I darted down an alleyway and drew in a deep breath. I knew where I was going to pick up this job. The same place I always went. When my father had finally stepped away from the crew, he passed it onto my brother, who was three years older than me, and not very good at standing up to our father. My brother was a pushover. As strong as he was physically, Dad had a grip on him mentally. Which dove this crew into some shady shit for a very long time. But after my brother’s accident, after having the only thing he loved ripped away from him, he finally saw the light.Like I had years before.That’s how the club got passed down to me. From my father, to my older brother, to me. Family lineage, just like tradition stated. But my father didn’t like me having control of the Red Thorns. I wasn’t as much of a pushover. I always questioned him as well as his motives, something he never enjoyed about me. It had been easier to manipulate my brother than it was me. But with my brother no longer be

I tugged at the white shirt before it thwaped right back into place, making Hannah giggle.“Come on, time’s a’wastin’, hot stuff.”I rolled my eyes. “Never. Again.”I felt my roommate grab my hand before we stumbled out into the hallway. With the music pumping and the strobe lights going again, it felt as if I had stepped out onto another planet. I squinted as someone shoved a drink in my free hand. I had on my only pair of heels, which somehow kept throwing me off balance. Maybe it was the effects of the light, or the fact that Hannah practically tipped the cup to my lips. But the more beer I chugged down, the looser I felt.“Need another?” she asked.I grimaced as the taste of lukewarm beer filled my throat. I forced myself to get it down, but I sure didn’t want another one. I tossed the red cup into the nearest trash can before Hannah started bopping around, dancing to the thumping music and reaching for yet another drink.One of many I presumed she’d already had.I looked up and d

“Holy shit. You’re jealous.”“Jealous of what?”I grinned as Benji stepped between her and me.“You’re jealous of the girls Maxy-boy here had at the party.”Benji slapped his hand against my chest and I caught his wrist.“Easy there,” I warned.He giggled nervously. “Doesn’t change the fact that you’re jealous.”Daddy’s girl shook her head. “Nope. Not even a little bit.”“Face it. You like Max, don’t you?”“Nope.”“Oh, then maybe you like me.”I shook my head. “Nope.”Benji sighed. “Well, she’s obviously jealous. And that’s kind of cute, don’t you think?”Daddy’s girl glared at us. “I’m. Not. Jealous. I could never be jealous of a couple of college girls with no standards.”“What did you just say?”I placed my hand onto Benji’s shoulder. The boy was always much too fired up. Always ready to prove his worth. Always ready to jump down someone’s throat to prove he belonged somewhere he didn’t. It was entertaining for a while. Until it became too much.Like now.Benji leaned his head towa

“Don’t get smart with me, bitch.”I start to stand up, but before I can even register movement, her platformed heel hits my shoulder. Hard. I tumble down, my butt landing in the water. A sharp pain radiates up my arm. A breath stills in my throat as I pull my hand up, cradling my wrist.Great. Now I’m soaking wet and my wrist is sprained.“What the fuck, bitch?” I snarl, pulling myself out of the ditch. She’s shorter than me by a couple inches, and I’ve got at least twenty pounds of muscle on her. She doesn’t look as intimidating now. Her blue eyes, still haughty, flash with momentary fear. “What’s your problem?”“Vivian and I are just needing to clean up the white trash in the street,” she snaps. “So next time you go running, make sure to watch where you’re going.”She turns on a heel, stalking back to her car.“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I call after her. My wrist throbs. Goddammit. I’d just gotten over a thigh strain, and I was looking forward to running without pain for o

“You got a hall pass, sweetie?”My throat is mute. Before I can form a remark, my feet are sweeping past her and I’m speed-walking down the hallway. I keep my eyes to the ground. Walk. Walk. Walk.“Oh my god, did you see her face?” comes a high-pitched squeal.Nope nope nope.I pivot on my heel and race back to the bathroom. I slide in, almost startling the sweet lady as she exits. Taking refuge in my stall, I pray that I mistook the voice.“-but like seriously, it was like beet-red and totally fucking hilarious,” says Vivian.My soul crashes to the tiled floor. Just my fucking luck.I can’t hold my tears back any longer. Unbidden and vicious, they pour down my cheeks. My face’s screwed up, and I try to hold back my sobs.“Good, she’s like, super ugly.” Bernadette has a distinctly higher voice, more nasally. “And such a slut. Like, seriously, what fucking blowjob lips.”There’s some ruffling around, and then Vivian takes the stall next to me. They continue talking. My feet are pulled