Page 56 of Tainted Love
“Do you really want to know?”
I think about it for a moment. Finally, I shake my head. “No.”
His head drops as I turn and leave.
Chapter 31
Elias
I STARE UP at the clouds and blow out the smoke of the joint I’ve been indulging in. My thoughts should be consumed with how I’m going to make connections for Forever Summer at the fundraiser tonight, but instead, I cannot stop thinking about my stepsister.
Bea’s in class right now, although she was miserable when she arrived home yesterday. I had hoped she would admit to herself it’s not what she wants to do, but the one thing I’m learning about her is she is stubborn as all hell. A smirk teases my lips. Her tenacity reminds me of Jas. The two of them have more in common than I thought.
The doorbell rings, so I butt out my smoke before heading inside. I’m not expecting the guys for another hour, and I’m not expecting anyone else, so I brace myself for who, or what, I might find on the other side of the door. Blackrose13 hasn’t contacted me since the photo delivery the other day, but that doesn’t mean they’re not plotting quietly.
I don’t know if it’s the anticipation of what I thought I was going to find on the other side, or whether it’s the high-quality weed buzzing through my veins, but I can’t hold in my laughter when I pull open the front door.
“You really don’t know when to quit, do you, Richie Rich?” Bea’s ex-boyfriend scowls at me. “Shouldn’t you be in class?”
“Not that I owe you any answers, rockstar,” he spits out. “But I’ve finished for the day.”
“That’s nice. Bea doesn’t want anything to do with you, so best you leave.” I move to close the door, but he sticks his hand out to stop me. My eyes narrow. “You looking to start something, Richie? Because I can guarantee?—”
“Here.” Hunter slaps an envelope against my chest. “My grandfather wanted me to drop these off for Beatrice.” He shakes his head with a humourless laugh. “I guess he thought she’d be going with me tonight. It’s a shame the fundraiser is sold-out. It would be entertaining as fuck to see you try to fit in where you don’t belong.” He looks me up and down. “It’s sick, you know.”
I arch a brow. “Enlighten me.”
“What the two of you are doing.”
A smirk tugs on my lips. “And what are we doing?”
“You’re some sick fantasy to her, but it’s never going to last. Her grandfather won’t allow it. He won’t let her sully the family name. Beatrice will be mine in the end, it’s always been the plan.”
“You finished?” I grit my teeth and clench my fists by my side. As much as I’d love to rearrange the smug bastard’s face, I can’t afford any mistakes today. I’ll bide my time, but there’s no way he’ll be laying another finger on my girl.
A sinister smile crosses his face. “She’ll come running back to me when she’s done slumming it. Enjoy her while you can.”
I slam the door closed with a satisfying click. “Motherfucker,” I mutter under my breath, pissed at myself for letting his words get to me. Letting out a frustrated breath,I push my hair back off my face. Bea’s smarter than that. There’s no way she’d go back to that arrogant son of a bitch.
“Her grandfather won’t allow it.”
Fuck.
Hunter’s right. Bea won’t even tell him she doesn’t want to study law. How’s she going to stand up to him about being with me if he wants her to marry that douchebag?
Taking the stairs two at a time, I shut myself in the practise room and take it out on my guitar.
A couple hours later, Asher absentmindedly strums a melody. Coming from his bass, it sounds darker, with richer undertones than we usually use, but something inside of me connects with the music. Kill picks up the beat. I come in on the electric guitar and it sounds like magic. The words of the ballad form in my head, and I sing.
Sometimes it feels like this is all for nothing.
When all I want is to mean something.
It can all feel overwhelming.
Baby, I want you to know I’m going nowhere.
I see what we could be,
