Pretty Monsters

by Kimberly Carrillo

  The grumpy guy still seated narrows his eyes at me. "You don't look like an Alice."

  I put my hand on my hip and return his look. "Oh yeah? What does an Alice look like then?"

  "Like a short blonde chasing a rabbit," mutters a preppy douche standing next to the grill.

  I roll my eyes. "Like I've never heard that one before." I haven't of course, because I just came up with the name a few seconds ago.

  The asshole shrugs. "I was thinking it's an old lady's name."

  Giving him a careless shrug I dig into my lies. "Well, it was my grandma's name so I guess you're half right."

  This guy is a dick, but he's attractive in a jacked up jock kind of way. Besides, he's nowhere near in the same stratosphere of asshole behavior as my personal tormentor.

  "Want a beer?" the guy I spoke to first offers.

  "Why not," I move to sit on the picnic table, and he stops me.

  "A strong wind will eventually knock those things down. Take my chair, I'll go get another one." He runs over to the middle of the building and walks into an unlocked door.

  "Do all of you live together?" I ask, popping the tab on the generic beer asshole hands me.

  Douche is the one to answer. "Yeah, ours is a two bedroom. Teddy sleeps on the sofa."

  "Teddy?"

  "That's me!" the eager guy replies. "That is Shane by the barbecue and Ford with the impressive resting bitch face."

  I look at Ford. "It is quite impressive."

  Shane, formerly known as douche, barks out a laugh.

  Upstairs I hear the door to our apartment fly open, and Sin practically flies down the stairs.

  "Oh, hey Jackson. I didn't realize you lived here. Do you know Alice?" Teddy asks. His innocence is adorable. Is this how Lucien and Sin see me?

  Sin glares at me. "You could say Alice and I are nearly perfect strangers."

  "Jackson is my brother's roommate. We just moved in yesterday. When did you guys meet?"

  Teddy doesn't pick up on social cues very well. He continues interacting with everyone with a giant grin on his face. "At the bar around the corner last night. He joined us for a game of pool."

  "Jess seemed upset when you left last night. Seemed kind of abrupt after what we heard coming out of the bathroom," Ford says, glaring at Sin. Looks like I'm not the only one Sin has managed to piss off since last night.

  "Is that her name?" Sin asks and chuckles.

  "You didn't even bother to get her name?" I ask. "Seriously?"

  Sin looks unfazed. "Let's go, Alice."

  I move over to the chair Teddy gave up and sit down. "Nah, I'm good here. You should run along. I'm sure there's a few STD's you haven't contracted yet."

  Ford looks at me and smirks. Without saying anything he hands me another beer. Sin wants to stop me if I'm reading his rigid posture and clenched jaw correctly.

  Conversation is stilted since Sin came downstairs. I try to think of something to revive the relaxed mood. I'm left with initiating small talk. "So, what do you guys do?"

  Of course Teddy rises to the challenge. "We're students at Playa Pacifica Community College. Shane is getting a technical certificate to be an electrician. I'm getting my generals done to save money, and Ford was recruited to play football."

  Taking a better look, I realize Ford is ridiculously attractive. I'm not as drawn to him as I am Sin, but I could definitely turn my attention his way.

  He's tall, over six feet. His hair is a rich coppery brown, and pair well with whiskey colored eyes. There are fine lines around his eyes, even though he's clearly in his early twenties, indicating he spends lots of time in the sun. Wide shoulders and a trim waist are evident under a light blue t-shirt. Yeah, he seems to be a little bit of an asshole, but nice guys don't do it for me.

  I'm new to being around a lot of guys, but I've learned a bit in the last few days traveling with Sin and my brother. Men like Ford enjoy the chase, and I intend to run. Teddy, who honestly reminds me of a stuffed bear, is totally focused on me.

  "Do you like going there?"

  Surprisingly, Shane is the one that responds. "School is school. If it gets me out of this shit hole, then I'm all for it."

  "Do you know what you want to do?" Ford asks, his voice a low growl.

  "Not a clue," I tell him.

  His eyes hold mine, and I'm not sure if his attention is because he's interested, or if he really wants to piss Sin off. Honestly, I'm fine with it either way, because I'm not sure about my own motivations.

  "I can give you a tour of campus and introduce you to some of the girls we know. Living with that asshole, I'm guessing you could use some friends?" Ford offers.

  My smile is genuine. "That would be great."

  He nods, and when he smiles at me this time, he doesn't look to see if Sin is watching. I might have just found the distraction I need.

  12

  Wishes and Warnings

  Sin

  Fuck my luck. I think I aged at least five years when I exited the shower and couldn't find Raven. Lucien has the truck, which meant she had to be on foot. I stormed out of the apartment, only to hear the fuckers from the bar talking to her.

  She keeps surprising me, and I don't like it. I expected the girl who spent her entire life with nannies or in boarding schools to be much more biddable. Raven couldn't be more disobedient. I push her, and she shoves me. This dance we're doing is going to end with both of us bloody.

  Raven seems at ease with the guys I met yesterday. Ted is still an eager puppy, except now he's panting at her feet. I bet he'd roll over if she asked him to. Shane is pretending not to pay attention to her, he seemed to be the only one of the three with a regular girlfriend, but none of those girls hold a candle to Raven. Her beauty is effortless, and knocks the breath out of you.

  I shake my head. It was allowing thoughts like those to run through my head that drove me into the redhead over and over. Ford is getting off on taunting me with her name. If I wanted to have her name I would have fucking asked and he knows it.

  He's the player in the group. Football makes him a god in the small world he exists in. The attitude problem is probably because he's playing ball in a community college without a chance in hell of being scouted by the NFL. He's got the build for it, but it seems life screwed him and he's out for his pound of flesh. He won't be getting it from Raven.

  When Ford offers to show her around campus he doesn't even look at me to drive his victory home. The little witch weaves a spell, and men fall at her feet. She smiles at him, and agrees to go.

  Fuck. That.

  "Let's go, princess," I demand.

  Her eyes turn to me and she stops smiling. "Get bent."

  "Is he bothering you?" Ford leans forward.

  Really, he thinks he can protect her from me? "What would you do if I was? Would you try and stop me if I threw her over my shoulder right now and locked her back in her room where she belongs?"

  Ford's fist clench next to his thighs. I'd still kick his ass, but it would be different than killing a fat fucker who can't sit up. With Ford there'd be a fight, but he isn't used to taking the kind of hits I can deliver. Shame, I'm longing to crack my knuckles pounding his flesh.

  He ignores me, and turns to Raven. "How old are you, Alice?"

  "Nineteen, as of today," she mumbles.

  Shane is now glaring at me too. It's possible she's lying, after all she told them her name was Alice. Not that she could tell them her name is Raven Blackthorne and she's running from her megalomaniac father. One look at her downcast eyes and I know she's telling the truth.

  Ford reaches out and tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. "Pretty girl, you deserve a party. I can invite those girls over, or it can just be us, but we are helping you celebrate."

  It's settled, I'm ripping his arms off and beating him with them.

  "You don't have to. I just met you guys, and I'm intruding–"

  Shane pulls keys out of his pocket and tosses them to Teddy. "You know what to do, man."<
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  He moves toward the street. "Alice, don't go anywhere. I'm going to get what we need to celebrate right."

  "She's nineteen, she doesn't need drugs or alcohol," I snap. Ted has to be on something. No one is that happy all the time.

  Raven salutes me with the beer I forgot she was holding. I move to take it from her, but she moves it out of my reach. "Go away, captain buzz kill."

  "Little bird, I will call your brother if I have to," I warn her.

  "She's a fucking adult dude, chill out," Shane snaps.

  Lucien chooses this moment to check in and see how Raven and I are getting along.

  Lucien: How's little bird doing?

  Me: She met our neighbors. A bunch of fucking college guys.

  Lucien: Shrug emoji I mean she's an adult.

  Me: Seriously? We're in fucking hiding.

  Lucien: So stay with her.

  Me: She's drinking.

  Lucien: I'm not going to be my dad. She's been locked up and controlled her entire life. Let her have some fun.

  Me: Did you know today is her birthday?

  Lucien: No, it's not until... Fuck, it is her birthday.

  Me: Fuck about sums it up.

  "Did you tell big bro that I'm a very bad girl?" she asks, and dramatically bats her eyelashes.

  "Are you drunk?"

  She tips her head to the side in contemplation. "Nah, a little tipsy."

  Ford reaches into the cooler between their chairs, and if he pulls out another beer for her I'm definitely going to kill him. Thanks to her dragging me out to the store yesterday I have the cleaners I need to scrub away all traces of his blood.

  He grabs a bottle of water and trades her for her empty can. "Pace yourself. Puking is no way to celebrate."

  Ted pulls into the small parking area, and heads our direction with a large pink box. Raven's eyes go wide and seem to sparkle with excitement.

  "You got me a cake?" she squeals.

  "You act like you've never had one for your birthday before," Shane comments.

  "I haven't. I've never celebrated my birthday before," she whispers.

  Ford pulls out his phone. "Yeah, this party isn't good enough for you, pretty girl. Mind if I invite a couple of the girls over? We'll get some music going. No one in the units will care. Nearly everyone works nights, so they're already at work. We can take over the courtyard here."

  She nods, melting further under the charm he's ramped up. He didn't seem to work this hard last night, and at least two of those girls would have given their left tit to be in his bed. For her part, she's giving him just enough attention to keep him on the hook, but not so much to end the chase early.

  In less than twenty minutes the entire gang from last night is reassembled. Jess heads straight for me, putting a possessive hand on my arm. This is why I didn't ask her name last night.

  "Ford told me you were here. I thought he was teasing me, but I had to come see for myself," she purrs.

  I shake her hand off my arm. "Don't mistake me getting inside your pussy to mean I want to be in your life."

  "God, you're such an asshole." She laughs like she told a joke. "I forgive you."

  The brunette Ford was with last night glares at Raven. She tries to get his attention, but he's totally focused on Raven.

  Jess notices the unfolding drama and smiles maliciously. "Looks like Tessa is getting what's coming to her."

  "Jess, wanna help me cut the cake?" Ted asks her.

  "I was talking to Jackson, Teddy." She ruffles his hair like a big sister would do. For the first time I see a hint of anger cross his face.

  "You know I'll do it wrong," he presses.

  "Oh fine. You know I can't resist your puppy dog eyes." She lets him lead her to the giant sheet cake.

  "We need to do the candles first," Ford interrupts.

  These strangers are giving her a birthday party, something she's never had before, and I feel robbed. I'm an asshole, but I want her to be happy. Deep down, I know I want to be the one making her smile. Which leaves me pissed off and frustrated because making her happy isn't my job. I'm only supposed to keep her safe. After that task is done, it will be someone else's job to make her smile.

  Only one of the other girls from last night is with Tessa and Jess. She's blonde, a bit on the shy side, and from the glances she's giving, totally crushing on Ted.

  "Alice, right?" she asks Raven.

  "Yep, that's me," Raven replies, not very convincingly.

  "I'm Amber." She pulls out her phone and a speaker from her large bag. "What kind of music do you like?"

  "Metal," she answers without hesitation.

  Shane puts his hand on his heart. "I'm in love. Marry me, Alice."

  Tessa slaps him on the back of the head. "I'm going to tell Jen."

  He rubs the back of his head. "I was joking you psycho bitch. Fuck."

  "I don't have any metal. Do you like to dance?" Amber asks, ignoring her friends.

  Raven shrugs. "Doesn't everyone?"

  A blaring hip hop song pours from her speakers moments later, and they begin to move together. Raven's movements are fluid and free. She's wearing my old clothes, and still she's the sexiest one here. She doesn't need the fuck me skirt and heels that Jess sports, or the sliver of exposed midriff the other two are showing to draw everyone's eye.

  Ford adjusts himself and continues to eye fuck her. I'm not the only one who notices. Tessa is glaring back and forth between the two of them. Amber leans forward and whispers something in Raven's ear, which causes her to tip her head back and laugh.

  Time crawls along. It takes Ted a long time to place all of the candles and get them lit. I take one of the empty camp chairs and wait until the party winds down.

  Jess makes another attempt at conversation with me, this time bearing cake. "You look lonely sitting here by yourself." She holds out the plate with a large slice of cake and a fork. "I brought you cake."

  I lift up my shirt, showing her my carved torso. "Does it look like I eat cake?"

  Her eyes have glazed over. "If you want we can go into their apartment. No one is inside."

  "No," I clip out.

  She dips her finger into the frosting and rubs it on her bottom lip. "Are you sure? I bet I can come up with something interesting to do with frosting."

  "As much fun as sticky junk sounds, I'm going to pass."

  Shane yawns, and I jump at the excuse. "It's getting late." I walk past her and hoist Raven over my shoulder.

  "Say goodnight, Alice."

  Ford is in my face in seconds, but he speaks directly to Raven. "Do you want to go with him? You don't have to."

  I set her down and move her behind me. "Back off. She isn't yours to protect."

  He holds his arms out to the sides, and motions me forward. I smile, relishing the chance to put this fucker in the ground.

  "Doesn't seem like she's yours either. Newsflash dick, it's the twenty-first century. Women aren't property."

  I take a step forward, anticipating the moment my knuckles meet his skull. Raven moves around me and gets in between us. Her hands press against my chest and she pushes me back.

  "Thanks for the party. I won't forget it." She smiles at Ford, fucking smiles while she's shoving me. "I'll talk to you later about seeing the campus."

  Hearing her take him up on that offer makes me clench my teeth almost hard enough to crack a molar. She shoves me again and speaks under her breath. "I'm coming. Just go."

  She follows me up the stairs, keeping close to my back, probably to make sure I don't go kill Ford.

  When we are inside she slams the door and flips the locks.

  "You're fucking unbelievable!" she screams. "I didn't leave the complex. If you think I'm going to spend every second locked in this apartment you're insane. Even at school I left my dorm room."

  "You aren't going to see the campus."

  She raises her eyebrow. "No? Try me. I'll be such a pain in your ass you'll drop me off yourself."

 
; "You already are a pain in my ass. Keep pushing me and I'll tie your ass to the bed and gag you. Now quit being a brat and get ready for bed."

  Her eyes are blue fire, and I know I've pushed her too far. She grabs the hem of the shirt she's wearing and pulls it over her head.

  "What the fuck are you doing?" I ask through clenched teeth.

  "What I'm told." She shimmies out of the jeans, and stands in front of me in pale pink lace. Her nipples are erect and a darker pink than the sheer lace. Heavy tits fill the cups, not as small as she appeared in my old shirt. A small waist moves to rounded hips and a plump ass.

  Long dark hair falls to her ass, making her skin seem even more pale. Slowly, she reaches behind her and reaches for the clasp.

  "Raven, if you remove another article of clothing I'm going to lose my shit."

  She blinks her large blue eyes up at me. How the fuck did I think she was innocent? She's a temptress who's been sent to torment me.

  "I'm not sleeping in my bra." Ignoring my order she releases the clasp and lets it fall down her arms.

  "Go put some fucking clothes on!"

  Rifling through her bag she finds a tank top and pulls it over her head. It's white, and does little to hide the shape of her tits and nothing of the rose peaks threatening to cut through the thin material. It hangs low on her chest revealing the soft mounds, and shows off far too much on the sides. It hits her mid thigh, and is almost more indecent than seeing her in just her panties.

  "Do you want to get fucked, princess?"

  She scoffs. "Don't be silly. You won't fuck me. You already know my name."

  My look asks her if she's sure, and she takes a step back. That's right princess, I'm not the good guy.

  "Go to bed," I growl.

  She heads to the bedroom and comes back out with her blanket and pillow moving toward the bathroom. "In the fucking bed, Raven."

  Sensing she's pushed me too far she sashays back into the bedroom and closes the door. I delay the inevitable as long as I can, but sleep calls to me. Being around her wears on me, and I crave the oblivion of sleep. Even there I won't be able to escape her. I'm not sure I want to, and that's the part that terrifies me.