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War and His ueen

Amo Jones

Villainous Pen Publishing

WarandHisQueen

ByAmoJones

Copyright2024AmoJones(VillainousPenPublishing)

Allrightsreserved Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,distributed,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,includingphotocopying,recording,translating,or otherelectronicormechanicalmethods,withoutpriorwrittenpermissionofthepublisher,exceptinthecaseofbriefquotationsembodiedinreviewsandcertainothernoncommercialusespermittedbycopyrightlaw. Thisbookisaworkoffiction Allnames,characters,locations,andincidentsareproductsoftheauthor’simagination Anyresemblancetoactualpersons,things,livingor dead,locales,oreventsisentirelycoincidental

Editor:SarahPlocher

Firstproofread:VirginiaTesiCarey

Finalproofread:RumiKhan

Coverdesign:JayAheer

Photographer:MichelleLancaster

TheEliteKingsClubleftatrailoffearbehindeverypersonwhowhisperedtheirnamesthroughoutthecenturiesthatthey’d existed.Theyweretheproductofeverynightmareyouweretoldasachild,onlynow,theydon’tgobumpinthenight.They racemodifiedcars,throwpartiestoconcealtheirmorbidgames,andleavebehindthekindofchaosthatcanneverbetamed TheywerefromanancientbloodlineofthethreeFoundingFathers,anditwasalmosttimeforthemtoplungedeeperintothe depthsofhell Nowthattheywereallontheirmotherland,andevenclosertoanislandwithhistoryasdarkasitwasruthless, noonehadasayinthecarnageofwhatwastocome.Andinthiscase,withWarandHalen.Untilnow,theywerenothingbut exactlyastheyappearedontheoutside

Hewasabrother’sbestfriend,andaboyHalenhadnevernotknown. Shewasthedaughterofoneofthemostfearedfamiliesknowntoman,andtheonlygirlwhoeverkindledhisrage.They’d pushandpulluntilittorethemapart ifonlytofeeltheshelloftheirbodiesclose Halenknewcrossingthatlinewithhimwasdangerousground,yetsheyieldedherweaponanddiditanyway.Buthistorywas beingchallenged,andtheKingswereabouttolearnthatnotallenemiesarediscoveredonabattlefield

Somearetheghostsofwhatwasleftbehind.

Ifyoudon’twanttoreadthetriggers,pleasestillreadtheauthornotebelow.

*Thisbookwillnotbethedarkestbookinthe Carpe Noctem series.Comparedtoupcomingbooksintheseries,Iwould considerthisslightlyabovemiddleground

Toreadthetriggerlistpleaseclickhere

Note:

Beforegoingintothisbookpleaseunderstandthatthesecharactersdonotholdback. Thisbookisforthemessyfolk Theoneswholovethetoxicityofaviolentlybondedcouple They’resadisticintheirmind gamesanddoeverythingintheirpowertobreaktheother,butifanyoneelsedares,they’llfuckthemup.Thisisan“Ican destroyyouasmuchasIwantbutifanyoneelseevensomuchasbreathesatyouwrong,I’llriptheirfuckinglungsoutand hangthemasanornamentonmywall”typebook.Frombothsides… Insayingthat(haha…)thisisabookoffiction.No,Iamnotthesethings,dowhattheydo,believeinthesamethingstheydo, nordothesecharactersrepresentwhoIamasawomanorahuman Theycanbe(attimes)aterrifyingfigmentofmy imagination.Usingmyartisticflairforchaos,Iallowthemtocontroleverystepofthewaywhenexecutingtheirstories. Idonotadviseanyonetopartakeinanyoftheactivitiesyoufindinside(pleasedon’t Idon’tlookgoodinorange) Thisbook isrecommendedforpeopleovertheageof18.Pleaseheedthetriggersandthisnotecarefully.Ihavewarnedyou.Ifyou’re newtodarkromanceandarenotfamiliarwiththecontentthatmaylayahead,youcancontinue,ofcourse,butknowthatthis serieswillnotbeakindfirstdate.Itwilltearthroughyourvirtueandleaveyoutheretobleedout. Imean,WarandHalenwon’tbeaterriblefirstdate,butifyou’restartingfromPriestandhisAnarchist,orStellaandher Outlaws,IwouldbackupandstartwithWar and His Queen

Ifyou’restillreadingandyellingatmetoshutthefuckupalreadysoyoucangettothegoodshit….

Leaveyourmoralshereandflipthepage…

To my readers. Yes, the men I write do want to fuck you just like that…

Halen

OUR PARENTS WOULD TELL STORIES ABOUT THE DAYS WHEN THEY WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL IN THE HAMPTONS INSTEAD OF Riverside.Ican’tthinkofanythingworsethangoingtoschoolinthefuckingHamptons.Nothingagainsttheplace,buthavingto existwiththemundanewhoknownothingoftheworldIwasbornintosoundslikeafuckingliability

Idraw inadeepbreath.I’vebeenwaitingthirtyfuckingminutes.Onlytheywouldmakemewaitatall andforwhat?It betterbeagoodreason.Iamtiredashell.Meandthegirlssatupallnightlastnightplanningwhatweweregoingtodo.How itwasgoingtobedoneandwhatkindofcarnagewecouldcreatewiththetimethatwehaveleftbeforetheritual.

Diggingthroughmyhandbag,somethingpinchesmythumbandIsuckitbetweenmylips astheclovers frommybracelet shineagainstthesun “Theseassholesbetterhurryup”

ElaboratepatternslinethegoldarchwaytothefrontdoorofHayesCastle.IwishIwasjoking.Ourhomeisanexcessive portrayalofmodern-dayregency,presentingadeceptiveimageofperfectionandgold

Leaningagainstthe entrywaytable nexttothe bifurcatedstaircase,Ihear cars pullingupoutside.Doors openandclose, andthenheavyfootstepspoundagainstthemarbleporch.Finally,bothdoorspartopen,andthere,standinginfrontofme,ismy twinbrother.

“Don’tfuckinglookatmelikethat,Halen.Thisisthefirsttimewe’renotallwaitingonyou.”

“Firstofall ”Itakeasteptowardhim,beforehewidensthedoorfurther,revealingWarandVadenoutonthedriveway “Wait,whyareyouallhereandnotalreadythere?”

Warliftshisarmtorestonthedoorofmycar,flashingmeawidesmirk Asidefrombeingpainfullyannoyingallmylife, hehasmadeithismissionfor aslongasIcanremember tomakeeverythingdifficultforme.Healsohasaperversewayof gettingoffonmydemise.

“Getinthecar,Halen.”

Witharaisedbrow,mymouthsnapsclosed.“Uhm,Iwasn’ttalkingtoyou.”

His tongue glides over his lower lip “Oh, youweren’t? Hmmm letme see where Icanfind the fucks Icangive you Maybethey’rebeneathmynine-inchcock.Getinthecar.”

“Shutthefuckup Bothofyou”Priest akasaidtwinbrother turnshisbacktomeandIwatchashemakeshiswayback downtohis ride.He opens the frontdoor,andItrace the lines ofhis flaredguards.Priest’s S15is the bestyou’dever see. Dumpedalmostonitsassandrollingwithdeepblackrims.Weallhavedifferentcars,buttheyallstickwiththesametheme. EvenourEurosdo

Black.Eventhenumberplatesthatwedon’thavetodisplay.

“Papisaway,youknow!”Icallout,flippingPriestoffbehindhisbackandshoulderbargingpastWaronmywaydown “Wannatrythatagain?”WarcallsoutfrombehindhisGTR.Thefactthathe stole theR32bodythatIwantedtobuildwhen wewerefourteen,andworkedittopushovereighthundredhorse,meantthatnotonlydidIneedtoimporttheR34fromJapan, butIthrewinaHakosukaforshitsandgigs.VadenthenmadeamaddashfortheS14,beforeWarwasanabsoluteassholeand tookadamnRX4.War’s32ispretty,though.Glossblackwithawidebodykitandbronzedeep-dishrims.Andthat’snoteven mentioningwhat’sunderthehood We’rejustonemassivefamilywithaGodzillacomplex WhichonlymeantRivergrabbed theHondaNSXandStellatheRX7Batty.Priesthasacollectiontoolongtodetail.

IcanalmostfeelthedaggersVadenisshootingatWar “We’relaughinguntilwe’renotandPriestshootsyoubetweenthe eyes.”

“Myaimisbetter!”Icallout,slidingintomy34 Ipushthestartbuttonandbreatheoutasighasshepurrsbeneathmelike awell-groomedbeast.

There’s a knockonmywindow. Iflutter mylashes up atmytwinand crankitdown. Our similarities end withour hair color WheremyeyesaregreenlikeMom’s,hisarehoneyhazelandrimmedblack Howhestandsatsix-sixandmefive-fourI

willneverknow.Themathisnotmathing.

“Yes,brother?”

“Don’tlookatmelikethat”Heflicksmyforeheadwithhisfinger “Youain’tracingatDevil’sCockpit”Mysmilefalls “I meanit,Halen.You’renot.Ineedyoutohangbackwiththegirlsfortonight.”

“What!”Isnap “DoIlooklikeababysittertoyou?”Itdoesn’thelpthatI’mtheoldestgirl,evenifnotbymuch Theothers don’tneedadamnbabysitter.ExceptformaybeStella.

“Youlooklikeyou’llbewhateverIwantyoutobe”Heleansdown,tossingamaskontothepassengerseat “It’sFriday thethirteenth.”

“Idon’twant ”Hestalksoffonceagain.MywindowclosesasIopenmySpotifyplaylist.Ineedbackup.

I tap my best friend’s number, checking my lipstick in the rearview mirror before directing my car out of the circular driveway.Riversideisasmallertown,withapopulationof13,534.Thepopulationisimportant,becauseanytimeitdrops,we makesureit’sfromnaturalcauses Ifanyonestepsintoourtownandinflictsharm,theyanswertoourFathers,andsoon to us.

“I’mready,buthearmeout ”

Islump againstmychair, narrowingmyeyes eventhoughIknow she can’tsee me. No one relied onme to take care of others,butIlikedtoanyway.It’slikeIwasbirthedwithanaturalflairtoprotectmyfamily,soI’dnevercomplain,butifthey thoughtIwas babysitting, thenmaybetheywouldn’tfindoutaboutwhatwereallydo Sometimes,andImeanmostlyeveryday,weneededafuckingbreak.Tobeawayfromtheglamour andgold,andjust… exist Dowhateverthefuckwewantwithoutourbrotherslookingdownonuslikepeskyhousecatsthathadn’tbeenfedintwo hours.

“I don’t want to hear youout, Evie!” EvelynPaige has beeninmylife since we were two years old. Mother said we reminded her ofher and her bestfriend Tate. Iwasn’tso sure ifthatwas true. Ilove AuntyTay, butthe bitchis as crazyas Mom.Iswear,weallwatchastheyenableeachotherthroughbaddecisions.Nowit’sshopping,holidays,andpettyrevenge.I can’timaginewhattheywouldhavebeenlikeasteenagers Evieisnotthat.Notevenclose.

“Youbetterbeready!”Itaptheindicatortoturndownherstreet It’salittleafterten,soit’squietwhenIpullmycarupto thecurboutsideherhouse,theRBenginerumblingbeneathmybutt.

Iopenanew texttoher,tuckingmylongchocolatebrownhairbehindmyear.Whenshedoesn’tanswer,Ipeerupather house.

All homes in Riverside are somewhere on the scale of big money energy, and Evie’s dad’s pockets were one of the steepestinourtown Herparentsownedabillion-dollarumbrellacompanyanddecidedtoraisetheironlydaughterhere To be giventhe rightto buyinRiverside, youhave to getcouncil approval, and thatcouncil is the Elite Kings. So, her family either has historytied to one ofthe tenFoundingFamilies, or theycame inbyjumpinginto Dad’s Consideringhis Forbes ranking,I’dsayitcouldbeacombinationofboth.

The lightontheir patioswitches onanda glimmer ofchestnuthair glows under the light.EvelynPaige was anythingbut basic Shealwayswentalloutwithheroutfits,evenwhenwe’dbechilling

Sheleisurelydescendsthewideporchwearingabeigematchingsetthatincludesashortskirt,alittlecroptop,knee-high beigebootsthathavearelaxedfitaroundherlegs,andalongtrenchcoat Shehasherhairinatight,lowbunandiswearing white-rimmedsunglassesthatcoverherambereyes.

Thepassengerdooropens,andsheslidesin,movingthediscardedmaskontothefloor

“Youlookhot, bitch, butare those myshoes?” She leans over the center to scanmyoutfit. Tassel-ripped, high-waisted, wide-bottomjeans withknee tears over the thighs, paired withAir 1s. Ikeptthe top simple witha tied white crop top that tucksbeneathmyboobs

“No.”Ihesitate,slidingintofirstgear.Shit.Theycouldbe.Sinceweallshareasimilarstyle,inawaythatnoneofusare consistent,Idon’tknowwholeaveswhatinmyroom

“Ihave your Dolce shoes, anyway.” She shrugs, tappingthe mirror downto checkher lipstick. “Figure youwon’tneed themsince youhave themineveryother color, and besides ” Iglare ather fromover myarm And besides what? “ you knowpinkisn’tyourcolor.”

Shehasapoint.“True.”

“What’stheplantonight?”

Itapmyfingeragainstthesteeringwheel,lookingbetweentheroadandtheLEDdashthatilluminatesthetime.

“Hales ”Hervoicebreaksthroughmythoughtsandsheshiftsinherseattofaceme “Iknowthatfuckinglook Whatare youthinking?”

“TheKingsaredoingtheirusualtonightandbeingbossywithit.”I’mnotsureifI’mthinkingatall,sinceI’mprettysureif IgetcaughtdoingwhatI’mabouttosuggestwedo,thatitwill endinoneortwoways.Thefirst?Priestwill lockmeinmy roomlike fuckingRapunzel and won’t let me out for weeks, or… War. War’s wrathisn’t somethingI particularlywant to

witness.

I pump the brakes whenwe reacha red light, myeyes flickingbetweenthe two signs infront of us. One points to the Riversidetowncenter,andtheothertothehighwaythatleadsstraighttoChevalierHill “Imean…” Evie teases as she removes her sunglasses. Her eyes glistenwithmischiefas she looks betweenme and the sign,rubbingherhandsdownherbrownthighs “Thiswouldabsolutelypissyourbrotheroff” “He’snottheoneI’mtryingtopissoff.”Isqueezethesteeringwheel. Eviepauses,raisingaperfectlylaminatedbrow SheknowswhoI’mreferringto “Whatdidhedonow?” Ipushtheclutchanddriveitintofirst.They’llbespillingthroughthesestreetsanyminutenowandwhentheydo,Idon’t wanttobehere.

Ipunchintheclutchandtaptheacceleratorwithmyotherfoot JustasIhitahighRPM,Ireleasetheclutchandslamthat samefootdownonthebrakesuntilmybacktireslosetractionandsmokeveilsthewindowsofthecar.EvieandIbothbreathe inthefamiliarsmellofhotasphaltandburntrubberasifit’soursignatureperfume

Droppingitintosecond,Ireleasethebrakesandfloorusforward.I’dnevergotoChevalierHill,butitwouldbefuntosee howfarwecanactuallygountilsomeone,orsomething,stopsus

Firststop:pickupthegirls.

Love was nothing more than a mask used to forgive someone for all the wrongs they did. Love didn’t exist. Obsession did.

Myfingerstouchedthetopofthewaterasmyeyesclosed BirdschirpedaroundthecrashingwaterfallasIdugmytoesdeeper intothesand.I’dwaitedforthismoment.TheelatedminutesthatpassedwhenIknewIshouldn’tbehere.

Iopenedmyeyesandlookedovermyshoulder.WherethehelldidRivergo?Ourtowelsweresprawledoutoverthesand asthesoundofMetallicaplayedthroughtheair.Ilovedithere.

WatercontinuedtoswallowmybodyasImoveddeeperanddeeperout.Assoonasthebiteofcoldevaporated,Idipped beneaththewater,holdingmynose MyskinnolongerprickledlikeafurnaceasIpushedupfromthesandyground,surfacing backtothetop.Iswipedmyeyescleanasinkbleddownmyhandsfrommymascara,andIspunaroundtofacetheshoreline onceagain,hopingtofindRiver,onlytocollidewithahardbody Myhandflew andlandedagainsthischest Iknew whoit was. Even without his telling tattoos, I’d know. The vehemence that followed himeverywhere was trailed by a tongue of flamesthatalwaysseemedtotastemeanytimehewasnear.Oneofthesedayshewasgoingtoswallowmewhole.

Stop, Halen Think Not that Not now.

“War…” Ishoved myselfawayfromhim, buthis hand snapped around myback, forcingme close. As ifhe knew thatI didn’twanthimtobenear,butmoreIneededhimto Indarkness,eventheviolentburnofhatredcouldleadyouhome “What thefuckareyoudoing?”Imanagedtowrithemywayaroundinhisarms,andjustwhenIthoughthewasgoingtoletmeswim totheshoreline,hishandwasonmybelly,pressingmebackagain

His fingers sprawled out over myskin. “Stop fuckingtalking.” I bit downonmybottomlip as mybreathcaught inmy throat.Ididn’tfuckingwanttostoptalking Iwantedtobeangryathimfor touchingme.Iwantedtoletthatfireburnuntil it turnedusbothtoash

Hebrushedhislipsagainstthesideofmyneckandfearpebbledovermyflesh.Fear,anger,hatred theywereallcooked withthesameingredientsusedtofueltheoneemotionthatwasabusedasmuchasitwaschased “Youwantthis Stopfucking playing.”Hisfingertipsskimmedthelineofmybikiniandmythighsclenchedtogether.“Idon’tknowwhy.AllI’ddoisbreak youopenandtearouteverysinglethingthatmakesyougood ”

Ipushedawayfromhimandthistimeinsteadofhimholdingmeinplace,heletgo.Iswamthroughthewater,annoyedwith myselffornotfightinghardenough.WhydidIletthathappen?

FuckWar

Andfuckthecasualtiesthathealwaysseemstotakedownwithhim.

“Yougood?”StellapeeredatmeoverherPradaglasses,holdingtworedSolocupsineachhand Hermidnightblackhair wasbraidedintotwofancyfishtailsoneithersideofherhead.“What’dhedo?”

“Nothing”Iswipedoneofthecupsfromher IftherewasonethingthatIwasgoodatdoing,thatwasignoringWar

Well…no,thatwasonlyahalf-truth.

Passingthepeopledrinkingneartheswingthatswoopsouttothewater,Ifollowedthetrailthroughtheclearing,stepping overbrokentwigsandflowers Devil’sCockpitstartsfromthebedofwaterontheothersideneartheskidpad,butyoucan alsocutthroughthistracktogettotheprivatesandycove.

Ihadn’tquitereachedtheendwhenIfelttheinvisibletouchofeyesfrombehind Maybeitwasthesilencebecauseofthe separationbetweenwhereIstoodandwhereIhadtogo,ormaybeitwasthewaythewindcurledaroundmyanklesandthat familiarweightofdreadfilledmystomach.

MyfingersprickledasIspunaround,onlytobemetwithnothing.NothingbuttheemptypathwaythatIjustwalked.Before Icouldoverthink,Icontinuedthroughthetrack.Thatsameweightfelltothegroundwhenashadowsteppedoutfrombehinda tree

Hewastallandlanky,andhadared-and-whitespiralearringhookedfromhislobe. Hisheadtiltedtothesideandmymouthwatered Hewaswaytoooldtobehere.

“Youlost?”Myfeetcarriedmetowherehestood,asthewindtossedaroundtheloosestrandsofmyhair. Ituckedalockbehindmyear.“I’mHalen,I ”Ipaused. Oh no Hedidn’tanswer.

Isidesteppedawayfromhim,butmyarmbrushedhis inpassing Blindingpaingrippedaroundmythroatas Ifell tomy knees.Icouldn’tbreathe.Theworldbegantocrumblearoundme. Thetrack Thesand.

Thelaughterandsoundsofshreddingtires.

Everythingdissolvedaroundmeashegrabbedmebymythroatandhauledmetomyfeet TheworldasIknewitwasno longer.

TheworldasIknewitwasbleak

MY BEDROOM DOOR CRASHES OPEN AS HALEN SLIPS INSIDE, RESTING HER BACK AGAINST IT WHEN IT CLOSES I STOPPED wonderingwhatthefuckgameshewasplayingatalongtimeago.ShewasHalenHayes.Thegirlgotawaywitheverything.

Literally

“Halen.”Prieststandsfrommybed,spillingweedalloverthecarpet.NotthatDadorMomcaredmuch.PrettysureMom atebrowniesonthedaily “Whatthefuckareyoudoinghere?”

EvenwithJ.ColeandJoynerLucasbeatingthroughthewalls,itdoesnothingtodistractPriest.

“Ah…likeI’mnotcomingifyouguysarethrowingaparty!”Sheflicksherlongbrownhairoverhershoulder,narrowing hereyesonallofus Shesettlesonme,becauseshealwaysfuckingdoes Myeyesfalltothecupshe’sholdinginherhand.“Youdrunk?”

“Hmmm?”Shestraightenshershouldersalittletootightly,asiftryingtoappearsober “No Unfortunately” Vadenwatchesherclosely,hiseyesdarkening.“She’soffherface.”

“Aw,Vade…”Shedropsherbottomlip.“WecouldbetyourR35thatI’mnot.” PriestpointsathistwinwitharolledJbetweenhisfingers.“Godownstairs.Now.I’mtakingyouhome.”

“Youcan’t.You’redrunk.”Ipushupfrommybed,holdingherstare.“I’lltakeher.”We’dbeenavoidingeachothersince herthirteenthbirthday Prettysureshemadeanextraefforttostayawayfrommeafterthat Priest tucks the joint behind his ear, closingthe distance betweenthe two ofthem. He lowers himselfto her eye level, whichismorethanawholefootshorter “Youweresupposedtobeathome”

Shechallengeshim.“Iwas.AndthenIdecidedthatIwantedtogetdrunk.Luckyforme,youguysmakethateasy.”

“I’lldropheronthewaytoEmma’s.”Thepartyissmallrightnowbecausethenightisyoung.It’sbarelyninep.m.andshe isclearlyalreadyoffhershit.Inacouplehours,thehousewillbefilledwithdrunkfuckboys,andwell…Dadsaidnoblood onthecarpet.

Iwaitforhimtoanswer,carefularoundthesubjectofHalen Priestdidn’tgivemuchofashitaboutanything,butwhenit cametohissister,hefolded.Notalways,becauseshelikedtousehispatienceasafuckingjumprope.Heleavesheralonebut make no mistake, he’s always watching her They were called the Shadow Twins growing up She was daylight, he was darkness,andeverywhereshewent,hewouldbethere.Priestwasherveil,andifanyonetriedliftingthatshit,he’dslityour fuckingthroatandwearyourorgansasjewelry.

Priestignoresher,keepinghiseyesfixedonmine “Lockherinherroomwhenyougetthere”

“Errr I’mrighthere!” she snaps, takinganother step closer to Priest. Igrab her bythe arm, openingthe door withmy otherandhaulingherassdownthehallway

“War!”shegrowls,hittingmyhandaway,whichonlymakesmesqueezeharder.Idon’treleaseher until we’redownthe stairs,outthefrontdoor,andI’mthrowingherintothepassengerseatofmyRX4

“Youreallygonnahandlethat?”VadenasksfromtheshadowsonthepatioasIslamherdoorclosed.Heflickshiscigarette ontotheconcrete.“Ordoweneedtogooverhowwedon’tshitwhereweeat?”Heraisesasingledarkbrowatme,takinga carefulstepoutoftheshadows Theglowofthegardenlightsdetailshisface,flauntingoneblueeyeandonebrown “Orhow wealltookanoathbetweenusthatwewouldn’tfuckaroundwitheachother.”

Ifliphimoff,reachingforthedoorhandleonthedriver’sside “Youdon’thavetotellmeshit”Thatoathwasbullshit We allknewit.Itwasmadefor me byme. Theyallsimplyagreed.

PriestknewwhyIdidit Hewastoosmartnotto

Iswingthedoorclosedandpumptheclutch.TherotaryenginepulsesbeneathmelikeasongIcouldplayonrepeat,but Halenreaches for the radio anyway. Tensionsnaps betweenus, butshe wouldn’tbe able to stayquietfor long. Itisn’tuntil

we’redownthelongdrivewaythatsheturnsthemusicoffandshiftsherbodyaroundtofaceme.Iknewshewasgoingtosay somedumbshit,butIwasn’texpecting…

“Ineedyoutofuckme”

Islamonthebrakesandshefliesforward,onehandonthedash.“Whatthefuck,Halen?”

Her emerald eyes widenonme as her fingers rake throughher hair to pile itontop ofher head “It’s a simple request, War.”Sheshrugs,herlonghairnowtiedinahighpony.“Please?Ineedto ”Shepausesamoment,hereyesdriftingoffinthe distancebeforeherheadshakesandshe’sbackonme “ scrubmyV-cardandI’drathernotfuckanypeasantsfromschool” Mymouthopensandthencloses.I’veneverbeenspeechless,butofcourseitwasherwhowasthefirsttodoit.

“Stopfuckingtalking.”Iturnbacktotheroad,shiftingintofirstgear.I’mabouttoreleasetheclutchwhenherfingerswrap aroundmychinandshe’sforcingmyattentionbackontoher HalenandIhavealwaysbeenanogo Brotherhoodoathaside, I’dnever doit.It’s whyIputthe fuckingthinginplace tobeginwith.Ididn’tdoitfor anyone else butmyself.Thenthere’s Priest AndBishopfuckingHayesasherdaddy Yeah,you’vegotabetterchanceofgettinglaidinafuckingnunnerythanme ever hittingthat.

“War,I’mserious” Myeyes drop toher lips They’re onthe puffyside Always lookinglike she’s beenkissed waytoo fuckingmuch. Theysuit her diamond-cut face. Thicklashes surround emerald greeneyes, and her cheekbones are highand sharp until she smiles. She’d always been cute. If cute meant she could also break your nose with her right hook. True fucking story Buttonightwas the firstnightIrecognized justhow muchher features had changed Somewhere betweenthe littlegirlI’dknownallmylifeandthiswomanshewasgrowinginto,waswhoeverthispersonwaslookingbackatme,asking metofuckher Fuck.

IwouldbelyingtomyselfifIsaidshewasn’thot.Butthatdidn’ttakeawaythefactthatshewasaHayes. Fuck. That.

Herlashesfanoutoverhercheeksasshesearchesmyeyes.Idon’tevencarethatI’vestoppedinthemiddleoftheroad andthatthereisachancewecouldbespottedsinceeveryoneknewwhoownedourcarsinthistown,evenourexoticrides “Halo…”

I don’t even get to finish my sentence before she’s sliding over the center, gripping me fromthe back of my neck and loweringherselfontomylap.

Myhandcomestoherthroatoutofinstinct,butinsteadofithelpingmysituation,allitdoesisshowthetattoosonmyhand againsthervirginfuckingskin.

Sheblushes,andjustwhenIthinkshe’sgoingtopanicandtellmetolethergo,thecornerofhermouthcurvesupandher teethcatchherbottomlip “Okay,thenlet’splay”

“Fuckme…”Igrowl,mypatiencewaning.Ifthisisallit’sgoingtotakeformetoquestioneverything,thenshit.Ineedto distractmyself Distance Ineedmoredistance

“I’mtrying!”Sherollshereyes.Icatchherhipswhenshethrustsagainstme,shovingherbackintoherchair. Herheadhitsthewindow.“Ow!”

“Staythefuckthere Imeanit”

“Fine!”Shewhacksdownthemirror,fixingherlipstick.“Butdon’tsayIdidn’tcometoyoufirst.”

Now

ThatwasalmostsixyearsagoandasmuchasneitherhernorIhaveeverspokenaboutitagain,Ikindofwanttoeverytime she’saround,justtotormenther.Havewestayedawayfromeachothersince?Yeah.Itwaseasyenoughtodo,untilwewere alltogether Whichisalmosteveryfuckingday Idon’tthinkanyofushavegonelongerthanaweekfrombeingapart Sowedidwhatwehadto.PeopleinRiversidewouldn’tsomuchas breathenear anyofthosegirls withoutus knowing about it It’s hard to try and get with a girl whose family is part of the most feared criminal organization known to man Organizationis probablyputtingitlightly. It’s a order. Awayoflife. Generationthroughgeneration, we have controlled all sectorsofpowerintheworld.Dubbedthemodern-dayilluminatifromconspiraciststhroughouttheyears.They’realmostright. Onlythey’renot

It's kepttheweakawayfromthegirls.Ifyou’renotuptosteppingupagainstus,thenyoudon’tdeservetohavethemon theirknees It’sawin-win

“Yo!”IwhistleouttoVadenasheslidesintohisjacked-upR35.Itossthe Scream maskathimandhecatchesitinmidair asIopenthedriver’sdoortomyR32 Iguttedthefuckingthingfromthegroundup,dumpeditonitsass,anddresseditupwith deep-dish rims. Currently, it’s pushing eight hundred horse, which is nothing if you compare it to Vaden’s new Hennessey Venom,butit’sstillthefastestJDMwehaveandIdidn’tpayacouplemillforit. ThemaskhangsoffVaden’sfinger “Thefuck?What’swiththecheesycliché?Theonlymaskthattouchesthisfaceismy million-dollarCalvaria.”

“Putthefuckingthingon”Priestopensthedoortohis180SX Hepauses,lookingdownatmyJasonmask “Timetoplay

Halen

I REV THE ENGINE LOUDLY OUTSIDE THE VITIOSIS MANOR, AFTER EVIE AND I WENT HOME QUICKLY TO SWITCH OUT CARS THE Hakosukais the favoritechild.Paintedivorywithblacked-outbadges,she’stheperfectrideordie.Earlyon,wehadtochange theenginebecauseolderGTRsdidn'tcomewiththeRB Butnow,she'saweapon

Whenshetakestoolong,Islidemyassupontothecardoorthroughthewindow.TheVitiosismanoroffersdirectmountain views due to its secluded location. It incorporates modern-day gothic architecture, featuring glass windows, sleek black paneling, and Marquina marble stoneware. Our parents started developing Elite Boulevard, which now extends across the entirelandbehindRiverside,duringtheirpregnancies.

DownElite Boulevard, is Hayes, Vitiosis, and MalumLane The first house youcome across is Hayes Castle, situated betweenMalumand Vitiosis. Brantleyand Saint, Stella and Vaden's parents, decided to build theirs ata safe distance from civilization AlloftheKingshavebeenbuildingtheirownhousesforyearsnow,andlastIchecked,Priest’swasalmostready Wehadn'tseenanyofthembecauseeachhouseishiddenfromview,branchingofffromourparents'land. Naturally.

Thechandelierhangingfromtheceilingcastsaflickeringlightoverthepatio.Theirlaughterfillstheairastheystumbleout thedoor,their tangledlocks achaoticmixofblondeandraven.Stellahas her midnighthair inaponytail,braideddownher back,whileRiver'ssandywaveshavebeenironedflat

River chose a sleekstrapless minidress inblackwithside slits and thigh-highstrapped heels, while Stella opted for a glossy,form-fittingblackstraplessminidressandcoordinatingthigh-highboots

“I said not to make me wait!” I raise a brow at myother two sisters, before slidingbackinto the car and windingmy windowup.

WhileStellapilesinandslamsthedoorclosed,Riverleansforward,herarmbrushingagainstmine.“Firstofall,”herhair fallstooneside,“youandIbothknowthatwehadtoallwaitforthepackofdemonstogoplaywiththeirtoys.”

“Ifeel likethey’regettingworsewithage”Evietosses thebagofcoketoRiver SinceStellais acoupleyears younger thanus,wemostlytrytokeepherawayfromtrouble.Butshe’seighteen,andasmuchaswe’vetriedtoshelterherfromalotof shitgrowingup,she’saKing She’sgoingtowanttoplay …andshedoes.

Evieturnstome.“Well,whereto?NewYork?Please!IwonderifIcanfindthatone ” Suppressing a laugh, I steer us around the circular driveway that takes us down the mountain and back onto Elite Boulevard.“HaveyounotbeenonSnapchat?”

EvieshakesherheadslowlyasStellaleansforwardandturnsthemusicup “FighttheFeeling”byRodWaveplaysthrough the subwoofers. “No!” she yells, just as her phone lights up. Iwatchas the two little lines that appear betweenher brows slowlydisappearandthecornerofhermouthtwitches “Oh,perfect”

Iturnthemusicdownasmidge.“Yup.”Myeyesmeetthegirlsintheback.“I’vebeenthinking.Wecouldstartsomething similar to Devil’s Cockpit, but without thembeing annoying.” I pause, thinking over my next words. Whatever they do on Perditaisinawholedifferentgenreofplaytime Perditaisourmotherisland,andisashortthree-hourflightoffthecoastof Riverside.Theislanditselfisoccupiedbyourownpeople,andcivilianswhoareconnectedtothetenFoundingFamilieswho prefer toliveinalawless society It’s runbyabitchIhate,andweaponizedbyabunchofboys whohavebeenbredonthe islandforhundredsofyears.TheLostBoys.Onlytheyaren’tboys.They’reascalmasRedRidingHood,butashungryasthe wolf

StellapeeksupfromthebackafterscrollingthroughtheprivateSnapchat.“YoustartedsomethinginBayonetFalls?That placeisabandoned,isn’tit?Sincethewarbetweenthey who shall not be named andus.”IchokeonmylaughatStella’spoor attemptoftryingtonotbringuptheGentlemen

“Yeah,butthat’swhyit’saperfectplacetohavethem.”

“Bythem,youmeanraces?Actually,agoodidea.It’sbetweenRiversideandChevalier Hill,soit’snotfuckingwiththe treaty,and ”

She raises her index finger, flashing her ten-carat radiant diamond ring. Our fathers ice us out with every birthday, drowningusindiamonds I’msurethere’sahiddenmeaningbehindwhy,andI’mcertainithastodowithintimidation “ mostimportantly, we cando whatever the fuckwe want.” The sweetsmoke ofzaza fills the air as Stella hands itto Evie “Youknowtheythinkwe’reallvirgins”

Myteethcatchmyliptostopmysmile.“Onlybecauseweallowthemto.”

I guide us through the forested landscape of Vitiosis Drive. Riverside may have over thirteen thousand residents, but everyone,includingpeoplewhodon'tlivehere,knowwhoweare

Usgirlscameupwithaloopholewhenwewereyoungtokeeptheboysfromfindingoutaboutanythingwedo.Wewould driveintothecityandhitpartiesthere Itwasafour-hourdrivethereandfour-hourdrivehome,butweusuallyleftonaFriday andcamehomeonaSaturday.

Playingwithlieswaseasy,sincewewereallinitforeachother Deepdown,Iknewnoneofuswantedtobecaught,yetit grantedusfreedom.Freedomtobearoundpeoplethatdidn’tknowus,ourparents,orourfamilies.Atleastnotpersonally,and iftheydidfigureusout,itwaseasytosaythatrumorswerejustthat rumors.

Of course, we don’t kill people

No, my pop wasn’t the president of the United States of America for two whole terms while also helping run a secret order

No, we don’t gather and drink each other’s blood during a ritual to take over when it’s our time.

TheEliteKingswerenotoriouslyknownamongstcirclesthatwewantedtostayaway from.Wewantednormalcy.Tosnort cokeoffeachother’s tits andmakeoutwithrandomguys.Thatwouldnever happeninRiverside,or anywherenorthtoward New York. So, we wentinthe opposite direction, hoveringaround smaller cityfolks who are too busyand uptightthatthey don’tcareaboutwhat’sgoingonaroundthem Thestraight-lacedkind

Evie didn’t need to be withus since she wasn’t a King, but she knew enoughwithout knowingtoo much. She was the populargirlatschool Everyonewantedtobeherfriendbecausethat’showEviemadeyoufeel Wanted Cherishedandloved Shewasthehumanitytoourfamily,andIthinkherfatherwasthattoDadtoo.

River’sflashtoherphoneispoppingoffintheback,beforeshedirectsittowardmeandEvie.Iflipmymiddlefingerup, andEviestickshertongueouttotheside.

Lostinafitoflaughter,Iturnbacktotheroadandhitthevolumeup.

ThemomentwepassthefarewellsignasweleaveRiverside,Idropitintothirdandfloorit Thedeeperyoudriveonthis highway,thecleareritishowverylittlepeoplecomedownit.Itwouldhavebeenyearssincecarsdrovethisroad,sincethe onlyplaceitleadstoisanabandonedtown,andtheonetownthatwehaveatreatytoneversetfootin Thesimplisticstraight roadwithbumpsofhillsandnothingsurroundingusbutwoodlandsoneitherside.

I’m laughing at River and Stella lip-synching “Low Life” for whatever TikTok trend is happening right now, when somethingrunsoutinfrontofmycar MyskinpricklesandIscream,slammingonthebrakessofastthetiresskidtoahalt Eviehitstheradiooffassecondspassinsilence,andIturn,checkingthembriefly.“You’reallokay?”

Stella has her handover her chest “Yes,butwhatthe fuckwas that?” Itdidn’thelpthatthere are nostreetlights or road lights,soallthatwecouldseewasdirectlyaheadofusthroughtheheadlights.

“Idon’tknow ”Iwhisper,leaningbackinmychair “I’llcheck” Imovetoopenthedoor,butEvie’shandcomestomyarmtostopme.“Beforfuckingrealrightnow.Thisishoweveryone diesinevery movie.”

“This isn’ta movie It’s Riverside Whichmeans it’s worse” Iopenmydoor and myJordans hitthe pavement Iwalk around the front of my car, where headlights beam toward the endless road of darkness. Someone is curved to the side, clutchinghisstomach “Shit”Idropbesidehim,squeezinghisarmtorollhimontohisback

Wearingnothingbuta pair ofripped jeans and boots, there’s a deep gashover his ribs where blood weeps from. He’s clearlyunconscious IpausewhenInoticethe Scream mask “Jesus…didwehithim?”Evieasks,hereyeswideonhisbody.

Iscanthefrontofmycar.“Ifwedid,hewouldhavedonedamage.Oldcarslikethiswouldn’ttaketoitverywell.No.I thinkheranoutforhelp”Ipushup,pointingtohisbody “Stayherewithhim Ineedtocallmydad”Irunbacktomycarand leaninthroughthedoor.

Riverclearsherthroatfromthebackseat,flickinghernails “YouandIbothknowwhatthisis”

“Iknow.ButEvieishere,andIdon’twanttohavetohavethatconversationwithher.Ever.”

“Ithinkit’sabouttime.”Stellasighs,restingherheadonthewindow.“Youkeptourworldfromherlongenough,andshe knowstheEliteKingsClubexistsandthatourfamiliesarecrooked.Thisisjusta hey, yeah, so on top of that, we also ” “ Halen!He’smoving!”

“Well,atleasthe’snotdead,”Rivermumbles.Iknowthey’reright.Iknowthatbeneathitall,I’vekeptEvieawayfromthe dramaofourworld,notbecauseIdidn’ttrusther,butbecauseIdidn’twanttoputherindanger.Maybedoingthatwasplacing herinthedirectlineofit Priesthasbeenonmyassforyearsabouttellinghereverythingsowedon’thavetotiptoearound her.Sheiswithmeeightypercentofthetime.Itmakesthingsdifficult.

AloudhowlvibratesthroughthetreesintheforestoneithersideoftheroadasImakemywaybacktothem Eviejumps, turningfromlefttoright.“Whatthefuckwasthat?”

“Awerewolf?”Ijoke,leaningbackdowntotheguyontheroad Absrippleoverhistorso,hisskinnakedoftattoos Itear offmyjacket,ignoringthecoldbitethatleavesteethmarksovermyskin,andrestitagainstthewoundonhisribs.Hegroans beneaththemask,soIslowlypeelitoff.

Jesus Please don’tknow this guy Please tell me these idiots haven’tfinallytakentheir shittoo far and they’ve actually killedsomeoneonland.Thoughheismoving…

“Hey ”Islaptheguy’sface,aroundhishighcheekbonesandlargersetlips There’sabumpinhisnosefrombeinghitone toomanytimes,andadustingofabeardoverhisjaw.

Hiseyespeelopen,restingonme “Damn ” Iraiseabrow.“Okay,playa.Where’dyoucomefrom?”

Hecoughs,keepinghishandonhistannedstomachashetriestolifthimselfofftheroad.

“Hey!Staythere”Iforcehimbackdownwithashove Heclearshisthroat.“I Imustbelost.”

Ibringhisfacebacktominebyhischin “I’mHalen HalenHayes” Hisfacepales.“I’mlost.”Clearly.Whatthefuckisgoingon?

IpeerupatEvie,whococksherheadtotheside,lookingbetweenmeandtheguy.Therehavebeentwotimesinmylife whereEviehasfoundherselfinapositiontoaskquestions.Shealwayschoosesnotto.I’llwaitforthedaywhenshefinally does, and thenI’ll allow her to decide what she wants to do. I canhandle that later. Right now, I need to find myfucking brother

“I’mgoingtoneedyoutogetup.Areyouhurtanywhereelsebesidesyourribs?”

“No Idon’tthinkso”

Iplacemyhandunderhishead.“Ev?Help?”

“Ah…” She shuffles onher shoes,lookingbacktothe car.“This a goodidea? Halen,we don’tknow him,andIgetthat you’rethisbigdogandyourfamiliesarealluntouchable,forwhateverreason,butthey’renothererightnowandhecouldbea killer!”

Theguychokesonhislaugh “That’sfuckingrich” “Okay,buddy.Shutthe fuckupandgetup.” Ijerkhimforcefully,andhe finallylets me move himoffthe road,shuffling onto his feet Iwrap his armover myshoulder and directhimto the passenger side ofthe car “Ev, getinthe backwiththe girls.”

“Halen…”

“Evie!”Iwidenmyeyesather,openingthepassengerdoorwiththehandI’mnotholdingthebleedingstrangerwith “Fine.” She moves past us both, jumping into the back seat. I lean down and move the passenger chair back farther, dumpingtheboydownandleavinghismaskonhislap Ishuthisdoorandroundthefrontofthecar,pausingwhenIreachmy side.Laughterandmorehowlstearthroughtheforest,andforamoment,IthinkIseeshadowsmovebehindthetrees.

Irollmyeyes,slidingintothedriver’sseatandturningthekeyover “Sadists”

“What’sgoingon?”Evieleansforward,andwithherliterallybreathingdownmyneck,Iknowthere’snowayout. “Thiswasourbrothers.”

“Yeah,Iknowtheydothatweird whatever thingit’scalledeveryFridaynight”

That’s aboutas far as her knowledge will go,the same as everyone else whoattends.The poor idiotbleedingoutinmy passengerseatincluded

“Butisn’titjust,like,ahuntinggameorsomething?”

“Orsomething ”Riversnickers

Themoretimepasses,themoreweareallonedgeabouttheritual.Iknow theboysaremoreinvolvedintheworldthan wearerightnow,butthatwasn’tbychoice.Itriedtofightformoreposition,butitdidn’twork.Mombrokethewayforgirls, orasweusedtoberudelynamed,Swans,butthewaypavedisclearlyonlyforthemenoftheEKC

AmImad?Notreally.Ourtimewillcome,butinthemeantime,theirhobbieshavebecomereckless.It’sonlyamatterof timebeforeitlandsintheFathers’hands,ortheybecomeaworldwideissue

Theguybesidemeshufflesaroundtofaceme,hisbodyslidingdowntheseat.

“IfyougetbloodonmycustomRecaroseats,ohlostone,Imighthavetofinishwhatmydearbrotherstarted.”

“Ohthis?”Hegesturesdowntohisside,liftingmyjacketfromhiswound.“Wasn’tPriest.”

“Ofcourse,itwasn’t.”Ibatmylashesdownathim.“Mybrotherdoesn’tlettheevidencerunfree.”Iturnbacktotheroad,

rollingmyeyeswhenIseetheWelcometoRiversidesign.Thiswasagame.Thehighofachase.Theyalllovethechase,but thisonehasWaralloverit.

Justaswepassthesign,Ihookasharprightanddriveusdownthefamiliarroad Voidoflightsandasphalt,wejoltinour seatsthroughthebumps.It’snothingbutanarrowdirtroadinthemiddleofaforest.

“Fuck Can you slow it?” The guy beside me groans, shuffling further up his seat, and I press the accelerator more, smirking.

Heblanches “Ornot”

Itfeelsliketheroadgoesonforever,untilwereachtheclearanceandseethewidefield.Thewaterrushesfiercelydown themountainandintotherenownedwaterholebelow,thenaturalpoolsurroundedbylargetrees.Abonfireragesnearbyinthe darkness,wherecarsareparkedandlinedaroundtheedge,markingthestartofDevil'sCockpittrack

People spill out around the space, drinking and laughing amongst each other, but I ignore them all and drive directly forward,breakingupacircleofjocks

Whentheyseemycar,noneofthemcomplain.

“Ican’tbelieveyou’rebringingmehere Whatasetup ”

“Hey.”Ileavetheengineidlingandremovemybelt.“Noonetoldyoutojumpoutinfrontofmycarandruinournight.”I reachformyphoneandopenSnapchat,sendingoutamessageinthegroupchatthatwasforthemeetupinBayonetFalls.

“Forhelp ”Heglaresatme,butthecornerofhismouthcurvesinasmirk “Ididitforhelp”Ihatetoadmitit,buthe’sa littlecute.Ifthewholewoundedpuppythingdiditforme.

Ormaybeitcould SinceWardecidedtohavehislittletoylanddirectlyonmylap,whynotwindthatbitchupandletit dance?

“Ew.Ican’tbelieveourweekendisruined,”Rivercomplains,tappingonthepassengerseat.“Hurryup,asshole.Getout sowecanleave.”

“Youknow,youguysareallquitecharming.Anyoneevertellyouthat?”Hereachesforthedoor,andmyeyetwitcheswhen Irealizehe’llleavebloodthere

“Yes,”Ianswersweetly.“Mydaddydoeseverynightwhenhetucksmeintobed.”

Helaughsbutstumblesout Ishovemysideopenandfollowbehindhim,roundingthefrontofthecar Devil’sCockpitis theRiversidemeetup,whereeveryonewhoattendsRiversideEliteUniversityandRiversidePrepcomeseveryweekend. Thisisthestartingpoint,whichthencarriesonthroughthebackofRiversideagainstthecliffsthatdropouttotheocean, before loopingaround once youhitthe fence line ofElite Kings Estate and comingbackto Devil’s Cockpit. This isn’tyour averagetrack.It’srough.Ifyou’renotskilledenough,youdie.Pointblank.

It’smoretheirlittlegamethattheyparticipateinbehindtheguiseoftheracesandpartyingthatnooneknowsabout It’sall adecoyforwhat’sreallygoingondeepintheforest.Idon’tknowmuchaboutitsinceweneverspenttimearoundhere.Infact, wemadeitourmissiontobeasfarawayfromRiversideaspossiblewhenwecould,muchlessduringweekends Untiltheirsubjectjumpedoutinfrontofmycar.

“Halen!” Connor, one ofthe varsityplayers who attends Riverside Elite, nudges his head up atme, while liftinghis red Solo cup I smile but it doesn’t reachmyeyes He’s onlyever bold enoughto sayhello to me whenhe’s drunk Bunchof fuckingidiots.Allofthem.AlltooafraidoftheKingstoactuallytalktoanyofus.

Ican’tsayIblamethem

Myheadlightsbeamontowherechoppedlogsaresplayedoutbehindthefire.War,Priest,andVadenareall sittingthere withanarrayofgirlsaround oron them

Priestemptieshisdrinkandshovesthegirloffhislap.Stumbling,sheletsoutayelpbeforehittingtheground.

“Howembarrassing,”Eviemuttersbelowherbreath.“I’mgettingadrink.”

“Don’tevenfuckingstart”Iglareatmybrotherashegetscloser

People separate farther awayfromus, stumblingand dancingamongsteachother. The music is loud enoughthatpeople can’t hear our conversation, but me and Priest fightingis nothinganyone hasn’t seenbefore I love mybrother Evenwhen we’re fighting. Evenmore so whenwe’re fightingbecause atleasthe’s showing something. Ihave to keep himhere, inhis humanity Evenifthatinvolvesrage

“Whydidyoubringhimbackhere?”

“WherethefuckelsewasIsupposedtotakehim?”

“Fuck”Priestgrabstheguybyhisarm,forcinghimovertowhereWarandVadenare Iturnslowlytofacethegirls,annoyed.Evie’shidingherlaughbehindherhand.

“Areyoulaughing?”

Herhandslips.“Yes?”

“Weshouldhavejustlefthim,”River complains,followingPriest.Stellalooks betweenthebothofus,cominguptomy sideandhookingherarminmine.

“Ididn’tdressforthiskindofvibe.”

“I’ll postponeBayonetFalls.”Iwidenmyeyesather,andweall follow Priest.Myphone’svibratinginmypocketbutI know that if I take it out now, the questions will start. WhenI sayI can’t breathe without one of themknowinghow many breathsI’vetakenaday,Imeanit It’salmostlikewhenyouhavestrictparents,butallitdoesismakekidsdisobey kindof likethat.Exceptwe’vebeensmartaboutitforyearsandtheydon’tknowanything.

Firecracklesthroughtheair,itsflamesstretchingoutintothevacantnight,astheMilkyWayduststheskyinadecorationof starsandthefullmoon.

Priestshovestheguydownontotheground “Shutthefuckupandyoumightactuallylivetoseeyourteammates”Helooks towardsWar,butIresisttheurgetofollowhisgaze.

War isaho.All ofthemare,withtheexceptionofVaden.Priestisselectivewithwhohesleepswith,inasensethathe usuallyjusthoversaroundoneortwogirlsandbouncesbetweenthemboth,butWarhasacollection Tillietoldmehegotit fromNate,andyouknowwhat?Icantotallypicturethat.

“WhyisEmmaonWar’slaplikeshefuckingbelongsthere?”Eviewhispersintomyear Idon’tcareenough,nor doIwanttogivehimthesatisfactionofmeseeingit.Over theyears,we’veall beengoodgirls aroundthe families We’ve actedas we shouldinpublic andkeptour messiness behinddoors While the restofthemfreely engageinpromiscuityanddrugs,actingliketheyowneverything. I’vehatedit.

Riverhashatedit

Stelladoesn’treallycareaboutit.

AndifDadeverfindsoutthekindofbullshitthatthey’vebeendoingbehindthesepartiesandraces,I’mprettysurehe’s goingtoloseit.

Priestisnothinglikeourdadandalittlemorelikeourpop.Momsaidit’swhatscaresDadthemostabouthimcompletely takingthegavel.

But I thinkthey’re bothwrong. I thinkhe’s more like the first Hayes that founded the EKC. That’s not what should be worryingthemyet Theyshouldbemoreworriedthatallthreeofthemarelikeunhingedhyenas,andsincetheydon’thaveto playwiththebigdogsyet,they’rekillingtimebyriskingexposureonourownstreets,allforshitsandgiggles.

“Priest?”Iglareatmybrotherthroughthewavesofheat “Leavehimalone”

Warchokesonhislaugh,andmuchtomyannoyance,myeyesshifttohimjustashe’smovingEmmaaroundtostraddlehis lap.Histattedhandslandonherasscheeksasheleansforwardanddragshistonguefromthesideofherneck,andacrossher jaw,allwhilekeepinghiseyeslockedonmine.MystomachexplodesintoaballoffireandalltheangerthatI’vekepthidden threatenstosurface.Years.YearsofusallactinglikeplacidlittleKingsthatsitintheshadowsoftheseassholes.He’snever donethis,though Thesmallnumberoftimesthatwe’vebeenhere,Warhasn’tparadedhisconquestsaroundinfrontofme I don’tknowifthatwasonpurpose,orwhetherthisoneisfor whateverreason butnowIkindofwanttopunchhim.

Straightintheface Itwouldn’tbemyfirsttime

PopSmokestartsplayingloudlyandImovefromthespotI’mattowherethewoundedboyis,loweringmyselfdownto kneelinfrontofhim.“Letmehavealook?”

Hisbrowneyescometomine It’sthefirsttimethatI’verealizedhe’sprobablyalittleolderthanus IfIdomycalculations right,thatisnotgood.“Yougotanythingtonumbthepain?”

Myfocusdropstohislipsandmymouthtwitches Ireachintothebackpocketofmyjeans Stepone,boys.Wedodrugs.Justlikeyoudo.

Iflashtheballinfrontofmeandheshufflesuptoresthisbackagainstthelog,onelegstretchingoutandtheotherbent He restshisotherarmonhisknee,cagingmeinbetweenhislegs.Icanfeeltheheatoftheflamesagainstmyback.Itdoesenough tokeepmewarm,sinceheruinedmyjacket.

“Halen? Backthe fuckup” War’s icytone sends shivers downmyspine Oh? You did see me here? Betyoufuckingdo now.

Iturnslightly,hidingmysmilefrombehindmyshoulder “Howaboutno?”

Priestemptiestherestofhisdrinkinthefire,comingdirectlyforme.Heleansdowntosnatchthebagfrommyfingers,but Icloseitinmypalm

“Priest,I’mthesamefuckingageasyou.Fuckyouandgositdown.”

Heglaresdownatme.“I’mtakingyouhome.”

“No You’re not Because I’mnotfourteenanymore none ofus are and since we’ve spentthe better halfofour lives partyingintownsawayfromRiversidejusttomakeyoulotcomfortable,I’mtellingyourightnow ”Ipause,hatingthatI’m sittingsolowandhe’stoweringoverme He’stallenoughasitiswithoutmebeinginthisposition,butIkindofliketheway I’mrestingagainst the wounded puppy. I’malmost sure he’s allowingme to do it. Who is he and why does he have balls bigger than every other boy in this town?

“What?”hesnarls,turningoverhisshoulderslightlyuntilhefindsRiverandStella.IknowI’vegothim,becausethereare rules,andasruthlessastheKingsare,wefollowourrules.Oneofthemjustsohappenstobekeepingourfamilydramaoutof

thepubliceye.Allittakesistherightpersontoseeacrackinourperfectlyconstructedcastleandthey’llslitherinandtryto demolishthefoundation.

Priestglaresdownatme “Wewilltalkaboutthislater”Heturnsbacktowherehecamefrom,notanotherwordsaid It’s notlike they’re completelystupid. They’ve seenus drunkand acta fool. Before me and the girls decided to dance our way aroundthem,wewerealwaystheirproblem Gettingdrunkattheirparties,dancingaroundtheirfriends,butsoonenoughitwas asannoyingforusasitwasforthembecausethey’djustendupruiningournight.

Iturnbacktothe puppy,findinghimalreadytracingthe lines ofmyjaw andface Whyis itthe longer Ilookathim,the hotterhegets?Itdoesn’thelpthathe’sexactlymytype.Ihappentofallfortheprettydamagedones. Whetherthatdamageisself-inflictedornot.

“Whatdoyousay?”Iwigglethebaginfrontofhisface,catchingmovementinmyperiphery BothRiverandStelladropto theloghe’sleaningon.Goosebumpsshiverdownmyspine.

I’mcold Ineedanotherjacket

Ipopopenthelittlebag,keepingmyeyesonhisasItapthepowderontothecreasewheremythumbandfingerconnects. Bringingituptohisnose,heholdsmystareasheleansdownandtakesthehit,clearinghisnostrilonhiswayback “Stella…”Vadengrowlsfromsomewherebehindme.

Stellafinishestakingherhairoutofherbraid,winkingatmeandflickingitoverhershoulderashereyesswayuptoher brother Theybothhaveheterochromia,onlyflippedopposite Withawidesmile,shesnatchesthebagoffme.

TheguygrabsmywristandIwatchashistonguelapsuptheresidueonmyhand,keepinghiseyesonmine Mybreathing hitchesandIleandown,catchinghischinwithmyfingersandmovingslightlytothesidesoWarcanseethemovement. Hoveringmylipsoverhis,Iwhisper,“Kissme.”

Iaccentuatethe‘me’onpurpose.I’msureWardoesn’tremembershitaboutthatnightyearsago,butjustincasehedoes, andbecauseI’mfeelingpettyashell,Iclimbonhislap.

Hishandlandsonthebackofmyassashepullsmeintohim Hislipsareonmineinaninstantandmymouthpartsforhim enoughformetobeabletosmirk.

HemoveshishandfrommyasstohisstomachandIfeelhimtwitchagainstmylips Irestmyhandoverhis,liftingitfrom hiswound.It’snotasbadasIthought.Moreadeepgraze.

Iarchabrowathim.“Alittledramatic,don’tyouthink?”

“Halen.”TheagitationinWar’stoneisn’tmissed.Byanyone,I’msure,whichmakesnosensesincehehasalwaysmadeit veryclear alltwotimes thatinnowayeverdoIaffecthimthewayhedoesme. Irollmyeyes,glaringathimfromovermyshoulder “What?”

“Getoffthefuckingground.”

“He’scute,though ”IbatmylashesbetweenWarandPriest IleaveVadenoutofitbecauseforthemostpart,heisn’tas badastheothertwo.VadensomewhatallowsStellatodowhatshewants.Hejustmakessuretokeepacloseeyeonher.Why Icouldn’tgethimas a brother,Iwill never know. “CanIkeep him?” Iftheywanttosee me as a problem, I’ll be a fucking problem

OrangehuesfromthefirecastshadowsoverWar’sjaw.Averyclenchedjaw. Withhislipcurledinasnarl,mystomachcoilslikehotwirewhenhiseyesdarkenonmine Whatthefuckishisproblem?

Heflipsthehoodieofhisjerseyoverhisheadtoshadehisscowl

IstillrememberthedayDadsatdownwithmeandtoldmeaboutboys.Well,hetried.AndIlovedhimforitbecausehis messagewasalotdifferentthanMom’s.Whereshewasthestricterparent,Dadwaschill.Hewasgood.Hetoldmetostay awayfromboysuntilIwastwenty-fivebecauseifPriestturnedouttobeaflop,I’dgettotakethegavel Obviously,mybrother didn’tturnintoaflop.Ifanything,hewill yieldthegavel thesamewayPopdid.Iwas onlyeightor nineatthetime,sothe thoughtofboyswasamajorick,butastimewenton Warchanged Ican’trememberevernothavingacrushonhim WouldI ever tell him?Hell no.DidIgetdrunkonenightandtrytofuckhim?Yes.Thankfully,hekeptthattohimself.Mostlikelyto protecttheirlittlebrotherhood

Itrynotto thinkaboutwhenexactlyWar turned frombeinga friend, someone Icould always relyon, to this. Probably aroundthetimeIaskedhimtofuckme.

“Jesus ”Eviehandsmeadrinkovermyshoulder “Youreallyjustleftthekiddiepoolanddoveheadfirstintotheadult section.”

ItaketheSolocupfromher,pushingupfromthewoundedpuppy’schestwhilebringingtherimtomylips

“Idid.”Istaynear thegirls.“BecauseI’mover itandIknow Dadwill beonmysidewhenitcomestothis Momtoo. Theyjustdon’tknowhowbadithasbeen,andalso,ifhecontinuestomakeitanissue,I’llletourparentsknowabouthislittle gamethattheyplayontheweekends.”Itakeasipofthealcohol,lettingthecheapvodkaslidedownmythroat.“Maybegivean insightastowhysomepeoplegomissing.”

“Well,”Riverlowersherselfdownontoalog,tippingherheadbacktoswallowherdrink,“Ihatetosayit,butI’mpretty surenooneisgoingtocomenearushereanyway,evenifwedidhangaroundmore.”

Stellarecoils “Psh Theywon’tbeabletohelpthemselves”

AhandrestsonmyhipandIturnovermyshoulderwhenthewoundedpuppy’sfingersgrazemyexposedbelly,wherethe band ofmyskirtis He keeps his eyes onmine as his hand finds mypocket He takes outmyphone, liftingitto myface to unlockit, and starts punchinginhis name and number. He slides itinside the frontofmyshirtwhenhe finishes, his fingers crawlingtothebackofmynecktospinmearound Helowershislipstomine ThistimeIlethistongueslideinside,turning myheadtogivehimmoreaccess.

Hepullsback,asmirkonhisface.“I’lltextyou.”ThenhewalksoffandItouchmybackpocket,feelingthemaskhe’dleft stuffedinside

Ibitedownonmylowerlipandwatchashisbackmusclesripplewhenhemakeshiswaytoawaitingblacked-outRange Rover

“Okay!”Iswingmyattentionbacktothethreeofthem.“Whoisthat,andI’mdefinitelykeepinghim.”

“Keepinghim, huh?” War, now suddenlyfree ofEmma so it’s justour “family” around this side, glares atme He leans forwardandit’sthefirsttimeI’venoticedhowangryheis.Warhasalwaysbeenbeautiful,evenasachild.Hisbabyfeatures hardenedover theyearsintoajawlinesharpenoughtosliceyour heartopen,andcheekbonescarvedfromaGreekgod.His featherbrownhairiskeptshorter,justenoughtobeabletorunyourfingersthrough,buthiseyes they’rewhatyoucan’tsee past.They’rethekindthatburnyourbrainifyoulooktoolong,whichiswhypeopledon’t.

Meincluded

He’sonehundredpercentaprettyboy,andheknowsit.“Maybetryyourfirsttimewithsomeonealittlesofter.Cadenisn’t it…”

"Caden,huh?”ItiltmyheadtothesideasEviereplacesmyemptycupwithafreshlypouredone.“Andwhosaiditwould bemyfirsttime?”

Hisbodystills,andIwatchtheexactmomentadarkshadow creepsoverhisface Ididn’tknow muchaboutthethreeof themandwhattheydoonPerdita.Theyleave,andtheneverytimetheycomeback,they’reallonedge.ThewayWarisstaring atmerightnowisexactlywhatthey’relikefreshofftheplane

“Halen,stopbeingafuckingbrat.”Priestkicksdustintothefire.“We’vegottoheadoutforabit.Canyoubehavewhile we’regone?”

“I’mnotachild!”Iscoldhim.Eitherhe’srealizedthere’salotthathedoesn’tknow,orhehasfinallygivenup.I’mnothis child.I’mhissister,andasmuchasIknowhewilldoanythingandeverythingtoprotectmeanddestroyanyonewhosomuch as looks atme the wrongway, he needs to know thatIdon’tneed his help We came fromthe same womb Eventhoughhe doesn’tlikehearingit,Icanholdmyown.

“Yeah,fuckno ”Warshakeshishead,leaningbackandbreakingeyecontact “Weain’tleavingthemhere” PriestignoreshimasVadenclearshisthroat.“Wehaveto.They’llbefine.”

War’s jaw tenses, annoyance once againflashingover his features. He stares at me like one would anenemy. This has everythingtodowithmeandnothingatalltodowithRiver

I STARE BACKTHROUGH THE CRACKS OF THE TREES, WATCHING AS HALEN MOVES AROUND THE PARTY LIKE SHE FUCKING OWNS IT Everyone seems to be smart enoughto keep their distance, and now I know what Priest meant byleavingthemhere. They wouldbesafeenough Andtheyclearlyare PriestplacesawethandleinthepalmofmyhandandIlookdownatit.Ican’tseeshit,butwhenIrealizeit’sthebonecarvedMalumknife,Idon’thaveto.Blooddripsdownfromthebladewhenhefollowsmyview.Weallhaveafamilyknife, whereitshandleiscarvedfromtheboneofouroriginalancestor.

“Itoldyounottoworry.Noone’sgonnatouchRiver.”

Yeah River Becausethat’swhoIwaspissedabout Iswipetheedgeoftheknifeagainstmyjeansandshoveitintomybackpocket.“YougonnahandleCaden?”

“Ohyeah?”Priestsnickers,turninghisattentionfullyonme “AndhowamIgonnadothat?Startawar?” Ibitebackmyanger.“Worthit.”

Priestholdsmystare.“You’restartingtocaretoomuch.”

“Hefuckingparadedheraroundonpurpose,toshowthathecouldbecausethetimerwasup.”

Priestmoves the branchawayso we cansee the girls clearer. “Lethimhave it. The onlyreasonwhyHalendid itwas becauseshedoesn’tknowwhoheis”

“Andwho’sgonnatellthem?”

Vadenstepsupbehindme “Whywestandingherecreepin’?”

“Becausethisassholewas.”Priestfinallyturnsandwefollowbehindhimashedisappearsfartherintotheforest. Oneofthesedays,weweregoingtogetcaught.Wejusthavetohopethatwhenwedo,it’saftertheritualandwe’vetaken theplaceofourfathers.

IpullintothedrivewayoftheCastle,restingmyheadagainstthebackofthechair.

“Justcrashhere.”Priestrollsoutofthecarasthesunrisesupfrombehindthesharpceilingsoftheirmansion.Theroyals havenothingontheHayes “War youneedtofuckingsleep”

Iturnthecaroffandstumbleout.Bloodstainslittermyjeansandhoodieasweclimbtheonehundredstepsittakestogetto thefrontdoor Thehallsechoastheywiden

Bishopisleaningagainstthestairwellwhenweenter,sippinghiscoffee.He’ssuitedalready,thebuttonsundonetoexpose histattoos.Bishopiseverythingyou’dexpectaruthlessleaderofamacabre,prestigiousordertobeasafather.I’dheardhe’s differentthanhisdad.SinceHectorandPriestareliketwounhingedmaniacs,I’dsaysomethingskippedageneration.

“Busynight?”Bishopgesturestobothofus.Hishair’sdamp,andhistierestscasuallyaroundhisneck.

“Howareyouawake?”Priestshutsthedoor,scrubbinghiseyeswiththebackofhishand “Ihardlysleep.YourmomandIareheadingtoBrazilthisweekendtopreparefortheritual.”

“Yeah,okay Anythingelse?”

Helooksbetweenthetwoofus,runninghishandthroughhisbeard.“DoIneedtobeworriedaboutthishere?”

“No,sir…”Priestanswersflatly.

Ishakemyheadandflashhimagrin.“Nah,Unc.Nothingtostressabout.”

“War.Whoyourfatheris,isexactlywhyI’mworriedaboutthis.”Hegesturestoourclothes.Nodoubttheblood. IsidestephimandfollowPriestupthestairs

“Didyouatleastclean?OrdoIneedtocallitin?”Hedoesn’tturnwhenheasksthequestions.

“Yeah,Dad…wedid.”

“Ineednames,Priest.Wecross-check.Ifanythingisleftbehind,IcancallintheSkullKeeper.”

“I’llsendthemtoyou,B,”IanswerBishopaswehitthetopofthestairs Wetakearight,downPriest’ssideofthesecond level.“Youneedtocutyour oldmansomeslack.Hehasapoint.Vadenhavingtogooffanddecompressisenoughtoprove that Abunchoffucked-upindividuals”

“Hell no. Pop said theynever gave hima breakwhentheywere young.” He stumbles into his room, and I stand at the threshold Thislevelisforthetwins HalfforPriest,andtheotherforHalen Theirbedroomstakeupthewholespaceofthis level, so that’s enoughto know how bigtheyare. Bishop and Madisonstayona differentlevel and whole other side ofthe house. Madison’s logic whenshe builtthis was to keep themas far awayas possible, since she knew whatshe was infor. Smart Gotta give her that And since their house is a literal fuckingcastle, whenever we throw parties onthis side of the house,theyneverknow.

Notthattheycare

MyheartrattlesmyribcagethelongerIstandhere.Finallygivingin,IturntowardHalen’ssideofthehallway,herdoor directlyattheend

Whatthefuckwassheplayingatlastnight,andwhydiditpissmeoffsomuch?Overtheyears,especiallyafterherlittle fuck-me antics whenshe was fourteen, I’d squashed everythoughtI’d have thatwould surface abouther. Butitwas hard to deny Imean theyall were attractiveyounggirls

ExceptRiver.DistantcousinasideonStella’spart.

Halenwasabrat,though Shealwaysgotwhatshewanted Exceptme thatnight Ichuckle.Shehatedthat…

“I’mgonnacrashintheLighthouse.”PriestwasalreadyoutbythetimeIclosedhisdoor,andImakemywaybackthrough thehouseandtotheentrance.CrossingthegardentothetowerthatstandsoffthesideoftheCastle,Itaptheelevatorbuttonand stepinside.ItreachesthetopanddingsopenasIstumblethroughthefamiliarspace.

EncasedwithwindowsthatoverlookRiverside,Ipunchbuttonsonthecontrolscreenuntilblindsdroptocovertheglass Mybrainfadesinandoutasfatiguetakesover.

IbarelyhittheCaliforniakingwhenI’mlightsout

Somethingtugsonmyjeans,jerkingmefrommysleep Iflyoffthebed,fatiguegone

Halenstandswithherhandsonherhips,herhairtiedinahighponyandhertightlittlebodyondisplay.She’sinasports bra and gymshorts that curve just over the swell of her ass Sweat drips over her body and “Are your fucking nipples pierced?”

“What?”Shelooksdownathertits.

Iinstinctivelystepforwardwithoutrealizing Shecountersitbysteppingbackward.“Stop!”

Nah,hellno Iamnotstopping WhatthefuckissheplayingatandwhydoIfeellikeshe’sbeenexistingbehindsmokeand mirrorsallthisfuckingtime?

Ireachforherarm,butshejerksawayagain.

“Halen…”It’sanunintentionalgrowl.

“War…”sheparrotswiththesametone,herbrightgreeneyeswide.“Don’ttouchme.”

“What?”It’slikeaslapintheface SheandIhavealwaysbeenalittlecloserthanmeandtheothergirls evenRiver No oneknewit,butHalenwastheoneI’dtalktolateatnightifIneededsomeone.Butthatallchanged. SometimesIforgetthat

“Imeanbecauseyouhavebloodalloveryou!”shescolds,droppingtoherkneesinfrontofmetotugmyjeansdown. Ispreadmyarmswide,workingmyjaw.Whatthefuckisshedoing?OrwhatthefuckamIdoing?She’sdoneshitlikethis before especiallywhenIsleep inthe Lighthouse. Halenwould make ither missionto come inand make sure we weren’t doingdumbshit.

I groan, wrapping her ponytail around my fist and forcing her head back so she’s looking up at me frombelow This positionisn’thelpingeither.

“Youcan’tdroptoyourkneesandpulloffmyjeans,Halen”

“Why?” She bats her eyelashes up atme and Ifightwitheverythinginside to notforce her onto the bed and fuckall the rebellionoutofher.“Becauseyou’reafraidPriestwillwalkinandthinkwe’redoingsomethingelse?”Shepushesuptostand butIforceherbackdownbyherhair,tighteningmygrip

“Idon’tgiveafuckwhatitlooksliketoyourbrother,Halo.IfIwantedtofuckyou,Iwouldhavefuckedyousixyearsago whenyouwererubbingyourshitallovermycockandbeggingmeto”

“Fuckyou.” She whacks myhandawayandthis time Ilether upbecause ifthere’s anythinghotter thanHalen,it’s angry Halen.

Her shoulders straighten, her eyes onmine “And yes, Ido have mynipples pierced, amongstother things ” Mybrain short-circuitsbutbeforeIcaninterruptherrant,shekeepsgoing.“ andIwouldn’tfuckyoueither,War.That’slike…incest.”

“Mmmhmm Surething,babygirl”Shestopswhenshehitsthedoor,herhandonthebuttontotheelevator ThemusclesoneithersideofherspinetenseandIwatchassheslowlyturnsoverhershoulder.

“War ”Shecrossesherarmsinfrontofherself,pushingherfattitshigher Fuck “You’renottheonlypersonIaskedto fuckmethatnight ”Mysmirkfalls.“ onlydifferencebetweenyouandhim?”Thebitchhastheaudacitytolooksmugasshe stepsbackwardintotheelevator.“Isheactuallyhadtheballstofollowthrough.”

RageburnsthroughmeandIlaunchforwardbutshepalmsthebuttontoclosethedoors It’sthelongestthirtysecondsever bythe time theyreopenand take me down. She’s runningthroughthe frontdoor justas Ihitoutside. Ijogacross the field, throughthefrontdoors,andtakethestairstwoatatime Ijustgetcloseenoughtograbherwhensheslamsherdoorinmyface andthesoundofherlockclinkingvibratesthroughthewood.

Isqueezethehandleanyway,jigglingitroughly Littlefuckingbitch

“Youneedtogetonmore,”Priestcallsoutfrombehindmeandmyragehoversinthebackofmybrain.Iactedimpulsively andnowshethinksIgiveafuck.

OnenightofthemkickingitwithusforlessthanthirtyminutesandI’velostallfuckingcontrol Iturntofacehim.“Huh,tellyoursisterthat.”

Priest’s eyes fall over myshoulder “What’s she doingnow?” He opens his bedroomdoor and Imake mywayinto his room,unbucklingmyjeansandkickingthemoff.

“Theusual.Whatthefuckisgoingonwiththegirls?”

Hisroomisaboutasbigasapenthouseapartment.Thebedisstuffedinthecorner,andafloatingfireplacedanglesfrom theceilinginthemiddleoftheroom.

There’s a fucktonofrandomshit Like a pool table, a Jacuzzi outonthe patio behind the floor-to-ceilingglass sliding doors,andafuckoffone-hundred-inchTVthatcomesdownfromtheoppositesidesothatifyou’reintheJacuzzionthepatio, youcanwatchit Thebathroomtakesupthespaceontheothersideoftheroom,completewithablackmarblefinish Itapthetouchscreenandturnontherainforestshower.

“Don’t know. I’mguessingthey’re actingout.” Priest leans against the entry, crossinghis arms infront of himself. “Or maybethey’renotbullshitting,andthey’veplayedusallalongandreallyhavebeenlivingsomefuckingdoublelifewedon’t knowabout.”

Ishuffle outofmybriefs, holdingmycockbefore slippingbeneaththe hotwater “Yeah, well, whatever itis, we gonna handlethat?”

“Can’t”Prieststaresatmeinthemirror,bitingdownonhistoothbrush “Weactuallycan’t Halenisright,they’rethesame rankasusandaretechnicallyKings.Wecan’tfuckingdoshitaboutit.”Heleansovertospit,andItapthesoapdispenseruntil foamcurlsintothepalmofmyhand.

“So,that’sit?”

Priestshrugs.“Yeah,Imeanshe’stwenty.Ishouldhaveprobablylaidoffheralongtimeago.Makenomistake,ifanyone hurts themor does themwrong, we know the drill” Iturnthe shower offand step out, water drippingover the heated tiles Wrappingthetowelaroundmywaist,Priest’seyesfalltomydiscardedclothes.“Sheaskaboutthat?”

“Aboutwhat?”Iignorethebloodyclothes,flashinghimasmirk “Naw,bro Sheknowsbetterthantoaskquestions” Adooropensandthencloses.“Ifyou’rewalkingbackinhereformorebullshit,Halen,mydickisoutthistime.”

PriestshovesmebackwardslightlyandIlaugh,knowingdamnwell Halenisfuckingtoastfortherestoftheday.Thisis herpattern Shestirsshit,andthenbounces It’salwaysbeenthatwaywithher

“I’veseenyourdickmorethanI’veseenmyownatthispoint,”Vadencallsfromtheroom,andImakemywaybackout, dryingmyhairwithanothertowel Vaden’seyescometomine TheVitiosisduohavealwaysbeenafascinationtopeoplewho seethem.Asidefromtheir I’ll justadmitit attractivelooks,theybothsharean,Iguess,abnormality.Vaden’s righteyeis iceblue,hisleftisbrown,andStellathesame,onlyoppositesides,andwhereStella’sbrowneyeis,it’safifthcovered It’s eightypercentbrownandtwentypercentblue,whereherothereyeiscompletelyblue.

Brantleytoldusstoriesaskids,sayingthatitwasbecausehalfhissoulwasdoomed.TriedtoscareVadenasakid,only nothingcouldscarehim

Notonesinglefuckingthing.

Goodforus;toobadforourenemies

IshoveonapairofjeansfromPriest’sdresser,runningmyhandthroughmyhair.“We’reactuallyfuckingleavingthemhere whenweleavenextweek.”

The door opens and Aire enters, flippinghis cap backward withSamsonnotfar behind him. Aire falls onto the leather sofa,blowingoutadeepbreath.“Fuck.NotsureIaskedforthiskindoflife.Notgonnalie.”

Priest’seyescometomine,beforeflyingtohim.“Well,shit.Youcanalwaysleave?”

Aire moves forward, looking between Priest and I. “Fuck no! I’mjust sayin’. Why is my last name the one that is in finance? Whycouldn’tmyKinglineage be Nate fuckingMalum, or Bishop motherfuckingHayes, or fuck!BrantleyVitiosis Y’allareiconic.ThisfuckandIarejust ”

“Bro,shutthefuckupwithyourwhining”Irollmyeyes,reachingforthecanisterwithweedinsideofit Ipopitopenand sprinkleadecentamountinabluntpaper.“Youthinkourlifeisfuckingeasybecauseofwhoourdadsare?Naw,bruh.You’ve gotittwisted We’reburningtimerightnow,butoncethatgavelisinourhand,it’son” “Ididn’tsayeasier,”Airebrushesmeoff.“Ijustmeantnoneofyougotocollege.Westillfuckinghaveto.” Ichuckle,lickingthebluntpaper.

It’snothisfault Imean,he,andSamsonhaveneverbeendirectlyinside,eventhoughtheyareinthetechnicalsenseKings ChaseDivitae Latinforwealth isAire’sfather,andCashDitio Latinforpower isSamson’s.Ourdutiesaren’tquiteon parwiththeirs Throughhighschoolwewerealltight Butafter thefamousdividehadalreadybegun Dad’sgenerationhad allfoundingnames.Throughtheyears,theythinnedouttothefinalthreeoncetheyallbranchedofftotheirrespectfulcallings. Hayes,Malum,andVitiosisarealwaystheonlythreewhogoforwardtothetable “Whendoyouguysheadback?”Samsonasks,watchingasIlighttheendofthejointandtakeahit. Ihandittohimwhileblowingoutathickcloud.“ThisFriday.ButsinceHalenandthegirlshavedecidedtothrowdiva…”

“Mmm, I was gonna talk to you about that It’s everywhere that she had her tongue down someone’s throat at Devil’s Cockpit. Whuddup withthat?” Samsonpasses itto Vaden, loweringdownonthe bed opposite me. Samsonis definitelythe oppositeofAire inagoodway

“Hegotloose.”Vadencutsdowntheconversationbeforeitcangetfar.Theyknownottoaskquestions. Aireshrugs,changingthesubject.“Sowherewerethegirlsevengoing?”

Ifreeze.MyeyesflytoPriestandVaden.Thatwassomethingwehadn’tevenaskedourselvesamongstallthedrama…and blood.

Airecontinues,notpickingupontheshiftinatmosphere I’vehadtostopPriestfromkillinghimmultipletimesthroughthe yearsbecausehe’ssofuckingstupid.I’mnotstoppinghimanymore.

“I’dheardofthemmakingappearancesinasfarasNYC”

“Youheardanddidn’tthinktotellusaboutthis?”Infact,Imightjustkillhimmyself.Unfortunately,Ican’tjustswitchoff tonotgivingafucksoquicklylikePriestcan.Ialwaysreactwithemotion,usuallyaggression.NotthatPriestisn’tunhinged, becauseheis,andusuallyI’mthelogicalonewhenitcomestowhatcounts,butnotwhenitcomestothegirls.

We’vebeenwatchingoverthemall theirlives.Thatshitdoesn’tswitchoffautomatically,atleastnotforme.Vaden?Eh. He’sacoldmotherfuckeranyway Priest?NotenoughinvolvementwiththeEKCforhimtocare IfHalenisgettingintheway ofanythingtodowiththeclub,he’llscratchherout.Bloodornot,theEliteKingsClubandkeepingtheenginesteamedisall thisfuckercaresaboutreally outsideofHalen

“Wehaven’tbeencatchingupasmuch ”Airebites,butnotenoughtopissmerightoff.He’ssmart.HeknowsI’dfucking layhimout.

Ileanbackagainstmychair,flickingtheZippobetweenmyfingers “Theywon’tbedoingthatanymore,sincetheywereso carelesswithtellingus.Itmeanstheyhaveanewplacetoactafool.”

There’saknockonthedoorandSamsonthrowsthejointonmylapasitopens Bishopandmyoldmanstandonthethreshold,castingaquickglancearoundtheroom.Ipluckthehalf-smokedbluntfrom mylap,glaringatlittlebitchSamsonbeforeplacingitbetweenmylips Isquintaroundtheveilofsmokeasmypap’seyesland onme.

Drawinginalonghit,IflashhimasmirkasIblowsmokerings.“Sup,Daddy.” "Shithead”

Ipuckermylipsinakiss,kickingmyleguptorestontheedgeofthebed.“Whatcanwehelpyouelderswith?” “Yeah?”Mydadmirrorsmysmirk,hiseyesdarkening “Whydon’tyouaskyourmommyifIfucklikeanelder?” Ifliphimoff.

Priestleansagainstthepoker table,shovinghishandsinsidehispockets HeandBishoparetight Kindoflikebrothers, onlysomehow worse.Idon’tthinkanyofourdadsreallyweredads.Theyall hadtoputthefamilyfirstandthenbeafather second.

AKingdoesn’tneedlove Wejustneedloyalty

“WhatisitandwhydoIthinkI’mnotgoingtolikethisshit?”

“Because you’re not” Bishopturns over his shoulder,checkingDadbefore comingbacktome “Meetinthe Cave inan hour.”TheCaveiswheretheyconductalltheirmeetings.Goingforward,prettysureourswillbetheLighthouse. “You’recallingameet?”Vadenasks,leaningbackonhiselbow.

“Yeah. Bran will be there ” He pauses, looking around the room. The corner of his mouth twitches. “As will your sisters.”

“What?”Ileanforwardanddubouttheblunt.

“Son…”Dadstaresatme.Doesn’thelpwe’realreadyaroundthesameheight.“Seeyouinanhour.”

I’mstill glaringatthe door after theyleave whenPriesttaps mylegwithhis “Whatthe fuckis your problemwiththem comingin?Youknewitwasgonnahappen.Makessenseit’snowsincewe’resoclosetotheritual.”

“Idon’tknow Ithoughtwhentheywereolder”

“They are older,” Vaden interrupts, flicking the army knife between his fingers. “Honestly, I thought it would be done beforenow”

Priestdisappearsinthecloset.“Youknowtheyneededtimetofigureshitoutbeforetheycould.”

IshuffleonashirtandapairofJordans,headingoutoftheroom.“I’llmeetyoudownthere.”

IslamthedoorclosedandkeepmyeyeslockedonHalen’sroom MyfingersflexinmypalmwhenIthinkbacktothelast conversationwehad.

Whothefuckhasshefuckedandwhythefuckdoesitbothermesodamnmuch?

Halen

I STARE BLANKLYAT MY DAD’S OFFICE DOOR

Noises bang around and the lump in my throat grows bigger the longer time goes on. What will he do? What will they do? Does he know? I am not sure The house smells of freshly baked cookies and I take the steps away from the Cave so I won’t be tempted to force myself into his space and tell him all of the things that have been eating me up since, but I collide with a hard body

I spin around, my hand flying out to whoever it is, when it lands on a tatted chest. My panic turns into a frown. “You basically live here.”

War flashes me a dimpled smirk I hate when he does that because it is hard to hate him He is a constant reminder of everything I was born into and love.

I love War

I love Vaden.

I love all of them, even when they are annoying and cruel

“Are you asking me to move in?” He raises a perfectly curved brow. “You know I’m your mom ’ s favorite.” I shove him out of my way but his hand catches mine before I can take another step. “How’s your hangover? Remember anything from Friday night?” The lump in my throat grows as I try to swallow everything I’ve fought hard to forget

Only I am sure that one day, it is going to choke me.

I fold my arms in front of myself, ignoring the way my cheeks burn Well, I am doing terrible at this “No Nothing important anyway. Why?”

His eyes narrow I know what he’s asking me It’s obvious, but aside from him being a complete asshole for mentioning it, I am not surprised “Really?”

I shrug, stepping backward to go back to the kitchen. I need to see my mom. I just… need her. And anyway, not that we have a no-partying rule in the house, but I did come home drunk enough for her to stay up all night to watch me sleep They left for a forty-eight-hour trip to Europe the next morning, so I didn’t get a chance to see her after.

“Halen?” War calls out, and I pause my steps but don’t turn “What will you do without us at college?”

“Oh God, I don’t know, War.” I turn and start walking backward. “Whatever we want?”

As soon as he’s gone, my face falls Mom reaches into the oven, dropping a baking tray on top of the stove and tossing the dishcloth on the counter “Fuck Maybe I’m not a baker” “Correct!” Aplastic smile melts onto my face. I vow to never remove it. “But it’s okay, because dad is.”

Istare atthe patterns onthe walls as Iwait. Satinblackpaintis licked over the ceilings and walls, and a single chandelier spiralsdownthecenteroftheroombeforebloomingintoarayofcrystals.I’veneverbeenintheCavebefore.Itwasalways forEKCmeetings.Thiswasmynorm.Iknewmydadwasn’tagoodman.

Iknewmyunclesweren’teither

Hell,Iwouldn’tevencrossTillie,War’smom.I’dheardstoriesabouthertoo.Butbeinginherefeelsdifferent.Likeallthe storiesIhadheardovertheyearsweren’tonlytrue,becauseIknewtheywere,butthattheyfelt right Justified Dadmakeshiswaytome,leaningbackagainstthetablewhilefistingtheedge.It’sjustusinherefornow,butIknowthat isn’tgoingtobeforlong.Forone,hecalledthismeeting.

“Babygirl ” His hand rests onmycheekand Iexhale a nervous breath Ilove mydad He is the rockofnotjustour family,buttheorder as awhole.Peoplelookuptohim,worshiphim.I’mworriedaboutwhatthatmeans for Priestoncehe takes thegavel,andtheyshiftthatpower thattohim Whatwill hedowithit?He’s sensibleandwill always maketheright

choicesfortheEKC,butmybrotherissoulless.Whathappenswhenhehastomakethehardchoicesandotherlivesareonthe line?

Jesus

Iknewwhatourfamilymeantandthecovenantbehindit.IknewthatDadwas,inshort,anundergroundgod.Hemadethe rulesandeveryonefollowed Every.Single.Person.

Wedidn’tneedtocallitamafiabecauseitwasn’t WeweretheorderoftheEliteKingsClubandthatinitselfheldmore weightthananyothertermyou’dfindinthedictionaryunder bad motherfuckers.Ourhistoryispure.Ourlineageunwavering. Weneverprocreatedwithanyoneoutsideofourworld,butevenifwedid,theyhadaconnectiontoit.

“Lookatme”

Dadstartles meoutofmyreverie,andmyeyes travel uphis blacksuit,pastthetattoos onhis chest,andcontinueuntil I meethisgaze He’dalwayskepthisbeardshort,butrecentlyhe’sbeengrowingitoutlonger Thicker Itonlymakeshimlook scarier.

Hetouchesthesideofmyhead,brushingmyhairbehindmyear "Warisgoingtogiveyoushitaboutthis Maybeevenyour brother.”

“Idon’tcare.”Iblinkpasthiswords.“Ideservetobehere.Wedeservetobehere.”

“Youdo Youall do”Henods,smilingjustenoughforthewrinklelinesaroundhiseyestodeepen Eviegoesonandon aboutthedadsandhowhottheyare.I’vehadtostopmyselffromslappingheronmorethanoneoccasion.Peoplehavespread ridiculousrumorsaboutherandPriest,butreally,thetruthisthatwecan’ttrustheraroundourdads She’snotinterestedinour brothers.“Theydon’tknowaboutyougirlstraining.Weneedtokeepitthatwayfornow.Idon’twanttobombardyourbrother withtoomuchtoofast.Saveitforaftertheritual.”

“It’s notso muchPriestthanitis War…” Iroll myeyes and relaxinto the chair. “He’s gotthis weird complexaboutus beingaroundbecauseofRiver.”

Dadraisesabrow

“What?”Iscowl.He’salwaysdoingthis.Opensentencesandcrypticcomments.Idon’tknowhowMomtoleratesit. “Youthinkthat’swhyWaristhewayheis?”

Dadpushesoffthetableandsauntershiswaytothefront.

“What’sthatsupposedtomean?”Iaskashecontinuestopourafingerofwhiskeyintoanemptyglass.

Hebringsittohislips,keepinghiseyesonmine.“Itmeanstheappledoesn’tfallfarfromthefuckingtree.”Heshootshis drinkbackandIwatchastheamber liquiddisappearsdownhisthroat.BeforeIcanaskhimonceagaintoexplain,thedoor opens and the other fathers pile in Nate takes the spot to Dad’s right, Brantley opposite, and before I say anything more, someoneelsewalksin.

UncleEli

MysmilewidensandIshootupfrommychair,flyingacrosstheroom. Hecatchesmewithahug.“Hey,princess,”hewhispersintomyhair,kissingmyhead.

“Younevercomearoundasmuchanymore!”Iscold,andIfightwithmyselftonotjutoutmylip Hisarmstightenaroundme.“Iknow.YouknowyoucanalwayscometoSpain ”Hepausesamoment.“ shit.” “Igetit”Istepbackfromhim,stillgiddy “YouguyshaveallbranchedoutandaredoingGod’swork Ihaven’tseenLilith orLunaforsolong!”

Hechucklesdeeply,directingmebacktomychairandtakingtheonebesideme UncleEliwasthefunone Foryears,he’d playgameswithme,takemeoutwithLunawhenwewerelittle.

“Okay,holdup!”Natecallsout,hishandsraised.Morepeoplearecomingthroughthedoor,butIalreadyknowwhoitwill be “Whydon’tIgetahuglikethat?Thefuck!IthoughtIwasthefavoriteuncle?”

“Youstill are.” I roll myeyes witha smile, winkingat Eli and Brantley. “So. Lilithand Luna? How are they?” I ask, loweringdownontothechair LunaisEli’sdaughterthathehadwithoneofthebaddestchicksIknow,asidefrommymother andTills.Sheiswild.NotwildlikeAuntyTate,whotookmetopiercemynippleswhenIwassixteen,butstillwild.Eli,from oneoftheFoundingFamilies,isalsoinathrouplewithKyrinandLilith,whoarepartofanadult-stylecircuscalledMidnight Mayhem.

I hadn’t seenLuna since we were little. Whentheyall separated and decided Midnight Mayhemwould no longer be a traveling circus, but homebound, all of themspread throughout the world to go international Eli, Kyrin, and Lilith chose L’embruix,avillagesnuggledinthevalleysofSpain.I’dseenphotosanditlookedhaunting,yetsomewhatromantic.

“They’regood Luna ”ElipausesandturnstofaceBishop AlookpassesbetweenthetwoofthemandifIdidn’tknow better,Iwouldhavemissedwhateveritwas.

ButIdid.Enoughtoknowthatthere’ssomethinggoingon.

Ahardthighbrushesagainstmineandmybreathcatches.Idon’thavetolooktoknow whoitis.Idon’tknow whyithas started to bother me more thanusual. War and Iwere the closestoutofus all throughour childhood, to the pointwhere we

wouldfinisheachother’ssentences.

Iknowwhereitallturnedaroundandwenttoshit,andithadnothingtodowithWar’stasteingirls.Girlswhoare nothing likeme Notthathehasactuallykeptanyaroundlongenoughformetocompare “It’stimetostartimplementingplansthathavebeenyearsinthemaking.Asyouallknow,wehavebeenworkingtomake things more accommodatingfor the future Swans” Iroll myeyes atthe name How fucked up was Pop and the generations beforehimtohavenotjustpushedthegirlswhowerebornintotheEKCaway,buttohavethem,well…killed.Momtriedto explainitmorethanonce Ijustwasn’tintorelivingwhatshehad “So,it’sdone?”PriestholdsDad’sstare,andminutespassoverthetable.There’snodebate.Ifyou’resmart,youwouldn’t sitatthistabletofight.

Dadleansbackinhischair,acigarrollingbetweenhisfingerandthumb Adarksmileplaysacrosshislips.“Yes.Soplaynice.Youknowyoursisterisagoodshot.”

Forgiveness wasn’t a currency I’d ever spend. If you crossed me, I’d simply make you pay.

ChurchbellsranginthedistanceasIshadedmyeyesfromthesun Thefamiliarsculptofthebuildingpeekedoutthroughthe greentreesandbushes.

Itookastepforward,butahandcametomybelly.Itwasaghostofatouch.Physicallyunfamiliar,spirituallyeverything I’deverknown.

Thewordsthatcamefromhismouthscribbledpoetryovermyskin.“Halo…” IpulledawayfromhimandbeforeIcouldthinktwice,Iran

How could he? Why was he?

IransofastthatIdidn’trealizewhenthesoftbladesofgrassbeneaththesolesofmyfeetturnedtoshardsofgravelthatcut throughmyskin.

Ididn’tstopwhenIflew throughthedoorstothebuilding,tearsstreamingdownmyfaceandclothesdrenchedinwater. Four peoplestoodatthebottomofthestaircasetothemainroom,all dressedinblack.Theyslowlyturned,justas thedoor slammedclosedbehindme.

MyhandsshookasIdippedthemintothestoupandcrossedmyselfwithwater thatwasanythingbutholy Thiswasn’ta church.Thiswashell.

Theirfaceswerecoveredbyblackhoods,butIknewwhotheywere Mybottomliptrembledandmyheartfracturedinmy chest.

“Idon’twant ”Someonegrabbedmefromthebackofmythroatbeforeforcingmyfaceintothestoup.Idesperatelytried topushaway,breakfree MylungsburnedeverytimeItookinwater,butitwasnouse Nothingwasofuse

MymusclesgavewaybeforeIdid.

Theycouldtakeme Allofme