I tried one last thing. “You know whoever is stalking me records everything. My every move. When I go to the police, I’ll have proof.”
The two boys looked at one another, I assumed processing my threat, but instead of backing down, Mark smirked and Spencer actually laughed.
“The police?” Mark’s voice was smug. “I don’t think we’ll have any trouble with them.”
“Why?” I asked.
He nodded at his friend, who had moved so close I could feel his breath on my neck. “It’s a small world, Heaven. Did you know my step-father and your mom work together?” His hand grazed my lower back. I fought the bile rising in my throat. “Well, it’s more like she works for him. Chief O’Neal?”
“That’s your step-dad?”
“Yep. He and my mom got married last summer. You didn’t know?”
No. I didn’t.
“Who do you think he’s going to believe? You or the son of the woman he’s fucking? And even if he does, do you want to risk your mother’s job? What would it look like for a representative of the police station to have such a whore for a daughter?”
All my bravado vanished, instead swallowed by sheer panic and fear. I felt their breath, their bodies, and knew that it would only take a moment for them to violate me. They didn’t want a moment, though. I saw the dark intent in their eyes. The entitlement they felt over my body. They wanted so much more.
Spencer pulled out his phone and said, “Cheese,” snapping my photo.
Everything clicked.
I opened my mouth to shout, to call out for the librarian or any kind of help when another shadow appeared at the end of the row.
Please be one of my boys. Please be one of my boys, I prayed.
I looked up and their eyes followed and no, it wasn’t one of my boys, but it was an ally. Amber stood with her jaw set and her arms crossed. “Get your filthy hands away from her.”
“This is none of your business, Wasserman.”
Thankfully Amber had balls made of brass and she barged toward us, grabbing my arm. I glanced back and saw the two assholes, still smirking, still knowing they had the upper hand as Amber dragged me away.
Chapter 22
Anger, violent and rage-fueled, replaced my fear. By the time we hit the hallway, Amber was dragging me away from them.
“Calm down,” she said, pushing me through the bathroom door. I heard the distinct click of the lock falling in place.
“Are you kidding me? Did you even hear what they said? They’re the ones behind this. They threatened to—”
“To what?” A steel-cold voice said behind me. I spun and saw Hayden, fists clenched. “Who threat
ened to do what to you?”
It wasn’t just Hayden. Standing in a row in the small girl’s restroom was all of my boys; the Allendale Four. I choked back a sob when I saw them and before I could take a step they descended, wrapping their arms around me. They were like a group of hyper, lovable puppies; peppering my face, neck, and hands with kisses.
The feeling of security rushed over me like a warm blanket. The past few days had been unbearable.
“Wow,” Amber said, breaking our reunion. “That was intense.”
They released me—sort of. Each one still touched my body in some way, recharging me. Oliver spoke first. “So what’s this about someone threatening you?”
I knew I was opening a box of trouble but I told them anyway, “It was Mark and Spencer.”
“Mother fuckers!” Anderson slammed his fist into the metal bathroom door. It swung and hit the cement wall with a bang. “Did they hurt you?”
“No.”