“I’ll change your mind,” he says, and he sounds so cocky and sure of himself that it annoys me further.
“That’s not possible,” I huff, pulling away from him. I turn around, intent on getting away. I’m not even sure why I’m upset. Part of it is because he’s not taking me seriously. The other part, and it is considerably larger, is the fact that I kind of want him to talk me out of it, and that cannot happen, will not happen.
He slaps me on the ass. It stuns me and I turn around to look at him.
“Be at breakfast tomorrow, Beth. Do not make me come find you.”
I don’t answer because there’s not much to say. I want to tell him I won’t be there, but we both know I’d be lying. I’ll be there because I can’t stop myself. I can’t stay away from Skull, and that’s bad—for both of us.
“There’s no way you can sneak out again today,” says Michelle, one of my friends from school. “The sisters are already upset that you’ve missed classes two days straight. They’re not buying that you’re that sick. Mother Margaret already brought up that you were missing Sunday, too. Three days, Beth! If Tiffany hadn’t been covered up in your bed pretending to be you at curfew check, you’d already be screwed!”
“I know, I know… but I just need one more day. Then, I’ll make an excuse to Skull on why I can’t be there for a few days. Please? I just need your help to make it happen today.”
“I can’t believe you’re dating a guy named Skull,” she says. “When you decide to taste the wild side, you go all out, woman.”
“Yeah, I know. Will you do this for me, Michelle? Please?”
“Okay, but if you get caught, you are on your own. I’m not having nuns up my ass because you’re looking to get dick in yours.”
“That is not happening. You’re just nasty,” I tell her, though the thought of Skull in that moment makes my stomach flutter nervously—and not entirely because I’m turned off.
She laughs and shakes her head. “You’ll see. I’ve heard about those Bikers in Raven. You’re in for a wild freaking ride.”
I bite my tongue to keep from asking what she’s heard. I can’t help myself. I want to know everything about Skull and his friends. The days we’ve met, he’s talked about them, and I can tell he really cares about them. They’re all close. What would it be like to have people care about you like that? Like… a real family?
“I’ve got to run. Ryan’s watching the door so I can sneak out. Thanks, Michelle. I owe you!” I call over my shoulder, intent on making it before my chance is gone. I run down the stairs to the basement. Once there, I use my cellphone as a flashlight and make it to the small door that opens to the backyard on the outside. Once through, I turn around to make sure it’s locked with the key Ryan gave me. I’m unprepared for the large hand that claps down on my shoulder. I scream before I can stop myself. He claps a hand over my mouth, muffling my cry and jerking me around hard. My eyes grow large as I look up into the eyes of Gerald, my stepbrothers’ chauffeur and lead henchman. This is not good. And, from the look on Gerald’s face, it may be much worse than I fear.
He doesn’t talk. His scarred hand wraps around my wrist and he drags me along behind him. We make it to the limo and he all but throws me in the back of it. As the car door slams, disappointment and fear settle in my stomach.
Some people wait their whole lives to ride in a limo. Some people would kill to have the kind of life I could have, but I don’t want it. I never have. I hate everything about being a member of the Donahue family. I might be young and even naïve, but everyone knows who the Donahues are and how they’ve made their fortune. If people find out that I’m a member of the family, reactions invariably go from shock to fear, and for the extremely stupid: interest.
The ride back to the house Colin and Matthew live in feels like it lasts forever. In reality, it’s a mere forty-minute drive. Still, with each minute that passes, my fear amplifies. I don’t know what this is about, but the fact that Gerald was there when I snuck out means bad things.
Shit! I should have been more careful.
When the car comes to a stop, I wait. The Donahue estate is huge. Its large stone pillars and brick façade look cold and regal. It reminds me of a large funeral home—and just as cold. Gerald opens the door and pulls me out. He didn’t need to, I was getting out; I know better than to refuse my stepbrothers. Gerald doesn’t care, but then again, I’ve seen him inflict pain on command. He enjoys it. Even now, his hand is making a horrible bruise on my wrist. I ignore the stinging pain and just follow. There’s not much else I can do.