Page 34 of Always Mine

Chapter Eight

Where Was She...

Daisy glanced around the beach with no one there.She knew this wasn’t right.There was always someone here.

There was a pressure against her temple, and she let go of the railing to touch her forehead.The moment she did, it was like she conjured up Anthony who stood right in front of her.

“We did something bad, didn’t we?”

He didn’t speak.This was not her Anthony who seemed to enjoy talking.It was like he was someone else.She stared into his blue eyes, and even though the waves were right behind him, nothing compared to the beauty within his gaze.

“Anthony?”

“It’s going to be all right,” he said.

Only his voice didn’t sound quite like Anthony’s.

He reached out and touched her cheeks, much like he did before.Again, his touch wasn’t quite as strong, but there were flashes that went off inside her mind—their time together, killing her father, how he protected her.The times at school she caught him staring at her.Anthony would never look away.She knew other people might find him a little embarrassing, but not her.She would hold his gaze, and it would be next to impossible to look away, unless there was a distraction, such as Tabitha or one of the others gaining her attention.The moment would be gone, but it wouldn’t be lost.

And then, she was transported back to that night.

“You don’t need to do this,” Anthony said.

Daisy spun around as she made her way toward the quad.She had no problem going to the quad and watching all the guys and Tabitha fight for their name.She and Tabitha had an agreement from years ago that she would never fight.

Not many people knew but when they were younger, one kid, Arnold, started to bully Tabitha really bad.It was a shock to Daisy, as she was used to being the one bullied.They would often call her the Not Skull.Most of the time, people didn’t say it to her in earshot of anyone else from the club.If her friends heard, they would kick the ass of whoever said it.It was as simple as that.Sure, it hurt, but she had gotten used to it.

But this Arnold kid had a hatred for Tabitha that was just ...strange.Anyway, one day, he went too far and actually punched Tabitha in the face.Her friend went down, and that was when she saw Arnold going for her.No one knew, no one saw, and Daisy lost it.She attacked Arnold.It was like she saw red, and she didn’t stop.

That was the last day they saw Arnold.Tabitha had to tear her off the kid, and they made him agree to promise not to say a word.He never returned to school, and the whole family left town within the week.

They were not seen or heard from again.

She and Tabitha agreed to never speak of it, and Daisy was to never fight.That promise had been kept, until now.

Daniella and her little posse of bitches had cornered Tabitha.They had attacked her friend, put her in the hospital, and there was no way in fucking hell she was going to let it slide.

“I don’t need to do this?”She looked around the quad, and knew without a shadow of a doubt there was no one else who could do this.“She needs to be taught a lesson.They were the fucking cowards and they attacked one of our own when she was alone and vulnerable.That is the act of a fucking coward.”

“Damn it, Daisy.You and I both know if I let you do this, Tabitha is going to go fucking insane,” Anthony said.

Daisy laughed.“You’re kidding, right?I thought you would be proud of this moment.”

He went to her and like so many times, he cupped her cheeks.Daisy had gotten used to Anthony showing her public displays of affection and no one truly seeing.It was like they were invisible to everyone else, and that was the way she liked it.No one talked or spread nasty rumors about them.

She looked at him and then he did what she never thought he would do.He kissed her, right there and then.

Daisy lost herself in the kiss, until he broke it and trailed his lips toward her ear.“I’ve got no problem with you fighting, Daisy.I know you can handle yourself, but I want to know you’re ready for what is about to happen.You and I both know when you start, you’re not going to stop.Tell me what you want me to do.”

She knew what he was saying.Did she want him to leave it long enough for her to kill Daniella?Was he to stop her before it got bad?

“I want you to let me hurt her,” Daisy said.“And only when she is down, but still alive, and if I can’t stop, then stop me.”

And with that, she turned toward the quad and made her way to the ring.She didn’t wait for the announcement or the current fight to end.

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