Page 44 of Sadistic Obsession (Rise of Phoenyxx #1)

P hoenyxx

The decadent smell of baked goods wafts across my nose, rousing me from the deep sleep I was in. I open my eyes to see a very sexy pair of bad boys standing in front of me, holding a plate and a steaming cup. “Good morning,” I rumble, with a smile. “Is that for me?”

Ghost grins. “We made you breakfast.” He grabs a table tray as I sit up, stretching.

“This is so amazing, guys!” He sets the plate down, and my mouth waters when I see a huge pile of French toast, with strawberries sprinkled on top, and maple syrup. “Strawberries? I’ve never had it like this!”

“Wow, really?” Trikk says in surprise. “I’ve got coffee for you, too, Bambi.”

Something else I've never had; I enthusiastically hold out my hand. “Gimme!”

I grab the warm cup, sniffing the contents. I look up at Trikk, and he grins. “It’s loaded up with sugar and creamer. I know you like things sweet.”

“Thanks!” I smile up at him. I take a small sip, a groan escaping my lips. “Oh my GOD! This is amazing!” I dig into the French toast, my eyes rolling back as the flavors hit my tongue. Best. French toast. Ever. “Is this homemade?”

“Yep!” they chirp.

“And they cook,” I mutter happily. I demolish my breakfast in no time, keeping the cup with me as I get up. “I need a shower, and I have to go back to my room to get changed for class.”

“Let’s talk to the others first,” Trikk answers uncertainly. “I’ll refill your coffee.”

I heave out a sigh. “Yeah, yeah, fine.” I pull on the discarded shorts and shirt from last night, following them out into the living room.

Arguing greets me as we walk in. “Fuck’s sake,” I complain.

“I will stay with her,” Frost’s voice carries.

“Like HELL!” Synn’s voice booms.

“What about me?” Razor chimes in.

“And me!” Purge says.

“Guys!” I yell loudly, getting their attention.

“Stop fighting over me! Remember what Hunter said? We have to act the way we normally do. That means going to class for me. Without a bodyguard.”

“No way in HELL!” Synn raises his voice, glaring at me, then at the other guys. “Besides, I normally stalk you, anyway.”

I am not even going to start picking that one apart. “I have class with Valley and Trikk. Razor, usually the gym, yeah? Frost, Ghost, and Purge, not sure where you guys usually are.”

“Yeah,” Razor agrees. “I owe you another fighting lesson, too.”

I smile over at him. “I’ll hold you to that!”

“Fighting lessons?” Frost exclaims, earning a sharp elbow to the gut from Purge.

“I plan to go to the gym with Razor, then come back here to continue my search for info,” Purge tells me. I nod, acknowledging that.

“I just kind of...wander,” Frost says, eyes darting away from me.

“Same,” Ghost agrees.

“Okay...well then. Trikk will be with me and Valley, and Bryan, too. We'll check in with each other between classes.”

They all make rumbles of agreement. “I’ll text with any updates,” Frost adds.

“Cool, thanks. Trikk, walk me back to my room so I can change?”

He smiles like the Cheshire cat. “Of course, Bambi. Lead the way!”

I walk towards the door, looking back at them. “Behave, okay?”

Laughs ring out, making me shake my head. Trikk and I head out the door, and before we get two feet away, I hear Valley’s voice. "About time!”

“Aww, bestie!” I smile widely, loving seeing her wrapped around Bryan, who is starry-eyed when he looks at her. “I’m going back to change. Tag along, then we’ll go to class.”

The group of us move to the courtyard, the usual stares and whispers bouncing off me. As usual, I ignore the bullshit. Once we get to my room, I stop and turn. “Wait for me out here, okay? Just grabbing my things, and making a pit stop to shower.”

Valley starts to object, and I gently silence her with a look.

She nods, knowing we’ll talk later. I go in and grab a fresh uniform, a pair of underwear, a bra, and my black boots.

I toss my toiletries into my bag, making sure I have my keycard.

“Let’s go!” I have to pee so badly, I walk fast to the end of the hall, where the showers are.

The bathroom is crammed full of girls in various stages of getting ready.

No Destiny or her bitch squad. They must finally be using their own damn bathroom!

I quickly relieve my bladder, then go grab an empty shower stall.

I am in and out within five minutes, just wanting to hurry.

I throw on my clothes before leaving the stall, still a bit insecure after the naked parade I had to endure.

I grab a spot in the mirrors, brushing through my red locks, securing them in a high ponytail. I brush my teeth, then toss my toiletries back into my bag. “Ready!” I announce when I walk out.

“You look great!” Trikk exclaims.

“You sure do, babes!” Valley agrees. We walk through the exit and then towards the admin building.

We’re almost to the classroom when someone grabs my arm, spinning me around. “Where the FUCK are my friends?” a pissed-off Deetz fires at me. I notice she’s alone, the other Three Stooges not present.

“How the hell would I know? Last I checked, I’m not their keeper!”

“Bullshit!” she spits, saliva hitting me on the cheek. I disgustingly rub it off, flinging it back at her. “Your assholes had them and now they’re gone!”

“How is that my problem?” I yell back.

“Back the fuck off, poser girl,” Valley sneers, arms crossed over her chest. Deetz pushes her hard, making her stumble into me.

“Nope, not today!” I launch myself forward, grabbing her by her hair. I toss her to the floor, straddling her. I grab her hair again, slamming her face into the floor. “Come near me or my friends one more time, and you will NOT be getting back up!”

“Yeah!” Valley adds, kicking her.

“Ladies, we need to go,” Bryan says uneasily.

Trikk chuckles from behind me. “You are so hot when you’re being a badass, Bambi.”

I laugh as we get to the classroom door. I start to go inside but stop short when I see all the people in there. Especially Destiny and her squad. For some reason, I can't make myself move forward. Sensing my uncertainty, Valley puts her hand on my back. “Are you okay, Nyx?”

I shake my head, my voice choked on unshed tears. “No,” I whisper. I turn to look at Trikk. “I need to talk to Hunter.”

“Okay, later....”

“No. NOW,” I insist.

“Alright, it’s fine. I'll walk with you.”

“We will too,” Valley adds.

“Thanks,” I smile a thin smile, hoping this feeling passes. I can’t afford to break down now. Too much is at stake.

“What the FUCK?” I roar, standing in the open doorway to Hunter’s office. “Where is he?” It’s totally empty, except for the basic furniture. All his things are gone. There's no trace of him.

“Um...Bambi, I have no idea.” Trikk puts his arm around my shoulders, squeezing me to him. “I’ll find out, though. I'll see if Frost and Purge can find anything out.”

Despite his comforting embrace, my body shakes. Why did he leave? Why did he leave...me? Now? I look at Trikk, who is texting. Valley's eyes are huge, tears swimming in empathy for me. Bryan reaches out and squeezes my hand reassuringly. Please let there be an understandable answer...

Purge

I crash to a shocked stop when I walk inside our apartment. The living room is filled with fathers. ALL our fathers. What the fuck are they doing here?

“Father,” I greet mine solemnly, as I look at the five others, nodding at each in turn. “Why are you all here?”

My father steps forward, pulling me into a tight embrace. “It’s good to see you, son. You look well.” My father is the most open about caring. If you can call the fucked-up shit I’ve had to do in the name of the family caring.

Synn's father speaks first, as usual. He's the unspoken leader of their little group. “Where are the others?”

I look towards him, schooling a neutral look on my face. “Class, and the gym, I believe.”

“They need to get here. NOW.”

Fuck. Fuckity-fuck. I whip out my phone, pulling up the group chat between us six.

Me: Our fathers are here, in our place. Right now. You all need to get back here, now.

Synn: WHAT?

Trikk: Broooo why?

Razor: Controlling bastards.

Ghost: Fuck.

Frost: Wonderful.

Me: Someone text Valley, tell her and Bryan to stay with our girl.

Frost: Done. On our way.

I put my phone back in my pocket, looking up at everyone. “They’re on their way. Can I get anyone anything?”

“I think we could all use a drink,” my father replies.

“Sure, we have scotch, I think.” I turn towards the kitchen, reaching up to the top cabinet, where we store our alcohol.

I pull out the bottle and grab some tumblers from the glass cabinet.

I pour them all, taking in three at a time, serving the fathers first. I grab mine, waiting for the guys to show up.

They don’t make us wait long. They all burst through the door, panic in their eyes, before they put on the neutral masks we all know how to wear.

Synn strides to the front, directly in front of his father.

I hustle back into the kitchen, grabbing the guys’ drinks.

Passing them out, I take a seat on the arm of the sofa nearest me.

“Perhaps everyone should have a seat?” Trikk’s father suggests. We nod, the others perch on the sofas and chairs. Our fathers stay standing, of course.

“We need results now, boys,” Synn's father starts. “Is the girl ready?”

“Um....” Razor pales as he turns his face away from them.

“Why?” Synn asks with a glare.

“There are developments. We need her contained, permanently. Immediately. That is all we will tell you.”

Frost stands, speaking up. “She won't break with the standard methods. The closest she came was after Synn forced himself on her.”

“The hospital....” Ghost whispers, but not low enough to escape their hearing.

“We know all about that,” Synn’s father waves the comment away. “What about emotionally?”

Ghost clams up, looking at the floor. I glance towards Trikk, who is shifting uncomfortably. “She has said she loves me and Ghost,” he tells them.

“And the rest of you? Who has had relations with her?” Razor’s father pipes up.

Razor glares hard. “What the hell does that matter?”

“Watch your tone,” his father bites out. “Answer!”

“Me,” Frost says, scrubbing a hand through his hair. A tell that he’s not as cold as he used to be.

“Bro!” Trikk whips his head in his direction, and Ghost looks up, death in his eyes.

“Us,” he speaks up, loudly.

“Me,” I say. Trikk clenches his fists, moving towards me.

“Boys!” Mr. Franco barks. “Enough! Now...anyone else?”

Razor and Synn shake their heads. “No sex, just messing around,” Razor answers.

“I think you know a hard no for me,” Synn grits out, barely restrained anger sparking in his stance as he shifts in his seat. “Well, not technically, anyway... feel me?”

“Yes, young Franco, I understand.” my father says impatiently. “Does she have any connections with anyone else?” my father asks, looking directly at me.

I blow out a breath. “Her best friend, Valley, and Valley’s boyfriend, Bryan.”

“Is that all, son?”

I hold his gaze as I lie through my teeth. “Yes, Sir.” No way in fuck I’ll say anything about Harris. He's our secret weapon.

The fathers get into a huddle, discussing amongst themselves. We all look at each other, shades of anger, rage, and even fear on our faces.

After a few tense minutes, they turn back around. “Now then,” Synn's father claps his hands with his words. “This is what you all will do. First of all...”

As he explains, I feel nausea rising up my chest. I can barely choke down the vomit threatening to spew out. Ghost has tears in his eyes, which he masks by looking down again. We are all in shock.

“No! No way!” Trikk yells.

“Hell no!” Synn also yells.

Mr. Franco smiles a slow, evil smile. “Oh, you boys will do EXACTLY what we say. Obviously, the threats to leave you all here aren’t enough.

If you fail to see this to its completion, you will all be tossed into the Morgue.

” The bottom of the med building, where no one ever comes back from. Still....

“That’s not all!” he booms. “WE will carry this out if you fail. And boys...we will be more than happy to introduce the girl to our ways.”

My heart stalls in my chest. This cannot be happening.

I can’t—WE can’t—do this to Fiasca. Ghost jumps up, storming out of the apartment, followed by Trikk.

Synn screams in fury, upending the table, shattering glass everywhere.

Razor whips out his blade, clenching his teeth.

And Frost—the first show of emotion plays on his face.

He is shaking and can’t even seem to speak.

As for me—I just sit there numbly. I never even got a chance to care. ..