by Rina Kent
“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.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
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 entir
e 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.”
He walks away after a slight push from Ronan.
“Losing her,” I repeat with a bitter laugh. He said I lost her.
Fuck him.
Fuck anyone who thinks that Astrid is no longer mine.
My gaze strays to where the bastard who will soon be dead is offering her a drink.
Even though she made her grand entrance, some of the other kids are still murmuring at her back. She pretends she doesn’t notice them as she laughs along whatever the dickhead is saying, but I recognise all her tells.
The way her upper lip twitches. The way she grips the cup tighter.
The princess might think she’s over me, but we didn’t even fucking get started yet.
“Let me go,” I tell Aiden in a calm tone that wraps all the rage inside.
“You won’t stir trouble?” he asks with a suspicious voice.
“No. I’ll do this the calm way.” I breathe in and out to wean down the raging storm brewing inside me.
By the end of the night, everyone at school will know their fucking places.
Astrid included.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Astrid
Your time is over. I’m not your subject anymore.
* * *
One would think that changing into a pretty dress and heels would change my perceptive about my image.
It doesn’t. Not as much as I wanted it to, anyway.
When I decided to come here, I wanted everyone to see me strong. It’s my birthday, and I don’t even like this day, but no one will bully me into running away and hiding like I did this morning.
I wasn’t born to bow.
Zach stays by my side and Dan joins us every now and then. Even with them around, I feel as if I’m strolling around naked in a room full of people.
The back of my neck itches as I take a sip from the watered down drink Dan gave me. I know he is watching me.
I caught a glimpse of Levi on my way inside although I refused to look in his direction.
If I do, I don’t think I’ll be able to keep up this facade. I don’t think I’ll be able to continue my strong act.
I close my eyes for the briefest bit and draw in a long breath. I will not let Levi King ruin this night for me.
I’m not the same Astrid who caved in every time he touched me.
This time, I’ll flip him off in front of everyone.
Zach and I are talking about a conference he’s attending next week when a bull barges between us.
Jerry Huntington. The judge’s son, the one Levi fought.
He’s swaying on his feet, already drunk and the party has barely started.
“What do you want?” I ask.
“The same thing everyone here wants but are afraid to ask.” He licks his lips, swinging in my direction. “Your pussy, babe.”
Zach lunges forward, but I beat him to it.
I slam my fist into Jerry’s face so hard, pain explodes in my knuckles.
He steps back, shaking his head and I punch him again. “Talk to me that way again and I’ll ruin your face.”
He growls and lunges at me. People gather all around us, gasping. I keep my ground, ready to give him a piece of my mind.
Daniel slams his shoulder into Jerry, pushing him to the ground. Xander and some other player from the football team drag Jerry outside as he spouts profanity.
I lift my chin up and flip him the finger.
“That was badass.” Zach raises an eyebrow.
Adrenaline bubbles in my veins like a drug dose. “I want to punch some more people.”
He laughs, offering me his hand. “How about a dance instead?”
Whatever it Takes by Imagine Dragons starts playing, and I jump up taking his hand.
I wrap my arms around his neck and we laugh and chuckle, goofing around on the dance floor.
Zach whirls me around and brings me back to his arms again.
“Does everyone always stare at you?” he asks as we adopt a slower pace.
“Only when I’m the school’s laughing stock.” I try to hide the bitterness in my tone.
“Well, they’re missing out.” His breath tickles my ear and I can’t help the giggle that escapes me.
“You know… “ he starts. “I always had a crush on you, Astrid Clifford.”
“Y-you did?”
“Uh-huh. I only backed down because Danny would’ve smashed my face in if I hurt his best friend.”
Okay. Wow. I never knew that. Maybe Levi was right.
“Is this your new conquest, slut?” Chloe hisses and barges her shoulder into mine.
I’m about to punch her like I did Jerry, but the music stops abruptly.
Everyone stops dancing and chatter breaks out. Someone shouts to put the music back on.
Then, as if someone pulled off a switch, the murmurs cease and the crowd parts to make way for Levi and his four horsemen.
He’s wearing the team’s uniform and stands in the middle as if he owns the room and everyone in it.
I look away, refusing to be sucked into his orbit.
Daniel leaves Xander and Ronan’s side to stand by me. His harsh glare falls on his captain. The same captain he idolised for a long time.
Most loyal best friend ever.
Chloe smiles brightly at Levi like she’s seeing a Christmas tree. She pushes her dancing partner away as if he never existed.
“King, I —”
“If you’re going to call anyone a slut, start with yourself.” Levi looks down at her with dark, calm eyes. “You opened your legs for half the team and swallowed for the other half.”
Oooh’s and Aaah’s break in the audience. Everyone gathers around us like we’re the entertainment of the night.
Chloe’s face goes red. Her mouth opens and closes like a fish, but she says nothing.
Levi’s gaze narrows on Nicole who comes to stand on Chloe’s side. “If you have any slut remarks to say, you might want to start with how you beg for it on your knees.”
“That’s not true.” Nicole glares at him then at Dan as if he said the words.
“Do you want footage to prove your extracurricular activities?” Levi cocks his head to the side.
Nicole’s face twists in pure panic as her gaze bounces between Levi and Dan.
My cheeks flame with rolling anger. Levi doesn’t get to do this after he set out to ruin my life.
He looks around him as if searching for someone in specific, but he’s not. He’s just making eye contact with as many kids as possible.
Everyone —literally everyone— either flinches or cowers away whenever he meets their gazes.
“Does anyone else have another slut remark they’d like to grace us with?” he keeps his cool tone.
But I know that fake coolness.
It’s something he uses to pull everyone in just so he can destroy them afterwards.
The best wars are won through calm, not a raging storm.
Aiden, Xander, Cole, and Ronan are like his generals. They’re all glaring everyone down like they’re soldiers.
It’s scary how they can make an entire party submit to them with just a few words.
“I do.” Someone raises a beer, pushing through the crowd to make his way to Levi.
Christopher Vans.
He stands in front of me and spits on the ground. All I can smell is alcohol. Black circles surround his bloodshot eyes.
“Is this the new slut you’re banging, King? Doesn’t look all that something to me.”
Dan charges forward, but I pull him back. If anyone will put this scum down, then it’s going to be me.
“I’m no one’s slut,” I grit out.
“Didn’t hear you.” He laughs.
�
��Are you done?” Levi’s face remains nonchalant, but a muscle ticks in his jaw.
“What?” Christopher sways on his feet and hits him with a bottle of beer to his chest. “You’re going to call me a slut, too?”
“At least those are useful. You’re not.” Levi straightens until he’s a few inches taller than Christopher. “You’re such a fucking failure that even freshman can take your place on the team now.”
The kids gasp.
Like me, everyone knows how close Levi and Christopher have been for years.
But it must be true that they grew apart since the beginning of the year.
Christopher swings a fist at Levi, but he steps back and the drunk boy trips over his own feet and falls on his face.
Everyone laughs and some take pictures, recording the next mess.
“Does anyone else have something to say?” Levi asks loud enough for everyone to stop talking and breathing altogether.
He grabs my wrist and before I can protest, he pulls me to his side with his hand wrapped tightly around my waist. He places a long, possessive kiss on my forehead then on my cheek and on my mouth.
Murmurs break all around us, but I’m too caught in the gleam in his eyes to notice anyone else.
There’s that blackness, but there’s also a sliver of vulnerability that I never saw on him before.
With one last squeeze against my hip, he faces everyone. “Astrid is under my protection. Mess with her and you’ll have a personal problem with me. I’ll bury you so fucking deep, you’ll pray for death instead.”
They start nodding, but Levi doesn’t pay them attention.
The king has issued his decree and the subjects have no choice but to obey.
And just like that, he places a hand under my legs and carries me in his arms bridal style.
I yelp then try to struggle. “Where the hell are you taking me?”
“I’m kidnapping you, princess.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Astrid
Surviving you shouldn’t be becoming all entangled in you.