Broken Wings (Dark Legacy #1)

The gate to his compound was open as well, and I had a sneaking suspicion he’d left the pathway clear to make it obvious he wanted me out of his house. Damn him. I didn’t care what he did at school today, I was not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that last night meant anything to me at all.

It was just sex.

Fucking amazing, mind blowing, multiple orgasm sex.

Who needed that in their life?

My thighs clenched at the memories, and I mentally told them to stop it, because that was it. That was their only Beck experience.

When the Deboise estate came into view, I opened the gate and drove to the house. A few of the staff stared wide eyed when I rushed inside, hurrying as quick as my injured body would let me. Today there were less sharp pains in my side, but the dull ache felt like it might have settled in permanently.

In my room, I ditched my clothes and went straight for the shower. Stepping inside, the hot water sliced across my body, and I groaned at how good it felt. There were some new pains and a few bruises from last night. Running my hands across my hips, I could see marks from Beck’s fingers gripping me. He had a way of holding just tight enough to hurt, but it was hurt in a good way. A way that made my body ache with need.

Stop it, Riley!

I had to stop thinking about him.

Focusing on not being late for school, I quickly washed my hair and then jumped out. The hair dryer took most of the moisture out of my long waves, and I ran some product through it to stop the frizz. Makeup next, and that took longer because my face was still a mass of bruises, along with some wicked dark rings under my eyes. I didn’t actually get that much sleep last night, and the days before that had taken its toll.

By the time I was done though, I looked like my normal self, and I could have kissed my makeup for giving me that shield against the world.

I needed it today.

When my uniform was on, I noticed the phone Stewart had given me last night was flashing on the bed. I’d forgotten to take it with me, and no doubt Dante was pissed that once again, I hadn’t answered his calls.

I was a shitty best friend these days, and thank fuck he was less so. He continued to commute between Jersey and here, always around when I needed him.

Swiping the screen I had five messages. Two were from Dante, checking in with me, and I quickly shot back a reply. One was from Eddy, checking if I needed a ride to school today. After confirming that with her, I focused on the other two.

Neither was a number I knew, but it was immediately obvious who the first one was from...

Unknown: Hey, Spare Heir. I won’t be in school today, almost dying is a real bitch. But the boys will keep an eye on you. Don’t fuck anyone I wouldn’t.

Jasper.

With a laugh, I texted back. Me: Dude, is there anyone you wouldn’t fuck? You’ve given me free run of the school.

After sending that I turned my attention to the other unknown text. I’m going to put a butterfly permanently on your skin. Right on those dimples just above your ass.

My body heated, like set me the fuck on fire and call it a day.

Beck.

Jesus.

He had spent a lot of time with his hands on my ass…

My phone vibrated, and I focused on the new text. Jasper: Well, no guys or my sister, but the rest … think of it as a free for all buffet. Just make sure you wait so I can watch.

Me: You’re sick, dude. Now fuck off and get better.

I ignored Beck’s text, because I really didn’t know what to say. Saving his number in my phone felt like a big deal. I could contact him now, whenever I wanted.

With that in mind, I changed his name to drunk booty call, and laughed as I turned around to finish getting ready. Ten minutes later I was dressed in my uniform, uncomfortable heels on, and bag slung gingerly over my shoulder. The golf cart took me to the front gate, and Eddy zoomed up a minute later.

She examined me closely as I slid inside, and the smile she shot my way was genuine.

“Girl, you look hot. I wouldn’t even know you almost died two days ago.”

I snorted out a laugh. “I still feel like I almost died two days ago.”

Groaning, I leaned down to yank off the ridiculous heels and stuff my feet into the converse sneakers I’d smuggled out of the house with me. Given all I’d been through, anyone who wanted to reprimand my breech of dress code could kiss my ass.

Eddy waved a hand at me before she spun the wheel and took off. “How you look is all that matters.” She paused for a brief moment, and I felt like I knew her well enough now, to know that something pretty big was on her mind.

“What is it?” I said with a sigh. “Spill it.”

She shot me a look before a grin that was mostly grimace lifted her cheeks. “Word got out.” Her voice was soft and I sensed some sympathy in there. “About you and the guys being in the crash together. Uh, there are a lot of rumors.”

Shaking my head, I stared out at the scenery flying by. “Let me guess, I’m now the company whore, and each of the guys fucked me before passing me to the next one?”

I turned to find her staring at me, her expression stunned. “How did you know? Did Dante tell you?”

Sitting straighter, I narrowed my eyes on her. “Dante knows? I texted him this morning, and he never said anything.”

Eddy shrugged. “He was ultra pissed when he found out. He’s really protective of you, girl.”

Needing a subject change, I shot her a slow smile. “Care to tell me what’s going on with you two? I mean, I’m not blind. I see all the touches and lingering looks. And you came to my house together…”

Eddy’s hands flexed on the wheel like she was uncomfortable, and I wondered where my confident friend had gone. Dante had her all tied up in knots.

“We’ve messed around a bit,” she said in a rush. “And he is … amazing. Sexiest fucking guy I’ve ever had my hands on…”

“But…” I said, pushing her.

“But…” She sighed. “He reminds me of my brother.”

I coughed and she burst out laughing. “No … no, not like that. I mean, he has that same dangerous and dark vibe. I’m not sure I want to fall for someone whose world is dark. I’ve been trying my entire life to get away from it. I’ve seen what it has cost Jasper. What it will continue to cost him for the rest of his life.”

We were in the school parking lot now, and when she pulled into a spot near the front, she turned the car off and faced me fully. “Do you know what Dante actually does for the gang?”

I shook my head. “He never really talks about that part of his life. He says he doesn’t want me involved, and the less I know, the safer for me.”

Eddy didn’t looked surprised by this. “Yeah, he brushed me off when I tried to ask, but Riles, I’ll be honest, I think Dante is a pretty important part of it. I know authority. I know a leader when I see one, and he has head honcho written all over him.”

This gave me a moment’s pause as I considered what she was saying. Dante was so young, only a few years older than me, that I never expected he could be anything more than one of the outer members of whichever gang he was part of. He’d never told me their name either, but I knew there were only two major players in our area. The Grims and the Slayers. I’d seen his tatts, and he was definitely a Grim—the reaper kind of gave it away.

Eddy opened her door, and the sounds of nearby chattering students filled the car. “So yeah, I’m not sure I can risk my heart on someone like Dante, but if we can keep the casual cool thing going, then I’m not going to complain.”

I nodded, opening my own door and hopping out. Before I could get more than a step away, some bitch I’d never seen before knocked into the frame of my door, pushing me back into the car. My ribs screamed in protest, and as I straightened, I leveled her with the darkest fucking glare I could manage.

“Why don’t you watch where you’re going,” I snarled, adjusting my bag.

She flashed me a falsely sweet smile, her face heavy with makeup, her blond hair so peroxide it was as white as her shirt. “I figured you’d spent most of the weekend on your back. I was just helping you get back there.”

And so it began.