No, I shake my head and narrow my eyes. I won't let myself back down. I have to do this."Okay, Ariella." I puff out my cheeks as the air is exhaled from my lungs. "Starting from now, this is a new you!" The words lack the conviction I wish I had.Just as I'm about to give up once again and change back into what I wore before, grandma calls me from downstairs."Coming!" I shout. I take one last look in the mirror and shrug, it's the best I can do. I grab my backpack and head downstairs."- down soon. Can I get you anything to drink?" Grandma's voice reaches me when I'm halfway down. Standing on the other side, away from me in the living room is a woman with her blonde hair pulled back into a sophisticated bun. A few loose strands lay against her neck, grazing the gray blazer she wears. Under her grey slacks are a pair of black leather shoes with a skinny heel."I'm fine. Thank you," she answers back. Grandma gestures for her to sit, and after a small hesitation, she does."Grams?" I

HAEDENI have to hate her. I need to hate her. Any feelings I had for her before can't exist. I won't allow it. It doesn't matter if I wonder whether or not her brown hair is as soft as it looks. Doesn't matter if I hate the numbed look on her face. I should want to see her suffer.That's why I say it. She has to be ours, has to be mine, in order for me to get over this crushing hatred, and go back to the guy obsessed with a church girl.I'll take every bit of my anger out on her until there's none left. And if she lets me hold her after, then I'll take that too.What I don't expect is for her to deny our protection. Ariella Mackensie doesn't desire us to protect her against her bullies, she wants help getting back at them. What she asks for is the sweet taste of revenge. Good, little, church girls don't want pay back. They let karma deal with it. But then, Ariella isn't a good little church girl anymore. She's the daughter of a psycho killer. I bite the inside of my cheek to suppr

I shuffle on my feet, hands tight around my backpack straps. Standing in front of me, like a formidable wall are Stone, Haeden, and Kingston. Standing in the middle, Stone has his arms crossed over his chest, face unreadable as his dark eyes stare down at me. His sleeves are rolled up, with it being after school hours he's free to show his tattoos now. On his left, Haeden has his hands stuffed in his hoodie pockets. His red eyes indicating he's high on something. He's stuck on me though, and it feels like he hates me at this moment. But then I can't remember doing anything to make him mad. On Stone's right, Kingston is typing away on his phone. "My cousin got arrested," he snickers. He looks up at the other two. "He got caught fucking the vice principle at his school." Haeden chuckles. "Cole is my fucking god."I stand there, my face red because who the hell fucks a teenager? It seems pedophelia is in season. I'm suddenly reminded of Mr. Williams, and I shudder. "Where's Ivy?" Ston

I'm staring. It's rude, I know that, but anyone in my position wouldn't stare. Stone stands at the foot of my bed, shirt halfway up his chest.He's taking his clothes off. Stone is in my room, and he's taking his clothes off!I take in the visible V line of his hips, followed by a lean muscle that flexes with every move. His pecs are well-defined, and the tattoos on his skin call for me to trace them. Maybe if I wake up early enough in the morning, I can take the time to admire them.Am I letting him stay the night? If it were back then, if Dad didn't do what he did, would he even be here right now?No. We lived in different worlds, he and I.My fingers tighten around the clothes in my hand, suddenly very aware that I'm about to change into short shorts and a tank top."You just gonna stand there and stare at me?" Stone asks. His lips turn upwards when my eyes widen.First off, seriously Stone made a joke. Not only is he staying the night but he’s joking with me."I think the world i

He wants me to suck on him? My face bursts into flames, and I quickly shake my head. Oh no. I've never done that! I've never thought about doing that! I've never even seen one! Well, I watched porn one time, and it was weird, so I turned that shit off fast.He thumbs my bottom lip, saying "I'm not surprised you've never sucked cock before." His dark eyes connect with mine. "It's a damn shame, though. I bet your wet mouth feels heavenly." My breath grows heavy as he talks. The roughness of his voice carries tingles down to my belly, and it's suddenly so hot in the room."I think about you on your knees way too often," he whispers. He slips his thumb past my lips and settles the pad on my tongue. "Fuck." Daring to push further, I lightly bite the tip of his thumb, watching in delight as a shiver runs through his body."You're a bad influence on me," I murmured into the air. "If you don't want me ripping these shorts off, I suggest you get up." His voice hardens, any playfulness is n