Page 43 of Filthy Few

“Wait, how does Vox know how to get into your room?” Vox flinches at his sister's question but unlike him I won’t lie or hide shit from her.

“Vivi, you know how I mentioned I was seeing someone?” I feel like a dick saying that out loud but she nods. “Turns out the guy that was fucking me into a coma was your brother. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you because truth is, I never knew it was him either or I wouldn’t have let it happen.” Her mouth is ajar. The guys snicker while Vox stands there working his jaw side to side. I don’t stick around for a reply, I have a role to play and a stepbrother to appease, so I secure the collar around my neck and hold my head high as I stroll through the front doors of the school and ignore all the looks from everyone as I pass them, heading to my locker.

Just as I’m pulling the last of my text books out, the locker door is slammed shut. I just manage to shift my hand at the last second so it doesn't get squashed. I turn my head to the side to see Nexus standing there, covered in blood and a vindictive look in his eyes.

“Did you enjoy that phone call?”

My nostrils flare at his taunt. “I had nothing to do with what happened,” I grit out.

“Seems my so calledfriendsdon’t agree with my punishment for you.” I choose to remain silent rather than instigating his wrath. He darts his gaze over my shoulder and I know without a doubt that Vox and the others just entered the hallway. “Be good or mommy gets it,” he sneers, then grips the back of my head and yanks me forward, slamming his mouth against mine. I shake my head trying to break free but the look in his soulless green eyes warns me not to reject him or my mom will pay the price. His hand grips my waist in a move to show possession to everyone watching. He breaks the kiss and shoots me a wink as I drop my gaze to the floor feeling disgusted and ashamed.

“Seems we know why the toy was declared off limits,” Vox says casually like I’m not standing right here. I steel my resolve. This is what I asked of him and the others to pretend they don’t know me.

“A bit of taboo never hurt anyone, right?” Nexus says cockily. I feel bile rise in my throat but swallow it down and push off the lockers to head to my next class. Nexus is planning something for revenge against Vivian, there is no doubt about that in my mind, we just need to keep her and my mom safe for the rest of the week and then we can get rid of him and his father.

When the final bell sounds, I make my way out to the parking lot but come to a stop when I don’t see Nexus’ car in the lot. Vox and the others stand by his car, the sight of Nicole smiling up at Vox has my stomach churning. I scan the lot once more beforedeciding the cunt left me behind. I sigh and lower my head as I start my long walk home.

“Look everyone! There goes the piggy,” Nicole calls out. I don’t react to her or everyone elseoinkingat me. I clutch my books tighter against my chest and continue walking. I feel someone come up beside me and I reel back when I see it’s Ezekiel.

“Keep walking and don’t stop. I’m not interfering with your plans but I’m also not letting you walk out of here alone with these fucking vultures pawing at you.” His words have me softening toward him. “Head up, Nova, you may wear his collar but you are not beneath him.” Tears of gratitude prick the backs of my eyes. I do as he says and keep my head held high as we walk out of the school side by side.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Vox

I wait another five minutes for the lot to start emptying before I shove Nicole off me and ignore her pouting, I toss my keys to Archer, who frowns but says nothing when I shake my head. Hayze and Vivian climb in the back. We catch up to Ez and Nova in no time. When Archer pulls over beside them, she smiles at Ez and thanks him but before she takes another step I shove my door open and grab her.

“Vox!” she snaps as I pull her inside the car and lock my arm around her waist, securing her on my lap. “Jesus, let me go!”

“Shut the fuck up!” I snarl in her ear. Instantly she stills and clamps her mouth closed as Archer hits the gas. “Good girl,” I whisper in her ear low enough for only her to hear. She tries to hide the shiver that runs through her by shifting but my chuckle has her growling and elbowing me in the ribs.

“Well, for someone who didn’t know they were screwing my brother you both seem cozy.” Nova stiffens at my sister's declaration.

“Buzz kill, Vivi baby,” Hayze says through his laughter. Nova huffs in annoyance when I wrap my other arm around her.

“I was joking,” Vivian defends.

“Yeah, sure you were, pretty.” Archer snorts out, earning a glare from me.

“Everyone needs to stop giving her fucking pet names!” I snap.

“Oh, but you can screw Nexus’ sister?” Ezekiel calls out, the car descends into silence and the tension ramps up for a moment until Nova begins laughing. A few seconds later the rest of us join her, I have no idea what the fuck is so funny about that comment but the sound of her laughter is infectious and has me smiling like a lunatic.

“Can you pull over here for a sec?” Nova asks Archer. He obeys and pulls onto the shoulder of the road. She shifts on my lap and I growl when her ass keeps rubbing against my dick, and the second she feels what her wiggling has done she turns to me with wide eyes. I shoot her a deadpan look.

“What did you expect?” I ask her teasingly.

“Expect what?” Vivi pipes up and asks.

“Best to not know the answer to that one, Vivi baby.”

“Call her that again, Hayze, and I’ll break your fucking jaw.” I sneer.

“Don’t be so touchy,” my sister scolds, earning an eye roll from me.

“Why did we stop?” I ask Nova redirecting the conversation back to her.

“Where’s the letter I gave you?” My brows draw in and I shake my head.

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