Renegade Hearts (Rebels of Sandland 1)

“You’re sharper than I thought.”

Yes. Yes, I am.

I pulled my mobile out of my pocket and tapped my code to unlock the screen. Then I brought up the photos I’d taken of the account transactions. My heart lurched from my chest as Ryan reached for my phone. Both of his arms wrapped around me as he flicked through each image and looked at the photos over my shoulder.

“Fuck,” was all he said. I held my breath, feeling like I’d implode at any minute from the intensity of having him in my space like this for so long. “We need to go somewhere quieter. I need to get copies of this.”

I went to snatch my phone back, but I wasn’t fast enough. Ryan pocketed it and then grabbed my hand and led me out of the room. I didn’t need to push my way through this time. People just moved automatically for Ryan. I’d have to start calling these boys Moses soon.

We walked a couple of doors down the corridor and into an old store cupboard that’d been kitted out with bottles of water, towels, and other stuff that Brandon would probably use after his fight. A punch bag was suspended from the ceiling and cigarette butts lay in a dish on a folding table. Ryan closed the door behind us and pointed at a plastic chair and told me to, “Sit,” but I stayed standing where I was. Then he took my mobile out of his pocket and proceeded to tap in my security code.

“How the hell do you know my code?”

“I just saw you type it in. I can remember six digits. It’s not that hard.”

“What are you doing?” I screwed my face up at him as I spoke. As pliable as he’d made me tonight, I didn’t like him having control over my phone.

“Sending these photos to my phone so I have a copy.” He winked at me then, looking up at me under his floppy fringe. “My number will be in your phone now too, you know, in case you ever need me.”

“Why would I need you?”

He huffed and gave me a look that sent sparks flying through my body. Was it a cheeky look? Seductive? I had no idea. My experience with the opposite sex was somewhat limited to say the least, and right now, I felt woefully inadequate.

“Do you have any idea who these people are?” He shook my phone as he spoke, indicating he meant the people from the account.

“I’ve never heard of them, but I intend to find out.” I crossed my arms over my chest defensively. “I’d also like to know why that is so important to you?”

He shrugged and handed me back my phone.

“Let’s just say there are a few wrongs that need to be put right. It’s nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about.”

“If you want my help, and I will help you if something bad is going down, you need to level with me.”

He bit his lip and smirked as he looked at the floor then back up at me. “What would Daddy say if he knew you were being a bad girl?”

“I couldn’t give a fuck. My dad is an asshole.”

I saw a fire light up behind his eyes and something passed between us. But then, suddenly, the door burst open and Brandon came tumbling through, almost knocking me over, and slumped into the plastic chair. His face was a mess and he had a massive gash over his left eye which was pouring with blood. Even looking at it made me go funny.

“What the fuck happened to you?” Ryan asked.

“Dude had a knuckle duster hidden in his back pocket. Security tonight is shit. How the fuck did he get that past them?”

Brandon was dabbing at the massive gaping wound with a white towel which was rapidly turning crimson. He didn’t flinch though. He was so wired from the adrenaline pumping through his veins he couldn’t feel a thing; only arrogance and cockiness.

“So, we lost a shit load of money then? You lost the fight, yeah?”

I tutted at Ryan. I couldn’t believe I was siding with Brandon, but that was a really shitty reaction to have.

“Like fuck I did. I smashed his head against the wall, broke his nose and knocked the fucker out. He’s still lying out there now with half his crew wailing over him. We made a packet tonight.” Brandon grinned and the blood coating his teeth made him look demonic.

“Thanks for the concern though. Winters, do I get my prize now?”

Ryan made a grunting noise from across the room and when I looked at him he was doing that whole jaw-clenching fist-pumping thing he seemed so fond of. I think Brandon had had enough fists for one night though.

“You need to go to hospital,” I added, trying to break the tense atmosphere.

“Nah. I don’t need a doc. You can patch me up just fine, can’t you, Winters.”