Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

Nova

I try pulling free of her hold but she won’t let me go. “Vivian, stop!” I call out as she drags me through the parking lot toward Vox’s car. Just as she reaches his car I manage to get free only to stumble back into someone, I whirl around to see Ezekiel standing there with a furious look on his face. I swallow audibly as I stare up at him. He takes a step forward and I take one back, causing him to narrow his eyes. When he lifts his hand I flinch and his eyes widen in anger, forcing me to remain still as he reaches around my neck and unclasps the collar.

“Don’t ever let anyone do this shit to you,” he snarls, then tosses the collar onto the hood of Nexus’ car. When I dart forward to try and grab it, he hauls me back with an arm around my waist.

“Get the fuck off me!” I scream. He shoves me back against Vox’s car, then gets right in my face.

“You want to fight, then fight him, don’t fucking bow down,” he grits out, anger lacing each of his words.

“I can’t,” I whisper, hating how defeated I sound. “Thomas gets home tonight and I need to obey everything he says or you know what he will do,” I admit.

“What’s going on here?” The sound of Vivian’s voice breaks us apart. Ez stabs a hand through his hair and tugs on the strands in agitation.

“Nothing,” I mutter.

“Oh, so is this the part where I play dumb and act like I have no idea about what you all have been up to?” Ezekiel snaps his head toward Vivian in shock. She meets his gaze with a quirked brow and a hand on her hip. “Vox may shelter me as best he can but I’m not stupid, Ez. I know a lot more than I let you all think.”

“Vi, you have no idea?—”

She cuts him off. “About the Haven Saints? Or is it about the Filthy Few ?” she mock whispers their crew name. Ezekiel’s mouth pops open at the same time mine does. I stare at my friend in astonishment, it never once occurred to me to reach out to her and ask for help.

“Vivian!” The moment is shattered by the sound of Vox’s voice. He, Hayze and Archer all storm toward us, looking like a dark cloud of angry energy. He wraps his arm around her shoulder and then looks at me with concern and pity in his blue eyes. I scoff and turn away from him, crossing my arms over my chest.

“I know, I shouldn’t have done that but can we save the lecture for later?” she pleads with her brother. My phone begins to ring, silencing everyone. I pull it out and frown at the unknown number but answer it anyway.

“Hello?”

“Miss Quinlin?”

My brows draw in. “Yeah?”

“My name is Hannah and I am one of the nurses caring for your mother.” My stomach bottoms out.

“Where is she?” I shout, in an instant I feel Vox come up behind me but I ignore him and the others surrounding me.

“She has had to be sedated again?—”

I cut the bitch off. “Where is she, please just tell me where she is?” I sob out. Vox wraps his arm around my waist, drawing me back into him. I allow it because right now his hold is the only thing keeping me from falling to my knees.

“That information is private, all I can tell you is she is now resting and will remain that way. Take care, Miss Quinlin.”

“No!” I scream out. As the call disconnects, a strangled sound tears out of me. Vox spins me around and I bury my face in his chest as I allow the tears to fall. His hold on me is strong and protective—and as much as I know I need to pull away from him and not let myself fall into the trap he is setting, I can’t find the strength to do it. I give myself another minute to break apart before I pull away from Vox. I turn my back to them as I wipe away my tears and compose myself.

I straighten and take a few deep breaths then steel my spine as I turn to face them all. Each of them stand there, looking worried and guilty—good they should feel guilty.

“Nova—”

I shake my head silencing Vivian, bless her and everything but now is not the time. I can’t step out of line or allow them to help me. Nexus just showed me that he isn’t bluffing. When I move forward the guys let me past but the growl that comes from Ezekiel when I grab the collar has me turning to face them. They all look pissed off at the sight of the collar in my hand but this is how it has to be. I focus my attention on Vivian knowing she is going to be the hardest to convince.

“I need you to stay away from me,” I plead.

Her face falls. “Nova, we can help you.”

I shake my head and smile sadly. “I appreciate that. I’ve never had a friend stick up for me aside from Waylen. What you did will always mean a lot to me, Vivian, but I can’t allow my mom to be hurt because of me.” I look to Vox next, he looks like the devil crawled inside him and is using his skin as a suit. “You need to read the letter, we have a week. Stay away from me, Vox, all of you need to pretend like I don’t exist.”

“What if I can’t?” His question shocks the fuck out of me. It seems it has shocked the others as well because they are staring at him with wide eyes.

“It isn’t your choice to make. You wanted me destroyed, wanted information from me and you used my body to get it. Every part of my house may be monitored but not my bedroom. I used your entry and exit point to sneak out and stash the files in your garden shed last night. You have your proof, Vox, now leave me alone.”

“Wait, how does Vox know how to get into your room?” Vox flinches at his sister's question but unlike him I won’t lie or hide shit from her.

“Vivi, you know how I mentioned I was seeing someone?” I feel like a dick saying that out loud but she nods. “Turns out the guy that was fucking me into a coma was your brother. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you because truth is, I never knew it was him either or I wouldn’t have let it happen.” Her mouth is ajar. The guys snicker while Vox stands there working his jaw side to side. I don’t stick around for a reply, I have a role to play and a stepbrother to appease, so I secure the collar around my neck and hold my head high as I stroll through the front doors of the school and ignore all the looks from everyone as I pass them, heading to my locker.

Just as I’m pulling the last of my text books out, the locker door is slammed shut. I just manage to shift my hand at the last second so it doesn't get squashed. I turn my head to the side to see Nexus standing there, covered in blood and a vindictive look in his eyes.

“Did you enjoy that phone call?”

My nostrils flare at his taunt. “I had nothing to do with what happened,” I grit out.

“Seems my so called friends don’t agree with my punishment for you.” I choose to remain silent rather than instigating his wrath. He darts his gaze over my shoulder and I know without a doubt that Vox and the others just entered the hallway. “Be good or mommy gets it,” he sneers, then grips the back of my head and yanks me forward, slamming his mouth against mine. I shake my head trying to break free but the look in his soulless green eyes warns me not to reject him or my mom will pay the price. His hand grips my waist in a move to show possession to everyone watching. He breaks the kiss and shoots me a wink as I drop my gaze to the floor feeling disgusted and ashamed.

“Seems we know why the toy was declared off limits,” Vox says casually like I’m not standing right here. I steel my resolve. This is what I asked of him and the others to pretend they don’t know me.

“A bit of taboo never hurt anyone, right?” Nexus says cockily. I feel bile rise in my throat but swallow it down and push off the lockers to head to my next class. Nexus is planning something for revenge against Vivian, there is no doubt about that in my mind, we just need to keep her and my mom safe for the rest of the week and then we can get rid of him and his father.

When the final bell sounds, I make my way out to the parking lot but come to a stop when I don’t see Nexus’ car in the lot. Vox and the others stand by his car, the sight of Nicole smiling up at Vox has my stomach churning. I scan the lot once more before deciding the cunt left me behind. I sigh and lower my head as I start my long walk home.

“Look everyone! There goes the piggy,” Nicole calls out. I don’t react to her or everyone else oinking at me. I clutch my books tighter against my chest and continue walking. I feel someone come up beside me and I reel back when I see it’s Ezekiel.

“Keep walking and don’t stop. I’m not interfering with your plans but I’m also not letting you walk out of here alone with these fucking vultures pawing at you.” His words have me softening toward him. “Head up, Nova, you may wear his collar but you are not beneath him.” Tears of gratitude prick the backs of my eyes. I do as he says and keep my head held high as we walk out of the school side by side.