Forbidden: A bully romance (An Academy Twin Rivalry Series Book 2)

by Taylor Blaine

  “Nothing is expensive here. That’s a simple Jack and Seven. Do you need another?” Donnie stepped forward, ready to give me another glass, if I asked for it. He wanted me drunk more than drugged. How much of the poison would kill me?

  Braddox held up a hand. “No, I think one is enough. You heard him, he’s a light weight. We don’t need him dying on us.” Braddox laughed like it was a joke, but I caught the undercurrent of warning in his voice that he was trying to give to Donnie.

  What kind of poison were we talking about that I would be in danger of dying?

  What exactly was Braddox wrapped up in?

  Chapter 16

  Olivia

  I didn’t take my eyes off the front drive as I followed Stephanie inside my old house. Quietly, I shut the door behind me, jerking my chin toward Stephanie as she looked back at me.

  Her eyes wide with amazement, she looked around and then back at me. She barely whispered, but I could hear her like a shout – my paranoia enhanced the sound, of course. But I was having a hard time being logical in someone else’s house.

  Except, it didn’t feel like someone else’s home. Even though the furnishings were different and there was a different smell, the house still felt like the one I’d left behind. The sensation left me disoriented as I tried to absorb where I was.

  The arch over the living room door beckoned. Dad and I would walk under it and see who could reach the highest. Of course, he always won, but I never stopped trying.

  The lights on in the back spotlighted Staci as she walked around the edge of the pool and dove back in. Naked. The girl had no sense of modesty. Part of me envied her that freedom and confidence in her lean curves. Another part couldn’t be more disgusted. That was my old pool afterall.

  “Liv, is that…” Stephanie cocked her head toward the garage and we both held our breath. We stared into each other’s eyes as the automatic garage door opener whirred. We couldn’t go out the back door with Staci there and we couldn’t dive out the front since that’s where the car would be driving in.

  “Hide!” I whispered in a hoarse volume and swiped my hand through the air.

  Stephanie darted up the stairs right behind her, her feet moving silently even as she limp-ran into the darkness eating the stairs.

  I turned to the living room. There was nothing there. No coat closet, no pantry, nothing I could hide in. My familiarity with the floor plan would at least help me know where I could go and where I couldn’t.

  The kitchen had full lighting on. A long couch claimed the wall opposite the stairs. I dropped to all fours and crawled to the side of the couch. Slithering between the back of the furnishing and the wall, I winced as I struck my elbow on the trim.

  Fully behind the couch, I closed my eyes.

  Was it normal that my breathing had shallowed into a pant? My heart pounded, coinciding with a strange rushing in my head. My palms were damp and I forced myself to breathe slower and softer, no matter if I was getting enough oxygen or not. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, but for some reason that made me feel more vulnerable. I snapped my lids open and stared at the back leg of the couch closest to me as if my flicking gaze would tell me where she was going or what was happening.

  All of my muscles tightened as the garage door opened and shut. Heels tapped on the hardwood floor and the sound of someone dropping a set of bags hit the couch inches from my head. Paper crinkled and slid as the bags settled.

  The woman sang softly to herself, walking to the slider and calling out cheerfully. “I’m back. Do you want something to eat?” Brief pause. “Yeah, I’ll get some going. Great dive.” Was she a normal mom? I couldn’t tell. On the one hand, her comments sounded pretty normal and yet, on the other hand, she was talking to her daughter who was naked and swimming in the pool with the lights on.

  I leaned my head back and rested it on the wall. I’d almost gone into the kitchen and hidden in the pantry. They would have found me for sure. Relief poured through me. Prematurely. I hadn’t escaped and Stephanie was still somewhere upstairs.

  I swallowed, not moving as Staci’s higher pitched voice scratched its way inside. “Mom, you’re back early. What are you doing? Did everything turn out okay?”

  Her mother sighed and set something on the counter. “That woman. Okay, so I’m sitting there with Elkin and he’s close to kissing me, which I really need to happen so we can just get to the screwing part, and then Maria and Trenton walk in.” The sound of something moving on the counter punctuated the silence.

  My interest was piqued at the mention of Mom and my step-dad. What did they have to do with anything?

  “Was Olivia there?” Staci’s spiteful tone made me wrinkle my nose. Wow, she seemed to hate me more than I hated her – which was amazing in itself. If we were cousins, we would have to change our mindset.

  “No. I’m not sure where she was. The boys weren’t with them either. I think it was a business date or something. She had the biggest rock I’ve ever seen on her finger, though.” Staci’s mom’s voice didn’t lack any jealousy either. What was with these two women?

  “Do you think it’s possible that the two parents know about Olivia screwing both brothers?” Staci tapped her nail on the counter. She huffed. Was she naked still, maybe dripping pool water onto my mom’s tiled flooring? No, wait, not my mom’s anymore.

  “Are they screwing? How do you know? I thought you were getting a piece of Braddox.” The fridge opened and closed and then there was the sound of something pouring into a glass.

  “Yeah, I was, but Olivia was leaving her room or something. I think she was headed to Jaxon’s. They look exactly the same. We offered, but Jaxon didn’t want to join us. I think that irritated Braddox. He said something to me about not being good enough for Jaxon and so I wasn’t good enough for him.” She sighed. “Whatever. He wishes he could be with me.”

  “That’s right, honey. With your skills, you’re an invaluable prize. Just remember what I taught you. Keep the men happy and you’ll never lack for anything.” The words brought bile to my throat and I softly shook my head. Her mother not only knew about her slutty actions, but she was encouraging them? Saying that was the only way to make anyone happy?

  “Have you entertained already tonight?” She licked something and spoke around whatever she had in her mouth.

  Staci sighed. “Yeah, but I have more guests coming soon. Are you staying or…” The question was suggestive without being explicit.

  I blinked in horror. If my mom had any idea I’d even kissed Jaxon or Braddox, or anyone else, she would have my head. I’m sure she suspected, but she was in denial and didn’t want to approach me in confrontation mode. Especially since we’d both had such a tough time with things lately. I think we were both just trying to get from one day to the next.

  I was grateful for that. Hearing Staci’s mom talk to her the way she was made me even more grateful that my mom was the way she was.

  “What do you think about redoing the bedroom at the top of the stairs? I’d like some swings and harnesses up, but they look kind of weird in the pastels and soft wood.” Staci smacked her lips on something as she talked, breaking up her words into a weird pattern that was also irritating.

  Not the baby’s room. Mom had always wanted another baby and she’d kept the room ready in case Dad ever came around to her way of thinking.

  I don’t know why it bothered me so much that Staci wanted to take something so innocent and spoil it with her debauchery. And the fact that her mother supported her only made it worse.

  “Sure, but clean it when you’re done. I’d like to use it, too. I might be able to get Elkin and his partners to come around to my way of thinking with a few evenings of entertainment.” She laughed conspiratorially, like her daughter should understand what she was talking about.

  “Nice. I’d like to have it up by this weekend. I met a guy that has access to some hits. I’d like to trade. If you need help with the businessmen, let me know. Denver was fun.” Staci lau
ghed and padded across the floor, past where I hid and up the stairs. Had she just stood there naked in front of her mother? I couldn’t see a towel or anything from my vantage point, but that didn’t mean anything. I could barely see ankles from where I lay.

  I had no idea where Stephanie had gone. What if she got caught by Staci? I closed my eyes again and dug my fingers into my palms. Stephanie couldn’t get caught. She was still injured. There’s no way she would be able to run out very fast.

  I couldn’t remember what Staci had said her mother’s name was. Or maybe someone else had told me. I couldn’t remember. Shit.

  The woman sipped whatever drink she was working on and clicked her heels into the living room where the carpet began. Her footsteps were softened by the thick piling.

  Where was she going? Was she looking for me? Did she see me? What if she could see my foot sticking out somewhere?

  Holy hell, what if I was caught? Would she call the cops? I’d have to charge her, or grab one of the gawdy lamps on the side tables, or maybe a vase of flowers and whack her with it across the face. I had no idea what exactly she looked like or how physically strong she was. The view I’d gotten of her at DeGuido’s had been fleeting and I hadn’t focused on her much. I was distracted trying to protect my territory.

  Someone knocked on the front door and she gave a small exclamation of surprise. Walking quickly to the door, she opened it. I could hear the flirting in her voice as she spoke. “Well, hello, boys. What can I do for you?”

  “Is Staci here, ma’am?” I recognized the voice, but I couldn’t put a name to it.

  “Ah, yes. My lovely daughter. Have you boys had a chance to play with her yet? Come on. Maybe you’ll be interested in some mother-daughter action.” She laughed, the sound tinkling and the guys laughed like they weren’t sure what was happening.

  They stomped up the steps after her and I waited until I heard her voice upstairs.

  Whatever was going on up there, I didn’t want to know. I moved as fast as I could – which wasn’t fast – and shimmied out from behind the couch, listening as much as I could over the sound of my panting and body parts rubbing on the carpet.

  Crawling to the back door on all fours through the kitchen, I bit my tongue at the small puddles of water on the tile under my hands and knees. At the door, I carefully and slowly slid it open.

  Moving outside, I held my breath as I shut the door, and said a silent prayer to the universe that Stephanie got out all right. I couldn’t wait for her, not inside. What if I got caught? Stephanie needed to get out of there. She could do it.

  I ran hunched over to the bushes and crouched in the shadows to wait. No matter what, I wasn’t leaving her there by herself. I just had to get out of that house. With both of us inside, we were more vulnerable.

  What if she came out the front door? I couldn’t see all of the options. Instead of staying there where I could only see the backdoor. I ducked into the shrubs by the back of the house and moved around in the perimeter. If I stayed in the shadows of the trees, I could continue pacing to try to catch sight of Stephanie as she snuck out, if she was able to sneak out.

  When I moved toward the front, I paused. I knew that truck. It was a friend of Ryan’s. In fact, if I remembered correctly, it was the douche’s who had stood by while I’d forked his friend.

  I grinned as I squinted at the truck. No one was inside. Of course not, they were inside screwing the Stabler mother and daughter. That was just weird to say.

  Shaking my head, I glanced repeatedly at the house and moved as much within the boundaries of the shadows as I could toward the truck.

  When Dad was home on one of his short stays once, he’d taken me through how a car worked. Various things you should check and numerous ways to incapacitate a vehicle, should I ever need that.

  I turned, tucking myself behind the rear of the truck. I had to move fast. If anyone else showed up, they’d be able to see clearly what I was doing. Rather than open up the hood, I went for the easiest option, hoping the tire stems weren’t in too tight.

  Angling around the side of the truck, I twisted and twisted, pulling out one from the front tire and then one from the rear tire on the opposite side.

  As I crawled backwards from the truck, the tires squeaked as they slowly leaked air from inside their tubes. Two would be enough. They’d know right away someone had stolen their stems.

  I pocketed the pieces and darted back into the shadows, watching the doors for Stephanie.

  In the silence of the night, I tried not picturing what the guys, Staci, and her mom were possibly doing in there. In my home. How could they talk like they hated us when they didn’t even know us? How could they defile the place I’d grown up in?

  Not to mention, why was Staci’s mom in bed – literally – with Elkin? He’d been the CEO of Ramirez International. As far as I knew, when Dad had sold the company, Elkin had gone with it. He’d spouted things off about always being loyal to the Ramirez name, but everyone, even me in my young age, knew that loyalty followed money. He had a family to provide for as well. No one expected him to quit. My mom had even reassured him that he wasn’t expected to go to those extremes.

  I pulled out my phone, keeping one eye on the house while I texted Mom.

  Me: Whatever happened to the company? Who bought it?

  Mom: It’s late. Can we talk about this tomorrow?

  I glanced at the clock in the corner of my phone, my eyes wide at the digital display of 11:08 pm. It was late. My ongoing adventures weren’t even over yet. Who knew how much longer I was going to be?

  Me: Yeah, sorry. I’m at Stephanie’s. I’ll be home in a bit.

  Maybe.

  Mom didn’t need to know that I might not be home that night. I’d actually planned on staying at Stephanie’s. If Stephanie didn’t come out soon, I’d be staying in the trees of my old house instead. Not sure how I should confess that to Mom.

  Mom: No rush. We’re not even home yet. Let me know if you’re staying there or coming back. I’m fine either way. Tell Steph I said hi. She needs to come for dinner soon.

  Mom must want time with Trenton, if she was telling me to stay with Stephanie. Either that or she knew that Stephanie lived a lonely life. Moms tended to see a lot more than kids did.

  She always had extra dinner on the table when Stephanie was over playing. Maybe she suspected that Stephanie needed a family life more than she was getting at home. Her last comment made me glance at the house, worried for Stephanie even more.

  Mom: Just a note, Elkin is running the company. I’m not sure if the buyers are on the sidelines or not. He calls me once in a while to get tips and stuff.

  Elkin was running the company, but that didn’t tell me who had bought it. Maybe Mom didn’t know. The things Staci’s mom had said left me wondering what else Mom didn’t know about.

  Me: Thanks. Okay, night. Love you.

  Mom: You, too.

  It was the first normal conversation we’d had in a while, via text or otherwise.

  Of course, Mom would help anyone who had bought or was running Ramirez International without her. The company wasn’t just some Etsy store thrown up to be sold once it started making money.

  No, Ramirez International represented the hopes and dreams of an entire family, spanning multiple generations. It started with my great-grandparents, and then their children, and then was passed down to my mother, and it was supposed to go to me.

  How many people in multiple villages in Texas and Arizona had depended on Ramirez for jobs? How many hundreds of thousands of dollars a year did my grandmother pay out in bonuses to the hard-working people she considered family?

  More than I thought was possible. She most likely was in a deficit in some instances, but Grandma cared mostly about the people. If Ramirez women weren’t running the company, then who was? Who was taking care of those families?

  Rather than finding answers to questions I’d had when I went into my old house, I’d come out with more riddles a
nd clues. None of which helped with the previous problems and only seemed to present problems of their own.

  Talking with Stephanie would help. Maybe she’d discovered something or maybe not.

  A scream from the upper floor of the house made me jolt forward and then jerk to a stop just inside the protection of the trees. That wasn’t Stephanie’s scream. I had to have patience. Something was going on and I had a feeling I didn’t want to be anywhere near there when the cops came.

  A scream like that guaranteed cops would soon be there.

  The front door thundered open and Stephanie limped from the front door, her arms pumping as fast as she could. She carried something that looked like hair in her hand.

  Chapter 17

  Braddox

  Jaxon wasn’t drinking what Donnie gave him. I could tell in the way he tilted his head back a little too far. Plus, his mouth worked like he was drinking, but his neck didn’t look like he was swallowing.

  Fine. I could do what I needed to while Jaxon was pretending to play along. Did he know we’d drugged Ryan, though?

  “What are we going to do with Ryan?” Jaxon rubbed at his eyes and motioned toward the obviously passed out douchebag.

  I shrugged and moved toward the door, talking to Donnie while corralling Jaxon from the room. “I’ll be back to go over the rest of our conversation.” I gave him a pointed look and narrowed my eyes as if to warn him not to do anything until I got back.

  He nodded, turning back to stare at Ryan. If I didn’t know better, I’d think Donnie had a thing for guys the way he watched Braddox and Ryan. I couldn’t prove it and I didn’t really want to. He did girls, but I could only imagine every girl was just a cover up to what he really wanted. I didn’t care one way or the other, to be honest. Do you and all that crap.