Crossing my arms, I scoffed to hide my nerves. “You don’t own me. I’m my own person. I take my own risks.”
Beck just shook his head, one hand wrapping around the back of my neck as he pulled me into him. “That’s where you’re wrong, Butterfly. You’re in the circle now, and once you’re in, there’s no way out.”
“We have rules, Riley,” Dylan added, backing up his best friend.
Dante make a rumbling sound from where he’d been edged out. “What the fuck do you mean she’s in and can’t get out? You bastards are involved in some dangerous shit! Why the hell would you drag Riley into that?”
My head was starting to ache, and my body was starting to ache, because Beck still held me captive. And all I could think about was him … the strength in his hands and body as he fucked me.
Beck didn’t turn from me when he replied. “Riley was dragged in long before she met us. Her birth dictated the rest of her life. Now she has to fall into line.”
Sucking in a deep breath, I jerked my head out of Beck’s hand, and he let me go. Two steps to the left, and I was standing with Dante. “What if I just take off now?” I said, sounding desperate and devastated all in the same tone. “Can I run?”
Evan snorted. “Maybe if you run to Mars. Otherwise Delta’s reach is too far.”
Dante’s huge hand cupped my shoulder, and he pulled me closer to him. My side ached as he did, and I tried not to flinch. Beck’s eyes followed that movement, and I shivered at his dark stare.
Dante saw the same thing, and that only made him hold me even tighter. “You’re hurting me,” I bit out quietly, hoping the others didn’t hear.
His grip loosened a little, and it must have been the opening Beck was waiting for, because he moved then. Faster than I’d ever seen a person move. I was in his hands and then passed off to Evan before I could blink. Beck went at Dante, and my tough as nails, highly trained, badass best friend, was knocked to the ground in about a tenth of a second.
Dante got back up quickly, and even managed to get two swings in. Both of which Beck dodged before he stepped in and punched Dante so hard I heard bone crack.
“No,” I screamed, struggling against Evan, my pulse racing as I frantically ran my eyes across Dante. “Leave him alone. Please.”
Beck swung around, and I shrank back. “Make him leave. Now. Before I lose my fucking mind.”
He turned and strode away, and I was shaking as Evan lowered me back to the ground. “Say your goodbyes,” he said, giving me a little nudge forward.
I stumbled to Dante, wrapping my arms around him. “I love you,” I said softly, “But it’s too dangerous here for you. You have to go.”
He groaned before hugging me back. “If you need me, Riles, I’ll be here so fast their heads will roll. And I mean that literally. I can have a lot of very bad people here...”
It’d be war if that happened, and I was so scared that I might lose one of the guys I cared about. Which unfortunately also included the stubborn assholes in Delta.
“I’ll be okay,” I promised, letting his familiar arms hold me for a minute more.
Dylan cleared his throat, and I shot him the meanest glare I could muster. But I did step back, my eyes hot and irritated as I tried not to cry.
“I’ll text you,” I told Dante. His jaw had a dark red splotch on it, and I wondered if Beck had broken anything. “Please be safe.”
“I love you, Riles.” He was so serious. “I’ll be watching.”
That appeared to be directed at both me and the two guys behind me. Then Dante turned and left. I watched him until he got into the unfamiliar car and then disappeared.
A part of me broke then, and I couldn’t stop the tears that trailed down my cheeks.
Evan and Dylan moved so they were framing me on either side, and while neither of them said anything, they did reach out and take my hands. Holding me while I fell apart. I wanted to hate them, because they were insane and damaged and violent. They’d forced my best friend out of my life, the controlling fucks, but … maybe it was for the best. If my life was as dangerous as they were implying, then Dante could only be in danger being around me.
It was the five of us against the world.
“Let’s go to class,” I said, freeing my hands to wipe at my tears. Dylan’s fingers gently wiped away the ones I missed.
“You’re not alone, Riles,” he said softly. “It’s better this way.”
I shrugged because I somewhat agreed with him, but they needed to work on their delivery.
All the violence was exhausting.
