Hearts of Darkness: A Valentine's Day Bully Romance Collection

by Joanna Mazurkiewicz

  His gaze met mine and his eyes narrowed before he curled his top lip into a feral snarl that made him appear both dangerous and sexier than any boy back home.

  Boy wasn’t the right word. These two were men.

  He ran his hand through his long hair and spun back to his bike to grab his own bag.

  “Joey,” the older man, Boone, motioned him closer, offering another fist. “Get through this year, complete the job, and you can patch in. That’s the deal. Both of you.” He turned and nodded at the other biker. “Stick. To. The. Plan.”

  For some reason his final words chilled me. I couldn’t explain why, but the way he’d said “the plan” made me shudder. You’re imagining things, the inner voice that showed up after I’d lost my crown taunted. My snide voice was a bitch that commented randomly and with contempt.

  In response to Boone’s command, Joey gave the man a half hug and chin lift before slanting his gaze my direction and shaking his head, adding to my paranoia.

  What the hell did I do to earn his disapproval? I hadn’t even got out of the car yet.

  I didn’t have time wonder, our car was next up. We maneuvered past the motorcycles and parked.

  My father grabbed my large rolling suitcase and backpack from the trunk, leaving them on the sidewalk. I’m surprised he lifted a finger to help me. He didn’t say a word and was back behind the wheel in seconds.

  “Mom?” I reached for her.

  She didn’t hesitate to pull me close, stroking my hair. “Be good. Please, Frankie. I’ll try to get you out of here sooner. Maybe if you have a good first semester.”

  We both knew I wasn’t going anywhere and there would be no getting out of my punishment. Randall Academy was my home for the next nine months.

  I’D OFFERED A SELFIE-smile for my student ID card and was halfway pleased with the results. At least it was better than my driver’s license, something I currently had no use for.

  My parents refused to let me bring my car, one more loss in a string of many. The car burned the most. It offered freedom and escape. Without transportation, I was dependent on others if I wanted to go into Portland...to go anywhere.

  The image of two gleaming motorcycles intruded, along with the riders. I wondered what it would feel like to be pressed against a hard body, inhaling leather while the wind whipped through my hair.

  I shivered and my nipples pebbled at the thought. I covered my chest with my notebook, hoping no one noticed.

  Glancing around, I was relieved to discover everyone seemed to be on the move, reconnecting and not paying attention to me. After being the center of attention, starting in middle school, my new invisibility felt oddly freeing.

  Returning to my class schedule and map, I shoved brooding biker thoughts far away with the understanding the images would return later. Those two had made an impact. Erasing them from my head permanently wasn’t an option.

  For now, I planned to walk my class route before we officially started in the morning. Wandering lost in this hellhole wasn’t a good use of my time.

  My dorm room was a big draw too. I was eager to meet my roommate and unpack. The ID card also acted as a key card so I could go see my living space anytime. I was in building four, second furthest from the academy.

  Other than the metal detectors and diversity of my new classmates, it seemed like a regular school.

  Okay, the security guards were another glaring difference, but I couldn’t help but feel safer with them on duty. I’d been untouchable before my fall from grace, but here I was no one.

  From the dirty stares and sneers from a group of girls dressed for bar hopping—not learning—it seemed unlikely I would regain my former queen status anytime soon, if ever.

  I’d become just another peasant in a new kingdom where I had no clue who ruled.

  In a way it was a relief. I didn’t have to smile when I didn’t want to, nor was I expected to act a certain way. Even so, I missed Shelby and Carmen having my back, but both had ghosted me. They’d blocked my number and social media accounts before I’d even deleted them.

  Seth had sent a final fuck you and farewell text, making sure I knew we were finished. As if his reaction at the dance hadn’t already confirmed our nonexistent relationship. Honestly, I didn’t miss him at all.

  He’d been a tool, just like I had been for him. I was head cheerleader, he was the football star. Like peanut butter and jelly, we were supposed to go together.

  My stomach gurgled at the thought of a PB&J. I hadn’t had one in months. It was time to remedy that. I looked again at the schedule and map. Students could put food on their accounts and eat snacks at any time since so many were campus bound.

  After I dropped off my luggage, I would start my tour with the cafeteria and their sandwich menu.

  Grrrrrrrrrrr.

  I lowered my gaze to the source of the sudden growl.

  Nothing could have prepared me for the sight of a fucking wolf next to my leg, its golden gaze locked on mine.

  Shuffling back, I absorbed the fact he was harnessed like a service dog for the visually impaired. A big, tattooed hand gripped the harness handle. The skull ring on the middle finger seemed somehow appropriate.

  Letting my gaze drift up, I found myself staring into the face of an angel...or maybe a demon masquerading as one.

  His eyes, hidden behind dark glasses, in no way diminished his square jaw and full lips; the dusting of facial hair only added to his intrigue.

  He wore his blue-black hair loose around his shoulders but it didn’t hide his ear piercings. It was even longer than Joey’s. Why do I keep thinking about the damn biker boys? And the sleeves of his shirt barely contained biceps wrapped in intricate Polynesian tattoos.

  I suspected he was from the islands, but I couldn’t be certain and with his wolf’s silent snarl still in place, I didn’t dare ask.

  He smirked as if he could sense my appraisal. “See something you like?”

  My mouth dropped. Cocky much?

  “I see a wolf.” I decided to play dumb and ignore the obvious innuendo.

  “That would be Luna, though I’ve been compared to a wolf a time or two.” His voice was deep and gravely, reminding me of the Harleys’ growling thunder from earlier. It made my lower belly pool with heat, a feeling Seth never triggered no matter what he tried.

  “Uncomfortable?” he chuckled.

  “Can you see me?” I demanded before even realizing how rude I sounded, as if he’d fake his blindness.

  “I sense you. You give off strong signals.”

  Okay? Not wanting to discuss what signals he was referring to, I asked about his animal instead. “Is it legal to have a wolf?”

  “She’s a highly trained wolf dog. One of a kind.”

  He didn’t elaborate. But I was pretty sure Luna was large enough for a child to ride, and I didn’t know much about wolf dogs, but this powerful creature was more wolf than dog.

  “You can touch...” he trailed off, leaving me wondering what exactly he wanted me to touch.

  My face heated and I was relieved he wouldn’t be able to witness my reaction. I hoped like hell he couldn’t sense blushing cheeks.

  “Luna?” I asked.

  “If that’s what you want to touch.”

  How the hell should I respond to his latest insinuation, especially when the thought of running my hands through his hair was almost as tempting as stroking the wolf dog’s fur?

  “Hey, man. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

  I turned to the familiar voice, finding Joey, the hot biker I couldn’t eject from my mind, staring down at me with the same disapproving expression from earlier. His friend wasn’t with him.

  “Just got here,” Wolf-man answered. I had no clue what else to call him. “Making sure they have my laptop loaded with the newest version of Jaws before tomorrow.”

  I also had no idea what Jaws was, but if I had to guess, I assumed it was a software program for blind computer users.

  “Where’s
your mad machine?” Joey asked, his eyes still narrowed on me.

  “My laptop is not for school. Art and music. You know that.”

  “Just checking. You usually don’t let go of that system.”

  They talked back and forth about computers, song writing, and motorcycles, acting like I’d disappeared.

  I moved back a step and then another, eager to slip away.

  “Who said you could leave?” Joey snapped, eyes shooting daggers.

  I didn’t mean to, but I flinched. I wasn’t a flincher, or at least I never used to be. In the past, people ducked for cover when they saw me.

  My next words confirmed how far I’d fallen, not only in position but also in confidence, making my comeback sound like a feeble attempt to regain my composure. “Um...I didn’t know I needed your permission. We haven’t even been introduced.”

  “I know exactly who you are and why you’re here.”

  His words elicited the same uneasy feeling Boone’s had earlier. I felt like he knew me, which was impossible. I’d never forget someone like him.

  “It was nice meeting Luna and...” I hesitated, hoping for an introduction from the less hostile of the duo.

  “Luna and Roman...Roman Riot.” Roman reached down, stroking his wolf’s head, satisfying my curiosity yet surprising me more.

  “Seriously?” I asked without thinking. There was no way that was his real name.

  He just chuckled and his wolf huffed, in agreement it seemed.

  Since arriving, I’d abandoned my verbal filter and was vomiting whatever words popped into my head. I blamed this new undesirable train on the fact I rarely communicated with people my own age anymore, and whatever social graces I’d mastered before had somehow been forgotten.

  And Susan didn’t count. We didn’t hang out with anyone else, and there was no longer a wall between us. We said what we meant.

  Feeling like a total misfit, I was close to fleeing but really wanted to pet Luna, and I wasn’t sure my feet would move at the moment. But I didn’t get the opportunity to find out. Because before I could attempt to escape, the slut squad from earlier moved in, crowding us.

  I was desperate to pull out the slap-down attitude but refrained. This was my fresh start. There were four of them and one of me, and I doubted Joey was going to jump to my defense. Roman and his four-legged companion were also unknown commodities.

  Instead I observed, disgusted with their obvious flirting and appalled at the idea I’d probably looked just as pathetic with Carmen and Shelby, during our silly seduction strikes.

  “Hey, Phantom, Roman,” the redhead, who was somehow tan without a single freckle, ran a French-tipped nail down Joey’s jacket.

  “Who the hell is Phantom?” Once again, my words had their own agenda. I glanced between the guys, puzzled.

  “The question is, who the fuck are you, little girl?” the ginger queen demanded.

  I raised my brow. “Little girl? Are you sure that’s what you want to go with?” The old Frankie had found her footing, and it wouldn’t be pretty if she found her fists.

  True, I might be smaller, but I had curves in the right places and muscles no one ever expected, and I was no one’s little girl in spite of my dad always insisting the opposite.

  His disappointed face flashed in my head, bringing with it the idea of failing senior year and being forced into some all-girls detention program if I struck the bitch’s face like I wanted to.

  I swallowed hard, digging my nails into my palms, pushing back the overwhelming desire to retaliate and issue my first slap-down at Randall Academy.

  “That’s what I thought,” she said and dismissed me, turning her attention back to Joey AKA Phantom.

  “That ride you promised. I’m ready.” Her friends giggled, watching with obvious admiration as their queen wielded her charm.

  I shook my head. She’s just like you back at Luther.

  “Gonna rain this weekend, Lacey. I’ll be using Shane’s cage. Maybe another time. Maybe not.”

  Cage? Another question for later. His reaction was not what I expected. He wasn’t nearly as impressed with her scheming as her loyal subjects.

  In response to his Lacey-rejection, my stomach did that fluttery heated thing again. Damn if this attraction wasn’t ridiculous and inconvenient. He was an asshole, too. But my hormones didn’t seem to have an issue with that.

  Plus...Phantom? Who the hell calls themselves Phantom?

  There was no time to ask about nicknames, cages, or anything else. A caramel-skinned god with his head shaved, showcasing a tattoo that traveled up his neck, from below his jacket, and over his cheek pushed through the girls, the blond biker at his side.

  “Shane, Howler,” Roman greeted the newcomers, again shocking me with his ability to see when he couldn’t.

  Howler? Another nickname, I guessed. And Shane, holy shit, it took a second, but I recognized him now. How could I not?

  He was the latest online musical sensation, famous for his dark rap-rock, a twist on the whole genre. At least three of his songs had made it onto my playlist. And, if I remembered correctly, he recently signed a six-figure recording contract with a coveted new label, founded by Shag Steal from Crude Element.

  He looked down at me—Why are they all so tall?—and glared.

  It hit me then; three of what I now believed was the school’s four ruling kings stared at me with disgust.

  I looked over my shoulder to confirm I was the one who’d earned their hatred. I’m not sure what Roman thought, because...well, because.

  “Why are you still here?” Joey growled, sounding as fierce as Luna had.

  “Make up your mind.” First he told me not to leave; now I was being dismissed.

  “You heard him,” Lacey hissed. “Be gone.” Her friends tittered like she’d just said something worthy of applause.

  “You can go too, Lacey.”

  I was already walking away, dragging my luggage, but Joey’s Lacey-rejection gave me reason to smile.

  Chapter Three

  Frankie

  I fumbled with my ID keycard but managed on the third try to open the door to my room.

  The long walk to our dorm provided enough time for me to think...over think everything I’d witnessed since arriving.

  “Crap!” I stumbled over the threshold, my suitcase bumping behind me and hitting the wall in the narrow entrance, interrupting any further analysis.

  The first thing I noticed was the size of my new home. It was surprisingly roomy, with two beds, two desks, a small fridge and microwave area that included a mini dishwasher and sink with counter space. Generic landscape paintings decorated the walls.

  Score! I could avoid the cafeteria if needed and considering my unpopularity with the school’s reigning assholes that might be my best option.

  “Hi, I’m Minnie.”

  I jolted, nearly dropping my pack as my apparent roommate exited what must be our shared bathroom.

  “You scared me.” The words came out harsher than I intended.

  “I’m so sorry. My timing is always off.” She hung her head, reminding me of the students I spent time harassing at Luther. “My mom says it’s my most annoying trait, though she has a long list of other annoying habits I exhibit.”

  Wow. Minnie revealed a ton about herself in that statement, and her mom sounded like she’d get along great with my dad. They could share all the reasons why their daughters disappointed them.

  Wary and anticipating my rejection, she kept her gaze locked on me. Rather than keep her waiting, I extended my arm. “Francesca, but everyone calls me Frankie.”

  Tentatively, she shook my hand with a surprisingly firm grip. “I really didn’t mean to spook you.”

  “No worries. I’m fine.” I took a minute to look closer at our setup and determined right away she’d chosen the bed next to the window.

  In the past, I would have made her switch, but I wasn’t that Frankie anymore, so I moved to the available bed and dropped my bags
on top.

  “If you want the window, I’ll take that side.”

  Tempted by her offer, I shook my head. “No, this is perfect. You don’t have to move on my account.”

  She just confirmed what I’d already suspected. Minnie was exactly the type of girl I would have made miserable in the past. Now, thanks to Susan revealing how much my harassment hurt her, I wanted to do the exact opposite. By the time I was done with Minnie, she’d never grovel again for me or anyone else.

  Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped, revealing her shock. She’d expected me to shove her aside and claim her bed. “Are you sure? My last roommate insisted she had to have the window or she’d lose all her Vitamin D and end up in the hospital.”

  “Your last roommate sounds like a conniving bitch.” I unzipped my suitcase and started pulling clothes out. Uniforms were required during school hours, but otherwise our own clothes were acceptable.

  She plopped on her bed. “You didn’t call me Minnie Mouse. This could work.”

  It didn’t occur to me to use that title, but now that she’d mentioned it, I understood the appeal other students might find tormenting her that way.

  “Unless you want me to, I’ll stick to Minnie.”

  “It’s Minnie Michaels, actually. My father is the senior biology teacher here.”

  I looked at her with new interest. I couldn’t begin to imagine attending school where one of my parents worked. No wonder she was likely on everyone’s loser list.

  Otherwise, she was pretty. Dark hair in contrast to my blonde, tall and willowy, compared to my more petite figure; she reminded me of a ballerina. Her cheekbones were a little severe, but with the right makeup we could correct that.

  “You’re staring at me,” she blurted.

  “You’re so pretty. I was just thinking how fun it would be to do your makeup.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “I don’t kid about makeup. We’ll be the most wanted girls at Randall Academy.”

  At the time I didn’t realize just how true my words were. Being wanted isn’t always a good thing; it depends on the reasons you’re wanted.

  AFTER AN EVENING BONDING over PB&J’s and our anxiety about today, Minnie and me were on track to reach BFF status, Susan included. I’d introduced them over video chat. We’d discussed the bikers and two musicians late into the night, digging up everything we could find online.