  His face twitches. “I’m sure you would.”

  “The fact you’d be willing to do something like this, just because you want power, is despicable.” I have no idea what to say to Mom to convince her to let me transfer. I’m terrified she won’t listen. As much as I loathe, Mason, I try to plead my case one last time. “Why can’t I just stay out of your way? I don’t think my mom will let me transfer, and I can’t stand the thought of you hurting Luke. Just let me stay at Longhorn, and I promise I won’t be any trouble. I swear on my life.”

  His eyes flicker, and I hope for one second maybe… just maybe he’ll relent. But then he shakes his head. “Sorry. I don’t think it will work.”

  I feel like crying I’m so angry. “Please, Mason. I’m begging you.”

  He clenches his jaw. “Don’t. Just don’t.”

  It’s hopeless. He’s heartless. All he cares about is his fucking power game with The Elites. He’s willing to destroy Luke and me simply so he can keep his place lording it over the other students. I can’t even fathom what an asshole he is. I can’t believe I felt pity for him. Lust for him. I was actually starting to care about him. Thank God I figured out what a jerk he was before I fell in love with him, or something humiliating like that.

  “How long do I have to convince my mom?” I ask, my voice frigid.

  “I’ll give you a week,” he says softly. “But do not fuck with me, Charity. If you try anything underhanded, Luke will pay for your stupidity.”

  I feel like I’m sleepwalking as I grab my bike. I have no idea what to do. If I go to Mom and tell her what’s happening, and Mason gets in trouble because of me, he’ll still tell his minions to go after Luke. If he’s vile enough to think up this plan, then he’s definitely vindictive enough to hurt Luke regardless of what happens to him.

  “Remember, one week,” he calls after me as I ride away.

  I don’t respond. My throat is too tight with anger and fear. As I reach the main road, I’m lost in my furious thoughts. How could I have cared even a little about someone like Mason? It’s obvious he has a chip missing in his circuitry. What kind of person thinks up a plan like this? It’s repugnant. I’d fooled myself into thinking he wasn’t as bad as Paula and the others implied. I was wrong. So fucking wrong.

  I hear a vehicle approaching from behind me. I wonder if it’s Mason. With any luck he’ll run me off the road, and all my problems will be over. A white pickup pulls along beside me, and a guy leers out the open window.

  “Hey, want a ride?” He’s old enough to be my dad, and, even from this distance, I can smell booze on his breath.

  “No thanks,” I call out, uneasiness wiggling through me. I knew riding alone at night was stupid. But Blue Horn isn’t a big town, and the crime rate is almost non-existent. I assumed I’d be fine. I should have remembered how shitty my luck is. Of course the only psycho in town would be out joy riding the one fucking night I ride my bike.

  Thanks, Mason.

  “Aww, come on baby. It’s not safe out here at night.” Him and his buddy, who’s driving, break into loud laughter.

  I don’t want to make eye contact, and so I just keep pedaling. “Thank you, but I’m fine.” Even I can hear the fear in my voice. Sweat breaks out on my face, and panic slides down my spine when they gun the engine.

  “Why are you being so unfriendly?” the guy asks, snickering. “Come on, get in the truck and we can party.”

  Clenching my teeth, I pedal faster. But compared to a car, I’m like a gerbil on a treadmill. The driver yells something unintelligible and the guy hanging out the window laughs hysterically. I want to stop and call 911, but the horrible truth is, by the time anyone could reach me, they could have dragged me into their truck and disappeared.

  This can’t be happening, right? This whole night has to be a nightmare. Mason would never threaten Luke, and I would never be kidnapped and raped. Things like that just don’t happen in real life. This has to be a horrible dream.

  “I like your hair,” the guy yells, as if I’ll be flattered. Is he fucking flirting with me?

  I give him a quick glance. “Please just leave me alone.”

  Inside the cab his buddy says, “Ooh, burn.”

  “Fuck off,” Window guy laughs. “She’s just playing hard to get.”

  My leg muscles burn from trying to pedal faster than is comfortable. I’m definitely in horrible shape, and not physically prepared to pedal full speed all the way home. Why the hell does Fred have to live so far out of town? I still have miles to go, and these assholes are showing no sign of wanting to leave.

  I don’t know what to do. I can’t accept this is happening. Maybe if there was only one guy, maybe I could fight him off. But two guys? God, I’m scared. They can do anything to me. I’ve never felt so vulnerable in my life. Should I stop and call 911, even though it will take forever for anyone to arrive? Maybe that will scare them away. Maybe they’re not really evil, they’re just drunk and being stupid. I keep pedaling, hoping they’ll leave, but they start honking the horn and flashing their lights.

  Their laughter has the hair on the nape of my neck standing up, and I want to cry. What if they grab me? No one will ever know what happened to me. My thoughts drift to Luke and Mom. Luke has had so much pain in his life, having his only sister abducted could fuck him up emotionally the rest of his life.

  Please God. Just make these assholes leave. Please.

  They gun the engine and race around me, stopping in front of me, blocking my way. I slam on the brakes, and barely avoid slamming into their truck. My stomach sinks because that one action shows this isn’t just joy riding for them. They’re escalating this. I feel numb as they climb out of the truck.

  Behind me I hear the honking of another vehicle, and for one horrible moment fear it’s more of their buddies. But when I glance over my shoulder, I see Mason jumping out of his truck. He approaches, looking pissed. He holds a tire iron, and his eyes are black with rage.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” he demands, raising the tire iron threateningly. “Get the hell back in your truck and leave her alone.”

  The driver obeys immediately, but the passenger narrows his eyes. “Who the hell are you?”

  “The guy who’s going to crack open your skull, and piss on your pea brain, if you don’t get moving,” Mason growls.

  The guy hunches his shoulders, obviously not intimidated. He’s way taller than Mason; at least thirty pounds heavier too. But Mason has a more aggressive energy, and slowly the
guy’s demeanor changes. I probably seemed like easy pickings, but taking on another guy with a crow bar must seem like too much work. The guy holds up his hands. “Calm down, dude. We’re just having a little fun.”

  “Fun?” I mutter, unable to contain myself.

  The guy flicks his eyes to me, and scowls. “Yeah, if you weren’t such a stuck up bitch, we could have had a good time.”

  I widen my eyes, anger bubbling in my gut. “Sorry if the idea of sex with you two pigs didn’t do it for me.”

  “You’d have loved it.” He sneers. “Snobby bitches like you moan the loudest.”

  “Oh yeah?” I hiss, seeing red.

  Mason shifts impatiently behind me. I know he wants me to shut up so he can handle things. But the audacity of this would-be rapist lecturing me on being a snob is too much. All of my fear and anger bubble over, and I squat down and grab a rock. I throw it as hard as I can at the guy, letting out a blood curdling scream.

  He’s not at all prepared, and it smacks him on the forehead. He grunts in pain, and lunges toward me. “You fucking cunt!” Luckily my bike is between us, and he can’t quite reach me. He grabs the sleeve of my shirt, but the material slips from his clutching fingers. I scratch at his face, but miss, as Mason yanks me backwards.

  “Back off,” Mason growls at the guy. “Now.”

  “The bitch is going to pay,” Window Guy screams, trying to grab me again.

  “I said leave, asshole.” Mason swings the tire iron at the guy, barely missing his head.

  Pointing at us, the guy’s eyes are wild. “I’ll fucking kill you, both!”

  The driver guns the engine and honks the horn. “Get in the car, Nathan! Jesus Christ, let’s get out of here.”

  Window Guy, aka Nathan, lets loose a string of obscenities, half of which I’ve never heard before. Then he flips us off and jumps in the truck. They tear away, engine sputtering and tires screeching on the pavement. I try to get their license plate, but they don’t have one. Bile rises in my throat and I almost vomit, but somehow manage to hold it down. My legs are shaking so hard, I almost can’t stand.

  “Jesus, fucking, Christ,” Mason rasps, lowering the tire iron. He’s breathing hard, and I’m sure his adrenaline is pumping through his veins like a power plant.