Striker: A Dark Bully Romance (Redwood Rebels Book 1) by Rachel Leigh (ebook reader for comics TXT) 📕

the events of tonight. I’ve learned that this girl can turn me from soft to hard just by running her mouth. I’ve also learned that she has no idea about her part in Josh’s death. Let’s just hope we can keep it that way.

“Wait a minute? You own this place? Why in the world would you ever buy this pile of garbage?” she spits out, as if she’s had an epiphany.

“The place was set to be condemned. I couldn’t let that happen. It’s one of my favorite places in this town. It’s full of mystery, darkness, and secrets. While some may believe this house harbors death, it brings me to life. It’s a reminder that things could always be worse.”

Instead of speaking, she just nods and continues to walk. No fighting, no resistance.

Hopefully she finally realizes that she isn’t going anywhere.

Not unless I’m there with her.

This little firecracker riding copilot has no idea how much her life is about to change. Most men would feel guilty for what we’re doing, but me and the boys aren’t most men. We’ve all grown up in a darkness that has fucked up any feelings of empathy, regret, or compassion. A couple of us worse off than the others.

I look over and catch another glimpse of her innocence. Her head pressed back against the headrest as she stares out into the ugly world.

I’d suspected that she would drill me with a dozen questions, toss out some insults, maybe even try to flee from the moving vehicle, but to my surprise, she’s been quiet on the ride home. I’m not one for small talk, and I really have nothing to say to this girl, so I let the sounds of Breaking Benjamin blast too loud for either of us to get a word out.

When we reach the house, I turn down the private drive through the open gate. Cars wrap the turnaround, and a few people loiter around outside with drinks in their hands. Pulling up to the front of the house, I tap her leg to get her attention then turn down the music. She looks at me with tired eyes. “Remember everything I said. Not a word—about Josh or about tonight. Go up to the bathroom and clean up, then join me downstairs with a smile on your face.” I curl my lip. “It’s time to party, baby.”

She closes her eyes and lets out an exhausted sigh. “Whatever. Just get me out of this damn car.” She reaches for the handle as I click the unlock button. We both get out simultaneously, and I leave the car running.

Tossing the keys to Stan, the valet, I pick up my pace to catch up with her. “What’s the hurry? We have forever.” I hook an arm around her shoulder, but she brushes it off right away.

“I can’t get your jizz off my leg fast enough. That’s what the hurry is.”

“You are such a snarky little thing. You better knock that shit off or I’ll be shoving my other hand up your pussy later.”

Her eyes roll. “Fuck you, you sicko.”

Pulling her back over with my arm on her shoulder, I press my lips to her cheek. “Promise?”

“Never!”

When we walk inside, I drop my arm immediately. I don’t need anyone in this house getting the wrong idea.

“Porter!” Jameson slaps my back, “about time you show up to your own party.” His eyes skim up and down Marni, who is still at my side.

I lean and whisper in her ear, “Go upstairs and clean up. I’ll be up in a minute.” Once she’s gone, I turn back to Jameson. “I’ve been around. You seen Zed?”

His eyes skim the party. “Yeah, that fucker is around here somewhere. Probably dunking heads in the toilet.”

Sounds like something Zed would do. Only most people do it as a prank, he’d do it to attempt a drowning. “Alright, I’ll catch ya later.”

Layla and Cara did a stellar job of decorating this place. I’m pretty impressed. I slapped a few hundreds in their hands this morning and told them to throw together an epic Halloween party, and they delivered. Half of the guests are wearing costumes, half aren’t. I look around the front room for Zed, but spot Marni taking part in what looks like a very serious conversation with a couple of her girlfriends. I’m not surprised, of course she has friends here. We all live in the same small town. However, I’m not comfortable with her interacting with people, without me, this early in the game. It’s too risky.

“Let’s go.” I grab her hand and begin pulling her away from the three chicks she was talking to. I don’t even look back at their reaction, nor care what any of them thinks. “I told you to go upstairs. Why are you still down here?”

“Stop it. You’re embarrassing me.” She tries to slither from my reach, to no avail.

“You embarrass me when you don’t do what I tell you to do. Quit fighting me or I will drag your little ass up these steps. How much would that embarrass you?”

Once we reach the top, I drop her hand. “You know where the bathroom is, right?” I nod my head toward the end of the hall. “After all, that’s what got you into this mess.”

I watch her as she starts walking, but she stops and turns around. “Wait, how did you know that I was using the bathroom that night?”

Biting the corner of my lip, I look up at the camera directly above me, then back at her.

It satisfies her curiosity, so she continues on her way.

With my back pressed against the bathroom door, I wait. And wait. And wait. “What the hell are you doing in there?”

The sink faucet has been running for ten minutes. Granted, I haven’t busted a nut in a few weeks, but it couldn’t have been that much of a mess to clean up.

“I need a different pair of shorts,” she hollers from the other side of