Page 29 of Pretty Lies (Watch Me Burn #1)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

RORY

M y body ached as I woke up and stretched the following morning. I’d barely been asleep for more than four hours.

The house was silent, so I found some black leggings and put a bra and tank top on, tying my hair up into a ponytail. I inspected my face in the mirror, finding my lip, nose, and cheek swollen. One of my eyes was turning black, but it didn’t look as bad as I’d expected.

Grabbing a duffle bag, I shoved some clothes in it, along with anything else I might need for a few days. I didn’t care if I had to crash at my old place in the Heights or sleep in the park, I wasn’t ready to face the guys.

I pulled on my boots before making my way downstairs, snatching a protein bar on my way and eating it as I walked out the door, not looking back as I slung my bag over my shoulder.

My knuckles screamed at me but I ignored them, gripping the bag as I walked down the driveway and towards the road.

It was still early, so it was quiet. If my body didn’t ache and my emotions weren’t so damaged, I almost would’ve enjoyed the walk.

I knew when I left the fancy end of Ashburn Valley because the sidewalk became nonexistent, and the houses looked more like homes than castles. I missed simple living, there was nothing shameful about it.

The rumble of an engine pricked my ears, and at first, I thought it was one of the guys. I kept walking, gripping the bag tighter as it slowed behind me, but I paused when I heard Skeeter’s voice.

“Is there any particular reason why your pants are inside-out? Don’t you rich people have staff to dress you?”

I turned to face him, running my eyes over his car with appreciation as I replied. “I pay them enough that they should at least get that right. I’ll have to fire them when I get home.”

The white 2020 McLaren 600LT Spider was nice, way too nice for this side of Ashburn Valley. How he had a three hundred thousand dollar car, I had no idea.

He laughed at my joke, resting an arm on the open window. “Fake doesn’t suit you, Donovan. Where are you going?”

“To be honest? I’m not sure. I think I was heading to the Shed.”

“Why?” he frowned, suspicion flicking across his eyes. “What’s in the bag?”

“I’m crashing in the Heights for a few days to clear my head.

I guess I thought I’d stop by the Shed to see if anyone trains there for the fights like they used to.

” I dropped the bag from my shoulder, rubbing the joint as I stretched my arm out.

“Between Max being a piece of shit all the time and now the guys have made a joke out of any friendship I thought we’d made, I just need some time alone, you know? ”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s easier to plan their murder when they’re not around too.” He didn’t smile, and part of me wondered how serious he was. “Some of the girls train, but not this early. They’ll be by at lunchtime.”

“Would I be welcome if I show up later?” I asked hopefully, making him chuckle. It was low and a little creepy, sending tingles across my skin.

“Want to watch some of the guys train this morning? They make a mess of each other usually, but I have a feeling you’ll like it.”

“I can hang out?” Relief filled me, and he jerked his chin at the passenger seat.

“Sure. Jump in.”

“In the car?”

“You can jump on my dick if you want, but I don’t feel like cleaning all the blood off my interior once we’re done,” he grunted, my eyes widening a fraction. I had no idea what kind of sex he had, but if it looked like a crime scene when he was done, that was a big fat no from me.

I steeled my spine and climbed in, dropping my bag to the floor and putting my seat belt on just as he put his foot down, sending me back into my seat from the power of it.

The one thing keeping me calm was the fact that we were in familiar territory.

We didn’t speak for the rest of the drive, and he told me to leave my bag in the car as we climbed out and headed inside.

No one manned the door, so we walked in without being stopped, but the guy from the bar was here, an amused smile on his face. “You’re back, Donovan.”

Skeeter gave us a quick glance, sighing as he heard raised voices in the office.

“Can you hang out with Diesel for a second? I need to go and—” Something smashed in the office and he scowled. “I’ll be back in a second.”

He stalked off, leaving me with his friend.

“Your name’s Diesel?” I asked, making him chuckle.

“Yeah. What are you doing back this early? Didn’t get enough last night?” His eyes skimmed over the damage on my face, but it didn’t wander anywhere else. He was clean shaven, a kind look in his hazel eyes as he let me assess him. “I’m a little old for you.”

I scrunched my nose, giving him a dirty look.

“I’m not checking you out, I’m just making note of things that might make you noticeable if you guys try to fuck me up or something. Besides, you’re not even old.”

That made him huff out an amused breath as he leaned back on the bar.

“Probably not a good idea to threaten to be a rat while standing in the middle of a crew hangout, and I didn’t say I was old, I just said I was too old for you .”

“Who said anything about the cops? I was just going to line people up and start stabbing,” I smiled sweetly, his laugh light and playful. “In case I need to make a profile, how old are you?”

His lips twitched as he tilted his head. “Twenty-five. Need my social security number and home address too?”

“That would be great, thank you,” I teased, flicking my gaze to the office door as I heard more yelling. “Should I come back later?”

“Nah, Brick and Slash have been at it for hours already. Skeet will fix them.”

“Why are they fighting?” That earned me a snort.

“Sorry, Donovan. That’s on a need-to-know basis. If you’re going to start hanging around here, it’s best that you keep your eyes down and your mouth shut.”

I left him to tidy the bar while I checked my phone, sighing as it rang and Jensen’s name popped up. I refused to answer it, my chest going tight when it stopped and he texted me immediately.

Jensen: Please talk to me. I just want to know that you’re okay.

My phone was plucked from my fingers, and I glared at Skeeter as he stood beside me, looking down at my phone. “To think these guys claim to hate clingy girls. This is ridiculous.”

“Give me that!”

“Make me.” He stared at me with a blank face, powering it off before holding it out to me. “Let them suffer without making you suffer too. Grab a whiskey, sit in the corner, and laugh at the guys for beating each other up in the cage.”

“Diesel won’t serve me alcohol,” I grumbled, but Skeeter pointed at Diesel with narrowed eyes.

“Give her the bottle and keep an eye on her. Don’t let the others near her.”

“So I’m on babysitting duty now? The fuck, Skeet? You brought her here,” Diesel gritted out, some of the kindness in his eyes fading. “I have shit to do today.”

“Liam can go on the run with Matteo and Brick. You stay here.” Skeeter’s voice held no room for negotiation, his eyes sliding back to me. “If you need something, come to me or Diesel. No one else. Clear?”

“I don’t?—”

“Clear?” he repeated sharply, making me sigh.

“Clear, Skeet.”

Some of the tension in his shoulders loosened and he gave me a nod.

“Good. Sit where you like, stay at the bar for all I care, just stay out of the way of my guys and don’t snoop.

Also,” he grabbed my throat before I could react, terror licking up my spine as he hauled me closer, his minty breath fanning my face.

“I heard you pulled a knife on Slash at Tyler’s party.

If I ever see you do that, I’ll fucking kill you. ”

“I was drunk and high, and I didn’t appreciate being called Caden’s piece of ass,” I bit out, his fingers flexing on my skin.

“Drunk or high is no excuse. Pull that shit here in my shed, and you’ll be six feet under before you can blink. Understood?” He didn’t wait for an answer before letting me go and walking away, my brow creasing with confusion as I got my heart rate under control.

I’d assumed he wanted to hang out with me, so I’d obviously read that wrong, but I was more confused by my body’s reaction to his touch. Everything seized with the familiar fear, but excitement bubbled below the surface too.

Those rich pricks really had fucked me up if I couldn’t separate the sensations of being horny and scared anymore.

I ended up taking the bottle of whiskey across the room to get a better view of the cage as the guys started sparring, and Skeeter was right, they made a blood bath happen in there despite it only being a practice session.

One guy ended up with a broken arm, while another ended up with a tooth knocked out. It was fucking awesome.

I made sure not to drink too much because even though I wanted nothing more than to get wasted and forget about my problems, I wanted to keep my wits about me. I was in a strange place that was crawling with notorious killers and criminals, it wasn’t safe to be vulnerable.

One of the fighters dropped down into a chair beside me, grinning as he held a bag of ice against his eye.

“Hey, I saw you fight last night.” I looked away, trying to look bored so he’d leave me alone. “Hey, I’m talking to you.” Panic raced through me when he grabbed my arm, and I automatically threw my fist out, smacking him in his good eye. “You fucking bitch!”

“Fuck off. Take a hint,” I hissed, bracing myself as he clenched his fist, but a wall of tattooed muscle was suddenly hauling the guy to his feet, shoving him back a step.

“Don’t fucking talk to her,” Skeeter bit out, my eyes trailing over the bare muscles in his back. I’d been right, Skeeter’s body was trained for speed and power under his clothes, the black ink patterns coating his entire body.

His back was covered in an angel with wings, almost looking like a grim reaper more than a fallen angel. The black wings spanned his shoulder blades, a fallen city with skulls scattered around it as the sky lit up with lightning.