Heart of Stone ~ Book 1 Read online

  “You’re so annoying” he says rolling his eyes.

  “I’m so glad you noticed. It’s one of my many talents.”

  “Fascinating. Now leave” he says with a vicious bite to his tone and I stand with a triumphant smile on my face. He keeps his eyes on me and I can feel them burning into me even when I turn away.

  “Stop staring at me!” I shout as I walk back to my table.

  I take a seat back with Beth and she leans over whispering. “You know he’ll kill you?”

  “You know I don’t care?” I say as I sip on my water.

  She glances back at him briefly then turns back to me. “If I were you, I’d back off, it’s not a good idea to make an enemy of him.”

  “Hey, I was just helping the guy out” I shrug.

  “Do you have a death wish?” she asks with genuine concern in her eyes.

  “Not quite but…” I trail off not finishing the sentence and instead focus on my food and my plan for world domination. Or maybe just self-domination. I could settle for that. For now.

  After lunch Beth and I separate to go to our respective lockers. Hers is just across the hall from mine so at least I won’t have to search for her when I’m finished. I watch as she walks to her locker and smile inwardly, I’m glad I managed to find someone to hang out with on my first day. I had been so nervous last night that I was almost sick.

  I’ve never been confident or popular. Don’t get me wrong, my last school was okay, and I wasn’t bullied or anything like that, but I was known as the quiet girl who barely spoke to anyone. I preferred being on my own but eventually it did get lonely and reinventing myself and trying to make friends seemed impossible.

  Here, it’s like starting fresh. A clean slate. No one knew the old, shy me so it’s the perfect opportunity to try out a new persona. A new confident version of myself. The old me is still there of course; she’s just sitting back with a box of popcorn, watching the show I’m putting on for her and she’s fucking loving it.

  I’m lost in thought, smiling to myself when two large hands land either side of me, caging me in against my locker, a chest pressed against my back. I don’t even have to turn around to know that it’s him. I heave an exaggerated breath as I slam my locker door shut.

  Remember how I said I hate people being behind me?

  Fear swamps me and I feel my insides shaking. I squeeze my eyes shut trying to calm myself. I can’t show him my weakness. When a predator knows your weakness, they’ll use it to their advantage and I’m not about to give this guy the upper hand.

  “I’m all for help in the community and everything, but I think this level of closeness could get dangerous. For you” I breathe out trying my best not to let my mask slip.

  “Why are you here?”

  “Um I’m not sure exactly. I’m yet to figure out the meaning of life. How about you?” I throw back and I feel him tense up behind me. Clearly my snarky remark wasn’t appreciated.

  “I mean here. In this school” he hisses.

  “To learn. At least I think that’s how it works.” I tap my finger on my chin as if I’m contemplating something huge.

  “Why are you so focused on me?” he breathes against my neck and I have to suppress a shiver.

  Is he serious?

  “I’d just like to point out that you are the one who is pressed up against me. I’m pretty sure that makes me the focus of your attention.”

  “Don’t get smart” he growls. I assume in attempt to scare me. But I don’t scare easily. Not any more.

  “I’m already smart” I smirk. Not that he can see considering my back’s still to him.

  “Who sent you here?” he growls close to my ear.

  Who sent me? What does he think this is, a mafia movie?

  “What?” I spin to look at him, his face dangerously close to mine and my heart beats a little faster.

  I am not scared!

  “Who. Sent. You.” He repeats slowly, his eyes boring into mine.

  “What, like the mafia or something?” I chuckle but his face remains serious. I stop laughing and clear my throat. “Are you serious right now?” I frown and he doesn’t reply. Just stares. “No one sent me” I say finally when I realize he isn’t going to answer. “Why would someone send me?”

  Who the hell is this guy that he would ask something like that?

  “Ah, now that’s an interesting question. One that has many fabulous answers. However, I don’t think you’ve earned the right to hear such fascinating information” he echoes my earlier response to him and leaves with a smirk.

  My heart is racing, and I’m confused as hell, but I refuse to let the crazy guys cryptics shake me.

  “What the hell was that?” Beth asks as she rushes over to me.

  “I have absolutely no idea” I say watching down the hall after him. “Intimidation?”

  “I told you to be careful” she says with a pointed look.

  Yeah yeah.

  “I’m not scared of him Beth. I’ve dealt with scarier.” I have. Stone doesn’t scare me in the least. I’ve seen evil and he is not it.

  Chapter Four — Devlin

  She didn’t flinch. Not once. I can’t figure her out. It’s like she came here solely to piss me off. I’ve watched her all day and I’m the only one she’s like this with. I’m watching her now as she throws her head back laughing at something Beth has said. As she fiddles with her car keys. As she brushes wisps of bright red hair from her face. As she chews on her bottom lip while she thinks. As she catches me watching her…again.

  She glares at me and shakes her head before getting in the passenger side of Beth’s car and slamming the door for dramatic effect. I laugh to myself and shake my head. She really doesn’t like me, does she?

  “I think she’s right about your eyes Stone” Caleb says from behind me.

  “What are you talking about now?” I sigh heavily turning to face him.

  “If you think she isn’t hot then you need those eyes checked out. She’s smokin’” he’s staring at Beth’s car and sucking in his bottom lip as if he can still see the hellhound. I have no idea why I said she wasn’t hot. Did I think they wouldn’t see her or something?

  “Whatever” I shrug. “She’s been here one day and she’s already a problem.”

  “You have serious issues Stone” Beth snips as she sidles up to us, her arms folded across her chest.

  “Ah hey traitor” I say, shooting her a glare that could freeze fire.

  “You bruised her” she blurts out. She looks kinda pissed at me, but I can see she’s trying her best to restrain her anger.

  “I didn’t touch her” I frown.

  “You knocked her down.”

  “Actually, she’s the one who ran into me” I point out feeling more than a little irritated by the accusation that I deliberately hurt her.

  “A decent human would’ve helped her up, not growled at her.”

  “Well, clearly I’m not-”

  “Human?” she interjects. “I know and her butt’s bruised because of you.”

  “I could help her with that” Caleb chimes in rubbing his palms together in front of him.

  “Pervert” Lacy chuckles.

  “What? Are you saying you wouldn’t?” Caleb asks giving her a mischievous look. “Have you seen that ass?” Like I hadn’t had her on my mind enough. Now I’m sat here thinking about her ass.

  “Caleb!” Beth shouts making him jump then she turns to me. “You owe her an apology” she says.

  “I don’t” I say getting up and walking to my car. I’ve had just about enough of that hellhound for one day.

  Chapter Five — Dahlia

  Home. Not my favorite place in the world. I wouldn’t exactly call it home either, but hey the things you’ve got to do for a better life, am I right? We moved from a five-bed, three-bath house, on a nice estate, to a two-bed rundown apartment in one of the roughest neighborhoods I know. It’s strange how my old school would’ve fit this area better than my ne
w one does.

  It’s only my mom and I here and I don’t see her all that often because she’s working two jobs to keep us afloat. The house doesn’t have our stamp on it yet and most of our stuff’s still in boxes, so it feels like I’m just an extra in my own life. It’s lonely, and the worst part about being at home alone all the time, is it gives me way too much time to think about what happened before we came here.

  I’m so glad I met Beth; perhaps she can offer some much-needed distractions. She’s picking me up for school in the morning and then we’re hanging out after school. At least that means I will have a little less time alone to go over the bad shit in my head. Tonight though, I’ve decided to finish unpacking my things and get my bedroom feeling a bit more like my own and then I plan on having an early night. Hopefully, that will keep my mind busy enough until tomorrow.

  My bedroom is nothing special. It’s a small space with a bed and a dresser. There’s a built-in closet too. The walls are plain and white, or at least I think they’re supposed to be white. The place definitely needs sprucing up but at least I have a room.

  Positives!

  The window looks out on to the drive, so I have a good view of the front door and it’s set back from the street slightly so there’s no glare from the streetlights. It’s a little drafty but that doesn’t bother me because I like my room to be cool. My mom hung some drapes that are way too big and way too fancy, but they do the job.

  Lugging a few boxes on to my bed I start pulling items from inside and placing them strategically around the room and then I unpack the rest of my clothes and divide them out between my dresser and closet.

  When I’m finished, I climb into bed and look around my new room feeling a little more at home. Having my things around me makes me more comfortable and I smile. Maybe I can be happy here.

  I fall asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. All the bickering with the devil in stone must’ve really tuckered me out. It’s probably the best night sleep I’ve had in a long time and when morning comes, I’m more than ready to face the day.

  Beth is bang on time to pick me up and I skip out of the door with the same air of confidence I had yesterday.

  I wonder how long I can keep up this act.

  I climb into the passenger seat beside Beth and she looks like she’s barely awake.

  “Morning” I singsong and she grunts back at me. “Not a morning person huh?”

  “Not today I’m not. I slept like crap.”

  “Did something happen?” I ask concerned, my smile falling.

  “It’s nothing. I just didn’t get much sleep.” I feel like she’s hiding something but I can tell she doesn’t want to talk about it, especially with the girl she only met yesterday, so I just watch quietly out of the window as we drive.

  When we arrive at school Beth parks up close to the building and heads straight for the cafeteria.

  “I need caffeine” she grumbles as she points at a vacant table for me to grab while she goes to the counter. When she’s done, she sits opposite me and sips at her coffee like it’s her life force.

  “You look like shit” Stone says stopping beside us with his friends. He doesn’t look at me though. In fact it looks like he’s forcibly keeping his eyes off me.

  “Go to hell Stone!” Beth snarls and one of the other guys drops in the seat beside her and pulls her into his arms. I’m a little shocked to be honest. I had no clue she was friends with these guys, but she snuggles into him, so I guess they are.

  “What happened? Talk to me” he says stroking her hair affectionately.

  “I had a bad night. I’ll be okay” she mumbles.

  “Are you sure?” She nods against his chest but doesn’t move away. He clearly has a calming affect on her because I can already see the tension from her shoulders dissipating.

  The rest of their group take up the other seats around the table and I suddenly feel like shrinking away. Confidence one on one is fine but, in a group, I’m not so sure.

  I can feel eyes burning into me and when I look up Stone is glaring at me. I swear he’s trying to strangle me with his mind. I think it’s working too because it’s definitely starting to feel tighter. I rub my hand along my throat trying to ease the sudden discomfort and he narrows his eyes, zoning in on the action.

  “Dahlia, right?” one of the guys asks from beside me, drawing my attention away from Stone.

  “In the flesh” I say with a confident smile. At least I hope it looks confident.

  He chuckles. “I’m Caleb. That’s Aaron over there cuddling Beth.”

  “I’m Darrius” the guy to my left says. “And you’ve already met the sunshine of our group” he says smirking at Stone who merely snarls back at him.

  “Why are we sitting with her?” Stone asks in irritation, as if he might burst into flames from being close to me. I know the feeling.

  “Because I’m an absolute fucking delight as apposed to your brimstone and fire” I offer with a grin.

  “Fuck you.” Honestly, I’m lucky looks can’t kill because this guy would’ve killed me a thousand times over by now.

  “I have thanks, and as I already said I’m a delight.” My grin widens and Caleb splutters, spitting out his soda, some coming from his nose. He erupts into laughter beside me. Stone just shifts in his seat, but his expression remains cold.

  “You’re funny” Caleb says through his laughter. “You should come to my party on Saturday. Beth’s going to be there.” I look over at Beth and she nods in agreement.

  “Um. Okay. Just because I made soda come out of your nose?”

  “Partly” he laughs again. “You’re kinda cool.” He smiles at me warmly his eyes exploring my face.

  “I am very cool” I correct trying to fight the blush his eyes are causing.

  “I stand corrected” he says with a bright smile. “It’ll be fun and if you want, we can get to know each…”

  “Stop hitting on her” Stone snaps causing me to jump. He looks like he’s about to raise hell right here in the cafeteria. Caleb raises an eyebrow at Stone’s outburst and then a smirk slowly plays along his lips.

  “Ah, I get it now” he says with a devious grin, his eyes fixed on Stone.

  “What do you get?” Stone asks uninterested, as if he really couldn’t care less what Caleb has to say.

  “Why you’re being such a dick. I mean, more than usual that is. You want the hellhound.”

  Stone’s eyes dart to mine and they’re dark. Dangerous. And my heart rate skyrockets.

  “Wrong!” he deadpans looking back at Caleb.

  “What’s the hellhound?” I ask in an attempt to slow my beating heart and everyone exchanges wary glances. Except for Stone. He’s smirking.

  “You!” Stone hisses looking very fucking pleased with himself.

  “Me?” I swing to face Caleb “You call me the hellhound?” I ask furiously.

  “No” Caleb says in defense. “He does” he jerks his chin toward Stone, who doesn’t seem to care one bit that he has insulted me.

  “You’re an asshole Stone!” I growl jumping to my feet. “And let me make one thing crystal fucking clear. I hate you. So any want for me had best be forgotten, fast, because hell will freeze over before I have anything to do with you.”

  “Run along hellhound” he says through gritted teeth, but I’m already gone.

  “So are you coming on Saturday?” Caleb shouts after me as I head for the exit, but I don’t answer. I have no intention of attending a party that will include Devlin Stone. I guess that means I won’t be attending any parties since I imagine he gets invited to all of them.

  How is it that I made a friend and an enemy on my first day and they just so happen to hang out with the same group of people?

  Chapter Six — Devlin

  I’m going to kill Caleb. As if I would want that hellion. She drives me fucking crazy. She’s been here less than two days and already she’s injected herself into my life. That being said I’m kind of hating the fact t
hat she’s avoiding me now, thanks to Caleb and his big fucking mouth. She really didn’t like being called hellhound. We have a class together now so I’m going to make the most of it before she can run from me again.

  “Move!” I bark as I enter the room and walk towards her. Silence falls around us but as I’ve already learned, she isn’t shaken by me.

  “What?” she gives me incredulous glare.

  “That’s my seat.” It’s not. There aren’t assigned seats in this class and I’ve never sat in this particular seat, but she doesn’t know that. I can see people watching because of course they all know it’s not my seat either.

  “So go sit somewhere else” she says without looking at me.

  “If you don’t move then I’ll have to move you.”

  “Try it” she scoffs folding her arms and looking me dead in the eyes, daring me. I smirk down at her. She’s calling my bluff. Okay, I can roll with this.

  I bend over and pick her up easily and she squeaks but I don’t put her down. Instead, I sit in the seat she was sat in and keep her on my knee, holding her tightly in place.

  “Let me go you fucking psycho, or I swear I’ll castrate you with my compass.” I chuckle to myself, but I don’t let her go.

  My hand is resting on the exposed silky skin between her shirt and jeans and I have to restrain myself from stroking her. It’s so tempting but even I have my limits, lines I won’t cross. I lean close to her ear and I can smell her shampoo and perfume. She smells so good I want to bury my face in her neck, but I resist.

  “I told you to move” I purr against her ear. It comes out way huskier than it should have, and I mentally kick myself. What does she do? She moves. All over my dick. Wiggling that sexy ass of hers in my lap.

  Fuck!

  I push her off me and she stumbles into the next seat with a shit eating grin on her face. She knew what she was doing.

  “Should we call that one a draw?” she grins looking pretty damn pleased with herself.