Paint It All Red (Mindf*ck Series Book 5)

by S. T. Abby

  “Where’d you get this?” she asks.

  “It was actually a favor called in from a friend. Apparently, this one has raped numerous girls up and down the coast, but his father’s diplomatic immunity status has prohibited anyone from being able to touch him. They were in the process of getting that status revoked when his father sent him back to Columbia.”

  Her eyes flash with excitement, as Juan Alvarez’s eyes widen, and he struggles, cursing us through his gag. Lana tilts her head, watching him as he jerks against the chains.

  “And you trust the source?” she asks, looking Juan over, her fingers itching to take action.

  “Leonard’s the one who called. The last girl was just fifteen, and he slit her throat. I trust Leonard, and I reviewed the file myself. They have enough physical evidence to prove it, and he hasn’t bothered denying it. They just can’t touch him.”

  She gets up on her toes, smiling as she kisses me. Juan continues to struggle in vain.

  “Thank you,” she murmurs as I hand her the knife.

  She clutches it as her body shudders with the impending high. Too much steals her soul. Too little could cause her to lash out from denying what she had to become.

  But once a year? That’s just right. And Leonard uses that to his advantage, because not all monsters can go to prison.

  Lana’s unique, and I wouldn’t change anything about her. Because now I see the world the way it really is, and I know my only place is right by her side.

  I move in behind her as she cuts on the music, and my arms go around her waist as we sway to the rhythm. She’s eager to get to work, but savoring the moment, taunting him with the hope he hasn’t released just yet.

  Her head falls back against my chest as she revels in the moment, drawing it out.

  I put my lips against her ear and whisper, “Happy anniversary, baby.”

  THE END.

  Thank you for reading the Mindfuck Series! Hope you take the time to review, as that really helps spread the word about books. <3

  Keep reading for a sneak peek at the NASH BROTHERS, starting soon, and will be released quickly after the first one hits.

  Power Exchange

  Nash Brothers Book 1

  Strength is earned, never given, and always tested.

  Chapter 1

  Three days ago, I was standing on an actual ledge outside my one-bedroom apartment and looking down at the long drop as I struggled to breathe. Today I’m standing on a metaphorical ledge, looking up at an enormous, unwelcoming home. Breathing isn’t much easier.

  Funny how one led to the other.

  The lush, green lawn surrounding me is only obstructed by the long, wooden deck that extends from the center of the yard, leading down to the lake beach. The large patch of white sand looks to be imported and stretches from side to side as far as I can see.

  Woods surround the home on the back of the house, which is probably the view I’ll have. It’s doubtful there are any lakeside views left available. It’s going to be one hell of an adjustment to go from being an only child to one of four.

  The three Nash boys won’t be overly enthused to share their comfortable lifestyle with me, either.

  The empty driveway I’m standing in has a circle at the end, and a massive fountain that has a weird abstract sculpture is in the middle. I glance behind me as the cab driver pulls out of the end of the long driveway, heading back to pick up someone else. He’s probably hoping for a better tipper next time.

  Sighing, I tug both my suitcases behind me, keeping my purse over my shoulder and a backpack strapped to me as well. Maybe I’ll get lucky and Olivia and Hal won’t be here.

  After keying in the code I was given and pushing the door open, I glance back, letting my eyes search the lake one last time. For miles and miles, all I can see is the water straight in front of me. But off to the side, there’s a small island nestled in the middle. It’s definitely something I plan to visit.

  Maybe I’ll pack a tent and move out there when this doesn’t work out.

  Finally, after taking one last breath, I move inside the house, dreading this with every fiber in my body.

  Silence.

  Nothing but painstakingly brutal silence.

  Mom always had music playing because she knew how much I hate silence. But Hal doesn’t give a damn.

  Each creak and rustle seems to echo in the massive entryway. Two staircases start and arch, slowly spiraling upward. Well, hell. That’s going to be a bitch to get my suitcases up. Especially since Hal wouldn’t enjoy scuffs or scratches all over his shiny, dark-cherry hardwood. I forgot all about the damn stairs.

  I haven’t been here for over five years, so the staircases didn’t register high on the need-to-remember list.

  My throat is dry, considering I slept on the plane and never bothered to get a drink during the three layovers I had. It’s hard to go from New York to Russette, Utah.

  Leaving the city to live in the country… It’s odd. No longer am I surrounded by noisy traffic and beautiful skyscrapers. Nature encompasses me now, and the smell—though amazing—is also a little… too new. It’s almost as though there are no scents here at all, but then you hit one patch and your sense of smell is overwhelmed. Or the wind stirs and carries new scents to you all the time.

  The second I sneeze, I silently curse, remembering why I hate nature so much. This is going to take some getting used to. I used to only stay for a few short days at a time, back when I still visited my father.

  Abandoning my luggage in the foyer, I head toward the kitchen. It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I know the layout well enough.

  There’s another staircase after I pass through the main part of the house, and I brush my fingers over the smooth banister while I move on, heading all the way toward the back where the kitchen is.

  The patio doors are off to the side, and I glance through the windows of them as I pass by, taking in the sizeable pool they seem to have upgraded. Or maybe it was always that big. Who knows?

  I’ve always preferred swimming in the lake while I was here, as opposed to playing in a pool. The outdoor area in the back is set up for parties, probably able to hold large quantities of people.

  This place is so huge, that it seems to take me forever to reach the kitchen, but when I finally do, it takes me twice as long to find a glass.

  No sooner do I pour the water, I hear the front door open and close, the thudding of it echoing through the otherwise silent house. Loud, male laughter fills the vast space, resounding off the walls, but it’s suddenly gone all at once.

  “Guess that means she’s here early,” one of them says, though I don’t know which one. I haven’t seen any of the Nash boys since I was fourteen, and that voice is much deeper than any of them were back then.

  I’ve only ever seen my three stepbrothers a total of five times. Now I’ll have to finish out my senior year of high school with them, so I suppose I’ll be seeing them all the time.

  As I said, I have no luck.

  “Did she seriously just leave all her shit down here for us to carry up? Can we say spoiled?” another deep voice asks, singing the last word.

  I’ve never been spoiled—ever. My father is wealthy, but my mother never was. So we always lived modestly.

  Cackles ignite, and I hear the first voice again. “What the hell are we supposed to do? Did Mom or Hal tell her we’d take the shit up for her? Think the princess would tattle if we left her to deal with her own shit?”

  Those are the jokes I’ve been expecting. They always referred to me as the princess.

  “Fuck that. Leave it. We have to hurry.” And there’s the third voice. More than likely, given the surly attitude, that’s Ethan.

  Their voices turn to mutters as their heavy footfalls echo through the house, and I release the breath I was holding. Deciding to avoid them until they come down, I rush toward the foyer, staying light on my feet so as not to make any noise, and slide my bags into the small alcove under th
e curved stairs.

  Just then, I hear the rumble of laughter again, and the stairs are pounded by the three boys. I don’t want to face them yet, so I dive into the alcove with my luggage, silently cursing my stupid luck the whole time.

  “Damn. She must have come and gotten her shit.”

  “That was fast. How’d she get by without us seeing her?”

  “You know Mom doesn’t want her being alone. Think she’ll get pissed if we leave her here?”

  “Who fucking cares? Mom would be here if she was so damn worried,” says the one I assume is Ethan in a bored drawl. “Let’s get to Miranda’s party before the sun sets. Everyone will be too damn drunk to talk if we show up much later. Practice is putting us behind a bunch of them as it is.”

  “Speaking of Miranda…”

  “How long are you going to fuck that shady piece, Luke?” one groans.

  At least I know which one is Luke now, even though I’m not brave enough to peek out and see their faces.

  “Better than Elise. When you gonna stop hitting that?”

  “I haven’t fucked Elise in at least… two days.”

  Their laughter bellows out again as the door shuts, the thick buffer only allowing remnants to slip through, and once again I have a breath to release. If I’m already hiding from them, this is going to be a really long year.

  Chapter 2

  They redecorated my bedroom. The dark gray walls are coupled with deep plum curtains. The oversized bed could hold five people on it, and the sofa is soft enough to sleep on. Why did they change it? I’m not staying here past graduation.

  This room is large enough to be an apartment. It’s hard to see the two walks of life colliding. Mom didn’t like living in lavish surroundings.

  My phone rings, and I sigh while dropping down to the bed that matches the drapes.

  “Hey, Liz.”

  “Damn, Sin. I miss you already. Why the hell did you have to go and do something as stupid as hang on a ledge?”

  Groaning, I inch up the bed until I’m resting against the padded headboard.

  “Really?”

  “Too soon?” Liz asks.

  “Yes, too soon. That damn ledge altered my life… in all the wrong ways. Now I’m stuck in Rusette. There’s no chance I’ll find a friend like you while I’m here. You were one in a thousand. I don’t think the senior class in Rusette will even have one-hundred people.”

  She snickers, but then she sighs sadly.

  “Your dad told my mom he’d fly me out there to see you in a few days—before school starts back. Then I’ll get to see your smokin’ hot stepbrothers.”

  It’s doubtful my father thought of this. It’s more likely that Olivia had him call Beverly—Liz’s mom—and make the offer.

  I snort derisively while shaking my head. “I doubt you’ll see much of them. I haven’t even seen them since I turned fourteen. And that was briefly at a thing my grandparents had.”

  “How is that possible?” she asks in disbelief.

  It’s no surprise she knows very little about this part of my family. It’s not like I discuss this, considering it’s not exactly discussion worthy.

  “They were only married for a few months back when I still came here to visit Hal. I saw the Nash boys a handful of times. Then I only saw my father on certain holidays when he visited my grandparents. Usually the Nash boys went to their dad’s house on those same holidays. I’ve maybe had a total of three conversations with all three combined. Ethan and Luke have never spoken to me at all. Jax is the only one who attempted to speak to me. And that’s the story.”

  I decide not to tell her that Jax wasn’t nice the few times he spoke. They usually ignored me, but if I ever pissed them off, Jax was the one who warned me. His tongue had daggers, but Ethan was the worst. I was always grateful I never pushed hard enough to deal with his wrath.

  “They were at the funer—” She stops short, sucking in a regretful breath, and I exhale slowly.

  Deciding not to make her feel worse, I continue on as if she had finished that statement and it didn’t bother me. The wound isn’t as fresh, but it still hurts. Considering my current predicament, it’s best not to act affected. What’s sad is that she thinks they were there on their own accord instead of their mother’s authority.

  “I didn’t notice them that day.”

  I didn’t notice anyone. I was numb. My tears blurred my vision when I wasn’t staring absently at nothing at all. I don’t even remember my dad or Liz being there that day.

  “Well, they were certainly the talk. Every girl there was asking their names.”

  So glad my mother’s funeral was such a fun party where lonely girls could crush on my stepbrothers.

  “Well, the Nash boys aren’t the heartthrobs everyone seems to think they are.”

  They’re assholes if you ask me.

  “You sound terrible, Sin. Keep sounding that way and your dad will ship you off to some sort of counseling camp or something. You have to remember that they think you’re suicidal.”

  I curse, slapping the bed under me. “I’m not suicidal. I wasn’t going to jump. I just needed to breathe. It was a panic attack, and I had a moment of claustrophobia. I was just sitting on a ledge.”

  “You were on a ledge five stories up. For over forty-five minutes. And you were wide-eyed, freaked out, and shaking. Rescue workers had to pull you to safety when they found you to be nonresponsive.”

  I don’t have any recollection of that, for the most part. I remember being hauled backwards, but I was so out of it. It was like I was in twelve places at once, the walls were closing in on me, and then I sought out air. I just needed to breathe.

  Then… nothing. I spaced out until the hands started pulling me back, and I ended up in the hospital. They didn’t let me leave until they prescribed me the anti-depressants that I don’t need—or take.

  It’s as though a girl can’t have a simple panic attack these days.

  “What happened, Sin?” Liz asks, reminding me that I’ve been sitting here in silence.

  Trying to block out the mental image, I answer, “It was a nightmare. In my dream, I was back in that car, and it was so real. I heard our screams, felt the jolt and the glass scraping across my body. Then I saw her… I was pinned under her all over again. When I woke up, I couldn’t breathe. I just needed air. I know it was a panic attack, but everyone thinks I was contemplating suicide. Spend five days getting a psych evaluation and see how lovely life looks. It’s not fun to have everyone hovering over you like you’re crazy.”

  Which is why I’m shocked no one is here. Apparently Olivia panicked when she learned my Aunt was rarely ever at home, so that left me unsupervised. That’s what forced me to have to come out here.

  And here I am unsupervised. The irony.

  “It sucks you had to take an earlier flight.”

  “Yeah, the—”

  “Sinclair! Are you here?” Olivia’s panicked, screaming voice startles me and I jump on the bed. Sheesh. Is she trying to give me a heart attack?

  “I need to call you back. Olivia sounds like she’s—”

  “Sinclair!”

  “—freaking the hell out.”

  Liz sighs before making me promise to call her later, and I head out the door.

  “Up here,” I call down the stairs, but Olivia rounds the curve of the staircase almost as soon as the words leave my mouth.

  She heaves out a breath and doubles over, looking as though she can’t grasp air. It takes her a second to compose herself.

  “I just now saw your message. I got here as soon as I could. I had planned to pick you up from the airport. Why on earth did they make you take an earlier flight?”

  I might should have told them that before today. It just slipped my mind until I was at the first airport. I’m only about seven hours early.

  “They had a plane tear up, so they had to shuffle around everyone who was on the flights scheduled for it. I had to come today or yesterday, because most
of the later flights were booked up. Sorry. I sent a text.”

  She forces a grin, and then she tugs me into her arms almost forcefully, hugging me so tight that it hurts.

  “It’s so good to have you here,” she says in an emotional whisper, and I inwardly groan.

  Everyone thinks I’m the girl who wants to die, and they’re smothering me. Well, they’re going to suffocate me to damn death.

  Chapter 3

  Hushed voices and muffled laughter jars me awake. I turned into the lightest sleeper in the world after the accident.

  “Boys!” Olivia barks, and several grumbles and muttered curses escape their lips.

  I glance over to the clock, noting that it’s three in the morning. They must be out past curfew. I’m about to get to witness a serious showdown.

  Grinning, I move to the door and open it as heavy footsteps thud against the hardwood stairs. “What?” I hear one of them snap, sounding entirely too pissed. She’s the only one not afraid of them, and despite their cruel mentality, they allow it.

  “What?” she growls. “You’re asking what? I told all of you that Sinclair can’t be alone. And the first day she’s here, you do just that. I know you came home after practice, and Sinclair would have been here by then.”

  Ah, hell. This is humiliating. In fact, it’s so degrading that I could crawl into a ball and hide from the world.

  Before they can retort or defend themselves, Olivia sets in again. “She’s going through something terrible, and she needs your help. All of us are responsible for her right now. You’re grounded until school starts.”

  “What the fuck, Mom?”

  Shit. Shit. Shit.

  Deciding I’d prefer not to become a target for the ruthless Nash boys, I storm through the door as Olivia continues berating them. Just as I come into view, I see Olivia’s blonde hair bouncing as she adamantly scolds her three sons.

  The backs of three heads with jet-black hair are in my view. I’m actually a little shocked by the fact they’re so tall now—well, I can only see how tall two of them are. Even though they’re halfway down a few stairs, they’re still almost as tall as me. That means they’re well over six feet tall.