Hurting You (Blackthorn Elite 3)

1

Stella

Pushing the trash down one last time, I pull up the sides of the bag and make a knot with the plastic flaps. I can’t believe I almost forgot this one. Paul would have had a mental breakdown in the morning if I had left the trash in here.

It takes pretty much all the strength I have to lift the full bag out of the bin, so instead of carrying the sucker out, I decide to drag the heavy thing behind me. Hopefully, it won’t leave scratches on the university’s pristine cafeteria floors. I need this job too badly to get in trouble for something stupid.

It’s eerie here without all the students. The huge space is so quiet and empty, but yet, I prefer it over seeing all the rich kids walking around inside. I try really hard not to be jealous, but it’s not that easy. All-day long I have to look at these people who have everything I’ve ever wanted. A family, an education, and a chance at a good life. And the worst part is that they don’t even seem to appreciate what they have.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve overheard someone here complaining about the most ridiculous things. Being upset about a store being out of the newest designer shoes or handbags. Not getting the special edition sports car that they wanted. Having to wait an extra day to get their hands on the newest iPhone… the list goes on. Every complaint more absurd than the next.

Meanwhile, I’m working my ass off just to make ends meet. With my parents gone and my grandma suffering from dementia, all the responsibility for my grandma falls onto me. With that, comes a stack of bills every month and that is the reason I didn’t go to college, even though I had the grades and the ambition to go. Instead, I took any job I could get right after I got out of high school just so I could support Grams and myself.

When I finally make it to the back door of the cafeteria, my arms are sore from dragging this heavy-ass bag. What the hell do they throw in here? Concrete blocks? I push open the heavy metal door and step out into the crisp evening air.

It’s dark outside, and the wind is cold as it whips against my skin, but I enjoy the freshness of it after being stuck inside all day. Reaching the dumpster, I try to figure out how to get this overstuffed trash bag lifted into it without breaking my back. Grunting, I lift it with all my might, but barely get it off the ground. Damn thing.

A sound from behind me has me jumping out of my skin, and I gasp quietly. It’s probably just a raccoon or something. With my heart jackhammering in my chest, I sneak a peek around the dumpster to check, but there’s nothing…

Another sound, this one sounding more like a grunt, which is definitely not a raccoon, causes my curiosity to pique. I should have remembered the saying; curiosity killed the cat…

Leaving the trash sitting on the ground, I tiptoe around the dumpster to peek around the corner of the building. I know I shouldn’t be sneaking around, but this is literally the most exciting thing that’s happened to me in weeks.

Except it’s not quite excitement that I feel when I look around the corner. It’s more like dread and fear. The blood in my veins turns to ice, and the air in my lungs stills at the sight before me. Two guys are lifting a third guy into the trunk of a car.

My head conjures up all kinds of explanations. The guy is drunk… just passed out. It’s probably a prank… no way did I walk in on a murder.

One of the guys shuts the trunk and turns to his friend, asking leisurely, “Where are we going to dump his body?”

A loud gasp leaves my lips before I can stop it from coming out. My hand flies to my mouth to cover it, but it’s too late. Both men turn to me, staring at me as I stand there, probably realizing that I just witnessed what they did.

A beat passes, then another, and we just stare at each other. My body is petrified with fear as I take in the two guys before me. They’re both tall, looming above me by at least a foot, and muscular like athletes. They’re also well-dressed, leading me to believe that they’re some rich kids. I’m positive I’ve seen them before, and I am one-hundred percent sure they go to school here. Even with the dim lighting above, I can tell that one of them is blond with piercing green eyes, the other one is brown-haired with dark eyes.

Without realizing it, I get lost in those dark brown eyes, their depth sucking me in, letting me momentarily forget where I am and what I’m doing.