Fatal Collision (Dark Lanes #1)
Chapter 1
ONE
JESSICA
“Fuck me, rich boys are hot.”
Cue the eye roll. Trust my sister, Summer, to check out the men who are so far above our tax bracket, it’s laughable.
The living room is packed, bodies pressed together, music shaking the glass walls that look out over the pool. Someone’s standing on the coffee table and yelling the lyrics while others push past each other to get to the makeshift bar in the kitchen.
Outside, the pool glows electric blue. People jump in with their clothes still on, water splashing over the stone deck.
“Hey,” she says, nudging my elbow as we try to blend in the crowded living room. “You can’t tell me they don’t look good.”
“Unlike you, I don’t think with my pussy.”
This stupid fucking dress. I smooth down the silky fabric before adjusting the spaghetti straps. I’m a tomboy at heart, but jeans and a hoodie won’t help us blend in tonight.
Summer’s green eyes glitter behind her mask when she leans in close. “Do you think they’re bigger than the boys across the track?”
I almost snort a laugh. “I don’t think men with big cocks earn more money than others, if that’s what you’re asking. It’s not like they whip them out at job interviews, you know?”
We weave through the sweaty crowd, careful not to draw attention to ourselves.
The gold masks conceal our identities, but our cheap thrift store dresses won’t fool anyone who looks too closely.
Rich people clock fake or last season from a mile away, but I bank on the alcohol dulling their senses tonight.
“Let’s go over there,” I say, moving behind a pillar where it’s quieter.
Who has pillars in their living room anyway?
The Ravencourts, that’s who—one of the four founding families in town.
The kind of family whose name is carved into plaques at the library, the hospital, even the courthouse steps.
Their house isn’t just big... No, it’s built on money that’s always been untouchable to everyone else.
“If anything,” I add, “the men on our side of town have fought for every penny they’ve earned. Poor guys fuck harder. It’s science.”
“Is it?” Summer’s eyes widen behind her mask, and I almost laugh.
“No.” I survey the crowded space. “It’s common sense.”
Summer giggles, her blonde curls bouncing gently on her shoulders.
My sister’s innocence must be protected at all costs. I refuse to let anyone tell me otherwise. She’s a ray of sunshine in this ugly world, with her green eyes and wide smile. Despite the crap we’ve been through this past year, she never lost hope, and I admire her for that.
I sometimes wish I had her endless optimism, a trait she shares with our mom, but I’ve never had that outlook on life. Instead, I do everything in my power to keep her away from all the shit we’ve had thrown at us, because if anyone is going to make it out of here, it’s her.
One day, Summer will leave our shitty side of town and build a better future for herself, but that’s a problem for tomorrow. Tonight, she’s my sidekick, and we have a job to do.
No one knows we’re here. Our brother, Chris, would blow a gasket if he found out I plan to steal from one of the founding families, but this is what has to be done. We need the money.
Unlike him, I’m ready to do whatever it takes, even if it puts my future at risk. At least the people I love will stand a better chance, right?
I turn to Summer, who’s eyeing a group of rowdy frat boys on the couch. “I’m gonna find the room where he keeps his collection. Stay here, okay? Don’t talk to anyone.”
My sister grabs my wrist as I turn to leave. “Be careful.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.”
That’s the thing about Summer. She doesn’t have a bad bone in her body and worries about everyone else.
“I’ll come find you when I’m done. Try to blend, alright? I won’t be long.”
She nods, her eyes uncertain behind the mask, and a twinge of guilt gnaws at my heart, but I push it aside as I weave through the crowd.
The hallway is quiet, except for the couple making out against the wall. I consider going upstairs, then decide against it. There’s no way the office is up there.
Gold-framed landscape paintings line the walls as I rush down another hallway. The mansion is a winding maze that’s easy to get lost in, and I soon lose count of how many rooms I peek into before I finally hit the jackpot.
Bingo.
A smile curls on my lips, and my heart beats harder as I enter the large room.
It’s widely known that Mr. Ravencourt is a collector of rare, valuable items, and just one of these ornaments is worth more money than I’ll ever know what to do with.
How nice it would be not to worry about bills anymore.
Our family deserves a break for once, and maybe Chris will stop being so angry if he doesn’t have to worry about where our next meal is coming from or what will happen to Mom when we can no longer afford her treatment.
The responsibility of being the eldest weighs heavily on his shoulders, especially now that our dad is drowning his sorrows in alcohol at the local bar every night instead of holding down a job.
Don’t get me wrong. Dad has never been easy to live with because of his alcoholism and the effect it has on his temper, but he’s still our dad… and he’s the only parent we have left.
Life sucks.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I cross the room and pick up the first thing I see—a small ornament with a gold rim and intricate carvings—sliding it into my shoulder bag.
There’s no time to think about the implications or how low I’ve stooped.
Robbery was never something I would choose for myself, but life fucked me over one too many times, and now survival is all I know.
Besides, Mr. Ravencourt won’t really miss these items. Why would he?
He’s too busy making money and being part of some rumored secret society to notice that a few of his ornaments are missing.
My heart is racing as I cram as many items into my bag without letting it overflow. The adrenaline makes me feel lightheaded, but my focus remains razor sharp. I cannot mess this up.
“What do you think you’re doing?” The deep, rumbling voice cuts through my thoughts like a sharpened blade, and my heart stops beating altogether.