Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
RAVEN
“ R aven?” I glanced around the dark street in the Heights, trying to see who’d called out for me. Cami appeared across the road under the flickering streetlight, a grin on her face. “It is you! Word on the street is that you got hit by a car.”
“Hey. Yeah, just bruises though,” I answered. “Are you heading to the Pit?”
“Nah, house party. I’ve got some bitches to beat at pool. You want to come with?”
It was on the tip of my tongue to decline, but then I considered it. It could be good to hang with Cami and make some new friends.
“Uh, sure,” I said slowly, her eyes widening.
“Wait, really? You don’t need to check with the guys or anything?”
That made me scowl, annoyance washing through me. “No, I don’t need to ask permission. I kicked them out and never want to see them again.”
“Girl, what the hell happened?”
“I don’t want to talk about it. Lead me to this party. I’ll kick your ass at pool, by the way,” I teased, changing the subject.
“I’m so excited. You never come to these things anymore. If you ever want to hang out, just text me. This is going to be so much fun!” she squealed, hooking her arm through mine as she started walking.
We could hear the music well before getting to the street that the party was on, and nerves flickered through me a little when I saw how many people were there. The house was full, some spilling out into the yard as they drank and laughed at each other’s antics.
I liked parties, but I’d always had the guys there to back me up.
My hand absently lifted to check that my knife was in my bra as we stepped inside, Cami keeping her arm tightly in mine as she spoke over the music. “You want a drink?”
“I’m good!”
“Go on, Rae. Have a couple. I’m sober, so I can keep an eye out!” she insisted, and I hesitated before nodding.
“Okay, but just one!”
A few people greeted us on our long journey to the kitchen, my body relaxing the longer we were here and nothing happened. My beer went down fast, so I waited a while before having a second, sipping on that one instead to make it last.
There was no way I was having more than two.
I played one game of pool against Cami before standing back to watch her take on other people, and I was a little surprised by how much fun I was having. Especially after dealing with Reid earlier.
The thought of him had my chest aching, and I downed a mouthful of beer to try and drown it out. I’d wanted to forgive him, but there was no way in hell I could yet. I was still too angry, and it was the fear of being alone that was getting to me.
“Hey, Raven,” a girl said with a smile as she wandered over with her friends, and it took me a second to remember her. Chelsea Hartmann. I’d gone to high school with her.
We’d been at opposite ends of the social food chain. I kept to myself with Logan and his friends, and she was the skanky cheerleader.
We’d never really interacted before, and I was a little surprised that she knew who I was.
“Chelsea,” I greeted, flicking my gaze to her friends. “What’s up?”
“Nothing. You’re here without your guard dogs? That’s unusual.” I went to snap at her, but she grinned. “It’s about time they let you lose to have some fun. Come hang with us.”
I turned, frowning when I didn’t see Cami.
“She’s sucking some dude’s face in the kitchen,” one of the other girls offered, knowing exactly who I was looking for. “Come on. We’re just sitting in the corner with some of the guys.”
I didn’t have a reason not to trust them, it wasn’t like they’d been mean to me before, but I kept my guard up as I agreed and followed them towards the couches in the corner.
Some guy tried to hand me a beer, and I shook my head. Two was enough, and there was no way I was dumb enough to take an opened drink from someone.
He shrugged and downed it himself, some of the other guys moving to sit on the floor so us girls could have the couch, and after an hour of talking and laughing, I was actually enjoying their company.
I could see Cami dancing with a guy, worry seeping into me when I noticed the drink in her hand. It might have been a coke, but my history of knowing alcoholics didn’t give me much faith.
Especially with her track record.
“I think we should play never have I ever,” one of the guys announced, giving me an amused look. “Raven will have to sit this one out. She’s never done anything.”
“Leave her alone, Zion,” Chelsea scolded, coming to my defense. “That game’s dumb. It’s just so you guys can hear about slutty things we’ve done so you can add the mental image to your spank banks. It’s gross.”
The guy beside me who’d offered me a drink laughed, apparently agreeing with her.
“Yeah, it’s just for you pervs. If you want to know something, be a man and ask.”
Zion eyed me, and I knew what was going to come out of his mouth before he said it. “Fine. Raven, have you ever had a man’s tongue up your cunt before? Just because you’re a virgin, doesn’t mean you haven’t messed around.”
“I think she’s gay,” one of his friends piped up, making me scowl.
“I’m not gay.”
“How do you know? It’s not like you’ve tried guys,” Zion asked, my traitorous face heating. “Oh, look at that, boys. I think Raven’s been keeping secrets.”
“It’s none of your business,” I bit out, the guy beside me flipping Zion off.
“Drop it, asshole.”
Zion laughed though, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “C’mon, Rae. Who popped your cherry? I bet it was Barron. That prick’s wanted to shove his cock in you forever.”
Chelsea was watching me curiously, apparently waiting for my answer, and I pushed to my feet.
“Don’t go because of these assholes,” the nice guy whined, glaring at his buddies. “You guys suck.”
I didn’t hear their responses as I walked off to find Cami, but she wasn’t where I last saw her. I kept walking through the house, hoping to spot her on my way out, but the nice guy from the couch appeared in front of me with his hands out.
“Wait, don’t leave.”
“Why the fuck not?” I growled, grateful that he kept his hands to himself. “You don’t even know me.”
“But I want to know you,” he replied, confusion filling me.
“Why?”
“Why not? I think you’re cool. Look, don’t listen to them, okay? No one needs to know your private stuff. Do you want to dance?” he offered, holding his hand out to wait for me to take it.
I stared at it for a second, hesitating before sliding my hand into his.
Why was I doing this? I didn’t even know this guy’s name.
“I’m Michael,” he stated as if reading my thoughts, his hand gently squeezing mine. “I promise, I won’t ask about the status of your pussy’s guests.”
Laughter bubbled out of me before I could stop it, earning a smile from him as he led me to a spot in the living room where people were dancing. I hadn’t really danced with anyone before, other than when I drank with the guys, so I was thankful that everyone around us seemed way too drunk to notice me fumbling like an idiot.
I tensed when his arm slid around my lower back to pull me closer, his voice gentle. “Just want to hold you a little while we dance.”
I nodded, finding myself leaning into his hold as he swayed us. He smelled good, and I rested my face against his chest after a while when nothing bad happened.
Reid and the guys could suck my damn dick. This guy proved that I didn’t have really bad taste in men. He’d been sweet, not pushing my boundaries, and he’d stood up for me when Zion had been a prick earlier.
We danced for ages until he decided to stop for a drink, and this time when he offered me one, I took it. I’d watched him pour it, so I knew he hadn’t tampered with it.
Liquid courage was exactly what I needed to shake off the nerves. It felt wrong that I was touching someone that wasn’t Logan or Zavier, but I had to push myself to prove I didn’t need them.
Could I get to know Michael and mess around a little? He didn’t seem the pushy type, so maybe he’d be a good person to get closer with.
“Can I ask you a question?” I asked as we stood on the porch smoking, his eyebrow raising.
“Sure.”
“Are you just being nice to me so I’ll fuck you?”
He laughed, shaking his head. “You’re hot, I’d fuck you, but I know you’re not like that. One-night stands aren’t exactly your thing. If I wanted that, I’d go after someone like Chelsea who likes a quick, hard fuck and nothing more.”
“Maybe I should’ve done the casual thing instead of dating. I got my heart broken anyway,” I grumbled, making him frown.
“Man’s an idiot if he actually convinced you to be with him, just for him to change his mind. I’m surprised the guys didn’t kill him.”
It was probably the alcohol, but I felt like he wouldn’t judge me.
“Reid didn’t know, that’s why,” I scoffed, blowing smoke into the sky before glancing at him. “I trusted Logan, and I shouldn’t have.”
He let out a low whistle. “You gave your virginity to Logan? Did he cheat on you?”
“No. He just wasn’t who I thought he was,” I answered, tossing my cigarette butt onto the lawn. “Maybe we could mess around sometime.”
He smirked, finishing his cigarette and tossing it aside too. “Are you asking me to hookup with you?”
“I still don’t really know what I’m doing, but you could teach me, right?”
“Fucking hell,” he groaned, reaching out to pull me closer. “I don’t think you’re ready for a fuck, Raven.”
The thought made me highly uncomfortable, but that was just my lack of experience, right? I could totally fuck him to make myself realize Logan wasn’t God and anyone could make me feel like that.
Before I could convince myself it was a stupid idea, I slid my hand around the back of his neck and stood on tiptoe, not having to even ask for a kiss as he swooped down to give it to me.
It was strange kissing him, but it wasn’t awful, my body arching against his as he kept me close. His tongue teased my lips, and I let him in, the taste of cigarette and beer not as good as I’d remembered it being when Logan had kissed me.
“Do you want us to find somewhere more private?” he murmured against my lips, waiting for me to nod before moving back to take my hand. “C’mon, there’s a bunch of rooms upstairs that lock. I don’t want anyone walking in and making you uncomfortable.”
It was sweet, but it didn’t make me swoon like it probably should’ve.
No one seemed to notice us as we walked through the house and up the stairs, Michael checking a few rooms before dragging me into one and shutting the door behind us.
“Condoms?” I asked instantly, relieved when he pulled one from his wallet to show me. “Good.”
“We don’t have to fuck. We can just mess around a little if you’d prefer,” he said with a smile, tugging me towards the bed. “Won’t lie, I really want to fuck your pussy with my tongue.”
That sounded like a really good idea, I liked that, and it would help relax me in case we took it further.
My heartbeat slammed in my chest as I kicked my shoes off and laid back as he sat at my feet, grabbing the waistband of my pants and sliding them down my legs. I went to cover myself on instinct, but he shook his head.
“Don’t. You’re perfect.” He parted my legs so he could crawl between them, my breath hitching as the rough fly of his jeans pressed against me when he leaned down to kiss me again.
His dick was hard behind his zipper, and I was surprised that he was happy to take it slow.
Then, the floorboards creaked, alerting me to the fact that we weren’t alone.
Michael didn’t seem to notice, but when I tried to shove him back, he kissed my neck to calm me.
“C’mon, Rae. We’ll take it easy on you.”
“Speak for yourself,” Devon said as he appeared next to the bed, grinning at me. “Always knew you’d be a horny little bitch once those assholes cut you loose.”
“Get off me,” I snapped at Michael, my body going rigid when he dropped a hand between us to rub my clit.
“Relax or it will hurt.”
“I said, stop!”
He surprisingly moved back, getting to his feet. “I would’ve made it good for you, you know? You’ve been winding Devon up for years though, so don’t expect him to be gentle.” The nice guy attitude was gone, an amused smirk on his face. “You sure you don’t want me to tongue-fuck you first?”
I scrambled to my feet and tried to snatch my pants from the floor, but Devon grabbed my arm and shoved me face down onto the bed.
“You think your pussy’s too good for anyone now? You were fine with Michael tearing you in half a moment ago.”
Michael chuckled, leaning back on his heels as he crossed his arms. “Nah, she let Donahue fuck her. She’s broken in.”
I tried to slam my elbow back to make Devon release me, but he just grabbed my wrists in his large hand, keeping his other hand on the back of my neck.
“I’ve always loved how much you fight me,” Devon murmured close to my ear, his groin pushing against my ass. “Feel free to kick, scratch, and bite me. I fucking like it, baby.”
I struggled harder as Michael took my hands, and I became more frantic as they managed to get my hoodie and shirt off.
“You’re a piece of shit, Devon. Walk away before you can’t!” I threw at him as he unclasped my bra, my knife falling onto the bed. He grabbed it, and I froze as he flicked it open and lightly trailed the blade down my spine.
“You’re going to take both our cocks, and then you’re going to walk out of here with our cum dripping down your fucking legs for everyone to see,” he spat, leaving Michael to hold me as I watched in dismay as Devon cut my shirt and hoodie to pieces.
My pants and panties were next, and I hissed as Michael released my hands to fist my hair, yanking me up slightly.
“You still want me to teach you?” he snickered, nipping my ear painfully.
“I get her first,” Devon warned as he kicked his pants off and tossed my knife back on the bed beside me. He stood just in my view, and I couldn’t avert my gaze from his dick. I’d kind of hoped the asshole had a pin dick, but it was huge.
He was distracted as he stroked himself, and I took the time to dart a hand out while I had a second, grabbing my knife, and slamming it back into Michael’s side.
He screamed like a girl and stumbled away from me, but my victory was short-lived as Devon almost broke my damn wrist to make me drop it, his fist connecting with my mouth.
I used the rest of my energy struggling and screaming, not giving a shit about seeming pathetic. I’d rather be labeled a cry baby than let either of these guys take a piece of me that I could never get back.
Tears tracked down my cheeks as I felt the head of his cock press against my pussy from behind, my body bucking wildly to try and stop it.
Then, a gunshot sounded, and something wet dripped on my back. Devon’s grip on me loosened as he fell, and I scrambled to the far side of the bed, flinching as a second gunshot went off.
I was ugly crying, my heartbeat pounding in my chest as my eyes landed on Devon’s dead eyes. Blood oozed from a hole in his head, and when my eyes raised to our attacker, relief filled me.
I never thought I’d say that about the asshole in front of me, but I knew he wouldn’t hurt me.
“Ander?” I choked out, his steel gray eyes void of emotion. But then, he spoke, his voice calm and reassuring.
“Hey, Bluebird.”
I crumbled, wrapping my arms around my legs as I drew them to my chest, loud, gut-wrenching sobs leaving me.
He yanked his black T-shirt off, approaching me slowly. “C’mon, put this on. I’ll get you out of here.” I felt the bed dip as he moved towards me, and I flinched when his fingers gently took my wrist. “Just need to get your arms through my shirt.”
His eyes didn’t leave my face as I lifted my arms, and once the shirt was covering me, he took my face in his hands to inspect the swelling on my lip. His thumb brushed it, and I winced, his eyes flashing to mine.
“Where did you even come from?” I asked as I tried to get control of myself, a small smile tugging at his mouth.
“I would’ve been here sooner, but you’re really hard to find. We need to go.”
“But—”
“Cleanup crew will be here in a second, don’t worry,” he assured me as he stood. I wiped my face and took a deep breath as I got to my feet, stumbling slightly.
Ander’s hand darted out to catch me, and the second he grabbed my arm, I slapped him.
“The mafia?” I snapped, the fear turning to pure anger. “You’re on the run from the fucking mafia and left Zav as your scapegoat?”
He cringed. “Long story. We’ll talk in the car.”
“We almost got killed because of you!”
“Your feelings are valid. You can yell at me in the car,” he said with an impatient sigh. The door suddenly opened, and he moved in front of me to shield me, his shoulders relaxing almost instantly. “Clean this shit up and call me when it’s done.”
“Yes, boss.”
I peeked around Ander to see who’d walked in, but the two men weren’t familiar to me in the slightest.
Ander started pulling me towards the door, and I dug my heels in. “I can’t go out like this.”
“There’s stairs that lead outside from this level. It’s away from the party, and my car’s parked on that side too.”
“I don’t want anyone to see me like this,” I whispered, his eyes softening.
“I won’t let them. Promise.”
My only option to get out of here undetected was to do as he said, so I nodded and let him lead me out into the hallway, the music downstairs booming loudly still. He turned right, seeming to know his way around as he found the right door that took us outside into the cool night air.
I shivered as the coldness swept over my legs, and I moved a little closer to him to block the slight breeze.
I paused when we approached a random car, the lights flashing as he unlocked it. “Where’s the Supra?”
“Away,” he said vaguely, reminding me again that he was hiding.
Once inside, he put the heaters on and pulled away from the curb, my voice sounding loud in the quiet car. “You have no idea how much shit has gone down since you took off. Some of it being your fault too.”
“Like how Zav got shot and you got hit by a car? Yeah, I know. I found out about it this week, which is why I came back. I’ll fix it, you just need to trust me,” he said firmly, making me snort.
“Trust you? I didn’t trust you before, so I’m sure as hell not trusting you now. You can’t fix it.”
“I can. I’m working on something and I really need?—”
“I don’t give a shit what you need, Ander. Hand yourself over to this Stefano prick and end it. I can’t believe you let Zavier take the fall for whatever bullshit you’re involved with,” I said bitterly, and if I wasn’t so damn exhausted, I’d probably cry again.
“It doesn’t work like that. He thinks Zavier knows about things that he shouldn’t. Right now, you’re a target because you’re one of the only people who could make Zavier come out of hiding if they use you as leverage.”
“Take me home.”
“It’s not safe.”
“Take me fucking home, Ander, or so help me, I’ll call Beckett to make you disappear,” I shouted, silencing him.
Thankfully, he didn’t argue this time.
He’d barely stopped the car in front of my house when I opened the door to get out, and he cursed as I slammed it shut behind me and started walking across the lawn. His door slammed next, and I didn’t have to glance back to know he was following me.
He couldn’t come into the house. I didn’t want him to see my father.
I walked faster, yanking the window open and scrambling inside, reaching back to slam it shut, but he was already grabbing the ledge to haul himself inside.
“Why are you using your window?” he demanded, frowning when he heard the drunk laughter down the hallway. “Who’s here? I know the guys aren’t.”
“You’ve been spying on me?”
“I’ve been keeping tabs on you guys since I found out Stefano was going after Lopez, yes. So, new housemates?” He moved towards the door to open it, and I grabbed his arm to yank him back, confusion on his face as he looked down at me. “Bluebird?—”
“Don’t fucking call me that.”
“I’ll call you whatever I want,” he chuckled, gently tugging a small handful of my blue hair, his shoulders tensing a fraction when there was a loud thud and more drunken laughter.
I was pretty sure someone just put a body-sized hole in the wall.
“Leave it,” I said quietly, closing my eyes in defeat when the door handle started rattling.
“Raven, stop playing hard to get with me, baby. I’ll give you twenty bucks if you wrap that pretty little mouth around my cock right now.”
“Ander—” I warned, but he’d heard enough as he unlocked the door and flung it open, aiming his gun at the drunken idiot’s face.
“If you even think about her again, I’ll truss you up and gut you like a fucking pig,” he said coldly, the guy taking a step back with surprise.
“Who the fuck?—”
“Don’t look at her, speak to her, or think of her. Clear?” he bit out, half closing the door to block the guy’s view of me when his eyes flicked in my direction. “What did I just say?”
I grabbed some sweats from my drawer and put them on quickly, panicking when I noticed Ander had vanished.
“Fuck,” I cursed under my breath as I darted out into the hallway, seeing him stalk into the kitchen with the drunk guy firmly in his grasp.
I hadn’t been in that end of the house since the day after Dad arrived, and my steps slowed when I realized the carnage surrounding me. The walls had dents and holes all over, the carpet was missing from the corner of the living room, the only TV left in the house was smashed on the floor, and as I stepped into the kitchen, I saw half the cupboard doors were missing or hanging off their frames. There were empty beer bottles and cigarette butts covering the counter, and I was pretty sure someone had taken a shit in the sink.
“Who the fuck are you?” Dad barked, drawing my attention to the fact that Ander was pointing his gun at him.
“Who the fuck are you ?” he countered, and I moved in front of him to push him back a step.
“They’re harmless. It’s just my dad and his friends,” I said confidently, his abs flexing under my palms as he glanced down at me.
“This piece of shit is your dad? You really think drunk old dudes trying to convince you to suck their dicks are harmless?”
Dad took a step towards us, and Ander’s arm slid around me to put me behind him.
“You think you have some kind of claim over my daughter, you prick?” Dad snarled, not seeming to give a shit that Ander had a gun. “If I tell her to drop to her knees and choke on a cock, she will. If you want to fuck her, you should be paying me!”
He’d barely gotten the words out before Ander’s fist met his face, and I wasn’t surprised when Dad stumbled back and landed on his ass. He had zero chance against Ander, let alone when he was drunk.
“She’s not property, she’s a fucking person,” Ander hissed, standing over him furiously. I could tell he was pissed from the way his back muscles were bunched. “You think you can make money off her body?”
“That's all she’d be good for,” Dad argued, and I had to grab Ander’s arm to pull him back before he could do something like shoot him.
“You’re not staying here,” Ander said sharply as he turned to me, taking my wrist to drag me back along the hallway to my bedroom.
“Excuse me?” I snapped, stumbling after him. “This is my fucking home, asshole.”
“I can’t keep you safe here, Raven.”
“I’m not your fucking problem!” I shouted, shoving him in the chest, but instead of moving back, he only stepped closer.
“I want you to be my fucking problem. Pack your shit. You’re staying with me until I can get these creeps out. I’ll force your dad to sign the house over to you, and then you can come back.”
I stared up at him, wanting to argue but knowing I wouldn’t get any sleep here tonight if I stayed. Not after what just happened at the party.
“Only if you feed me,” I mumbled in defeat, a small smile tugging at his mouth.
“Deal. Now grab your shit and let’s go.”