12. Kaylor
12
KAYLOR
I wasted another ten minutes roaming the halls until I finally located my locker. Not that it mattered. I had nothing to put in it. At least I still had my phone. The only good thing that came out of getting lost in this forsaken school.
Poppy leaned against my locker, scrolling on her phone. Her eyes lifted as I approached. My back hit the wall beside her, the stress of the day sinking against the metal pressing into my back.
She angled her body toward me, her shoulder propped on the locker. “People are already talking about you.”
My head whirled in her direction. “They found out?” Knowing it was bound to happen and it actually happening were separate things. I guessed that paranoid feeling everyone was talking about me hadn’t been inside my head.
“Yes, but that’s not what I’m talking about. You’re now known as the girl who jumped on Kreed’s back.”
My brows crinkled together. “That literally happened like ten minutes ago.”
Poppy shrugged. “Two minutes. Two hours. Two days. At Public, secrets, lies, and gossip spread faster than an STD.”
I should expect no less. The academy had been the same. “I don’t get what the big deal is. So what? I jumped on Kreed’s back. Summon the reporters.” I fumbled with the combination. I might not have anything to put inside, but I needed the practice. School locks were finicky bastards.
Poppy watched me as I attempted a second time to put in the sequence of numbers and rotations. “Because no one does that. Not unless they want to be tortured the rest of the year. Kreed isn’t someone you fuck with.”
I was damn fed up. With this school. With this lock. With Kreed. With everything. I huffed, my shoulders sagging as my hands dropped away from the locker. “Neither am I. And the sooner Kreed realizes it, the easier his life will be.”
Her gold eyes narrowed. “What happened?”
“Kreed Corvo is the devil’s spawn.”
Poppy bumped me out of the way, moving the dial on my lock like she’d done it a million times. “Facts. I’m surprised he’s taken an interest in you.” The locker clicked open.
Frowning, I stared at the empty space inside. “I wish he wouldn’t. The jackass took my bag.” I swung the door closed.
“So very kindergarten of him. We can plot your revenge over lunch.” She grabbed my hand, tugging me away from the lockers. “I’m buying.”
“Thanks. I have no money,” I admitted, realizing I had no idea how I would have eaten lunch. Money hadn’t been something I thought about before. My parents always provided everything I needed and then some. I took that for granted before. Not that I had much of an appetite these days, which probably also factored into my carelessness.
What would I have done if I hadn’t met Poppy?
The idea of having to ask Kreed, Maddox, or Mason for money made me want to hurl.
I’d rather starve.
Poppy pulled me through a side exit of school into the student parking lot. Crisp air kissed my flushed cheeks, and I lifted my face to the murky white winter sky. The sun hardly peeked through at this time of year. January brought endless days of sorrowful cold weather, which perfectly matched my mood.
“We get to leave campus?” I asked, reveling in the fresh air. I inhaled deeply.
“Juniors and seniors do if you have an approved pass from your parents,” Poppy explained.
“I don’t have one.”
She grinned. “Neither do I.”
I hated to admit how good it felt to break a minor rule like leaving school grounds without permission.
After going through the school gates, we went to a small diner down the street. A faint hum of passing cars and chatter of students loitering nearby filled the air, but I was too focused on memorizing my surroundings. I had a feeling I’d be doing a lot of walking to and from school. I needed to get my bearings and learn the area sooner rather than later.
“So, this place has the best burgers,” Poppy said, glancing at me as she pulled a cigarette and lighter out of her bag. “You’re not a vegetarian or anything, are you?” She offered the pack to me.
I shook my head, grateful for her chill energy. “No, burgers are fine as long as they have fries.” I could live on potatoes alone.
She lit up, taking a long drag, holding it in her lungs before expelling a cloud of smoke from between her lips. “Good. You’re going to need one after your morning. Hell, I need one for you.”
The smell of smoke never bothered me. In fact, I kind of enjoyed it. My father often puffed on cigars in his office late at night when he thought my mother was asleep. In a way, the white smoke dissipating in the air reminded me of him. I didn’t want the wave of sadness, but it assaulted me all the same, and despite my best efforts to school my features, I was sure Poppy noticed.
She continued to puff on her cigarette, taking the last few drags before putting it out against the brick building and dropping it into the trash. “Welcome to Stacks.” She opened the door for me, a bell chiming over our heads.
We slid into a booth near the window, ordering quickly before Poppy leaned forward, her expression shifting to one of intrigue. “All right, new girl,” she began, tearing open her paper straw. “I know we literally just met, and it’s probably none of my business, but how did you end up at the Corvos’? If you’re not comfortable talking about it, don’t be afraid to tell me.”
Tucking my hair behind my ears, I took a moment before answering. I should probably be careful who I talked to, but I really needed a friend, and something about Poppy made me believe I could trust her. “Their father is my godfather.”
“So, your parents were what, like friends?” she asked as the server came to get our drinks.
I waited until she left to respond. “That’s what’s so strange. I didn’t even know I had a godfather. My parents never mentioned Donovan. Not once, but apparently, he was college friends with my dad.” It felt good opening up to someone. I just hoped my instincts were right about Poppy and she was someone I could rely on.
“Was your father in the mafia or something?”
I found the question strange. How did she make the leap from my dad knowing Donovan to the mafia? “No, why would you think that?” I asked.
Genuine surprise had her brows raising. “You haven’t heard about the Corvos?”
“Heard what?” I prodded.
The server returned, setting two Cokes in front of us. We quickly ordered food. Poppy pressed her elbows onto the table, leaning closer. “Supposedly, he’s some big-deal mafia head. It’s rumored he runs a local branch here in Elmwood. I say rumored because it’s just speculation. No one at school knows for sure especially because Kreed, Maddox, and Mason laugh off the rumors.”
I choked on my soda. “My godfather is the godfather?”
Poppy’s lips curved at the corners. “Yeah, pretty much.”
I blinked. “You’re kidding, right?”
Poppy shook her head, her voice dropping slightly. “I wish I was. All those fancy businesses he owns, word is, they’re fronts for illegal stuff—money laundering, smuggling, maybe worse.”
My stomach churned, but could I really see him as a mob boss? The problem was I could.
“I’m not trying to scare you. I just think you need to be careful in that house. There’s a reason why no one dares to mess with the Raven Crew. They’re untouchable—practically gods at this school. They rule the students, the staff, the teachers, and the streets.” She rolled her eyes. “Oh, especially on the football field. Kreed’s the quarterback, Mason’s a wide receiver, Maddox’s a linebacker, and Nash is a running back. Together, they’re unstoppable. They rarely lose.”
I stared at my burger, my appetite waning. The greasy scent, which had been mouthwatering minutes ago, now made my stomach twist. “So, what? Everyone looks the other way while they do whatever they want?”
“Pretty much,” Poppy said, popping a fry into her mouth. “People either worship them or steer clear. It was worse before their older brother went off to college. Four Corvos in one school. It was hell.”
I leaned back, my mind spinning. “Where do you stand? Are you an adoring groupie, or do you avoid them at all costs?”
She swallowed, tapping a fry idly against her plate. “My relationship with them is…complicated. I knew them before they stepped into the role of massive assholes.”
My brows lifted as I squeezed an extra dab of ketchup onto the side of my fries. “You were friends?”
She gave a half shrug. “Until they outcasted me.”
“Why would they do that?”
A flicker of something—hurt, anger, maybe even regret—crossed her face before she masked it with indifference. “I don’t like rules. Especially from those who try to control me. They changed, which is normally a natural thing when getting older, but I didn’t like the direction they were headed. And I called them out on it.”
I exhaled slowly. “This is some heavy shit for day one.”
The idea of Kreed being connected to something dangerous made me uneasy, but I refused to be intimidated. If he thought he could push me around because of his reputation, he was in for a surprise.
Forcing a small smile, I grabbed a fry and flicked it at Poppy. “Thanks for the warning.”
Poppy grinned. “Don’t thank me. I never had to live with them.” She paused, then held out her hand. “Here, give me your phone.”
I handed it over, watching as she swiftly entered her contact info and saved it. “Call or text me anytime. And I mean anytime. I’m not much of a sleeper.”
“Me neither. Not lately.”
Poppy shot me a knowing look. “Something else we have in common.”
She took care of the bill, and as we left Stacks, we had about five minutes to cut across campus and get to class. We were halfway across the field when Poppy suddenly cursed under her breath, her steps faltering.
My stomach tightened. “What?”
She didn’t need to answer. I followed her gaze, my pulse spiking when I spotted Nash and Mason heading straight for us, their cocky smirks already in place.
“Ah, look. Pops made a friend,” Nash said to Mason, elbowing him.
Poppy rolled her eyes. “Blow me, Nash.”
Mason’s smirk widened, and his light-green eyes gleamed with amusement. “Wasn’t it last Friday you were blowing Nash behind the bleachers?”
Poppy didn’t miss a beat. “Jealous?”
Mason tilted his head, his eyes flashing at me. “Maybe if you looked like my little kitten.”
My jaw tightened. “I’m not yours.”
Mason’s grin was lazy, full of challenge. “You will be.”
My lips curled into a smirk. “Better move fast. Your brother already tried to kiss me.” Pitting them against each other seemed like a dirty move and precisely what I was going for. It could also be dangerous, playing with lies, toying with their relationship, but if they were going to screw with me, I’d damn well fuck with them.
Mason’s smirk faltered just for a second. I saw it. That flicker of doubt. “Now that’s funny.”
I lifted a shoulder in a half shrug. “You don’t believe me?” Truthfully, it wasn’t a complete lie. I thought back to that moment outside in the dark with Kreed and the night Maddox fell on top of me drunk. Either one of them could have kissed me.
Mason’s eyes darkened, but whatever uncertainty he felt was quickly buried. His smirk returned, sharper this time. “Well, we do like to share.”
I folded my arms, meeting his gaze head-on. I could feel Poppy and Nash staring at us. “Great, then you can share this with your brothers. I’m not scared of you. It’s going to take a lot more than walking a few miles and stealing my shit to break me.”
Mason’s smirk deepened, a slow, taunting thing. “I guess we’ll have to step up our game.”
I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping just enough to taunt him. “Bring it. I’m ready.”
He let out a low chuckle. “I can’t wait to see you beg.”
As if. Only in his fucking dreams. “And I can’t wait to have you on your knees.”
He leaned in, kissing the tip of my nose. “Kinky. I’m looking forward to it, my little kitten.”
Poppy exhaled beside me, watching Nash and Mason walk away. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
I didn’t break eye contact with Mason’s retreating form. “Me too.”
Curiosity, but mostly spite, had me heading to the football field where the team was starting practice. I could have walked home. I thought about asking Poppy if she could drive me. What I really wanted to do was call my friends and have them kidnap me, aka bail me out of this shitty situation.
But if I wanted to gain any ground with the Raven Crew, I had to learn more about them and who I was living with.
They played football.
I knew the basics of the game. I wasn’t a big sports girl despite playing volleyball.
The football field buzzed with energy as I approached, the rhythmic sounds of cleats pounding against turf and the sharp whistle of the coach cutting through the air. I spotted Kreed almost immediately. My eyes went directly to him on the field, huddled behind the center, his athletic frame standing out as he sprinted back to catch the snap. His movements were fluid and effortless as if he was born to dominate the field.
He had the same presence off the field.
I crossed my arms, leaning against the fence and watching for a moment. Mason rushed down the turf, catching the ball Kreed hurled right into his waiting fingers. I hated to admit it, but something was mesmerizing about the way the team moved in unison with Kreed at the center of it all. It was almost enough to make me forget why I was there—almost.
Maddox caught my eye from the sidelines, his helmet dangling from his fingertips. I squished my nose up at him, giving him double middle fingers. The prick just winked at me.
As the team regrouped for another play, frustration bubbled up in my chest. I didn’t have the patience to wait until practice ended, and I certainly didn’t want to sit here and watch them play or stare at the group of girls drooling over their every move.
If I had to listen to the giggling coming from the stands every time Mason so much as touched the ball, I would either scream or pull their hair out.
What I wanted to be doing was arranging to meet my friends, and I was kicking myself for not just saying fuck my bag. So what if I lost my laptop. Surely, Donovan would get me a new one. The only thing that kept me here was the slight chance he wouldn’t, and that might put my graduation in jeopardy.
My gaze shifted to the locker room building at the edge of the field. It was quiet, the door slightly ajar. A daring idea sparked in my mind.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I slipped away from the field and toward the locker rooms. I glanced around to make sure no one was watching before slipping inside.
The distinct smell of sweat and body spray hit me in the face. I wrinkled my nose, keeping my breathing as shallow as I could. Rows of metal lockers lined the room, and the faint sound of the team’s practice echoed through the walls. I moved quickly, scanning the area for my bag.
The jackass better have brought it with him.
After a few tense minutes, I spotted it tucked beneath one of the benches. Relief flooded me as I crouched down to grab it.
“Looking for something, little raven?”
The voice sent a chill down my spine. I froze, clutching the strap of my bag tightly before turning around.
Kreed stood in the doorway bare chested, his practice jersey swung over his shoulder, sweat gleaming on his skin, a cocky smirk playing on his lips. His dark eyes glinted with something dangerous as he stalked toward me.
“I-I just—” I stammered, standing up straight as my mouth went wet. “Came to get what’s mine.”
He wiped his forearm over his sweaty brow. “In the boys’ locker room? Bold move.” He stepped closer, and I instinctively backed up, my shoulders pressing against the cold metal of the lockers behind me.
“I wasn’t going to wait all day,” I shot back, trying to sound braver than I felt. He needed to put a shirt on so my eyes wouldn’t be tempted to keep glancing at his chest.
Kreed placed one hand on the locker beside my head, leaning in until our faces were inches apart. I could smell the salt on his skin mixing with the cedar and ocean notes of his cologne. The stud pierced in his nose winked as the smirk on his lips faded slightly, replaced by something darker, more intense. “What would you have done if it hadn’t been me who found you?” he murmured.
“Rejoice.” Anyone had to be better than being alone with him.
“Even Maddox?”
Well, shit. Now that he put that thought into my head…
My heart raced, but I forced my gaze to remain steady on his. “All I want is my bag. You don’t have to make this a big deal.”
The crooked grin flipped my stomach. “Oh, but I do,” he said. “You can’t just waltz in here, snoop around, and walk out like nothing happened.”
“I wasn’t snooping!” I protested, my hand coming up to his chest to shove him away, but I didn’t get the chance. Or that’s what I told myself. My hesitation had nothing to do with the muscles under my palm or the heat seeping into my skin. Despite his cold eyes, Kreed’s skin was scorching.
His other hand came up, trapping me completely with a body too sculpted to be real. A carefully controlled expression masked my ability to get a read on him, but his eyes flicked down to my lips, giving me a glimpse under the mask.
My teeth ran over my bottom lip, and Kreed’s eyes snapped back to mine, the depths like a turbulent storm, causing my breath to hitch. The anger simmering in my veins was replaced by a different warmth.
Is he… Is he about to kiss me?
Physically everything about Kreed was beautiful, but that didn’t mean I had to fall prey to his good looks. Lots of guys were attractive, yet they didn’t have the intense starlight eyes Kreed did. Nor the sharp jawline or scowling full lips that I swore were begging me to bite them.
Just a quick nip , a voice in my head coaxed.
I didn’t know where the voice came from, but it had to stop. I couldn’t afford to have seductive thoughts about Kreed Corvo. We were living in the same house. His father was my guardian. And most of all, he was the biggest asshole I’d ever met.
He didn’t deserve my attention.
And I sure as hell didn’t want his.
The locker room door squeaked open, and I jumped at the intrusion because it felt as if this person interrupted something between us, but Kreed only angled his head to the side.
“Get the fuck out of here,” he growled at one of his teammates.
“Whatever you say, man,” the player replied, a knowing smile curling on his lips as if he caught Kreed and me doing something naughty.
Heat burned on my cheeks.
“Here’s how this works, little raven,” Kreed said softly, his voice like a razor’s edge. “You don’t get to make the rules. Not here. You want something from me? You ask. Nicely.”
“The fuck I will. I don’t ask for permission. Not from you,” I snapped, trying to push past him, but he didn’t budge.
“You’re out of your depth,” he countered, his smirk returning as he stepped back slightly, giving me just enough space to breathe.
I gritted my teeth, clutching my bag like it was a lifeline. “I got what I wanted. Now get out of my way. We’re done here.”
“For now,” Kreed said, his eyes smoldering.
I wished he wouldn’t look at me like that. It did something to me I didn’t want to acknowledge. No freaking way could I be thinking of Kreed as anything other than an asshole.
Stupid hormones.
I needed a boyfriend. Just not someone with the last name Corvo.
Jake and I broke up two months ago, and I was supposed to be enjoying the single life. Well, that was before I got shot. Finding joy in being free to date was hard when I was so sad inside.
Jake had been my first boyfriend, and we’d been together since junior high. I was surprised he hadn’t come to see me in the hospital or at least sent flowers. My guess was he was still royally pissed at me for breaking his heart.
But my ex was the least of my concerns.
I stormed past Kreed, my heart pounding, and as I was about to burst out of the locker room, someone else opened the door. Maddox. He shot me a curious glance before his eyes landed on his brother behind me. Without saying a word, I shoved by Maddox, and I didn’t stop walking.