Wicked Liars (Windsor Academy 1)

I turn back around and take a deep breath. “There’s not a chance in hell they’ll just let me be, is there?”

Ainsley shakes her head. “Not likely. Prepare yourself, Jazz, because I have a feeling things are about to get really interesting around here.”

CHAPTER FOUR

KINGSTON

That girl is going to be trouble.

When I first heard Charles Callahan’s lovechild was coming to live with them, I didn’t think twice about it. Knowing her mom just died, I assumed she’d be some meek, broken little girl who’d fall in line without question. Instead, she’s this fierce, stunning creature, who seems far too observant for my liking.

I’ve been working on this project for too long to have a wrench thrown in my plan now. No matter how hard the new girl makes my dick, I cannot let that dick rule my actions. I’ve been putting up with Peyton for years trying to integrate myself into that family. She and I may have an agreement that I can fuck whoever I choose, but it goes without saying her new stepsister is the exception to that. Anyone with half a brain can see how threatened Peyton is by her, and I need to keep Peyton in line to keep up pretenses. I’m so close to uncovering the evidence I need to ruin Charles Callahan. There’s no way I’m going to let some piece of ass destroy everything.

“God, she’s such a waste of space,” Peyton whines. “Daddy doesn’t even want her living with us. It’s so obvious. I really wish he would’ve just let her stay in the system. She so doesn’t belong.”

Imogen, one of Peyton’s minions, pouts. “You poor thing. I can’t imagine living with someone so... uncouth. Did you hear the way she talks? And what’s the deal with the red lipstick in the middle of the day? Like, oh my God, ghetto much? She looks like a whore.”

“I certainly wouldn’t say no to having that lipstick smeared all over my cock,” Bentley quips.

I flash him a glare, but the asshole just smirks at me. Bentley and Reed are like brothers to me. We’re so in sync, we can often read each other’s minds. I’m sure Bentley knows my thoughts are currently echoing his.

Whitney, Bent’s on-again, off-again fuck, scowls. “Gross. It’s not even funny to joke about something like that.”

His grin widens. “Who said I was joking?”

Whitney’s lip quivers. “Baby, stop. People are going to think you’re serious.”

I have to fight the urge to plug my ears. I swear to Christ, that chick must have a mouth like a Hoover for Bentley to put up with her nasally voice.

“Oh-em-gee, you should’ve seen her before my mom’s stylists fixed her hair.” Peyton leans forward, smiling as if she has some juicy gossip. “She had bright purple highlights, split ends for days, and the rattiest clothes I’ve ever seen. I was totally embarrassed to be living in the same house with someone so trashy. Can you believe she refused to let them do her hair and makeup before school today? I’m pretty sure she’s only wearing that slutty lipstick right now... maybe some mascara. And her hair is totally air dried! Can you imagine?”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes when Imogen and Whitney gasp. God forbid someone doesn’t put on twenty layers of makeup and styling products in the morning.

Peyton laughs mockingly. “I guess you can take the girl out of the projects, but the projects will most certainly never leave that girl.”

My eyes automatically follow said girl across the dining room. She’s facing away from me, but as I take in her waist-length dark hair, I find myself imagining what it would look like with a pop of color. Hot as hell, I’m guessing. Bentley meets my eyes again and I can tell he’s having the same thoughts.

Don’t even think about it, my eyes warn.

If you’re not going to tap that, I sure as shit am, his eyes reply.

I scowl, which only makes the asshole laugh.

“What’s so funny, babe?” Whitney trails her nails down his forearm, using the most obnoxious baby voice.

“Nothing, babe,” he assures her. “Just guy stuff.”

She pouts, clearly not satisfied with that answer but smart enough not to press for more. Well, look at that: you can teach a dumb dog new tricks.

Reed leans back in his chair and taps my shoulder. “She gonna be a problem, man?”

Reed’s a man of few words, but his intuition is on point. He and Bent know my plan for destroying Charles Callahan. He can sense that Jasmine’s arrival is something to be concerned about.

“Later,” I tell him.

He nods, knowing this isn’t the time or place for this discussion. I’m going to need a minute to figure out what our next move will be. The only thing I do know right now is that Charles’ bastard will not fuck this up for me. If that means I have to fuck her life up in the process, so be it. Collateral damage is always inevitable in war anyway.

CHAPTER FIVE