Trapped (Bullied Book 4) (Bullied Series) Vera Hollins (best large ereader txt) 📖

and stay away from Jess,” Mel said, stepping in front of me to protect me from Blake, but for the first time ever, I didn’t appreciate the gesture or her words. I could see it in Blake’s eyes—the same feeling that now churned in my chest: disappointment.

Once more, I was unable to fight back. Once more, someone else was fighting my battles. Once more, I was a coward.

I stepped to the side so Mel wasn’t shielding me anymore. “You’re asking me if I’m with Steven? Then what about you? Are you with some unknown girl, number five hundred?” I fired off the first thing that came to my mind and motioned with my head toward the girl who had been wrapped around him just a minute before. “What a hypocrite.”

His eyes flashed with liquid anger, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he pulled me after him.

“Hey!” I yanked my arm to set it free, but my strength was nowhere near his. “Let go of me!”

“Where are you taking her, asshole?!” Mel rushed to catch us, drawing the attention of all the people around us.

Blake halted and cut his eyes at her. “Stop following us unless you want this to turn ugly.”

“I won’t step aside! She’s not property! You can’t drag her wherever you want.”

He snarled. “You keep barking, Brooks, and it’s really getting on my nerves.”

Steven approached her. “Sis, stop making a mess out of everything. Step aside and let them go.”

She looked at him incredulously. “Drugs have really destroyed all your brain cells. Of course I’m not going to do that—”

“I’ve had enough of you today, Melissa.” Steven changed his tone completely, a sharp edge to his voice that added to his vicious appearance. “You’re not her mother, so stop fricking treating her like a child. She can handle herself.” He gave me a pointed look. As much as I was afraid of Blake, this altercation just prolonged the inevitable. He always got his own way.

“I’ll go with him,” I said weakly.

“Are you crazy?!” Mel exploded, but Blake didn’t wait a second longer, dragging me after him as Mel watched us in disbelief. I swallowed back my resentment, fear showing its ugly head because I didn’t know what he was going to do.

He stopped next to his car and glared at two girls sitting on his hood, who were apparently waiting for him. “Get the fuck away,” he snarled.

They shared a puzzled frown before they scurried off.

Blake released me and pointed at his car. “Get inside.”

I glared at him. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He caught my shoulder and leaned in. “We’re not going anywhere. I need to talk to you, so get inside.”

His lips were too close to mine, and I tore my gaze away from them, cursing him for attracting me even at a time like this. “I’m not crazy enough to get in the car with you.”

“Right now, you’re safer with me than with any of these people hanging around. Now. Get. Inside.”

His breath on my lips tickled, and my pulse quickened. He’s too close to me. I wiped my clammy hand against my jeans and opened the door, getting into the space that was all Blake with its black and red leather and impressive interior that exuded power and control.

It was overwhelming, and I realized just how truly dangerous it was to be here with him. I had to fear him and my stupid heart for finding something in this moment that didn’t exist.

Blake got in and slammed his door shut. His nearness affected me in more ways than one, and I had to make an effort to breathe slowly as I stared straight ahead into the darkness. His tinted back and side windows hid us from any onlookers, and knowing he could do anything and get away with it… Not good.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

I blushed. I could never tell him I was here because of him. “Why does it matter to you?”

He snorted his derision. “It doesn’t.” He chuckled. “Who would’ve thought? You really are an easy girl. First Burks, then Robinson, and now Brooks. And let’s not forget New Year’s Eve in that closet.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. I was fed up with his insinuations. “You’re such a hypocrite,” I bit back. “You’re a hypocrite and jealous.”

His eyes grew wide before they slid all over me. “You give yourself too much credit. You think I’m jealous? Because of you?” His condescending look called forth a crushing sensation in my chest.

“Then why am I here? Why did you want to talk to me?”

“It’s because I want you to stop messing with my mind.”

I sucked in air. “Messing with your mind?”

“Ever since I met you, I feel like shit and it’s getting harder and harder. I want you to stop.”

“I’m not doing anything! I just want to live my life in peace and away from you.”

“It’s too late for that.”

“What do you mean?”

“How many times do I have to repeat myself? I can’t stay away from you.” Flutters spread through my belly at the words that sounded intimate despite their real meaning.

I let out a chuckle that contained no humor. “You make no sense! You blame me for making your life difficult, but you can’t stay away from me?”

We were now facing each other, our eyes never straying away from the other’s face. His scent—a mix of cigarettes and his cologne—created the heat in me that opposed the pain that spread at his cold words. This toxic circle of insults and hate would go on forever. Maybe there was good in him, but I would never get to see it.

“I don’t get you, Blake. I don’t get you at all.” My voice cracked. I was a hopeless fool.

He seemed to want to say something, to give me some explanation, but his expression darkened, and his lips formed a wry smile.

“Come on—start crying. It’s what you do best.”

I curled my hand into a fist. I hated the venom that rushed through