Rebel (Graveyard Kings #1)

CHAPTER ONE

STORM

“Jello shots. You have to do these with me.” Athena shoved a tiny plastic container filled with red Jello into my hand. Without hesitation, she tossed back a green one.

I considered the shot for a moment before taking it. “Okay, but that’s the last one. I’ve already had a few drinks, and I have to help my mom move us into Larry’s tomorrow. A hangover is the last thing I need.”

My lifelong best friend wasn’t one to take no for an answer when it came to shots. She shoved an orange one at me, waving away my concerns. “You’ll be fine. Nothing a coffee and a shower won’t fix. Ooh, I love this song. Dance with me.”

Grabbing my hand, Athena dragged me to the dance floor. I tightly gripped my rum and coke in my other hand, trying not to spill. As much as I enjoyed a good party night, I could barely keep up with Athena when she got going.

Tomorrow my mom was moving my brother and me into her new husband’s house. I’d done my best to be supportive of their relationship. I wanted my mom to be happy. Lord knows she’d been miserable with my deadbeat father. That didn’t mean I wanted my life uprooted. Change was hard, especially when it meant moving from a small three bedroom apartment in the dumpy part of town to a big house that easily cost seven figures.

If I’d had it my way, I’d have moved out on my own. At twenty, I didn’t want to be living at home. Since I couldn’t afford rent while enrolled in university full time, I was stuck.

“Stop thinking so much,” Athena shouted over the music. “I know that look. Lighten up. Have some fun.”

Her long brown hair flew about as she danced her ass off to the Chappell Roan song that played. She was right. Feeling sorry for myself about my current living situation wasn’t helpful. Shoving it out of my mind, I took a drink of my rum and coke, dancing along with her.

It didn’t take long for a couple of guys to set their sights on us. They lingered on the edge of the dance floor, drinking while eyeing up the women. I accidentally made eye contact with one of them. I cringed. That’s all it took to get them moving in our direction. Shit.

I nudged Athena, leaning it to speak close to her ear. “Heads up. Incoming.”

She glanced at the guys and turned away, hoping it would be enough to send the message that we weren’t interested. We were both single but we didn’t come here to pick up guys. Correction. I didn’t come here to pick up guys, although Athena had brought home her fair share.

The guys weren’t deterred. They sidled up next to us, flashing unnaturally white smiles.

“Having a good time?” asked the guy with slicked back hair and a meager attempt at facial hair. His preppy friend hovered close, trying to catch Athena’s eye.

“Sure.” I nodded, thankful the music made it hard to talk much. I did my best not to engage, hoping they would go away.

No such luck. The preppy guy got right in Athena’s personal space, ignoring her subtle cues to back off. “Can we buy you ladies a drink?”

“No, thank you.” Athena shook her head, moving closer to me. “We’re good.”

“Why not?” the scruffy guy asked. “Are you here with someone?”

“Yes,” I said, firm but calm. “Each other. We’re not interested. Thanks anyway.”

The two guys exchanged a look. Preppy Guy grinned. “I’m pretty sure we could change your minds. Give us a chance. We’re nice guys.”

“Nice guys don’t have to tell women that they’re nice guys,” Athena pointed out. “We just want to be left alone.”

The two of us moved away from them, seeking out a new space on the dance floor. They followed right along with us. This kind of thing always made me nervous. It also made me mad as hell. Why couldn’t they move on and try someone else? I really didn’t want to have to throw a punch tonight. Last time the cops had been called. It had been a whole ordeal.

When the scruffy dude grabbed my arm to spin me around, I didn’t hold back. I threw my drink in his face. At the same time, I kicked him in the crotch. I wasn’t the type to look for trouble, but I also wasn’t going to take any shit.

“Don’t touch me,” I hissed. “We said no. Deal with it.”

“You stupid bitch,” he gasped out, clutching his balls, his face red and mottled.

My actions had drawn the attention of several people in the vicinity who watched curiously. One of the bouncers had also taken notice. He moved in quickly, escorting both guys to the door.

“I can always count on you to get rid of the losers. Good job, Storm. Looks like you need a new drink though.” Athena steered me off the dance floor, toward the bar.

Feeling someone’s intense stare, I glanced around, finding my watcher. He stood on the other side of the dance floor. His gaze locked on me, watching as I followed Athena to the bar. He must have witnessed our little altercation. Good. Maybe he wouldn’t bother messing with us then.

I found myself struggling to tear my gaze from his. That piercing stare seemed to cut right through me. A sharp jawline and perfect cheekbones gave him an intimidating air. Maybe that was simply the sheer intensity in his eyes.

Of course it might have been the tattoos that covered his neck and arms. Did they disappear under his shirt, coloring his body too? He looked firm. Hard. Damn, why couldn’t I look away?

“Should we do more shots?” Athena provided the distraction I needed. She patted my arm, drawing my attention back to her.

“No, I think I’m good. I’ll just have a hard lemonade. I need to take off soon. Big day tomorrow.” I shut down Athena’s protests before she managed to talk me into staying.

After we got our drinks, Athena dragged me over to a table filled with people she knew from campus. I followed along, trying not to look back to where my mysterious watcher had stood. Since I was transferring to Wintervale University next week, I should probably meet some people who went there.

As I made small talk and finished my lemonade, I continued to feel that sensation of being watched. Maybe I was imagining it. Having no interest in a bar hottie, I kept up the chit-chat with Athena’s acquaintances.

Upon finishing my drink, I stood up. “It was nice to meet you all. I have to take off now. Busy day tomorrow.”

Athena affected a dramatic pout. “Aww, I don’t want to leave.”

“It’s cool. Stay and have fun. I’ll get an Uber.”

“Are you sure? I can come with.” Athena started to get up.

I stopped her with a head shake and a raised hand. “No, really. Just hang out. I’m good.”

She gave me a hug before resuming her conversation. As I made my way out, I risked taking a peek at where I’d seen the tattooed guy. He was gone. Just as well. I wasn’t here to meet guys anyway.

I paused in the lobby to order an Uber before going outside to wait. It was a nice spring night. Not too hot or too cold. After being in the hot bar, the cooler outside air felt so good on my skin.

Moving away from the entry where people had gathered to smoke, I leaned against the building, watching for my ride. The sound of a muffled shout startled me. It seemed to have come from around the corner. This area could be dangerous at night, especially once the bar traffic died down. Still, it wasn’t all that late.

Curiosity convinced me to take a peek around the corner. Most of the businesses on that street were closed at this time of night. Not expecting to see much, I was shocked to see the guy who’d been watching me inside the bar. He wasn’t alone.

He and a friend were busy roughing up another man. They took turns hitting him, shoving him back and forth between them.

“Did you really think you could rip us off? You should know better than that.” My watcher dropped the man with a knee to his stomach. Pulling him back up by his hair, another punch in the face followed.

“I’m sorry,” the man gasped. “I didn’t know. It was my supplier. He screwed me.”

“Well, whose problem is that?” My watcher shoved the man into his friend. “Break his leg, Casper. This is his only warning.”

Casper was a large man with tattoos trailing down one side of his neck onto his arm in a full sleeve. His entire demeanor reeked of violence. I sure wouldn’t want someone like him pissed at me.

I was too busy gawking at the scene before me to realize I’d been spotted until it was too late. My watcher turned his head, nailing me with that fierce stare. Oh, shit.

I jerked back around the corner but it was too late. I’d been seen. Heart racing, I started walking back toward the bar.

“Where do you think you’re going?” His tone was low, his voice both sinister and sexy with a slight rasp and a husky edge.

He caught my arm, jerking me to a stop. Not waiting for me to answer, he pulled me around the corner and pinned me to the building. The musky, earthy aroma of his cologne crawled inside me, clouding me with his scent. His hard body pressed against me, holding me in place. A flutter in my stomach and a tightening between my thighs left me reeling.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” My voice came out breathy and faint.

Dark brown hair with a blonde streak off to one side in the front and blue eyes that flashed with a predatory gleam, he was both mesmerizing and terrifying. He didn’t look any older than my twenty years. Clearly, he was dangerous. Involved in something I shouldn’t have witnessed. I swallowed hard, blinking furiously.

“You should be more careful. There are a lot of bad people out here. You could get hurt.” Sliding a hand around my throat, he leaned in and murmured, “Do you want me to hurt you, pet?”

I vigorously shook my head. “No. Please. I didn’t mean to—”

He placed a finger over my lips, cutting off my words. “That’s the wrong answer. Try again.”

My mouth went dry. Fear racked me, adrenaline pounding through my veins. Unable to speak, I stared at him, wide-eyed and panic stricken.

“I was watching you earlier,” he continued. “You looked like a real fighter. Where’s that fight now? Show me.”

A wicked smile stole over his face. He cocked his head to one side, a silent invitation. He wanted me to fight? That couldn’t possibly lead to anything good. This was nothing like the annoying jerk in the bar. Of course, if this guy tried to hurt me, I had no choice but to fight. He knew that. He enjoyed it.

Gritting my teeth, I summoned my courage. “I am not fighting you. Let go of me.”

He stroked his thumb along the pulse in my neck, pressing against it. “Show me that fire you’ve got inside. Burn me, baby.”

The sheer delight in his eyes was enough to piss me off. This was a game to him. I was a game to him.

That helped to chase back my nerves enough for me to react. I brought my leg up to kick him in the balls like I’d done to the jerk in the bar. Ready for that, he blocked my knee, his smile growing.

“Come on now,” he laughed. “Did you think that was going to work on me? You can do better than that.”

“Rebel,” called the beaten man from down the block where Casper pinned him on his knees. “Please. I’ll do anything.”

He glanced over at the two men, giving me an opportunity. I took it.

My fist crashed into his face. Pain slashed through my hand. Blood gushed from his nose. I’d managed to catch him off guard, loosening his hold. Using all my strength, I shoved him away and ran.

My phone pinged as I rounded the corner. My ride had arrived. Without looking back, I ran full speed to the car parked near the bar, flinging myself inside. The driver shot me a curious look but didn’t ask any questions.

Might be time for Athena and me to find a new hangout. I never wanted to risk seeing that crazy asshole ever again.