Nightfall (Devil's Night, #4)

by Penelope Douglas

“You can’t dress, you can’t fix your hair, you can’t make friends, and, it appears, you can’t do anything impressive to help yourself get into a good university.”

He yanked his belt out of the loops, and I knew what was coming. There was no way to stop it, because he didn’t want to.

Nonnonono

“I can’t wear a swimsuit because of the bruises!” I blurted out.

That was why I quit swimming. My face wasn’t the only thing we had to worry about people seeing. My back, my arms, my thighs . . . People weren’t stupid, Martin.

Whatever he felt, he had to know we weren’t coming back from this. It was real now. No matter the apologies, the presents, the smiles or hugs, I would never forget what he did to me.

He wouldn’t fight the issue again, though. He knew I was right. I couldn’t wear a swimsuit.

His shower ran upstairs, and he wouldn’t be back down for a long time. Tomorrow, we’d wake up, pass each other silently before heading to work and school, and he’d be home early in the afternoon, being the one to make us dinner for a change. He’d be gentle and quiet and then start some topic of discussion at the table about touring a college that I was interested in, which he normally wouldn’t indulge and had no intention of indulging in by the time the weekend road trip was set to happen. I might be able to breathe for a week before I knew the novelty of our “wonderful sibling relationship” would wear off, and he was primed to relapse again.

Not only was I safe, but I was alone. There was no one in here, except me. I relaxed a little.

A small smile turned up the corners of my lips. I like Godzilla.

Because Godzilla was great. And Lolita hurt my head.

CHAPTER 3

Will, my God. It had been years since he got out of prison. Why had he waited until now?

“I knew you weren’t,” another man said on the other side of me. “Girls smell different. She was all over the house when we walked in.”

“Relax, baby,” he cooed. “We were just afraid you’d break them. Don’t want you to not see this.”

Shit. How bad does a kid have to be for a career criminal to not even be able to stand his own son?

I knew he couldn’t be trusted. I told him that. I knew it.

“I’m Aydin,” the alpha said, looking at me. “Aydin Khadir. No one will touch you again. You have my word.”

“No one will touch you,” he said, staring at the flames before turning to look at me. “Until you want us to.”

“Does she?” Aydin looked over his shoulder at Will. “Is she family? Please say it isn’t so.”

“Always following,” I taunted him. “Never the leader, and always latching on to anyone who loves you.”

“Damon . . .” Aydin murmured, looking over to Will. “Torrance?”

“And Michael Crist and Kai Mori, right?” Aydin continued. “I would be jealous you have people who care enough to send help if it weren’t a female a year too late.”

I shot my eyes to Micah, his gaze on the floor now. They locked him in here? Because he had a panic attack? He could’ve died.

He cocked his head, watching me dangle there. “Put her in my room,” he told them.

CHAPTER 4

I’d skipped lit this morning, no doubt another confrontation with my brother waiting to happen tonight once he found out, but I just couldn’t face Will and his merry band of morons this morning after my outburst yesterday.

“Life will eventually knock them down to size, like it does to us all.”

Homecoming. I groaned. Pretty sure slamming my nipple in a car door would be less painful.

Damn, I was rude. Why was I so awful? Elle and I weren’t friends, but we were friendly. She tried, despite how hard I made it.

I laughed, thankful she was playing back. I knew how I was. Judgy, rude, and close-minded, but I also knew why.

Happy people didn’t hurt others, and while I didn’t dwell on my behavior in lit yesterday with Will and his friends, people like Elle didn’t deserve it. I wanted someone to understand me.

I shot her a smile, hoping she didn’t take it personally. I wanted as far away from this town as possible for several reasons, and once I left, only one thing would ever bring me back.

“Nope. I don’t even know what that is. A Komodo dragon?”

“It’s Godzilla,” I murmured and then laughed.

And then my face fell. I watched Godzilla last night. I thought I was alone in the theater. Did someone see me? It was coincidental, wasn’t it?

Admit One Emory Scott L-348

“Are you serious?” Elle blurted out, snatching the ticket from my hand and staring at it. “An invitation from a senior?”

There was no way I was going. This was a trap waiting to happen.

I side-eyed her, tossed Godzilla into my locker, and pulled out my flute. •. • •

Then . . . he looked over his shoulder and locked eyes with me. A smile spread across his face, like he knew I’d been watching him the whole damn time, and my face fell, heat rising to my cheeks.

I was grateful she didn’t shout that across the room. No one needed reminding that I was a work-study kid.

For a moment, I was tempted. I wanted to be that girl. The one with a lock-in and cute boys and music and friends to look forward to.

Fucking Will Grayson.

But no. Everyone was at their disposal for their entertainment. No one else’s time was important.

He was outside. He wasn’t inside. Were they all outside? If it wasn’t the Horsemen up here with me, freaking me out, then who . . .

If it wasn’t Will and his pals, then that changed things.

“You got a problem with my brother, then you take it up with him. Don’t be a coward.”

My pulse raced more by the second, and the feeling almost made me smile because I kind of liked it.

I forced a smirk despite my hands shaking with fear. “Stop it, you’re scaring me,” I whimpered, imitating one of his Barbie dolls. “Oh, no. Whatever will I do? Don’t be too hard on me, Daddy.” I batted my eyelashes. “But I admit, I like it when you’re hard on me. Sooooo hard.” And then I moaned for good measure.

The crash ached in my ears, but I didn’t flinch.

She didnt flinch