This time though, at this place with these guys, it’ll bring even more problems to my feet, just like they want, but I don’t roll over for anyone.

They think all the threats and so-called bullying will set me straight then they’ve got another thing coming.

Everyone already thinks me a slut, but I can twist this on them by not pushing back, like they must want.

They wanna play, we’ll play.

 

When lunch rolls around I’m on my own – the group home girls don’t owe me shit and technically we aren’t friends, so I get they don’t want to be guilty by association, so to speak. And unfortunately, that’s how high school works. You are who you hang with.

So I chose a deserted table, nothing but leftover food at the other end from a crowd who was too lazy to carry their trays to the trash.

I’m only seated for a solid five minutes when Royce plants his ass on the table in front of me, swinging his large leg over so I’m now between his, my face just about level with his crotch.

He props his forearms on his knees, leaning close. “This position’s familiar, ain’t it, RaeRae?”

I don’t have to look to know all eyes are now on us.

Royce waits for me to snap back so I say nothing, just tilt my head a little.

Captain is next to step up. He drops to one knee, his hand grabbing onto the table top, the other on the back of my chair. “Yeah, I remember it. Didn’t take her long before it was my turn.” Captain looks to Royce. “Bet she can take us deeper next time around. That is...” He looks back to me. “If your jaw’s not too tired.”

Laughter and more mutters start around me. These kings have trained their people well. They know when to shut their mouths and when to play into the mockery.

I glance up right as Maddoc appears, towering over all of us as he stands tall and broad, all alluring with that arrogant tip of his chin. He’s on the opposite side of the table, his focused stare making my mouth run dry. I’m guessing this is his game, look at me like he wants to eat me alive – make them think he already has.

His gaze cuts to Royce as he shifts closer and the creases between his brows deepen. His eyes slice back to mine.

“Tell me, baby,” Royce regains my attention, whispering loud enough for others to hear. Reaching out, he tries to touch my hair, but I jerk away. “You think you could go longer tonight, hmm?”

I should slap the fuck outta him for attempting to touch me, for getting into my space like this, but I don’t.

Everyone is listening, it’s dead fucking silent around us now that big man is standing here, so I lean in, enjoying how his eyes widen before he can stop them when my palm swipes across the zipper of his True Religions. “You want me to go longer?” I drag out each word, sounding every bit the breathy whore I’m thought to be because of them, my left hand moving to rub along Captain’s bicep without bothering to look his way. “I tell you what, let me play with the big man first tonight.”

I slowly lift my eyes to Maddoc and as if sensing my stare, his glare jerks from where I’m touching his buddy to mine and I swear, he stands even taller than his six-foot-four frame, a tiny, almost unnoticeable tip at the left side of his mouth.

I keep my gaze locked on his. “We’ll call it a warm-up, and then I’m all yours.” When Maddoc’s nostrils flare, it’s my lips now fighting a smirk. I lazily lower my eyes back to Royce. “You know, since he can’t satisfy me like you can.”

At my dig at their boy, both Royce and Captain’s muscles tense for a split second before they pretend to laugh it off, and imagine that ... suddenly they’re done here and get up to leave.

I slowly drop against the chair and meet Maddoc’s stare once more.

His lips are in a tight line, and the vein at his temple is protruding. I think it’s safe to say he’s pissed.

Good.

When they exit the building, the principal catches my eye from the corner of the room he’s apparently been lurking in. He quickly looks from the boys to me, his forehead creasing but before he can come over and ask me stupid questions, I shoot from my chair and hustle out the back door.

It makes me sick when I have to act like that, but it’s also the only power I have if any at all.

That alone is sickening.

My mother would be proud.

“Um ... Raven?” I look up from my textbook when one of the youngest girls in the home sticks her head inside my door.

“Yeah?”

Her eyes are slightly wide as she speaks. “There’s someone out front who wants to see you.”

My brows dip. “Do you know who it is?”

She nods.

“Are you gonna tell me?”

She shakes her head and then the little shit runs off.

With a sigh, I pull my left earbud out and toss the MP3 player under my pillow before making my way to the door.

Victoria glares from her spot on the couch, but I ignore her and walk out front, only to meet that first step and turn back around.

“Now hang on a minute, you don’t wanna be rude,” Royce jokes and I spin back to look at him.

“What do you want?” I sigh.

“Come down here, Raven.” He leans back against his SUV, folding his arms over his chest. “Or I’ll follow you back inside.”

“Like I care.”

“You will when I tell Maybell I fucked you in her bed Saturday night. You know, when she was out at Bingo.”

My brows crease. So they know Maybell’s schedule, interesting.

He scowls at my curious expression. “Come down here. I even have a party favor.”

He lifts up a decent size joint and leisurely steps into his ride, jerking his head for me to follow.

I frown, contemplating what to do here, but only for a second before my feet decide for me, carrying me closer to the shithead waiting. With a deep sigh, I slide in his front seat, just like he wanted.

He pulls around the house and heads a short way down the dirt road behind the property and parks off to the side. When he steps out, I follow.

He opens the back of the SUV and moves to sit on the ledge, patting the space beside him.

Rolling my eyes, I pull myself up and take the joint after he lights it.

“Thought you didn’t smoke?”

“I don’t,” he snaps with narrowed eyes.

When I laugh, he grins and looks away.

“Gotcha.” I take a hit and hold it in, looking out across the orchard. “Maybell doesn’t let us come back here.”

Royce nods.

“I’ve tried to sneak off this way to smoke a few times and before I can even hit the tree line, there she is, yelling from the back porch for me to head back to the house. She’s got some telepathic shit going on, always popping up the second I make a move she might not like.”

“She’s got that predator intuition,” he agrees, and my eyes widen slightly. Before I can ask any questions, like how he would know, he keeps going. “Surprised you listen.”

“I’m surprised you’re here.”

Royce drops his head to the side to look at me.

“You got something to say, say it.” I pass the joint back to him.

“You need to watch yourself,” he warns, a dull look taking over his eyes.