Page 7 of UnWholly Angels (Crestview Cardinals #1)

Chapter Four

Riley

P ulling into the driveway, I sat stock-still in the driver's seat, my head spinning.

‘Wherever You Will Go’ by The Calling blared through the speakers.

My fingers moved quickly to press the off button on the radio.

After a deep breath, the melody filled my ears once again.

The light base vibrated my body as I held my breath, pushing down the sadness that wanted to break through anytime I thought about loving anyone else.

The altercation had been extremely out of character for me.

I was never forward and always contractual, making it safe for everyone involved.

Even love was contractual, if you thought about it.

You loved me, I loved you, until one of us changed our minds.

No, thank you. Having already found and lost that once-in-a-lifetime love, it was pointless to start over.

If I got attached and lost again…I wouldn't survive it.

Cam Girl was even more beautiful in person, but still, no one compared to her .

When I lost my family, it was devastating, and then I was set up.

By the time I walked out of the county jail, rumors of Maya’s death swarmed, and I was alone again.

I vowed to never love anyone else. Maya was it for me, a lasting love ripped away prematurely.

She accepted me for who I was and the afflictions I dealt with.

As the song continued, I reached for the cross around my neck, allowing myself just one vulnerable moment for the memories to resurface.

The cold night air whipped around me as I shoved open my window and climbed out. My anger hit its peak as my teeth gnashed together. We lost again tonight, and I couldn’t afford it. I had to make it big. It was the only option I had.

Sliding onto the roof of the porch, I placed my hand over my rumbling stomach.

I’d tried but failed to make it on time for dinner, even though I practically sprinted from the rink.

Nausea was starting to set in, and I blew out a breath, attempting to swallow down the vomit.

Tilting my head toward the sky, it wasn’t hard to notice the stars painted above me.

For a brief moment, I wondered if my parents each occupied one bright orb, watching over me.

That emotion was quickly replaced with hatred toward them for forcing me into this situation.

A small smile made its way across my face as the fresh scent of roses filled my nose.

Maya’s shoes scuffed against the window ledge as she crawled outside.

She found her place cuddled into my chest, and I pressed a quick kiss to her temple.

It felt nice, and her warmth made the anger slowly disappear.

I doubted she realized the effect she had on me.

“It’s not much, Riley, but I was able to sneak you an apple and a sandwich from the fridge when the old bat wasn’t looking,” she sighed, reaching into the pocket of her hoodie to hand me the food.

The sleeve of the hoodie rode up her arm a bit, and my jaw tightened.

The bruise around her wrist told me otherwise.

Either that she had been caught, or she was giving me her food.

“Who did that to you, Maya?” I asked through gritted teeth, taking her hand in mine to gently peek at the purple and yellow marks.

“Just leave it, okay?” She sounded tired and scared, ripping her hands from mine to put them back in the giant pocket of her…

well, my hoodie. Maya came back a few days ago after her mother disappeared, leaving her to fend for herself alone with whatever man her mother had shacked up with at the time.

Any time she had to go back, I only saw her at school, and it ripped me apart every time.

No pain will ever compare to watching the glimmer slowly fade from her eyes as time went on.

She tipped her head up slightly to face me and smile, but all I noticed were the bruises splattered around her neck; the same ones that matched her wrists.

I didn’t want to ask or think about it. What I did know was that it was time for us to run.

They weren’t going to take her away from me again; no way in hell was I taking that chance.

So, I got to planning in my head while I ripped the sandwich in half and handed her the other piece before changing the subject.

And I knew the perfect way for us to get away.

“It would mean a lot to me if you came to my next game. When you miss them, we lose.” It wasn’t a complete lie. She was my good luck charm, but I also wanted to keep an eye on my girl, make sure this crazy plan worked.

“So, are you saying you need me?” Her eyes lit up at the question, anxiously awaiting my answer. I nodded, taking a bite of the turkey sandwich as she giggled. “Sounds like you're falling in love, Mr. Kingston.”

“Maybe I am.”

Her hands flew to the back of her neck. As she unclasped her necklace, my heart swelled. She was going to give me a piece of herself.

As she clasped the chain around my neck, Maya whispered, “My initials are engraved, so even if I’m not around, you will always have me sitting right over what's most important.”

Happy was an understatement. We only had a year until graduation, and after that, I’d marry her and give her everything she deserved. Dipping my head down, my lips hovered over hers, but she pulled away quickly with a scrunched-up nose.

“This isn’t a rejection, and I want to kiss you, but you really need a shower.”

Laughing, I rose from my spot and gently helped her back through the window. My hand rubbed over the initials as I walked Maya to her door, separating to our own rooms for the night. One day, she would have everything she’d ever wanted, because of me.

Tracing my fingers loosely over the engraved letters, I swallowed, my throat feeling like sandpaper as the memory faded. Maybe it was time for a change. I would never find her in anyone else, that I knew.

Running a frustrated hand through my hair, I grumbled to myself, trying to silently talk myself off the ledge.

Cam Girl was attractive, sure, but she’d find me dry, barely able to speak to the people I did have close to me.

Life hadn’t changed much since Chloe joined in on the fun Lux and I had, and I continued to third wheel the pair.

But that would change soon, and I never reacted well to change.

They had recently welcomed their second child, and while he was beautiful, it reminded me of what I would never have.

It didn’t upset me anymore. There would never be anyone else.

I knew my capabilities and how to live my life successfully, and kids weren't in the cards. Once women found that out, it was easy for them to split anyway, which was their right. Who would want to be with an asshole who wouldn’t plan to give them a few kids?

Good thing Cam Girl wouldn’t be here for much conversation. It was hard to wipe away the memory of her brown eyes staring intensely into my soul. It threatened to turn me feral, and I'd exercised an insane amount of self-control when she was right where I wanted her.

Her brown orbs reminded me of a fresh cup of coffee, right before you blow the heat from it. There was something different, unique, and almost familiar. The tint slightly changed under the fluorescent lighting of the parking garage, and for a moment they looked…

Stop. Pull yourself together, Riley .

I hated myself for wanting to drown in her. The way she challenged me to break her bratty tendencies was exhilarating, and I would. In time.

I’d find out everything that made her tick. Most importantly, her fears. That was how I would break her. It never dawned on me to ask how she knew Chloe, but I would find out. If she was anything like her, this would be fun.

An unsettling feeling stirred deep in my gut, but I couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason.

Excitement? Anger for the lack of respect?

Loneliness for wanting to jump right into bed with this woman?

No . This was a primal urge to make her mine.

It had been too long since I’d had someone new to play with.

Belting off a needy groan, I ripped the keys from the ignition and headed toward the house to watch my beautiful toy in action.

The leather couch was warm and inviting as I cracked open an energy drink and sank into the cushions. Tired beyond measure, I always made sure to stay up long enough to catch my cam girl’s glistening pussy as she splayed herself open for the world.

Opening the app on my phone, I broadcast it from the TV, and her room came into view.

White walls were accentuated by a small twin-sized mattress resting on a pallet-style frame, and a royal blue bed set was draped lazily over the bed.

There was nothing else. No personal touches, mementos, or anything to tell me more about her.

I couldn’t imagine why someone like her wouldn't have more lavish things, and to be honest, it didn’t matter that much.

I just wanted to get my dick wet after a hard day.

Cam Girl appeared on the screen, her dark hair falling over her shoulders as she sat on the edge of her mattress.

She was dressed in an emerald green lingerie set, her breasts on display in a push-up bra while her delicious ass was slightly hidden by fishnets layered beneath her panties.

Damn. She looked like a witch in that number, and she could melt over me any time she wanted.

The droplets of condensation from the energy drink in my hand were cold against my heated skin.

I found my other hand slowly reaching for the waistband of my sweats as I bit my lip at the memory of how she felt beneath me.

The thought of sticking my dick between those luscious breasts and her tongue kitty licking the tip each time it met her mouth made me hard in seconds.