“None of your business,” I answer, slamming my bedroom door and wondering whether I should have locks put on it. I continue toward the stairs when he races up behind me.
“Sure it is. Big brothers are supposed to look out for the little ones.”
I halt, spinning around on the fourth step and glaring up at him. “We”—I gesture between the two of us—“are not related, Nate.” That only makes his grin go wider. He leans on the rail of the stairs, and my eyes flick under his bicep, where there’s a scar embossed into his skin. He sees where my eyes go and quickly crosses his arms in front of himself. “But since you’re asking,” I say, walking the rest of the way down the steps. I turn to face him and tilt my head once I hit the bottom. “I’m going shooting.”
ARRIVING HOME LATER THAT NIGHT, I thank Harry and make my way up the large cobblestone entryway, up to the front door. I can hear the music before I hit the entrance, so when I swing the door open and see a house party in full swing, I’m not even slightly surprised. Slamming the door shut—rather dramatically—I scan over the drunken crowd. Where our marble kitchen is, there are teenagers playing beer pong, and dancing and grinding on each other in the background.
Swinging my eyes to the sitting room that leads off to our outdoor pool and pool house, I see another crowd dancing in strobe lights, with Akon’s “Ain’t Saying Nothing” blasting from the DJ booth set up where our couch once sat. I look back outside and see the party lights on inside our pool, and half-naked people cannon-balling into it, with a few others making out in our Jacuzzi.
Motherfucker!
Narrowing my eyes, I can almost make out another crowd behind the pool, on the grass area where our backyard leads to the beach. Oh, man, I’m going to kick his fucking ass. When I see the black baseball cap with blond hair peeking out slightly from underneath, and the same lean, tan build—still wearing no shirt—I know I’ve found Nate. I walk toward the couch, where he lounges with a few other guys, his head bobbing to the beat of “Nightmare on My Street” by DJ Jazzy Jeff, as he loads up the tip of a bong with weed.
I recognize all of them from school today—the guys Tatum referred to as “The Elite Kings Club.” Nate is apparently the one whose great-great-grandparents were the founders of Riverside Prep. I’m not sure if that was from his mother or father. Elena is lovely and is as rich as my father. That’s probably why I like her more than anyone else he’s introduced me to. I know she isn’t just after his money. So I guess it’s her side. My dad is good-looking for an old man. He isn’t really old though, sitting at forty-seven. I guess there are fathers with kids my age who are older. He trains daily and eats well, and Elena is the same. She’s fit for her age and takes care of herself. Though I have only met her twice—the first time was when we moved here a few days ago, and the second time was before they flew to Dubai for a business meeting—she was nothing but nice to me. How she managed to have a shithead son like Nate, I don’t know.
“Nate!” I snap, rounding the couch until I’m standing in front of him. His arms are stretched wide over the sofa, his legs spread in front of himself, his lips forming an O before he slowly blows out a thick cloud of smoke, while his eyes stare straight through me. “Shut this down—now.” The blur of movement catches my attention in my peripheral vision, but I ignore it.
He smirks. “Little sis, might want to go put that gun in the cabinet before you freak everyone out.”
I clutch the straps to my 12-gauge around my shoulders. “Shut it down, Nate. I’m serious.”
He shoots up off the couch with a red cup in one hand. “Wait! Come here.” He pulls me under his shoulder, his mouth dropping down to my ear. He points to the first guy who was sitting beside him on the couch. “That’s Saint, Ace, Hunter, Cash, Jase, Eli, Abel, Chase, and Bishop.” My eyes drift over them dismissively. I recall a few of them from school, but there’re a couple older-looking guys who I don’t recognize.
“Hi,” I manage to say—awkwardly, I might add. I turn back to Nate. “I’m serious. You will get us both into trouble. Close it down.” I turn around, and just as I’m about to hit the entryway to exit the lounge, I spin back around and catch them all watching me. Nate is smiling from behind his cup, while the rest of them have a mixture of emotions sprawled across their faces. When I settle on… I think Nate said his name was Bishop, the same guy I had a stare down with at school today, who is now sitting on a kitchen chair with his legs spread out in front of him, my cheeks flare to life. His eyes burn into my skull, and if guys had a resting bitch face, then that would be it.
Shivers creep up my spine; I don’t even know why. Maybe it’s because he seems just so… unapproachable. I scoff inwardly. Typical fucking prep school students. Walking back up the stairs, leaving Nate to shut it down on his own, I walk into my room, placing my shotgun at the top of my closet, and take out some clothes while I’m there. Slipping into the bathroom, double checking the locks on both doors this time, and taking hold of the faucet, I turn it on to scorching hot before stepping into the cascading waters. I let the harsh pounding of the water drown out the bass of the music. I stay under the water until the warmth prunes my skin slightly.
Quickly drying my body and stepping into my silk pajama shorts and a tank top, I hang up the towel after ruffling it through my hair. Unlatching the lock to Nate’s room, I then turn and step into the cool air of my own. The music has stopped, and I can hear distant shouting slowly descend outside with cars skidding off and girls screaming. I crank open the door to my little patio, opening it wide. Once the house sounds safe enough to set foot out again, I walk across my room and pull open my bedroom door, making my way down the stairs slowly. I’m halfway to the kitchen when I notice Nate and his friends still in the same position in the lounge. They pause their talking, right along with my steps.
I look at them. “Don’t stop on my account,” I murmur before I continue my trek to the kitchen. After shooting, I’m always hungry, and I’m not about to stop my routine because some “elite boys” were in my house. I woke up this morning an only child. How did I manage to gain not only a stepbrother but someone like Nate as a said stepbrother?
I pull open the fridge, taking out some eggs, milk, and butter, before going to the pantry for the flour and sugar. Placing all the ingredients on the kitchen counter, Nate walks in with his arms crossed over his chest as he leans against the entryway. I bend down and take out a bowl from under the breakfast bar along with a wooden spoon.
I point to him. “Do you ever wear a shirt?”
He snorts. “Girls rather I didn’t.” He winks before moving toward me as Cash, Jase, Eli, Saint, and Hunter walk into the kitchen, all eyeing me skeptically.
“What’re you making?” Nate asks, watching me closely.
“Waffles.” I look toward the other boys, who are all spread out in different spots in the kitchen. The air is a little uncomfortable.
I clear my throat and look to Nate. “How come I’ve never heard of you? My dad didn’t tell me Elena had a son.” I pour in all the ingredients as Nate walks toward one of the cupboards and pulls out the waffle maker, plugging it into the wall.
He shrugs, leaning back against the counter. “Don’t know. Maybe because I’m such a rebel.” He grins.
“Are the stories about you true?” Hunter questions, his eyes darkening on me.
“What stories might those be? There are a few,” I retort, walking up to the waffle maker. Nate takes the bowl from me and begins pouring the batter into the maker.
“About your mom.” A little blunt, but I’m used to it.
“The part about her killing herself, or the part about her murdering my father’s side chick beforehand?” I throw back, my head tilting.
Hunter has what I’d call rough features. I’m not sure how to place his ethnicity. He has dark eyes, olive skin, and a scruffy but clean five o’clock shadow over his jaw.
He leans against his chair more, eyeing me closely. “Both.”
“Yes and yes,??
? I answer flatly. “And yes it was my gun.”
I turn around to catch Nate glaring at Hunter. “Move,” I order, pointing toward the waffle maker. Nate steps aside to let me in, and my arm brushes against his. I pause, my eyes going up to his face to catch him smirking down at me. Before I can tell him to wipe the smile off his face, Eli comes up beside me.
“I’m Eli, and I’m the eyes and ears of our group. I’m also the little brother to Ace.” He points over his shoulder to an older and bulkier version of himself.
I smile politely at Ace, not gaining a smile in return. Whatevs.
“You mean club?” I reply without looking at him. I pour more batter into the maker before noticing everyone is quiet.
“Tsk, tsk. I see rumors have already made it to you on your first day. Who told you?” Nate asks.
I step away from him, putting the waffle on my plate and deciding I want out of this kitchen because it’s a little too crowded with testosterone.
“Tatum.” I squirt maple syrup onto my waffle. “I’m going to go.” Then I snatch my plate and make my way toward the stairs. On my passing, I see Bishop and Brantley talking in the living room, still in their same seats.
I pause, gripping onto the stairwell, and turn my head toward them, only to find Bishop looking straight through me. I’m not sure what these boys’ deal is, but it’s a little intense. Bishop has an angular face with high cheekbones and a jaw that could be sculpted for a Greek god. He has loose dark hair that makes my fingers twitch to run them through it, and piercing, dark, army green eyes. His thick dark lashes fan out across his perfect skin. His shoulders are lean yet are set with confidence. The dominance that surrounds him is evident, and once I realize I’m still ogling, my eyes widen in horror before I spin around and dash back up the stairs.
Closing my bedroom door, I place my plate on my study desk that sits beside the balcony door and sigh. There’s no way I’ll be able to stomach eating anything now. Climbing under my crisp linen sheets, I turn on the television that hangs on the wall opposite my bed and push Play on the next episode of Banshee before sinking into my pillow, my body finally relaxing after one long-ass day.
I’M COMING DOWN THE STAIRS the next morning with an apple jammed in my mouth, and my books clutched in my arm when I walk straight into Nate’s back. I take the apple out of my mouth. “Shit, sorry, I’m so late.”
“I know. How many episodes of Banshee did you watch last night?” he asks, collecting his keys off the kitchen table.
“I don’t know. I lost cou— Wait!” I throw my hand up. “How’d you know I was watching Banshee?” I hop up and down, trying to shove my foot into my Converse.
“I came in to see if you were okay when I saw light was shining under your door. You were crashed out by then. By the way, nice pick of TV show. Is Harry taking you to school?” He takes hold of my arm so I can lean on him to balance my footing before finally getting my foot into the damn shoe.
I hand him my books to hold and bend down to tie up my laces. “Yeah, he does every morning.”
I stand back up as he passes me my books and we make our way out the front door. “I’ll drive you. Doesn’t make sense not to. We go to the same school.”
I look down the driveway to see Harry not here. Crap. Chewing on my lip nervously, I nod. “Okay.”
He gives me a cheesy grin, his dimples popping out as he takes my hand and we walk toward his Porsche 918 Spyder. He beeps her, and I slip into the passenger seat, clicking my seatbelt on.
Sparking the car to life, he smiles. “You know… you made a little bit of an impression on the boys last night.”
“What?” I ask, shocked. “That was one of the most awkward moments of my life, and that’s saying something, because my life is made up of awkward moments.”
He laughs as I reach for the stereo. When it switches on, Dr. Dre’s “Forgot about Dre” shakes the inside of the car, and I quickly turn it down. “Jesus!”
He chuckles from his seat, watching me closely. “What? Don’t like old school hip-hop, sis?”
“Nothing wrong with hip-hop, but having it that loud will blow your eardrums. You should look at getting them checked, just in case you’ve already done damage.”
“If I had a hearing problem…” he smirks, dropping down gears and jolting us forward so fast my head slams back into the headrest, “…it wouldn’t be from loud music. It’d be from Little Nate penetrating women so good that it has them screaming bloody murder.”
I jerk away from him in disbelief. “Little Nate?”
His face drops. “What’s wrong with naming it Little Nate?” He almost looks offended that I laughed. I feel a little bad about that. Nate has a twisted bad boy feel about him, with added cockiness. But now he’s not playing fair, because when he pouts, it looks cute on him.
“Uhhh… the fact that you actually named it. And anyway, why would you want to name…” I point down to his crotch, and when my eyes travel back up to his face, I’m greeted by his cocky all-boy grin. His hand travels down the front of his ripped jeans as he clutches his junk. Oh, Lord. “Y-your…” I stutter. “For the love of God,” I whisper, shaking my head.
He teases, “Cock? Dick? Magic stick? The power shaft? The womb raider? The yogurt—”
I shake my head, cutting him off, “Elena is a sweet woman. How the fuck did you come from her?”
We pull into the private underground parking lot under the school, and I climb out of the car, shutting the door behind me.
“What’s your last class?” he asks, rounding the car and hooking his arm around my waist. I wiggle out of it. I’ve become aware over the last twenty-four hours how smooth things are around Nate, but I still can’t have his arm around me. I’ve never had many friends at other schools. He and Tatum are the first people, since before my mom snapped, to not have my past bother them as much.
“Um, I think I have PE.”
He nods as we begin walking toward the elevator that takes you to the school’s first floor. “I’ll pick you up from there. What do you have now?”
“Calculus.” I cringe, knowing Ally Parker and Lauren Bentley are in that same class.
“I’ll take you there now.” He nods toward the corridor.
I smile. Maybe I threw him off the boat a little too early. He’s only being nice to me. Nicer than most people are, anyway. “You don’t need to do that, Nate. I’m fine.”
He wraps his arm around my neck and pulls me into his embrace. “Well, since we’re siblings and all, it’s my duty to look after you.”
“Nate,” I groan, as we continue walking down the corridor that leads to my first class. The walls are painted in classic whites and neutral colors, with all the rooms leading off it in similar hues. The gym sits at the end of the corridor toward the fire exit, and although I haven’t seen the boy’s hall yet, I have a feeling it is similar to ours. “You really don’t. I’ll be fine.”
“I just wanna get to know my new sister. That’s all.” He winks down at me just as we reach the doorway to my class.
“Fine,” I say, crossing my arms in front of my chest. “But I’m not good with people, just giving you a warning. I’m more the loner type.” He watches me carefully, his head tilting while he studies me closely.
“I can dig the lonely girl thing.” He winks at me again before turning around and heading toward the boys’ hall.
Why? Why did I have to get someone annoying like Nate as a stepbrother?
THE BELL RINGING BREAKS THE concentrated silence in the classroom as we all gather up our books. Tatum bumps my hip with hers, flicking her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Lunchtime! That class almost killed me.”
I smile, collecting my pens and placing them on top of my books. “You say that in every class.” I roll my eyes as we begin retreating from the room.
She snorts. “That’s true. So, what’s your plan for after school? Nate Riverside is throwing a party this weekend, and I’m not usually one for going to any of these partie
s, and we might get kicked out, because we don’t hold the same status, but I feel like crashing. You in?” she asks, as we make our way to the cafeteria.
I roll my eyes again as we push through the doors. “That means it will most likely be at my house then.”
She pauses, her little hand wrapping around my arm. “Elaborate, Montgomery. What does that mean?”
“Nate,” I say flatly. “His mom and my dad are married. We live together, and before you jump down my throat, I only just found out yesterday.” Yesterday feels like a century ago, because of how easygoing Nate has been with me.
Her mouth drops to the ground. “Shut. Up.”
“What?” I reply, turning her toward the buffet. My stomach is grumbling, and because of skipping dinner last night, all I had in my stomach was the apple I power-ate this morning.
“Holy shit,” she whispers in shock. Her eyes lock back onto mine. “This is fucking awesome! We’re so crashing,” she squeals out in excitement.
“Um, Tatum? It’s not crashing if we’re in my house. He’s doing it on purpose, because our parents don’t get back until Monday.” We both pile our plates with the different variety of foods they have available. Sushi and exotic fruits? Am I in school or at a five-star restaurant?
“Holy shit. No, Madison, you don’t understand. These boys never—”
Fingers slide over my eyes, blacking out my vision. Tatum sucks in a breath. Lips skim over the back of my ears as a deep growl sounds. “How do you feel about incest, little sis?” Before his hands drop from my eyes, he laughs, stumbling backward. Tatum’s jaw is about to be permanently dislocated if she isn’t careful, and when I spin around to evil eye Nate, I’m cut off by the entire cafeteria and how it had grown almost silent, watching our exchange.
“The students of Riverside Prep are just pawns in their sick and twisted games. They own this school, Madison.”