TWISTED ELITES: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Wexley Prep Exclusive High Book 3)

by Ana Slash

  So I said to him, “Will you please consider dropping the charges against Maxim?”

  He wrinkled an eyebrow and said, “I’m sorry that is not negotiable now go to school.”

  I felt like a kid, my stepfather practically dismissed me, and what did I do? I went along with it. I got in the car and headed to school, and that’s when I ran into this great new guy. He was hilarious too.

  He teased me and made fun.

  And of course I looked across the room to see Killian looking upset and Mattea stood right by him. Oh no this did not look good. I slid my hair behind my ears and said to the new guy, “I’m sorry I didn’t get your name?” He said, “they call me Flynn.” My eyes widened and he noticed. He laughed and said, “yes, even better if you’re up for an adventure and your guy.”

  I swallowed.

  oh my God--

  I took in his beautiful dark glistening eyes, blue but dark. I can’t even explain it and of course his beautiful scent smelled so warm and inviting.

  I shouldn’t do this. What is wrong with me?

  my emotions are all over the place.

  And that’s the moment Susan walked up and coughed.

  She smiled at me and she smiled at Flynn.

  He took me by the hand and led me away from him.

  She then whispered into my ear, “you should be careful with that one, he’s new here, but don’t be fooled, his family is filthy rich and well known. His father owns pretty much all the Bay Area. Then again, don’t they all get away with things you know the filthy rich?”

  She looked a little worried.

  I glanced at her arm and noticed a bruise.

  Concerned, I asked, “What happened to you?”

  She shrugged and said, “What this? Oh you know me, I am so clumsy. Nothing to worry about.”

  “This does not look like an ordinary Bruise, tell me who did this to…”

  “Shh could you keep your voice down, I don’t want anyone to know.”

  “I…” I began only to be interrupted by Killian.

  He walked up and said, “Hello Bella, how are you?”

  I smiled and said, “I am doing okay.”

  My eyes darted over his body, I looked up and down. He looked great, handsome, desirable and I wanted him.

  I was happy to see him but I will be lying, if I said I wasn’t a little concerned about what happened last night and I am not talking about my tryst with Maxim but the strange rainstorm that damaged the cars. I turned to Killian and said, “Everything is great. I am doing well, as you can see.

  And that’s when Susan coughed, she said, “I think we need to get to class.”

  I turned to Killian and smiled as we walked past him. Everyone in class kept talking about the previous night’s crazy rain, including Samantha and her crew. I overheard them speaking,

  Samantha said, “did you hear that storm last night?’

  “I did, it was crazy! The other girl retorted. Samantha nodded and turned to me, she asked, “hmm and where were you, Bella?” I kept a straight face. The last thing I wanted was to talk about my tryst with Maxim. It’s none of their business.I refused to tell them I was out all night with him?

  Oh no, that’s on a need to know basis. And then I thought about my stepfather’s request that I focus on school and stick to my books. And that’s what I did. So I smirked mischievously and said, “oh just. studying.”

  And with that I turned back to notice Mrs Marble, the math teacher walking in the class. I stayed focused on the class. When we finally got a break, Killian walked up to me and asked what I did last night. He said, “You know you can tell me the truth.”

  I couldn’t lie to him so I said, “I was with Maxim.” He nodded, and said, "I guess that’s why I couldn’t reach him?”

  “Reach who?” Matteo asked, moving forward and placing his hand on Killian’s shoulders.

  I didn’t want Killian to tell Matteo as I looked him in the eye.

  He turned to Matteo and said, “Oh nothing important.”

  And with that, Matteo left it alone, although from the look of things I could tell he wasn’t buying it. God could I stay loving three guys? How crazy is this? I did my best through the day to stay focused. But this was hard. The new guy Flynn kept stealing glances my way and I must be honest I got hooked to his attentive ways. He was also very sexy and he smelled great too. Plus his piercing eyes stared into mine as though staring deep into my soul?

  I often averted his gaze, but then when I turned I noticed the guys frowning.

  Oh no, I thought, they must think he is complete or something, how funny?

  Once classes ended, Killian walked up to me and asked, “are you doing anything tonight?”

  I turned and said, “Hmm not really but I think my step Dad has something planned for the family tonight. I think I should head home. I have not exactly been the best daughter you know.”

  He smiled and said, “Just so you know I am here for you and if you need anything call on me.”

  I smiled and said thanks.

  That’s the moment. Matteo walked towards me and said, “yeah so you know I have plans for a party, the last before we graduate you know.”

  I smiled and said, “Hmm that sounds like a great plan. I guess I have to go now.” And with that I walked away and into the car sent by my step Dad. When I got home, I noticed my step father watching the news, he looked pensive. He had his hands underneath his chin. He placed his hands on his hips. He took in a deep breath and exhaled. Then I asked, “is something wrong?”

  He turned to me, sighed, and said, “I don’t know.” He got teary eyed. It was the first time I had seen him teary eyed, why? This had to be serious. Mom looked frazzled, she said to me, “looks like there’s a pandemic happening from that crazy rain last night, people are getting sick! It's awful.”

  I stood horrified, fear engulfed my senses, I turned and stared at the television screen. I watched the panicked faces from the reporters. Oh no, where are we headed with this desperate situation?

  13

  Maxim

  I had no choice but to stay away from the school out of an abundance of caution from my father. I sat at home thinking all about Bella. I wondered if she was thinking about me too? I tried hard to control my emotions, but I really couldn’t. Jessica’s being blowing up my phone, I thought she’d have realized by now that whatever she thinks we have will never happen. I love Bella.

  I tried to save her that night and now I am paying the price. There’s one thing Wealthy families hate: legal troubles. I laid in bed and stared up at the ceiling, watching and counting the number of times the blade on the ceiling fan spun. I was a mess.

  I turned to the television screen to see panic, what’s happening now in a dystopian reality? That rain was no ordinary rain and we knew it too. I sighed and that’s the moment. A knock on my door jolted me back to reality.

  “Are you in there, son?” I heard my father say.

  “Yes Dad…”

  “Great, so how are you feeling? I know taking a day off school might seem like a lot for you, but with what’s going on out there, it’s best you stay in here.”

  I looked at my Dad. I wanted to ask how he could remain friends with a man who is suing me for something I didn’t do? When he was the one who tried to hurt Bella?

  As though reading my mind, my father said, “I know what you are thinking, you are probably wondering why I didn’t go after Mr. Myers and why I am still friends with him.

  My father looked me in the eyes as he spoke, I agreed with him and said, “yes.”

  He sighed and sat next to me and said, “Because it’s the way things work around here. You don’t understand, but one day you will. The way to keep the wealth is to avoid scandal of any kind.”

  “Scandal Dad?” I wanted to say something about my father’s interest in younger women but I decided against it. I didn’t want to upset him, yes I know I should stand up to him but with my emotional childhood wounds I learned quickly
my father was not someone to mess with.

  But then something snapped within me, I couldn’t stop the urge to speak up. This was wrong, I shouldn’t have to take the blame for something I didn’t do!

  I shouldn’t have to take the blame for something like this. I discreetly clenched and unclenched my fist.

  I turned to my father and said, “father, how could you let this happen?”

  Dad shook his head once more and said to me, “you know how things work around here. You know we can’t afford a lawsuit.”

  I shook my head and palmed my face, I couldn’t help it. I stood up and paced the room, my father’s eyes watching my every move.

  Then I turned to my father and said, “you have the power to stop this completely, you could talk to your friend to make this go away.”

  He looked at me and said, “yes, I can.”

  My father towered over me. When he stood up, I knew the battle between us was over. I couldn’t stand up to my Dad even if I tried. But then I gained strength. Yes this time was different.

  I looked up and stared into his eyes.

  I said, “my life has been hell, father! I didn’t do it Dad. I thought you would fix this, but no, you are out there with young girls.”

  “Women,” My father frowned and then he spat out, “Don’t you dare talk to me that way again, do you understand?”

  Painful tears streamed down my face.

  He said to me, “you know how much time and Money I put into this, trying to protect you from what’s out there? Do you know how much the Lawyer alone costs and how no one in this family has had issues at Wexley? Oh and do you think people out there like us? Rich and privileged? No, they don’t. Whatever you have in your young life, remember this son, I provided it all.”

  Desperate, I flailed my hands in the air and said to him, “I don’t want this, I want to simple life. I want to go to a different school, Dad! It’s hard keeping up…”

  My father cut me off and said no uncertain terms, “what, we have? Do you know how many people do whatever it takes to have half of what you have hmm? Look at what’s going on out there, there’s an epidemic of multiple proportions. It’s mind blowing out there Maxim and here you are going on about yourself”

  I palmed my face and shifted uneasily.

  My father, tall, stern and firm, stood staring, showing no emotion.

  All I wanted was a hug from him, that was all I desired.

  Why wouldn’t he help me? Make it go away? Why didn’t he believe I had nothing to do with Bella’s accident? Why wouldn’t he see his friend for who he is, a conniving, evil man?

  My father turned to walk out but then he passed out the door and said, “you need to stay safe. I pulled out some money for us. We have no idea where this is going? Did you notice that black rain last night? That was no ordinary rain, it was a sign of what’s to come. Oh and by the way, I knew exactly what you were up to last night, I had you followed.”

  I Shook my head in disbelief, why would my father have someone follow me?

  I said to him, “You had someone follow me?”

  He nodded and said, “as I should, as a concerned parent I worried about you hurting the family name so I had you followed, son, Maxim. It had to be done.

  I shook my head once more and plopped on the bed, watching as my father turned towards the door. He walked out without saying another word. I wanted to ask, why didn’t you have your friend followed instead?

  Bella oh Bella why are you consuming my mind like this is madness, fucking traumatizing. I need help. I have to get through this. I got out of the house. My father tried to stop me. I told him I needed to take a walk.

  He said, “it's too dangerous out there, stay here. You are safe at home, if you get caught in the black rain, there’s no telling what can happen to you. I might be a lot of things, but you are still my son and you will carry on my family name someday, you will be like me.”

  “No Dad, I won’t be like you. I will be like them, the people you constantly put down. With any luck, I plan on becoming a driver like Henry. It’s good pay and it's great or I will work on my passions. I have to go, Dad.

  I shot out the door before Dad could say another word. I walked past the security detail and they tried to stop me but my father yelled, “let him go!”

  I walked down the street and what I noticed next was sheer horror. I walked past the grocery store and noticed the chaos, people lining up with masks and gloves plus fights along the streets for house would item, a man walked up to me and said, “you can help me. I need some money.” His eyes, dark and weary. Another lady stepped up behind me and said, “you look like the rich types. You can give us some money, yes you can. You have money, I can tell from the clothes you have on.”

  14

  Bella

  I headed home, expecting to see my stepfather at the mansion.

  I walked in. I didn’t expect to see my mother, but then she stumbled out of the living room laughing in the arms of the doctor!

  I raised an eyebrow and thought, “I guess things will never change with mom. I guess it’s just the way she is. They had no idea I was standing there watching their actions. I couldn’t believe it, they did not notice me standing there even though I stood watching for a few minutes!

  Mom giggled and ran her hands on his broad shoulders, while the doctor gazed into her eyes. I thought okay I need to put a stop to this right now because they looked like lovers caught up in a passionate moment, and with any luck it might turn into something else unless I put a stop on it.

  So I coughed. Startled, mom turned and stammered in her drunken state, “I was not expecting you back so soon.”

  What did she mean by soon? I normally get home at this exact time!

  I thought to myself, God is she always inebriated ?

  Will she ever have a moment where she’s not drunk?

  She walked up to me, grabbed my cheeks and drawled, “you were such a good girl. I’m glad your memory is coming back, well aside from that night.”

  Her date, the doctor, stood back and said “she probably has amnesia and won’t remember anything from that night, pity.”

  I shot him a look that might as well have said, “you know everything, don’t you.”

  But then I feigned a smile because I noticed how upset my mother looked.

  I said to her, “it was a long day today, mom. I think I’m just going to retire in my room.”

  She drawled in her drunken state, “you do that, and you do all the studying you need because that’s what we pay for, right?”

  I shrugged and said here I guess so.

  She turned to her doctor lover and said, “I think we should head out now.”

  I said to her, “where is Dad?”

  She paused and looked at me with widened eyes.

  She said to me, “Wow, you call him Dad now? That’s great.”

  “Yeah I do, mom, he seems to care about me more than you.”

  Before she said another word, I hurried out of the room and up the stairs to my bedroom.

  I shut the door, letting it slam behind me.

  I heard my mother speaking in hushed tones, as though in a hurry to leave the house.

  Moments later, I heard the door slam. I guess she left with her doctor friend.

  I laid on the bed. I tried calling Maxim, but no answer.

  I just don’t know what happened.

  He didn’t pick up.

  So I left it alone. I thought great, once again I am home alone. But then moments later, I heard a familiar voice coming from the study. I looked up to see my stepfather talking on the phone. I heard him say, “Yes sell the shares. Sell the billion dollar shares, yes, and get the bunker ready because we’re going to need it.”

  I raised an eyebrow and stood at a close distance watching him.

  I thought to myself, “He’s a good man, he is really caring. Perhaps Maxim was mistaken about what happened that night? Maybe his subconscious was playing with him?

&nb
sp; My step Dad turned around and noticed me.

  He smiled and waved, but he stayed on the phone.

  Then he beckoned me to come over and sit down.

  I did as he requested; I walked into the study and sat down.

  He kept talking on the phone, handling business but all the while smiling at me.

  Once he ended with the call, he said, “I’m glad you’re here, Bella.”

  I said, “yeah, I’m glad to be home. I took your word to study and keep my grades up.”

  He said, “you’re a fantastic girl.”

  And with that, he placed the phone down and sat across from me.

  I said to him, “I was just about to get some to eat. Would you like some?”

  He said “yeah that would be great, that would really be great.”

  So I got up and walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator and made us both a sandwich. My stepfather walked into the kitchen, sat down and ate his sandwich.

  “This is delicious, Bella!” He said. I beamed.

  . Please he liked it, I murmured, “thanks.”

  And then I added, “I guess I’m pretty good at making sandwiches.”

  He grinned and said, “I bet you’re good at a lot of things too.”

  I raised an eyebrow, trying to figure out what he meant by his words.

  He asked me to join him and have a bite of his sandwich. I declined politely, but then he added he had something to tell me.

  I wondered what he wanted to say.

  I didn’t have to wonder long because he said to me, “I saw your friend today.”

  I swallowed and asked, “who?”

  He said, “I’ll tell you all about it in a minute, but first you really need to stick to your studies and stay away from those boys, especially with the crazy things going on out there, you realize there’s pandemonium out there.”

  And then he said “I like you Bella I really do.”