Page 17 of Careless

That means two things. One, she’s in trouble. Two, I’m spilling some asshole’s blood tonight for messing with my woman.

I grab the shirt I just discarded and yank it on, not paying attention if it’s backwards or inside out. I stalk to my dresser drawer and grope around until my hand comes in contact with cold, hard metal. I pull out my Glock, check the chamber to make sure it’s loaded before tucking it into the back of my jean’s waistband. The only time I leave home with it is when some serious shit is going down. I’m fine with relying on my knife. Plus, I enjoy the hands-on experience that a bullet just can’t satisfy.

“I’ll drive,” I declare as I stalk past Finn, his phone still glued to his ear.

I don't know who did what to Sorcha, but shit’s about to go down. If it’s a punk ass student, it doesn’t matter who their parents are. No one makes Sorcha uncomfortable except me. I know I’m a bastard for thinking that way, but when it comes to my woman, there’s no room for rational thought. Bottom line is whoever is the cause of Sorcha’s distress won’t see tomorrow.

CHAPTERSEVEN

HER

“Oh, this is cute!” Kia gushes as she flashes another dress at me. It’s a strapless gold shiny number with a black underlay. However, like most of the things she’s shown me, it looks too small to fit.

Earlier today we went to sign up for the pole-dancing class then Kia suggested we shop at this cute little thrift store, but all they seem to have are high-end prom dresses. Not exactly thehouse partyattire.

“It would look great on you. Too bad it doesn't go well with my skin tone.” It’s the truth. I’m about as pale as you can get without anemia.

“Oooh! This would look great on you!” she exclaims as she studies a white lace crop top paired with a black skirt.” Kia tosses them at me before nodding at the shoe area. “Now, let’s get you some killer red heels!”

This will work. It’s a little skimpy, but it’s not like Rian or my brother will see me wearing these. If they did, they’d probably lock me up.

Once we make our purchases, we leave the shop and head down the street to a taco truck. Today will be my cheat day and I love tacos.

It’s pretty deserted, except for the three guys I recognize from school, sitting at a picnic table off to the side. Lucky for us, there’s no one else around so we don’t have to wait in line. We both order the same thing, carne asada tacos with all the fixings, and within moments, our food is ready.

We find our way to a hard, weathered picnic table and discuss our plans for Friday night. It’s nice to sit and talk to Kia and forget about Rian and his tongue for a while. I pluck a stray piece of the seasoned steak and pop it into my mouth as motion from the corner of my eye catches my attention. Two of the three guys from the other picnic table appear next to us and slide in on each side of me, sandwiching me in.

Darkness descends over Kia’s face and her lips pucker in disgust. My whole body stiffens at the intrusion into our little bubble. I feel like that little girl Rian pulled out of the mud all those years ago—vulnerable and dirty.

There were three guys sitting over there and I know which one didn’t come over. Christian is an asshole for not stopping this, but not the same kind as his brother, Dez—the one who started this whole thing.

The meat that I had been chewing turns into a hard lump as I try to swallow it. “Sorcha, you’re looking delicious as ever,” Dez rasps in my ear, but I don’t respond. I lift my eyes to Kia and am intercepted with the apologetic ones of Dez’s friend on the other side of me.

“Thanks, but I’m eating, Denzel.” Or rather I should be, but him sitting this close just makes my skin crawl.

“I have something you can put in your mouth.”

I struggle not to gag at the image his words inflict.

Dez is one asshole who doesn’t know how to take a hint. Or he doesn’t care enough to pay attention. He constantly flirts and tries to touch me. Every time I ignore him. He’s not bad looking, but his personality makes him dog ugly. You know that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you can tell something isn’t right, that’s the feeling I get every single time he comes near me.

“Go away,” I growl. I wish I could ignore him or walk away, but for fucks sake, SOMETIMES A GIRL WANTS TO EAT HER GOD DAMN TACO IN PEACE!

“Listen to her, or I’ll call her brother,” Kia warns a moment before snatching my phone off the table.

“Oh, I’m so scared.” Dez laughs and I envision elbowing him in the mouth, knocking out his perfectly straight, white teeth.

Very few people know Finn is my brother and I’m not sure why that is. We run around the same crowd. I’ve always assumed it’s because we don’t look similar. He looks like our dad, and I look like the insufferable cunt who birthed me.

A hand lands on my back and slides down my spine. Dez stops when he reaches my ass and stays there. He keeps it there like he owns it.

“Leave me alone,” I hiss. My whole body freezes except for my fingers. They tremble so I fold them and place them in my lap.

Stop touching me, please. Just go away.

He caged me in like this so I can’t escape him. I know it. That’s why he made his friend sit on the other side of me. Unless I want to slide under the table, I can’t run.

“I’m calling!” Kia announces as she taps my phone a few times before putting it to her ear. “Get your fucking hands off her, you stupid pig!” Kia’s face is red with anger.

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