Myles fixed his gaze on me as the three of them came to a halt within the living room. My hands trembled as I finished up with Shasta’s hair and I dropped them in my lap once I was done.
“All done,” I murmured, attempting to avoid the guys looming over us.
She brought her hands to her braids and turned around to look at me. “Thanks.” She grinned.
“Isn’t this cute?” Myles said, glancing between the two of us with a sadistic smirk etched into his handsome features.
Ethan ventured forward, his brown eyes dropping down to linger on my chest. Even despite wearing a T-shirt, I felt exposed. Shifting uncomfortably, I folded my arms across my chest, my heart thudding to a dangerous rhythm.
Myles turned to his sister, all playfulness void from his face. “Out,” he ordered, leaving no room for debate.
Shasta scrambled to her feet, her wide eyes drifting over to me. Hesitation swirled within her blue irises, but when she glanced back over to Myles, fear gripped her, and she took off running.
Panic consumed me as I heard the lock on her door click, and my body started to tremble.
“Get up,” Maverick said, stepping forward.
“W-why?” I whispered, looking between the three of them.
“Because he said,” Myles snapped, making me jump.
Anxiety flooded through me as I slowly rose to my feet. They’d never confronted me before, and by how they were acting…it was safe to assume they didn’t have pure intentions. Maybe if I listened, they wouldn’t hurt me.
“Bring her to the treehouse,” he continued, taking a step back, his blue eyes raking up and down my body, sending a current of unwanted shivers through me.
My chest started to heave as my anxiety crippled me. My mind raced, replaying a variety of different horrifying scenarios. What were they wanting me for, and why did it involve the treehouse?
Maverick was the first to make a move, taking another step forward, and wrapping his hand around my bicep.
“We just want to play,” Ethan supplied innocently. Though the look in his eyes was anything but innocent.
I wanted to ask him why we couldn’t just play in here—why it had to be in the middle of the woods, but the way they were staring at me, had my mouth clamping shut.
Myles shot me a sinister smirk before he turned and started toward the back door. Maverick jerked me forward, causing a gasp to slip out as I fought to regain my balance. He snickered from beside me as if seeing me scared and frazzled amused him.
I’d only been to the treehouse a couple times, but never with Myles. Vince and Shasta had taken me to it once, and Myles’ mom, Connie had shown it to me the other time. When Myles found out that we’d been going there, he got mad and forbade us from ever going there again.
The humid air felt like a pillow to the face as we made our way through the backyard. Relief gripped me when my gaze landed on the pool. If they’d wanted to kill me, having me drown would be the easiest option. I’d never learned how to swim.
They were silent as we started toward the woods near the side of the property. Myles’ dad had built the treehouse a few years ago, but it was still as sturdy as ever.
Maverick pulled me to a stop once we reached the giant tree. My lips parted as I took it all in, and my hands were hot and clammy. Despite being here a couple times already, it seemed a lot more terrifying now.
“Scared?” Ethan’s voice rang out, the warmth from his breath feathering against my ear as he stood at my other side—much too close for my liking.
I shook my head, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing how scared I really was. Myles was already climbing the built-in ladder, once he reached the top, he motioned for us to follow.
Maverick was already pushing me forward, making my heart jump into my throat. Everything inside me was saying this was a bad idea. That I’d have a better chance running. But I knew they’d catch me, and then it would be worse. It was a feeling.
With shaky hands, I started making my way up the ladder. The bark bit into my skin, but it was the least of my concerns right now. It didn’t take long for me to reach the top, and when I did, Myles offered me his hand, which I cautiously accepted. He tugged me the rest of the way up and at the last second, my foot slipped on the final step.
My heart beat erratically and I let out a yelp, but he was fast, snaking an arm around my waist and pulling me into his chest.
“Careful, little dove.” His blue eyes pierced through me as he stared into the depths of my soul. My eyebrows pinched at the new nickname, but I didn’t comment on it.
The other two boys weren’t far behind me, and I found myself taking a step away from Myles in order to get some space.
I looked around, my eyes sweeping across the random mattress near the back of the treehouse. Next to that, was an ice chest, and on the opposite side of the treehouse was an old-fashioned radio with three lawn chairs surrounding the glass table it sat on.