by Kent, Rina
My shoulders turn rigid as I stare at the two photos of Astrid. She’s not naked, but the shots don’t leave much for the imagination.
I yank Xander’s phone and study the pictures.
“It could be photoshop,” Cole says in an uncertain tone.
“No, that’s me.” I tilt my head to the side, trying to figure out where the fucker stood while taking the pictures.
The first picture looks like it’s been taken outside the left window.
The second picture was taken somewhere near the car park’s elevator.
Whoever did this is fucking over.
“You promised.” Aiden clutches my shoulder and presses down hard. I don’t know if he’s trying to keep me in line or he’s simply stopping me from going berserker.
I won’t do this with rage. No. That will make things messy. This one will be done with so much fucking calm, they’ll wish I was angry instead.
“Have you seen her at school?” I ask.
“You won’t like this, Captain.” Cole stares between me and the other two. “She did show up with Danny and she looked like she knew.”
I kick a nearby pole, not caring for the pain exploding in my toes. Of course, she showed up. Astrid isn’t the type who runs away.
I’m going to fuck up Daniel’s face for letting her go through that.
“How bad was it?” I ask them.
“Aside from the slut and whore remarks…” Xander trails off. “Some made suggestive remarks her way.”
Those fucking arseholes are dead.
No one messes with what’s mine and lives to talk about it.
“We’re going to teach the fucking school a lesson.” I’m about to head to my car when a black BMW screeches to a halt beside mine.
Daniel barges out with a fuming face and his hands clenched into fists.
I look past him, expecting Astrid to come out of the passenger seat.
When she doesn’t, the weight that’s been perching on my chest since Friday becomes heavier.
“Where is she?” I ask him.
“That’s what I ought to ask you, King,” he snarls.
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“After her accident, the shrink said she needed to get out of her shell and I so foolishly believed you’d give her that, but this is over the fucking line. Even for you, Captain.”
He lunges at me but Aiden yanks him back by the shoulder. “Back. Off.”
“You think I did this?” I ask with an incredulous tone. “If I wanted to ruin her reputation, I would’ve done that at the beginning, not now.”
“She has been through hell and back. She doesn’t need your shit, too,” Daniel spits out, struggling against Aiden and Xander. “If you can’t be man enough for her, then leave her the fuck alone. I’ll find her and you’re no longer welcome near her. I don’t care if you remove me from the team. Actually, I quit. You can take my position and shove it up your arse.”
I stalk towards him until I’m a small distance away. “Go back. What do you mean by you’ll find her?”
“She ran away from school two hours ago and I can’t find her anywhere.”
I push Aiden and Xan out of the way until I’m toe-to-toe with Daniel. “Where the fuck is she?”
“I checked her home, Ally’s, the park, and the school’s art studio, but I couldn’t find her anywhere.”
“You didn’t search hard enough.”
“Those are the only places she frequents.”
“There must be places you’re forgetting.” My voice raises and so does my temper.
“If she wants to run away.” Aiden’s gaze slides from me to Daniel. “She won’t choose a place she can be found in.”
“Ask Ronan to throw a party,” I tell Aiden. “I want the entire school invited.”
I’ll find Astrid and the whole school will know the consequences of fucking with what’s mine.
32
Astrid
He thought he broke me, but he shouldn’t have let me pick up the pieces because what doesn’t kill me, better run.
* * *
My forehead presses against the tombstone as I breathe in the smell of dirt.
I’ve been crying on Mum’s grave for the past hour or so, but the pain inside me feels like a breathing, living being.
It’s so alive.
So heavy.
So real.
"Make it stop, Mum," I cry in a hoarse voice. "Make it all stop, please."
If she were here, she would’ve said the right words to make me feel better.
She would’ve hugged me until I was strong enough to pick up all my broken pieces.
Levi's betrayal dug a deep, black hole in my chest that keeps getting bigger with every breath I take.
It’s all my fault.
I should’ve never let my guard down around him. He’s the king and I’m just the pawn he decided to play with.
Why was I stupid to believe there could be something more?
“Astrid?”
My back snaps into a rigid line at the voice coming from behind me.
I wipe at my eyes with the back of my hand, sitting up. "D-Dad?"
His brows draw as he stares down on me. He’s carrying red tulips. Mum’s favourites.
I’m surprised he remembers that. Hell, I’m taken aback by seeing him in the cemetery in the first place.
In her will, Mum asked to never be visited on the anniversary of her death, but I’m always here on my birthdays.
Technically, I’m not defying her will if I come on the anniversary of her funeral.
In all the three years Mum died, I was the only visitor she had.
Or so I thought.
Is Dad the secret visitor who always leaves red tulips at Mum’s tombstone?
"What are you doing here, Dad?"
He places the flowers at the tombstone and sits beside me, not caring that his pressed Gucci suit wouldn't be good friends with the dirt. "I should be asking you that. Shouldn't you be at school?"
I wince at the reminder of school.
Dad narrows his eyes slightly. "Are you skipping? Do I need to talk to the principal?"
“N-no.” Think, Astrid, think. “I just needed to talk to Mum. I miss her.”
My voice shakes at the end and I realise how much that’s true. Since she left, my life doesn’t feel right.
For a brief moment, when I was with Levi, I thought I could be happy again.
But it was all a freaking joke. He only did all that so he could manipulate me.
Dad places a hand on my shoulder. "I know I'll never be Jasmine, but if you need to talk…”
He trails off as if he doesn’t know how to finish the sentence.
I sniffle on my tears. "Why… why are you against me identifying suspects?"
He lifts an eyebrow. "I see deputy Vans has been telling you things he shouldn’t."
“I heard you talking to the commissioner. You said you didn’t want me to go through what happened in the past again. Why?”
“Eavesdropping, too,” he says with slight amusement.
“Technically, it’s not eavesdropping if I hear you on my way out.”
“You mean when you sneak out.”
Busted. I smile a little. “Semantics, Dad.”
He smiles back.
I forgot how young and carefree Dad looks when he smiles genuinely, not like the one he puts in front of cameras.
I haven’t seen him smiling like this since I was seven.
“Don’t you want me to find justice?” I ask.
“Justice is unimportant in this case.”
“But why, Dad? You closed Mum’s case so quickly, too as if it never happened. You might want to pretend like she never existed, but she did.”
“I know that.” A muscle clenches in his jaw.
“Then why did you shut off the investigation? Why, Dad? Why?”
“The other person died. There was no need to keep the case open.”
My
throat closes. “S-someone else died?”
“Yes.” He stands up. “So drop it.”
“But —”
“Take it as if I’m asking you for a favour and drop it.”
After Mum’s accident, I looked all over for articles, but Dad’s PR’s team is so strong that all articles were wiped out. Then he announced me to the public as his daughter. The articles mentioned that Mum’s accident was because of a dog.
This is the first time anyone mentions someone else.
My lips thin in a line despite all the questions I want to ask. I can’t deny Dad the first favour he asks of me.
“Fine.”
“Thank you.” He offers me his hand. “Have lunch with me.”
“Don’t you have to work?” I ask.
“That can wait.”
I take his hand, stunned that he’d want to have lunch with me outside the house.
It’s awkward at first with Dad asking about school and all. Then, we both order pepperoni pizzas and talk about his future projects. Apparently, Dad plans to make a school for refugees and I feel kind of proud about that.
His assistant calls, but he tells her to postpone all his appointment for the day.
For the first time in ever, I feel closer to Dad like maybe he doesn’t hate having me all that much.
After lunch, he asks me where I want to go next. I choose the amusement park like how Mum used to take me on my birthdays.
I thought Dad would only watch as I play, but he removes his jacket and tie and plays with me.
We have lots of fun, trying to win stuffed animals. Who knew Dad has an excellent range?
A few people recognise and approach him. He always introduces me first as if it’s important for him that people know about me.
He only drops me home late afternoon when he receives an emergency call.
“I'm sorry for bailing on our date,” Dad says as we both get out of the car in front of the house.
I grin, holding out the stuffed toys we won. “Thanks, Dad. I had fun. I feel lighter now.”
“Remember, Astrid. You’re a Clifford and no one brings us down.”
I try to give him a smile, but at the reminder of how I ran from school today, it comes out as a grimace.
“No one hurts my daughter and gets away with it. Tell me who I have to destroy.”
“No one, Dad.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod.
He takes my hand in his and clasps something around my wrist. “Happy Birthday, Star.”
Before I can say anything, he goes back to his car and disappears down the road.
I look down to find a dainty bracelet around my wrist. There’s a sun, a moon, and a star, like in my tattoo.
My lips curve in a smile, but the weight that somehow vanished in Dad's presence returns.
I go inside the house with a sigh.
Victoria stands at the entrance wearing a scowl and a gown with hideous patterns.
I attempt to ignore her on my way inside but her venom-filled voice stops me in my tracks. “No matter what you do, you’ll always be an outsider.”
“Then why are you feeling so threatened?” I tell her coolly and push past her.
Once I’m in my room, I place my stuffed animals carefully on the table and throw my weight on the bed, closing my eyes.
I wake up to someone shaking my shoulders.
“Dan?” I crack one eye open.
“Jesus Christ, Astrid,” he breathes sitting by my side. “I searched for you the entire day. Give a man a warning when you run off.”
“Sorry. My phone died.” I sit up, rubbing my eyes. “What time is it?”
“Around six. I came as soon as Sarah called. Where did you go anyway?”
I tell him about visiting Mum and my impromptu birthday date with Dad.
“I bet my gift will be better than Uncle Henry’s.” He reaches under the bed and gives me a box of scones. “Mum’s speciality. I helped.”
I half-hug him. “You’re the best, bug.”
“I know.” He grins. “You can thank me by splitting the scones.”
“Nice try, but nope.”
“Stingy.”
“They’re mine.”
He laughs. “Happy Birthday, bugger. How do you want to celebrate?”
His phone rings. Dan silences it and turns it off but not before I see 'Captain' flashing on the screen.
My heart aches as if being sliced open. But then I remember Dad's words from earlier.
You’re a Clifford and no one brings us down.
I shouldn't be feeling sorry for myself, I should be making him feel sorry.
I should make him feel my pain.
“What does he want?” I ask Dan.
“Forget about him.” He throws a dismissive hand. “Back to birthday plans. I cancelled practice and Ronan's party and I'm all yours to binge-watch Vikings.”
I stand up, my veins thumping with determination. “I have a better idea.”
33
Levi
You might have won the battle, but the war is far from over.
* * *
I pace the length of Ronan’s lounge area and run a hand through my already-dishevelled hair.
Searching for Astrid has been the theme of the day. After I went to school and beat the shit out of a few kids who made suggestive remarks her way.
I did it near the back entrance, so there’s no evidence — aside from the bloodied knuckles.
Once I was done, I made the entire team help in searching for Astrid.
Aiden sits opposite me playing chess with Cole, but he keeps watching my every move like he’s my damn mother.
I flip him off and stuff a cigarette in my mouth.
Daniel sent a text, telling me he found Astrid and he’s bringing her to the party.
I thought I’d have to drag her here, not that she’d come of her own accord.
On the outside, this looks in my favour, but it’s not.
Nothing good comes from messing up my plans.
I know it so well since Astrid has fucked up every plan I had for her since the day we met.
It’s been a whole damn hour since Daniel’s text, but they still haven’t shown up.
I breathe through my nose and snatch a lighter from Xan, ignoring his protests.
The party is in full-blown mood despite the Monday part of the deal.
A trendy pop song I don’t give a shit about thumps from the speakers. Everyone dance and grind to it like crazed animals.
Some of the team players down shots, led by Ronan. I’m not even in the mood to stop them. I’ll let Coach kick their arses during practice tomorrow.
I pull out my phone and dial Daniel for the hundredth time in the past hour, but his phone’s still turned off. I curse and start to light my cigarette.
Some murmurs break out at the entrance.
Ronan taps my shoulder. “Holy shit, Captain.”
My attention drifts in the direction where Ronan, Xander, and most of the other kids gawk.
My lips part, almost dropping the cigarette.
At first, I don’t recognise her, but one look at those deep green eyes is enough to identify the girl who’s been fucking up my life in all the right ways.
A low cut black dress reaches her thighs, hugging her curves and outlining her full breasts and the pale tone of her skin. Her brown hair falls on either side of her face. Red lipstick brings out the teardrop in her upper lip and contrasts against her unearthly, pale complexion.
She’s wearing matching red heels like she’s out for a party in the club.
I want to kidnap her somewhere so no one gets to look at her the way I do.
I want to blind my teammates so they don’t see her glowing as I do.
Maybe she’s right. I’m a fucking caveman.
“That’s bloody hot,” Xander mutters.
“Sure as shit,” Ronan says. “Where has she been hiding all those goodies?”
“Hey,
fuckers.” I glare at both of them. “Hands off. Eyes off. Go stare at someone else.”
“Maybe you should, too.” Ronan cocks his head ahead. “She’s already taken, Captain.”
Astrid stops near the entrance and throws a look behind her. Daniel winks and saunters ahead.
She smiles when someone else stops beside her and offers his elbow. She takes it and her grin widens as if she’s some fucking film star.
I see red.
Absolute fucking red.
Zachariah.
She brought that fucker to a school party as if she’s announcing a relationship for the entire world to see.
“Aha. She’s into the mature type.” Xander nudges me. “What are you gonna do about it, Captain?”
I start forward, but a strong arm holds me back.
Aiden.
I attempt to push him away, but Cole joins him by yanking back my other arm.
“Let me fucking go.”
“Yeah, let him go.” Xan jumps like a kid for Christmas. “A hundred that Captain will win.”
“A hundred that Danny’s brother will,” Ronan shakes Xan’s hand.
“You will not start a fight in a crowded place,” Aiden shouts over the music. “My father will find out.”
“Fuck your father.” I struggle against him as hot, red rage grips me by the gut and shoots through my veins.
Who the fuck does Zachariah think he is to touch her?
How dare he touch what’s already mine?
How dare she let him?
Astrid laughs at something he said. My vision blackens until all the colours are suffocated into a deep, dark abyss.
“Hurts like a bitch, doesn’t it?” Daniel leans against the marble counter, grinning with malice.
“Mate,” Cole warns him. “Stop it.”
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I grit out. “How can you let her come with that scum?”
“That scum is my brother and as far as I’m concerned, he didn’t post pornographic pictures of her for the entire school to see.”
“I didn’t fucking do that!” I struggle against Cole and Aiden to no avail.
“Doesn’t matter.” He’s in my face in a second. “You didn’t stop it either so you’re just as guilty. Oh, and Captain, you’re going to regret losing her.”