Page 54 of Lost Paradise

“Piss off, Astro,” Byron growls at him.

“Come on, mate. You already spilled royal secrets. Why not just come out with the fact that you love wanking behind bushes while watching Eve?”

What?

“Fuck off,” Byron snaps. “I wasn’t wanking you imbecile.”

“So, what were you doing while watching Zane pull a tidy with Eve behind the waterfall earlier today?”

“You know damn well I wasn’t wanking you prat!” Byron scolds angrily.

“But you’re a voyeur. You were watching because your virgin arse was curious!”

It’s dark, but the campfire is bright enough to show Byron’s pale face turning bright red. Is he a virgin? Geez, I honestly didn’t see that coming. He’s got that moody, sexy, brooding geek look down to a T.

“You’re a bully,” I hiss angrily at Astro.

“And you’re a privileged A-class bitch!” heretorts.

Foster and Zane get up fast.

“You want to repeat that asshole?” Zane demands, his fists clenching.

“I won’t allow for that kind of disrespect,” Foster says in my defense, but I don’t need either man to stand up for me.

“Just stay out of my battles,” I mutter to both men. “I’ve had to deal with asshole bullies like Astro my whole life. He's just another street thug, and maybe we should consider throwing him out of the camp.”

“Stop it!” Byron cries out, and he looks like he is one minute away from blowing his fuse. “I don’t need you fighting my battles either! I’m so sick of you, Eve. Acting like you’re someone kind, but you would never turn my way in the real world. The same with Mr. Coldwell and Zane. Both are beneath you in class and privilege!”

I stare at Byron, flabbergasted and completely stunned silent. I watch him storm off into the deep jungle and disappear.

Turning to Astro, who started this mess, I narrow my eyes at him.

“For as long as we’re here on this island, I don’t want to talk to you. From now on, you don’t talk to me.”

“Oh, darling, you couldn’t ignore me if you tried.”

I walk around the fire and stare down at him as he sits casually.

“You mean nothing to me. Too bad California got rid of the electric chair; you would have toasted it nicely.” I mock him.

He stands up to face me. Giving me a stare that I can only say gives me a chilling insight into how dark Astro is. But there is no way I’m facing down now, so I take his death stare and multiply it back.

Suddenly, I’m ripped away from where I stand with him, and Foster interjects himself between us with his back in my face.

“You need to control whatever hate and anger you have. I don’t give a shit what’s going on between you and Eve, but if you ever look at her like that again, it will be your demise.”

“You reckon your pretty Olympic arse can take me down?” Astro scoffs, his laughter dripping with arrogance. "I grew up on the mean streets, where fists met blood and bone. Put yourself back in your fancy arena, pretty boy. You're no match for me." His words are laced with a challenge, his tone daring and defiant.”

Foster stands firm, unfazed by Astro's bravado.

“There will be two hits,” he declares cooly. “Me hitting you. You hitting the floor. Care to put this concept to the test?” Foster’s words hang in the air, dripping with confidence and a hint of menace.

For fuck’s sake, I’m done with all this threat of violence.

“I’m leaving all of you to compare dick sizes. I’m going to find Byron,” I say and take off. Zane comes after me, and as much as I care for him, right now is not the time.

“Stop following me,” I say, clearly annoyed, and roll my eyes.

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