Page 19 of Oliver

“Hmm, fresh meat,” Diem purred, and my eyes went wide.

Shit. When did they become these assholes?

Pulling my eyes away from the freshman, I met Ramsay’s gaze. Last year, he was a cute eighth grader with a lazy smile and cool blue eyes. Now, I had no clue who stood before me.

At that time, despite his disdainful stare, he was just Ramsay Yates. Oliver Goodlow was just a cute guy with a dreamy voice and bored stature, and Diem McCafferty was a hothead with a body meant for sin.

“N-no,” I stuttered, mentally rolling my eyes. Way to be cool but in my defense, Ramsay could command armies with his cruel stare.

“No? Maybe you want to play?” Oliver said, licking his lips, but in his pale green eyes, danger lurked behind a void that warned of getting too close.

His gaze bored into my skull, and I covered my aching stomach reflexively. Despite the promise in his pretty eyes and his mouth-watering chest, which I gazed at dumbly, I knew I was trapped in a cage of my own making.

These boys didn’t associate with our group and by unspoken agreement we avoided them and their shenanigans. So, while my body screamed at me to take Oliver up on what he was offering, I didn’t relish the notion of being the outcast. I already made a bargain with the devil, and if it meant my place was secure amongst the piranhas I called friends, I couldn’t risk being seen with him.

Still, I froze in shock when Oliver grabbed my hand, prying my fist open before turning my palm up. The warmth of his fingers against mine sent a curl of need through my system and I bit back a gasp when he rasped, “Hm, look at you Penny Loughlin. All grown up.”

Ramsay chuffed, and I turned to him, hoping for sanity to return but all I had was the overwhelming need to run, either that or beg, which was so not cool.

“You here to beg?” Ramsay said, lifting a perfectly arched dark brow. Did he read my damn mind?

Shaking my head, I twisted my lips, almost grateful for the arrogant request. This was what I needed to come to my damn senses.

“Then move along,” he said, his tone brooking no argument, before he turned away.

Oliver dropped my hand as though burned and ignoring the tingle of regret, I walked away. I couldn’t resist one last glance though and my gaze skated over Oliver and his beautiful eyes, Ramsay in his loafers and Diem with his behemoth arms before I backed away.

I was late for class that day, but I will never forget my introduction to the boys turned cruel Sinners who ruled our world whether we knew it or not.

Now as I study Oliver, stalking toward his car, I smile at my naïveté. I thought I was immune after that day, dating the high school football star and acting as the head cheerleader, but all it took was one pretty smirk and I ensured my inglorious exit from Sterling while the asshole probably laughed his way to the next naive little bitch.

I guess I’ve never been accused of being smart.

Spank my ass? Whatever.

All the way home, I brood about Bone’s assertions. When I pull into the drive, I glance across the street, meeting Matt’s curious stare from where he sits in the garage.

As if sensing my curiosity, he backtracks into his house while I stare at the garage door until it’s closed. I don’t trust Matt, but there’s a conversation in our future because just like Oren and Bone, he may be hiding information I desperately need right now.

After dropping the car keys in the dish by the door, I pause in the living room and stare at Mom lying on the couch. My nose twitches at her musky scent and I eye her dark hair, matted to her forehead, a mop of grease and oils with a silent sigh.

I suspect she hasn’t been taking her meds which is stupid because now is when she needs them the most.

She doesn’t bother to look up from the television and with a grunt, I head up the stairs, pausing when I reach the landing.

Did she…?

Fuck me, she did.

Marching down the hall, I stop at Dixie’s room and stare at the lock now barring me entrance into her room. Another attempt to trap Dixie’s spirit inside?

With a shiver, I back away into my room and close the door behind me.

What used to be a safe place feels achingly empty and I would be lying if I said that hunting down Dixie’s killer had nothing to do with it.

Chapter 5

Penny

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