looks back at me. “Your life’s fucking over.”
I know I should say something. I know I should defend myself before he makes my life unbearable, because God knows, he can do that with a snap of his fingers. He has the power to flip my life upside down. I can’t afford that right now.
“Aww, don’t look so terrified. I know you have more spunk in that traitorous body of yours,” he murmurs. “Let’s have a little fun, shall we?”
I can see the malice in his eyes, the evil intent in his chuckle.
“I have no intention of having any kind of fun with you,” I spit out and he chuckles, this time with humor.
“Oh, but you were so willing to let me dick you down that night two years ago,” he says, his eyes hardening, then he steps back from my car. Horror spikes through my system when I anticipate what he’s about to do.
“What happened to that slut who wanted my dick at all costs, Mia Montague?” he shouts the words, making sure everyone can hear him. I can see, more than hear, the shock of his words and then the laughs and jeers from the crowd as they all zero in on me, moving in closer.
“What happened, huh?”
I wince, just sitting there in my car. Is this how I go down for all my sins? With everyone watching the two most loved brothers of Palos Verdes making a spectacle out of me? Reducing me to a pile of nothing because of a grudge and hate they’ve managed to keep hidden for so long?
“Go fuck yourself, Liam.”
“Nah, I want you to do that for me,” he starts, watching me. “Why don’t you come out and ride me.”
“Aww, I’m sorry,” I start, blinking at him like I’m clueless. “I don’t ride animals. Bestiality is not my thing.”
I shouldn’t have come here tonight. I should go back home.
“What are you doing here?” Liam questions like he can read my thoughts, his voice low, smoky, and maybe even dangerous, but I’m too nervous to notice.
“Excuse me?” I frown.
“You’re not a bright one, are you?” He chuckles, but his face is still hard. “I said, what are you doing here?”
“What are you? Social Police?” I say, ever so sweetly. It’s one thing that the beef we have going on is personal, but trying to make me feel like I don’t belong? He doesn’t know who the fuck I am. “Do you check everyone’s ID too? You know, to make sure they’re in the right place at the right time?”
Liam is a notorious playboy. Smart and eccentric. There were rumors that he had this energy about him that drew girls in, despite their better judgement. I witnessed that firsthand, dancing in his arms like a wanton crazed girl, all the while trying to forget his brother. I remember Kristine once said he was addictive, and there were girls that apparently tried committing suicide in his bedroom, just to get him to care for them.
“I guess I have to start doing that before I start kissing little things that spew shit about my family and think they will get away with it,” he says instead, watching me.
“I guess you should,” I murmur, then glance at his brother, knowing that the big bad wolf is listening to every word.
“Hmm,” he hums.
“What do you want, Liam?” I sigh, keeping my voice level and calm, ignoring the hard glare coming from his brother.
Rumors of Liam Fitzgerald have since been floating around in the hallways of Clintwood Academy, and if I’m being really honest, I’ve heard about him since middle school and that’s saying a lot. I’ve heard about how he makes sport of embarrassing people, ripping into them like he doesn’t care.
He’s about to do the same thing to me.
“This your first time out here, huh?” he says the words as if he’s trying really hard not to laugh. Why do I get the sense that he’s laughing at me?
“What?”
“Oh, I wasn’t asking. I know it’s your first time out here.” He’s cocky, his eyes glistening with evil merriment.
“So why did you say it like a question?” I fold my arms, feeling like he’s trying to get a rise out of me. “Do you have something to say here?”
“Yeah.”
“Come on then, Liam, spit it out,” I challenge, and I think some people hear me because a murmur starts among the crowd and they pull in closer.
Liam’s nostrils flare, watching me, but I see him visibly try to contain his