Page 50 of Alamort

“Just wait, pet. There won’t always be someone to interfere. You’ve just made it worse than it had to be,” he whispers, patting my head condescendingly before walking away.

My legs won’t hold me up. It could be from the lack of food I’m getting every day. Or the fact Crew wants to kill me. The bell dings and I gather myself. Tears sting the corners of my eyes as I stumble down the stairs and out the door. Karma is a bitch, Demonio, and her name is Priya.

Skipping class is an art. Unlike most people, I have the finesse for it. Or I’m just willing to take one for the team and sleep with the teacher. Either way, it requires skill. No one wants a lousy lay. With a quick swipe of my hands on the filthy rag, I slide it into the back pocket of my jeans. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from the scent of motor oil and fresh car parts.

Giving the old girl, Mindy, a loving pat, I shut the hood of my Aston Martin DB4GT from the first series. The keys jingle in my hand while I put them into the ignition to carefully maneuver her out of the garage. I sink into her seat. The rich, nostalgic smell of ancient leather and wood wraps around me, like a hug, a feeling of comfort and familiarity.

The gear shift is like an extension of my hand, blending seamlessly with my touch. God, she’s the most perfect specimen ever to walk this earth. She never talks back, always tells me when something is wrong and how to fix it. Well, she never has to let me know. Her upkeep is my top priority. Never picky on food and doesn’t yell at me. The smooth vibrations of the engine purrs beneath me, creating a sense of harmony between man and his machine. That’s poetic.

This was the first project Elijah and Ty worked on with me. The bonding for us turned into a hobby for me. Fixing up cars is my emotion dumpster. Pissed off, sad, even happy.

It makes me wonder where I would be if we had never met Tyson and his dad. I’d like to think that I would run my own personal chop shop, but I wouldn’t be able to bring myself to destroy some of the beautiful one-of-a-kind cars that I’ve come to know personally. That would break my heart, for sure. Ben & Bros Auto. Ben & Co. Auto…Yeah, that sounds nice.

The music in my car startles me as it blares in my ears. Before reversing out of the garage Elijah built for me, I can’t help but to laugh at myself. Technically, there’s not supposed to be cars here, too many issues with kids sneaking out. That’s why even at 18, most teenagers have to rely on someone to pick them up or plan with the admin building to go into town. Being Elijah’s son has its perks.

Parking Mindy in her designated spot. The satisfying click of the locks as I bid her farewell make me wish I was on the road. I’m dying to go out for a drive soon. The sensation of the wind against my face, combined with the soothing hum of the motor beneath my hands, gives me the thrill I crave.

“Goodbye, my baby. I’ll see you soon.” Blowing Mindy a kiss while I walk back towards the school. Just as I tear my eyes away from her polished headlights, a shrill screech echoes through the air.

“Bennett!”

An embarrassing shriek escapes my lips. Until I see Amber’s face screwed up into an ugly glare, aimed at me.

“Ahh, Amber. What’s up?” I keep my eyes on the castle as I walk towards our place.

“Are you avoiding me?” She flips her short hair over, her eyes narrow to slits. That will obviously get me to spill all my secrets. I hope the grimace I’m hiding stays that way.

“Uh, no?” Yes. She’s like a vampire, sucking the life out of me. The ruby red lipstick she wears is actually the blood from her victims.

“My parents are coming to this years ‘Parent Day’. They want to meet you.” She skips happily next to me, her hand stroking my bicep. Shit, I’ve been avoiding her dad for the past three years, wanting to never meet him. Every year we go home to dad for a weekend to catch up, visiting Ty or take on another job. My stomach rolls at the thought of her involvement with the Priya and Oscar situation.

As I scratch the back of my head, I rack my brain for a solution, fully aware that my brothers and I decided to stay this year, hoping Priya’s family comes.

“Um…” I let the ‘m’ drag on for as long as possible, to buy myself time to avoid answering. Has she always been this way? Cunning and vindictive? I looked the other way because it didn’t interfere with my life or getting pussy. It makes me second guess her as a person. She knew we were only a fling. I never gave her the impression I wanted to be more.

My saving grace is my brother stomping into the house, slamming the side door behind him. Perfect.

“I’ll catch you later. Something is going on with Crew.”

“Oh,” she looks around before lowering her voice conspiratorially, “I heard Priya started some drama in psych.” Side eying her, I shrug her off of me. What else are brothers for? If not to get me out of situations I don’t want to be in.

Trying to escape Amber’s bony fingers is overwhelming. With a swift movement, her hand finds its way into the waistband of my boxers, wrapping around my dick, sending a jolt of pleasure through me. Despite the restriction of my jeans, she persistently tries to stroke me. Maybe a quickie? I scan our surroundings for a better place to bend her over. There’s no way I’m laying her down here and doing that face-to-face shit.

Her lips kiss up my neck, causing me to harden in her soft hand. Did I say it was bony before? I meant soft, in the way she strokes me from root to tip.

The sound of glass shattering breaks the trance I’m in. Crew. Grabbing her wrist to stop her, she fights me, continuing to rub along the length of me. A jab of fear makes my heart stutter as a cold sweat coats my skin.

“Stop, Amber.” She ignores me, fighting against the grip I have on her wrist. My foster parents flash behind my eyes. Feather light fingers brush against my skin. Heavy breathing and the distinct stench of alcohol permeate the room.

“That’s enough, Amber!” Blind panic causes me to shove her away roughly, using all my strength. With a lack of grace, she tumbles and lands in an awkward sprawl on the grass. Anger overwhelms my guilt for putting my hands on a woman who may or may not deserve it. Narrowing my eyes at her, my lips pull back into a sneer.

“Do you know what the word ‘stop’ means, Amber?” My voice comes out low and dangerous. Fists balled at my sides to hide the trembling. Her bottom lip quivers as she nods.

“But Bennett, you always like it when I touch you.”

“I like to fuck people, Amber. Don’t get it twisted thinking I’m only interested in you. You knew what this was the first time you spread your legs for me. Playing dumb will only get you so far.” I scoff and shake my head, looking away from her, afraid I might do something I’d regret. She isn’t as coy as she pretends to be.

Her usual flawless face transforms into what she really is. The hatred in her eyes tries to burn me to ashes where I stand. Brushing off her skirt, she gets up without saying a word and stomps away.

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