Renegade Hearts (Rebels of Sandland 1)

“No! That’s not any old cut. That’s deep and needs stitches.” The thought of touching Brandon Mathers at any time filled me with dread, but even more so when he was gushing with blood and obviously delirious.

“She’s right,” Ryan said backing me up. “You need to get that seen to.”

“I’m not going anywhere. Emily will take care of it.” Brandon stated matter-of-fact and threw me a crazy, blood-toothed grin.

“Why me?”

“Because you’ve got that whole Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale vibe going on. Plus, I know your hands will be gentle. You don’t want to mess up my pretty face, do you?”

I heard Ryan mutter something about messing it up even more if he didn’t pack it in. I shook my head, adamant that Brandon’s face was the last thing I’d be tending to. “You’re gonna pass out from blood loss in a minute. I’m not touching you.”

“I’ll do it.” Ryan strode forward, grabbing a first aid box from the shelf behind Brandon.

“No, you won’t. You can’t just put a plaster over that. He’ll bleed through any dressings within minutes. He needs to go to a hospital, get stitches, and get a shot too.”

“Worried I’ll turn rabid?” Brandon said blowing me a kiss.

“You’re already rabid, and no, I’m not worried. You know what, if you want an ugly scar for the rest of your life, go ahead. I’m out of here.”

I went to leave, but Brandon’s voice stopped me.

“Fine. I’ll go. But only if you come with me.”

I’d really taken leave of my senses, because against my better judgement, I found myself saying, “Okay.”

I turned to open the door and heard Brandon say, “Where the fuck are you going?”

I thought he meant me and was just about to roll my eyes at him and give him the fool’s answer, accompanied with a question mark over his current sanity, when Ryan piped up.

“Where she goes, I go.”

The three of us headed out of the store cupboard and I went to head back up towards the party and out that way.

“Not through there,” Ryan said, hooking his hand under my elbow and leading me down the corridor and away from the action. “We don’t want everyone seeing. We’ll go out the back way.”

“Are you driving?” Brandon asked Ryan as he held the blood soaked towel over his eye, but Ryan shook his head and pulled his mobile out of his back pocket.

“I got a lift in with Zak. Maybe Finn could drive us?”

“No chance. Finn’s sister dropped us off. Ring Kian. He’ll take us.”

I didn’t know Ki

an all that well. I’d seen him around school, back when Danny and the others were there, but Kian was a bit of an enigma. Always on the periphery of the group and never quite fitting in. He obviously thought a lot of these guys though, because he answered on the first ring and told Ryan he’d meet him outside without any hesitation.

When we got outside, we saw the car headlights shining right at us and Kian stood leaning against the driver’s side door.

“What the fuck happened to you?” Kian’s eyes bugged out of his head as he spoke. They obviously weren’t used to seeing Brandon take a hit, judging from their reactions tonight.

“Don’t worry Ki, the other guy is way worse. I think the fucker is still passed out in there.” Brandon gave him a glare and jumped into the front seat, slamming it shut.

“Good to know.” Kian nodded at Ryan and me as we both got into the back. I shifted myself along the seat to let Ryan get in after me. I was thankful Brandon chose the front. I didn’t fancy riding with him back here. The guy freaked me out on a good day and this was not a good day.

Kian started the car, then glanced back at me. “You’re Emily, right?”

I nodded.

“Nice to meet you, Emily. I’m Kian, or Ki. Whatever’s fine.” He tapped the side of his forehead in salute and then put the car into gear and sped off like he was in training for NASCAR. I went to grab the door handle for support, but Ryan put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into him.