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“Don’t know what I’m walking to. Might need the truck.”

Bones nods, sharing a quick look with his brother. “We’ll follow you.”

They rush to the truck while I get on my bike and start the engine.

Butterfly, I’m coming for you.

PROLOGUE

Lu

Age Fifteen

It wasn’t hard for me to slip away into the night. My parents are always too busy screaming at each other to take any notice of me. Aspen is waiting for me around the corner of our street, her glittery short dress hard to miss. Her brown hair is in a high ponytail—her trademark look.

She lifts the bottle of alcohol in her hand and grins when she sees me. “There you are. I was worried you weren’t going to come. Damian’s on his way to get us.”

Damian is her much older boyfriend, one her older brother, Hayden, doesn’t know about. All I know is that her relationship is on borrowed time because the second Hayden finds out, Damian will be buried six feet under.

Hayden is overprotective and not just of Aspen.

When he caught me at the movies on a date with Matt last month, he pulled him outside and sent him home with a broken nose.

“I just need to be home before sunrise,” I say, pulling my lip gloss out of my crossover bag and squeezing some on my lips. “You look hot.”

“So do you,” she replies, taking in my tight jeans and new favorite top. It’s silver, shaped in a V above my navel, and only has one strap holding it at the back. I can’t wear a bra with it, but my breasts aren’t that big, so it works for me.

When we pull up at the party, people are everywhere, and it’s safe to say they are all much older than us. A sliver of unease hits my stomach. I can defend myself since I’ve been training Muay Thai for two years now. I begged and begged my parents to let me, and they finally relented as long as I find my way there and back. It’s one of the best things they have done for me. When Hayden found out I was walking to and from the gym, he joined and started walking with me. Since he got his license, he’s been driving us there. He trains more than I do now.

“These are all college guys,” I murmur to Aspen, who turns to me with mischief dancing in her brown eyes.

“They’re hot, Lu. Don’t worry, Damian knows them all. He’ll look out for us.”

That knot doesn’t leave my stomach, and I have no faith in her new boyfriend. Still, I’m not leaving her alone here.

We come together, we leave together.

That’s always been our thing. We might make some stupid decisions, but we always pull each other out, just like best friends should.

A drink is placed in my hand, but I only hold it and don’t sip it. Aspen, however, starts skulling hers, sitting on Damian’s lap with her arm around his neck.

“Who do we have here?” a preppy blond asks, sitting next to me. His blue eyes trail over my visible skin, and I suddenly wish I wore something else tonight.

“This is Lu, Aspen’s best friend.” Damian smirks, giving me a once-over.

“Ah yes, the one who made those delicious birthday cupcakes.”

I like to bake, sue me, and a lot of the time, Aspen helps herself to whatever I’ve made. She must have shared the cookie and cream ones I made for her last week.

Cold fingers trail over my collarbone. “I wonder what else is delicious.”

I slowly move his hand away.

“Simon, leave her alone,” Aspen snaps, lifting her head from Damian’s neck.

Damian and Simon then share a look, and he whispers something in Aspen’s ear. She stands and announces she’ll be right back.

“Aspen,” I warn, not wanting her to leave.