Page 5 of Swamp Princess

Chapter Three

I take a detour to the tracks. Something I don’t normally do, but today it is needed. I cut through the woods and down through the track, remembering when Blaise and I used to play on the tracks when we were little.

I loved playing here. It was an escape from reality, the reality being my mother. My mother just got worse with age, and the more her looks go, the meaner she becomes. She is not able to lure men to her bed anymore.

I keep walking, enjoying the peace until I see a man in the tracks. His slight form is laying down on them and without thinking, I rush over to him. What if he’s dead? What if he’s hurt? He looks big, could I even move him? I get to him and instead of overreacting; I take a moment to look at him.

Most of his face is concealed since he has over large glasses on and a ball cap. I see the slight rise and fall of his chest and know that he is okay. Why the fuck is he out here on the damn tracks? Clearing my throat loud enough to hopefully startle him, I look down at him.

I see his lips twitch before they turn into a frown. “Can I help you?” He snipes at me.

Flabbergasted by his rudeness, I glare down at him. “What are you doing on the tracks?”

Huffing, he sits up and I can immediately tell he is from North Warren. He reeks of privilege and money. “Is it any of your concern?”

“I was just wondering if you had a death wish.” I cross my arms over my chest as the man starts to rise. His features look softer and younger making me believe he is around my age. His dark chuckle as he stands and gets close to me zings through my body and I don’t like it, so I take a step back.

“Sometimes, I do imagine what it would feel like to lay here and let the train hit me.” His response shocks me. That was not what I was expecting and yet, I can relate. He gets closer to me and I take another step back. His very essence reeks of danger and while I like to flirt with danger, his seems different.

I don’t like not being able to see his eyes. I only survey the grin he gives me like the cat that caught the canary. His hand reaches out to touch my chin and I yank away from him. “You’re the first swamp bitch that hasn’t disgusted me. Are there any more like you, princess?”

Again, pride hits when he calls me swamp bitch. This is my home and clearly he knows how most of us live across the tracks. “Fuck you. We don’t fuck rich pricks.”

Again, he moves closer and my heart beats rapidly as he closes the gap between us. “Lies, princess. I fucked a few of you bitches. Shame I never got to take a run at you.” He goes to walk away but pauses. “Unless you’re up for a quick fuck. I will throw in some money.”

“Fuck off.” I sneer at him. Who the fuck is this kid? He licks his lips and damn it if my eyes aren’t drawn to the lushness of them. They are smooth and the stubble of hair makes me think it probably would tickle when he kissed someone.

“Nice meeting you, swamp princess. Next time, mind your own goddamn business.” He turns and stalks back over the tracks to North Warren and I watch until he is out of sight. What could a dick bag like that have going on that money couldn’t fix?

I know he has it. Had he gotten run over it would have been in designer clothes and shoes and a pair of Versace sun glasses. People like that are so dramatic and could never survive a day here in the swamps. I shake my head, putting him out of mind as I walk toward my trailer.

Blaise won’t be back until around eight so, that leaves me with time to figure out how to avoid my mother until then. I hate going back home anymore. She is constantly high or having sex with another random guy. Life with her has not been the greatest and since Skystead Prep is also a boarding school where the students stay, I will be able to have all the time I need from her.

I got her signature when she was high one day. Skystead Prep made the parents sign for consent so we could enter and live on campus. I highly doubted she would even notice I was gone. As my trailer comes closer, I see a black Mercedes parked in front of it.

Sighing that could only mean one thing in this neighborhood. It’s one of the self-proclaimed Kings of South Warren.. I only know two and I know Damien drives a cherry red Mustang. Which leaves Vince, and I’m not fucking happy.

Vince doesn’t check his shit and there have been multiple accusations that he laces his shit to make it more powerful, but around here he is cheaper than Damien so, most go to Vince. Not only does he take cash, he takes favors.

Those favors are usually sexual in nature and from the sounds of it, his cock is like a toilet seat, he gets ass all fucking day. He’s gross and probably a walking STD. I sigh when I see one of his men get out of the car and lean against it. I really hope he isn’t fucking my mother because I swear I am going to make sure I puke all over his shiny car.

I wait for a few minutes and run a few scenarios through my head. I know my mom is in need of some more shit because she was almost out the other night, but I know she is not Vince’s type, at least I didn’t think she was.

* * *

Coming out of the Woodline and taking a quick look at Blaise’ trailer, I come into view. The guy against the car straightens and a sick twisted grin covers his face as he knocks on the door to the trailer. Vince walks out and his eyes find mine immediately.

The smile is slow as he takes me in, making my skin crawl. “Brinley, how was school?” He says this so casually as he leans against the door of his car.

“What do you want, Vince?” I don’t move closer in case I need to bolt.

“Come here, gorgeous. I just want to congratulate you on the scholarship.” His voice is smooth and he doesn’t show any signs of what his true intentions are.

“How do you know that I got the scholarship when I just found out myself?” I cross my arms, irritated with his very presence. Sighing when he doesn’t answer, I ask him, “what are you doing here, Vince?”

Standing now with his full height, he eyes me. I can see the appeal most women have for him. He is a good looking man and with his clothes and car, he is something everyone in the swamp hopes to achieve.

“I’ve come to collect payment.” Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I knew it. My coked out mother is getting shit from Vince.

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