Page 77 of Beautiful Defiance

Seven steps forward with his fists clenched at his sides and his jaw locked. This will not end well for Rue’s friend, and I don’t want to mess up our friendship before it’s begun.

“Shay, do as he says.”

“You know this fucker’s name?” His attention lands back on my face.

“Seven, please.”

“What did I tell you about begging, Leigh?”

I tip my chin. “This isn’t what you think. Shay’s showing me a magic trick. He was looking for these disappearing quarters. My hair got caught in his watch’s wristband.”

It’s true. When I tipped my chin at Seven, the metal gripped my hair.

“I don’t give a fuck what you were doing with him so long as he lets you go. Now.”

He advances with his arm pulled back. Shay shoves me out of the way. His wrist slides out of his watch’s metal band. Landing against the shed, I watch in horror as Seven’s fist connects with Shay’s face again and again.

Shay punches back, but Seven is quick. He dodges the blows, and with his head down, he plows into Shay’s stomach. The two fall onto the ground.

“Do something!” I tell Malice.

Malice blinks out of whatever trance he’s in and yanks Seven off Shay. I hurry to Shay, and on my hands and knees, I apologize over and over.

“He didn’t mean to. I’m so sorry.”

His face is swollen, and his lip is split.

“Help me up.”

I slide my arm under his shoulders and gently prop him up. “Please don’t press charges,” I say near his ear. “I’ll do anything.”

“Anything?”

“Yes.” If Seven is charged for assault, he won’t be able to play for the rest of the season.

“He’s into you. Why?”

“He hates me.”

“Then he’ll hate you more for going to homecoming with the rival school’s quarterback.”

Shay plays for the Daredevils? Is he the football player Seven hates, the one Allison cheated on him with? But he told me it was a Sterling who raped Allison. Except Red never talked football. Unless it’s a different Sterling boy. Seven said they’re a huge family. Gah! I am so confused.

“Are you by chance a Sterling?”

“Other than Malice here, I’m it, Leigh.”

I look in the direction of the familiar voice. “Red?”

“Wait, you know this fucker too?” Seven’s glower swings from me and Shay to Red and Rue.

I help Shay stand. No use sitting on our asses. It’s a weak position to be in when there’s a predator nearby.

“Red saved me from being roadkill.”

Seven looks from Red to me. His eyes widen, having put two and two together.

“You owe him?”

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