Heart of Stone ~ Book 1 Page 9

  “I can’t, not after the things I said” I say shaking my head vigorously. “Did I tell you I threatened to rip out his heart?”

  “You told me. Now call him.”

  “And say what? Hi Stone, remember me. I just screamed at you, threatened you, and told you I hate you, but guess what? I really love you and want you to-”

  “Dahlia will you just breathe!” I do as she says and take a few deep breaths, but it doesn’t help. “Just tell him you’re sorry” she says holding on to my shoulders firmly.

  “I am not groveling to Stone” I scoff. I can think of nothing worse than groveling to Devlin Stone. He’d lord it over me for all of eternity. And then some.

  “Fine. Don’t. Stay alone. See if I care.”

  “I like being alone” I say casually. “I also need to go home.”

  “Yeah it’s getting late” she says checking the time on her phone. “See you tomorrow?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Please think about what I said, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  I head home with one thing on my mind. My stone hearted frenemy.

  Chapter Twenty-Six — Devlin

  I never let my guard down, especially with girls, but somehow the hellhound pulled down my walls and left me exposed. Then she went in for the kill and tore out my fucking jugular.

  At least that’s how it feels.

  I’ve fallen hard for her and I wanted to take her to prom, to finally tell her how crazy she makes me, in more ways than one, but she made it abundantly clear that she hates me. I never hated her. I’ve wanted her from the second I met her, but clearly for her it’s been nothing but hatred.

  I’m in love with the hellhound and all she wants is to kill me.

  “What are you moping around for? Shouldn’t you be training?” my uncle asks crushing an empty beer can between his palms.

  “I’m too tired to train. I’ll put in extra time tomorrow” I say burying my head under my pillow.

  “You need to get ready kid; he could call on you any time.” Does he seriously think I need reminding? Has he actually seen how much I’ve been pushing myself lately?

  “I know that. Can you just let me get my head together?”

  “Well don’t take too long because there’s no time for messing about. You know you need to be on top form with those guys.”

  “Yeah, I know that. It’s not like it’s my first time doing this Uncle Z.”

  “Tomorrow. And make sure you don’t skip it again.”

  “I know.”

  I know he’s just looking out for me. He knows if I mess this up Deano will make life hell for me. I’m counting down the days until I graduate, and I can leave this damn town behind me. College will give me the perfect opportunity to get out.

  When my uncle closes the door to my room, I take the pillow away from my head. I thought I was done with this. I thought I was finished fighting. Nothing ever comes from falling in love. I don’t have the girl and because of her, albeit indirectly, I’ve been dragged into Deano’s circle again.

  I wish she were right about my heart being made of stone. I wouldn’t be in this mess right now if it were. I can’t help but feel a little resentment toward her. I’m fighting to protect her, but she hates me on a major scale. How is that fair?

  Eventually I allow myself to drift off into a restless sleep and wake feeling worse for it the next day. I have to face the music with Dahlia today and I’m bracing myself for a shitstorm. Considering she wanted to rip my heart out yesterday I’m pretty confident that today won’t be any better. In fact I’m preparing myself for it to be worse considering she won’t want to lose in front of everyone at school.

  I grudgingly drag myself out of bed and throw on some jeans and a shirt. I skip the shower because I can barely keep my eyes open let alone wash myself. I make sure I look at least half decent before heading out the door, though.

  When I reach school, I make a beeline for the cafeteria in desperate need of a caffeine fix. I’m dead on my feet and I probably look it. I don’t bother looking around to see who’s here, I just grab a coffee head outside and grab the nearest table. I prop my legs up on the chair opposite and close my eyes. Only to be rudely disrupted by the creaking of a chair on the floor beside me. I open one eye to find none other than the hellhound herself perched beside me.

  Fuck why does she always have to look so good?

  `

  Chapter Twenty-Seven — Dahlia

  “Hey” I venture with a cautious smile. I’m feeling more than a little embarrassed about my behavior yesterday and I’m not sure how he’s going to react to my being here.

  “What do you want?” he grumbles before closing the one eye he had opened when I sat down. He looks exhausted and I feel bad for disturbing him, but I need to clear the air.

  “Can I talk to you?”

  “Nah. I’m not in a very talkative mood” he dismisses me.

  “Fine. Then just listen.” I pull my seat closer to him forcing him to lower his legs to the floor and he drops his forehead hard on the table.

  “I’m sorry” I say. And I truly mean it.

  “Excuse me?” he sputters as he lifts his head to look at me. “I think I might have banged my head too hard because I swear I just heard you apologize.”

  “That’s because I did. This is a once in a lifetime thing so you should really be paying attention. I don’t do this kind of thing often.”

  “I imagine it’s burning that poisonous mouth of yours.” He’s fighting a smirk, but it gives me confidence that he’ll forgive me.

  “I don’t doubt it” I chuckle lightly.

  “Okay. I’m listening.” He folds his arms across his broad chest in anticipation and I clear my throat.

  “I shouldn’t have threatened to rip out your heart, but you really are and ass, and telling people not to ask me out goes above your usual level of jerkiness.”

  “Maybe it’s a good thing you don’t do this often because you really suck at it.” I roll my eyes at his remark and continue.

  “After a very disturbing conversation with my wonderful friend Beth, I have come to the realization that maybe you aren’t as jackassy as I first thought.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes. I also realized that I maybe, kind of, possibly like you. Just a bit.” I feel my cheeks flush slightly and I look at my hands so I don’t have to see his reaction.

  “Really?” he deadpans as if my words mean nothing, but I’m determined to finish.

  “Mhmmm. Now that being said. I am yet to see you in a non jackassy setting, so this new revelation may prove to be a big misunderstanding, but I am willing, if you are, to find out.”

  “Hmmm. And how do you suppose we might do that?” he asks leaning forward.

  “Well I guess the most obvious answer is prom. As I say, this is basically an experiment, if you will.”

  “An experiment?” he asks amused.

  “Yes. To see if you are not a complete ass. And to see if I have completely lost my mind.”

  “So just to be clear, you Dahlia, are asking me Devlin, to be your date to prom?”

  “I guess I am. Yes.”

  “Interesting” he smirks.

  “I think so.”

  “And if I say no?”

  I freeze and my throat closes up. “Oh…I…” I stutter. Was Beth wrong? Have I just made a complete fool of myself? “You know what, forget I said anything. I’m just-” I jump up and run inside to find Beth, my face burning with humiliation.

  I’m stood in the middle of the cafeteria, but I can’t see Beth. Everything is blurry.

  “Why did you run?” Stone’s voice calls from behind me. I spin to look at him, my heart still racing, my cheeks still burning.

  “I-I didn’t run. I’m supposed to be meeting Beth” I say looking around again.

  “You didn’t let me finish.”

  “You didn’t need to” I say tugging nervously at my sweater.

  “Generally when
someone is asked something they get to answer” he points out stepping closer to me.

  “You did answer” I mumble.

  “Not fully. What if I told you I didn’t want it to be an experiment?”

  “What?” I ask looking up at him.

  “What if I told you that you drive me crazy, but I want nothing more than to have you drive me crazy every day?”

  “Um” I was fidgeting. Devlin Stone was making me fidget.

  “What if I told you that I’m one hundred percent, undeniably in love with you?”

  “W-what?” My voice sounds forced and breathy, but I can’t seem to control it.

  “What if told you I want to kiss you…again?” He took another step closer, so he was standing toe to toe with me.

  “You do?”

  “More than anything.” He cups my face in his hands and leans in until our lips are almost touching. I can feel the warmth of his breath on my lips as he waits eagerly for my permission. I smile and close the distance between us, pressing my lips against his. He deepens the kiss, claiming me and my knees turn to liquid.

  I thought that only happened in romance novels.

  “It’s about damn time” Caleb whoops and a few other cheers ring out making him laugh against my mouth. “Go to prom with me?” he whispers against my lips and I nod. He kisses me again in response and I melt into him.

  “So you don’t have a heart of stone after all huh?” I tease breathlessly when he eventually breaks the kiss.

  “Only for you baby” he smiles.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight— Devlin

  I scrub up well if I do say so myself. I’m in a tux with my hair slicked back. I’m still wearing my boots though. No way am I putting myself through the torture of those insufferable shoes. I’m picking Dahlia up in fifteen minutes and I’m nervous as hell.

  My phone buzzes as I grab my keys and head for the door.

  “Hello” I say pressing the phone to my ear.

  “It’s time” Deano’s voice commands from the other side.

  Shit! Not tonight!

  “I’m just about to leave for prom” I protest even though I know he doesn’t give a shit what I’m doing or that I’ll have to ditch Dahlia.

  “The Cell at Six” he says confirming my suspicion. I groan inwardly as my stomach knots.

  She’s going to hate me!

  “Who am I up against?”

  “This one was specially requested” he says, and I can hear the smirk in his voice.

  “By?” I ask suspiciously.

  “Your dear old dad. It’s someone he knows. He was insistent that you should fight this guy and he’s betting on you kid, so don’t let him down.”

  Why the hell would my dad send someone, or bet on me for that matter?

  “My dad bet on me?” I ask in disbelief. It was no secret my dad and I didn’t get along. I always resented him for dragging me into this mess.

  “Yeah. Seems he has it in for this guy. I don’t know the details, but he said you do.”

  “I don’t get it.”

  “Just meet me at six.”

  “Okay, I’ll be there.”

  I hang up and call Dahlia to let her know I have to skip out on prom. Let’s just say she’s not exactly thrilled that I’m ditching her on the night of the prom to fight but it’s not like I have a choice in the matter.

  Climbing into my car I grip the steering wheel trying to focus on why I’m doing this. It’s the only thing that makes me go through with it.

  It’s to keep Dahlia safe!

  ∞∞∞

  The Cell’s a condemned, derelict building that used to be an old jail house. It’s basically falling apart and should probably be knocked down, but no one seems to have a problem with piling into the damn place to watch a bunch of guys knock ten tons of shit out of each other. The fights usually take place in the holding cell, hence the name. Essentially, it’s a cage fight.

  The place is already buzzing when I arrive, and the spectators are placing their bets. Deano’s boys are amping up the crowd and a minor fight has already started to get the crowd in the mood.

  “Stone” Deano grins pulling me into an awkward bro hug handshake thing, something we have never done before.

  “So how are we doing this?” I deadpan.

  “This guy aint worth shit Stone. You’ll floor him in the first round.”

  “He’s not a fighter?” I ask curiously. Deano’s shady but he never lets someone fight if they don’t have at least some skill.

  “Barely. Apparently, your dad told him it was fast money, that he gets a payout even if he loses. I’m only allowing this because of your dad kid.”

  “The guy must me desperate if he’ll put himself through this when he knows he’ll lose” I say. I’m still confused why my dad is involved. “So who is it anyway?” Deano points across the room and I follow his finger to a short, bald guy in the corner. It takes a second in the low lighting to register who he is, but when it does click, anger floods me and I go to move towards him. Deano holds me back and lets out a sadistic laugh.

  “Save it for in the cell kid” he says patting me on the back.

  “My dad sent him?” I growl as I stare menacingly at the guy.

  “Yeah. Judging by your reaction I’m guessing you know why your dad wants you to beat the shit out of him?”

  “Yeah I do. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop though Santino.”

  “Good. I want to see blood tonight kid. Now go make me some fucking money.” I nod and pull my shirt away then make my way over to the holding cell.

  He enters first and moves to the far end. There’s no escaping because he’s boxed in. I enter and Deano quickly locks the door behind me before the guy’s even had a chance to register me. When he does, he pales.

  “Remember me” I grit out and he looks at Deano in panic but Deano just stares at him with a shit-eating grin plastered across his face.

  “Three rounds. You know the rules boys. There are no fucking rules” he shouts, and the crowd erupts into a roar that rattles the bars.

  I don’t hesitate to make the first move and the guy goes down with the first blow. The little fucker’s determined though and he quickly scrambles back to his feet. He swings at me, but I dodge it easily. He tries again but spins out and connects with the bars.

  This guy seriously can’t fight for shit.

  I deliver blow after blow, my rage fueling me. He’s already a bloody mess but I keep pummeling into him. He slumps to the floor begging me to let up, but I don’t have it in me. He deserves every second and I won’t stop until he pays with his blood.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine — Dahlia

  I took my mom’s car and followed Stone. I know I shouldn’t be here but I’m not exactly thinking clearly right now. I hold back until I’m satisfied Stone will be out of sight enough, so he won’t see me.

  When I reach the door I’m met with an angry looking guy. I recognize him as one of the guys who were at my house the night Stone took off. He seems to recognize me because he gives me a knowing smile.

  “Looking good Dahlia” he smirks. I look down suddenly remembering I’m in my damn prom dress.

  “Thank you” I say forcing a smile. I can’t be confrontational with this guy otherwise I won’t get in.

  “Your boys in there tonight.”

  “I know that’s why I’m here.”

  “I’m not supposed to let you in, but since he’s one of our best and you dressed up so nice for the occasion, I suppose I can make an exception. Just don’t cause a scene or your boy will be pigs’ meat, okay?” I nod and he steps aside to let me in.

  A pungent smell hits me as soon as I enter the run-down building. It’s the smell of stale smoke, sweat and blood. The crowd is going crazy as they cheer on a fight. Most of them are shouting Stone’s name so I know he’s already started. I push my way through the crowd and just as I reach the front Deano pulls me aside.

  “Don’t distract him sweetheart” he says with a hint
of a warning to his tone.

  “I wasn’t going to” I say looking towards the cage Stone is in. “How long does he have to stay in there?” I ask.

  “Three rounds or until one of them is out cold.”

  I watch as his fists pound into a guy beneath him. He looks so vicious and angry. He wasn’t wrong when he said he could fight. My eyes drop to the guy under him and my blood runs cold.

  Dad!

  “Ohmigod. What’s my dad doing in there with him?” I choke out. I don’t know what’s causing the nausea, seeing my dad, or seeing my boyfriend beating the crap out of him.

  I look at Deano for an explanation, but he looks just as shocked as me.

  “That guy in there with your boyfriend is your dad?”

  “Yes. Did Stone arrange this?”

  “No, he didn’t know who he was paired with until he arrived here tonight.”

  “How did this even happen?”

  “Looks like we have a winner. Our very own Devlin Stone” a voice announces from behind me before Deano can respond.

  I look over and see Stone exiting the cage and some guys dragging my dad away. Instinctively I run to Stone, tripping on my dress as I do.

  “Is he dead?” I ask but it comes out more like a strangled moan.

  “Dahlia?” He looks over at Deano who shrugs back. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “What the hell are you doing beating my dad to a pulp?”

  “Hey, you know he deserved every second of that.”

  “I didn’t ask for that.”

  “And I didn’t ask for him to be here. After what he done to you, I think I went pretty fucking easy on him.” I tug at my jacket which is covering my shoulders. It’s a fancy one that matches my dress but suddenly I feel exposed. “You look beautiful by the way” he says, reaching out to touch my face, but I pull away when I notice the blood all over his hands.

  “I’d say the same if you weren’t spattered with my dad’s blood.” He looks at his hands and nods in understanding and I follow him to where Deano is standing, holding back while they talk.