Finn looks at her with disdain, grabbing his clothes and stalking toward the door without giving her another look. Beth slides her hand in Brooklyn’s, and they walk off too.
Saint pins his full death glare on Parker as he pushes his face into hers, and she shrinks back from the potent evil radiating from his gaze. “You open that useless mouth of yours and it will be the last thing you ever do.” His voice drips with menace and lethal promise.
She gulps, nodding, her eyes wide with fear.
“Get her the fuck out of my house,” Saint says to Theo.
“Yourhouse?” I plant my hands on my hips, giving him some serious stink eye.
Parker offers no protest as Theo takes her arm, scooping up her clothes and hauling her out of the room. I’m sure once she recovers she’ll come after me like a rabid junkie seeking her next hit, and I curse my damn emotions for getting the better of me. Parker doesn’t even rate on the scale of threats I’m dealing with, but she’s an annoying gnat I could do without. I should’ve shut my mouth and ignored my jealousy.
Saint lifts his head, piercing me with a look so full of hatred it has to be seen to be believed. His eyes are like laser beams slicing me clear in half, and my heart picks up pace as my body floods with adrenaline at the impending threat. It takes iron-strong willpower to hold my ground when he pushes up into me, wrapping his hands around the nape of my neck and squeezing in a way he knows hurts.
“My house,” he grits out. “My pussy.” He grabs my crotch through my dress. “My rules.” His face darkens and his chest vibrates with naked anger, and God help me, I’m seriously fucked in the head because it should completely terrify me, but instead, my panties are drenched and I ache for him as my body craves his in a way I don’t fully understand.
Saint oozes power, authority, danger, and pure raw sex in equal measures, and I’m attracted to all parts of him. There’s no point trying to deny it anymore, and maybe, Sariah is right, and I need to change the playbook.
“I will hurt you, Harlow.” He digs his nails into my neck and squeezes my crotch. My body thrums in a mixture of agony and ecstasy. My heart pounds in my chest, and blood shoots through my veins, electrifying me. “I will make your life intolerable.” He shoves me off him forcefully, and I lose my balance, falling back on the bed. He crawls over me, and I hold myself still as he hovers on top of me. “You will obey me, or the torture you suffered as a kid will pale in comparison to the suffering I’ll inflict on your body.”
CHAPTER 15
HE REMEMBERS. HEknows.That’s all I’m thinking after Saint tosses me out of the room and I make my way back to my friends.
I’ve never blamed that boy for anything, but now I know who the man is, I’m wondering if I’ve been wrong about it all these years. It only adds to the fucked-up-ness in my head, and I’m trying to figure out how this fits into the puzzle as I pick my way through the living room, searching for Sariah’s blonde head.
An arm shoots up from a section in the top left corner of the room, and I spot Emmett waving at me.
“You’re alive!” Sariah says, handing me a beer.
“And still in one piece,” Sean adds, giving me a quick onceover to ensure I’m uninjured.
“We saw Parker, Finn, and company being kicked out,” Sariah adds.
“Man, that chick has some set of lungs on her,” Emmett supplies, sipping his beer. “She was screeching like a banshee.”
“She is going to be gunning for my ass at school on Monday,” I say, quickly filling them in on what went down.
“She can try,” Sariah says. “You were right to put her in her place. Bitch needs taking down a few notches.”
“I’m more worried about you pushing Saint too far,” Sean says, shifting on the couch and wearing a troubled expression. “There’s been a lot of talk at school, and these fuckers don’t mess around. You need to be careful, Lo.”
“I know. He hasn’t gained his reputation for no reason. Rumors say the woods behind Prestwick are full of his kills.”
“Full ofalltheir kills,” Sean says, lowering his voice and scanning the room.
“Murder is only one of their skill sets,” Sariah says, her voice laced with anger. “I’ve heard they’re fond of torture, extortion, setting fire to shit, and all-round mayhem. We can never underestimate them.”
“They should never underestimate me,” I supply as my phone pings. I read the message from Darrow and stand. “I need to do something. I’ll be back in a few. Keep an eye on the assholes, and message me if they move out of that room.”
I grab my jacket from the hall closet and trade my stilettos for my boots before slipping out the back through the kitchen. The noise of the party fades as I cut across the grass, aiming for the pool house. I cast a glance behind me, ensuring I’m not being followed, before I step inside. A form moves in the pitch-black, and I draw the drapes before switching one of the lamps on.
“Do you have it?” I ask, moving toward him.
He holds out his hand, thrusting a piece of paper into my palm. “He’s reliable, and his work is of a high standard.”
I fold the paper carefully and tuck it down the front of my dress. “Thanks.”
“You’ll need serious cash.”
