Striker: A Dark Bully Romance (Redwood Rebels Book 1) Rachel Leigh (the reading list book .TXT) 📖

raises his voice, “because if you heard a goddamn word I said then you would have just fought me off. Get your ass up and toughen up, or you’ll never survive this.”

Just as I get to my feet, the guys round the corner. “What the hell is going on over here?” Zed quips.

Talon brushes off my shoulder with a smirk. “Just making sure our girl here is on the same page as us.”

Balling my fists at my side, it’s taking everything inside of me not to punch this fucker square in the face. I’ve fought men over less. “Same page?” I laugh. “We’re not even in the same fucking book.” I walk past him, my shoulder nudging hard against his as I head back down the trail to the parked vehicles.

My heart rises into my throat when I think about this mess I’ve gotten myself into. Now that I’ve helped them dispose of Josh’s car, I’m more than an accomplice. I’m guilty, too.

If they fall, I’m falling with them.

The ride back to the house was quiet. In fact, the entire day was quiet. As soon as we got back, I brought my things inside to the spare bedroom and took a quick shower in the adjoining bathroom. I didn’t bother to unpack because I don’t plan on staying long. Unzipping the small pocket of my black backpack, I stick the gloves inside. It’s time to start thinking ahead. If they turn on me and try to take me down, I’m taking those fuckers with me. These gloves might have my prints on them, but they also have Talon’s. The video of me throwing the phone in the trash might have my face on it, but it also came from Zed’s phone. Two down, two to go.

Shay’s name flashes on the screen of my phone. For a moment, I decide to ignore it. She’ll likely have a dozen questions that I can’t answer. Remembering that I need her to go along with the plan I told Dad, though, I answer her call.

“Hey, Shay.”

“Hey, Shay? That’s all you have to say? How about, I’m sorry I’ve ignored all of your texts and blew you off on Halloween?”

Dropping back on the bed, I stare at the ceiling and sigh. “I’m sorry I’ve ignored all of your texts and blew you off on Halloween.”

“That’s better. Now tell me what the hell is going on and why you haven’t been at your house?”

My entire body shoots up. “Wait. You went to my house?”

Shit. 

“Yeah, and Ruby said that you left with the devil and haven’t been home since. Spill. Now.”

There is so much truth to that statement that I don’t even know where to begin. “She’s right.”

“And does this mysterious horned man have anything to do with why you left Talon Porter’s party Saturday night without saying goodbye?”

After my altercation with the guys that night, I booked it to my car and didn’t even tell Shay or Wyatt that I was leaving. In my defense, I had no intention of sticking around. At first, I was just planning to drop them off because they were catching a ride home with some guys. Then, she practically dragged me inside.

“You could say that.” I pause before continuing, “Listen, it’s a long story but the bottom line is, I need you to say that I’m staying with you for a bit if my dad or Axel ask.”

“Ok…” she drags out the word, “Where are you actually staying?”

“Would you believe me if I told you that I’m staying with Talon Porter?”

“What?!” she huffs. “Tell me you’re joking. Why would you ever stay in that house?”

“Like I said, it’s a long story. But they’re not so bad.” I lie.

The sarcasm in her voice is apparent. “No, no, they’re not bad at all. They’re just four of the sexiest and most mysterious men in the school who are also dangerous and probably deadly. Do you remember what they did to Willa Mack?”

I do remember that. Very clearly. Willa is the pastor’s step-daughter and the quietest girl in the senior class. She’s cute and all, but she has zero personality. At least she doesn’t show it if she does have one. At the end of the summer, Lars asked her on a date to Tommy’s birthday party and to say she was elated is an understatement. Needless to say, Lars had his way with her. Though, he claims she consented, and she’s never claimed otherwise. The real kicker, he recorded the entire thing and blasted everyone’s emails the following day with the video footage of her losing her v-card to him.

“That was shitty. I’m not claiming that they are saints. I’m just saying that they aren’t as bad as everyone thinks.” Another lie.

A knock at the door startles me. “Hey, I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you later, I promise.” Ending the call, I set my phone down and straighten myself up on the bed with my feet pressed to the floor.

I don’t respond because whoever it is will likely just come in whether they are invited or not. They said it themselves; I belong to them now.

The door opens, and Talon steps inside, shutting it behind him. “Are you hungry?”

I shake my head no, but it’s a lie. I’m starving. I’m just not sure that I’m hungry enough to risk eating whatever he plans to serve me. Soup with a side of a date rape drug—no thanks.

“You haven’t eaten all day. The chef is gone for the night, but I ordered pizza. Come eat.” His hair shimmers on the ends, and it’s obvious he just stepped out of the shower.

Curling my legs up and tucking them to my chest, I rest my chin on my knee. “I said I’m not hungry.”

“And once again, you’re lying.” His footsteps come closer, and my body tenses up, hugging my legs tighter. Kneeling in front of me, his index finger slides between my knee and my chin and he pushes up so that my eyes