Tormented Kings (Boys Of Kingston Academy #2)

Chapter 1

Collin

It’s been far too long since I’ve had eyes on my girl. Brows furrowed, I search the crowd for her. Everyone might be wearing masks, but I could easily pick my girl out no problem. She’s not here.

When did she leave the room? It couldn’t have been more than five minutes ago. I know these events are meant for us to mingle, to connect, but I couldn’t give a shit about any of these people.

They only care about money, and I only care about Sadie. There’s a feeling of unease that takes root deep inside my stomach. Something isn’t right.

“Please excuse me.” I stop the man who’s rambling on about God knows what. I tuned him out almost as soon as he opened his mouth.

“Is everything okay?” my mom asks, her concerned eyes sweeping over my face.

“I’m not sure.” I lick my lips. “But I’m about to find out.”

I lean in and quickly kiss my mom‘s cheek before weaving my way through the crowd and over to Sadie’s friends, who are standing by the far back wall chatting.

“Where’s Sadie?” I demand. The three of them stop laughing, eyes darting over to me.

“Well, hello to you too,” Alice huffs. “Wanna try that again?”

“I don’t have time to be a gentleman. Where is Sadie?”

“He really is a caveman,” Mia mutters.

“What's got your panties in a twist?” Emma cocks a brow.

“Where did Sadie go?” I growl, lip peeling back. I don’t have time for this bullshit right now. I need to find Sadie.

“Chill,” Emma mutters. “She went to the bathroom.”

“How long ago?”

“Shouldn’t you know? You’ve been watching her the whole night.” Alice crosses her arms.

“It’s a little creepy. But also kinda hot.” Mia grins.

Letting out a frustrated huff, I leave them and slip out of the main room.

“Hey!” a woman shouts as I bust into the women's room.

Ignoring her, I start to push in the stall doors. “Sadie?”

“This is the women's room. Get out now, or I’ll call security!” she shouts, voice shaking in fear.

“Relax, lady. I’m going,” I grumble, leaving when I realize Sadie isn’t here.

Grabbing my phone out of my pocket, I call her. “Pick up, Sadie. Pick up,” I urge, eyes scanning my surroundings, hoping to get a glimpse of her.

I shouldn’t be this worked up. She’s only been gone for a few minutes.

A few minutes too long. If she’s not with her friends or in the bathroom, then where would she be?

If she wanted to go home, why wouldn’t she let her friends know? Her mom is here, and I’m almost positive she came with her.

She wouldn’t walk home, would she? She knows better than that.

Stepping outside, I squint as rain imminently soaks my face. Spotting the valet, I dart over to him, hanging up the phone with a curse when Sadie doesn’t pick up.

“Hey, you!” I call out to get his attention. He looks over at me, lifting the umbrella. “Have you seen a girl come out here? Blonde hair, red dress, red and black mask?”

He thinks for a moment before shaking his head. “Sorry, sir. I haven’t. One of the other valets may have.”

“Fuck,” I hiss, dialing Sadie’s number again. “Pick up, Sadie. Pick up.” This thick blanket of anxious energy wraps me up in its hold as I hear the sounds of Sadie’s ringtone play.

I pause, blinking raindrops off my lashes as I slowly look to the side. On the ground, a few feet away, something lights up and vibrates as My Girl by The Temptations plays over the sounds of the rain.

Sadie’s phone.

I’m over to it in three strides, bending down and snatching it off the ground. What the fuck is it doing here?

This isn’t good. Not fucking good at all.

Hanging up, I call the guys. “Pick the fuck up,” I growl as I wait for Preston to answer.

“What the fuck do you want?” he answers, words a slur.

“Are you fucking drunk?” I hiss.

“What’s it matter to you?” He barks out a laugh.

“For fuck’s sake.” I groan. “Let me guess, Sadie isn’t with you?”

“Nope.” he says, popping the p. “Why would she be? I was a raging fucking dickhead to her. She probably wants nothing to do with me ever again. I don’t blame her.”

“Enough of the fucking pity party, Preston,” I chide. “I know you saw Sadie not too long ago. Did you see where she went?” They’re all still here, they have to be. “Are the other guys with you?

“What? No. Why would they be? Sadie isn’t with me. She’s in the main ballroom.”

“Where the fuck are you?”

“Look up,” he mutters.

Squinting, I look up to the roof of the building, finding him leaning over the edge, phone to his ear. “What the fuck are you doing up there?!” I shout.

He flips me off before disappearing.

“Sadie isn’t in the main ballroom. I just came from there. She’s not in the bathroom either. And no, she’s not with her friends before you suggest that. I came outside to see if maybe she took a car home but found her phone on the ground.”

“ Her phone?” he hisses. “Fuck. I’m on my way down.”

Hanging up, I call the others, praying like fuck she’s at least with one of them. “Collin?” Declan’s voice sounds through the line.

“Is Sadie with you?” I ask in a rush.

“No. I’m just finishing up in the bathroom. I saw her a few minutes ago, though. Why, what's wrong?”

“Fuck!” My grip on Sadie’s phone tightens. “Do you know if she’s with Grayson?”

“I don’t think so. He was talking to his dad when I left the main room. Is everything okay?”

“No. Not at all.”

“Where are you?” he asks, voice laced with concern.

“Outside. I’m getting in my fucking car, and I’m going to look for my girl. Something isn’t right, Dec.”

Jogging over to the valet, I demand he give me my car keys and tell me where he parked it. I don’t have time to wait around for him to grab it.

As I peel out of the parking lot, I look in my rearview mirror to see Preston, Grayson, and Declan all running outside.

My phone rings, my eyes flicking over to see Preston’s number popping up on the car system screen.

With a dripping wet hand, I press the answer call button.

“ What the fuck, man! You couldn't even wait for us? ”

“No.”

“ You’re such a fucking asshole, ” he sneers.

“I’m headed to Sadie’s place. If you find her, call me.”

Hanging up, I do my best to concentrate on the road. But it’s really fucking hard when all I can do is think about Sadie. Is she okay? Where is she?

If she’s hurt, I swear to god, I’ll fucking murder whoever dared harm what’s mine.

My mind immediately goes to Raymond. Did he come here tonight in need of revenge for getting expelled? It wasn’t Sadie who made it happen, it was me. All fucking me. That bastard got what was coming to him. Like I’d let him stay in my school and have my girl walking around in fear of what he might do next. No fucking way.

After Sadie indicated she was assaulted in the past, I may have upped my crazy by a few notches. I went on a downward spiral to try and get as much information as I could on the possible suspect. But I didn’t get very far with the few details I had.

I don’t blame her for not wanting to talk about it, and I’d never push her to relive something like that.

What I do know is someone hurt my girl, and I want to find out who it is and make them pay.

I can’t help the fear, wondering if history is repeating itself.

“Fuck!” I roar, smashing my fist into the steering wheel. I promised her I wouldn't let anyone else hurt her, that I was going to protect her. But I’ve fucking failed. Again. It’s all I’m fucking good for these days, it seems. I keep letting her down.

The rain comes down harder now, my windshield wipers working overtime as I speed down the road. Not the smartest thing to be doing. Nothing like getting into a car crash before I can find Sadie and make sure she’s safe.

As I crest over a hill, I spot something on the side of the road. Squinting, I try to make out what it is, but the rain is making it difficult. “What the hell?” I slow down in case it’s an animal about to cross the road.

But as I get closer, I see that it’s not an animal but a person. Looks to be a young girl, too.

Who the hell would be out here walking on the side of the road in the middle of the night during a rainstorm?

I don’t have time to be dealing with this right now. But I’d be a monster to leave them like this. What if someone hits them? Or kidnaps them? I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something ends up happening to them, and I could have helped.

Slowing the car, I roll the passenger side window down. “Are you okay? Do you need me to call someone?” I’d offer them a ride, but I need to find Sadie.

The girl slowly turns her head to look at me, and my heart fucking stops. “Sadie?” My voice comes out in a panicked rush. What the fuck is going on right now? Why is she out here?

“Sadie, baby, fuck,” I hiss, slamming on my breaks.

She doesn’t stop walking. She looks forward and keeps going.

Fear slams into me as I open the door, lean out, and shout, “Sadie! It’s me! Collin.” Nothing. “Fucking hell.” I pull over onto the side of the road before getting out and running over to her.

I come to a stop behind her. “Sadie!” I grab her arm, spinning her around.

With a wild look in her eyes, she pulls her arm out of my grasp and jumps away from me. “Don’t touch me!”

My brows snap together, heart racing frantically in my chest. “Sadie.” I raise my hands in defense. “Baby, it’s me.”

“I fucking know who you are,” she spits, then lets out a hollow laugh. “Trust me, I know. I know everything!”

Blinking the rain from my eyes, I shake my head. “I don’t know what’s going on right now. Are you okay? Why are you here?”

“Am I okay?” she laughs, sending a chill down my spine. “Am I fucking okay?”

She starts muttering to herself as she turns around and continues to walk. I stand there, gaping in shock. What in god’s name is fucking going on right now? How did we go from dancing at the party to her suddenly looking at me like I’m the last person in the world she would want to see?

Blinking rapidly, my eyes take in her receding form, stopping at the bag in her hand.

Like being snapped back to reality, I take off running after her. “Sadie! What the fuck is going on!”

“Go away, Collin!”

“No!” I growl, running in front of her and blocking her path. “Baby, please, please talk to me. We can talk in the car. You have to be cold. You're going to get sick.”

“Fuck off.” She tries to sidestep me, but I move with her, blocking her path.

“You're upset, I can see that. I want to help. Tell me what's wrong, and I can fix it.”

“Fix it?!” she screams. “You're the cause of it!”

“Of what?” I shout back. I don’t mean to lose my temper, but this whole situation is so messed up.

“I know, Collin. I know everything, okay? The jig’s up. Was I just some big game to you?” she asks on a sob. “Was I just a joke? A way to pass the time before you can be with her.”

“Lie? Game? Her?” I shake my head. “Sadie, I don’t know what’s going on right now.” I’m so fucking confused. What the hell happened to make her like this?

“Cut the crap, Collin!” she shouts.

“Sadie, please. Please tell me what the fuck is going on? I’m so damn confused. Just tell me what you think I did wrong!”

She takes the bag that’s in her hand and opens it. She shoves her hand inside and pulls out an envelope, shoving it into my chest.

“What’s this?” I ask, but open it. It’s already wet, so more rain isn’t going to make a difference.

I pull out a stack of photos, and my stomach rolls. “What the—”

A car door slams, jolting both Sadie’s and my head up. Preston, Grayson, and Declan come running over.

“What the fuck is going on?” Preston asks.

“I don’t know. That’s what I’m trying to find out. Sadie–”

“I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t want to see you. I just–” She shakes her head as my fucking heart breaks.

“Shit, Sadie. Are you okay?” Grayson steps forward, running his hands up and down her arms. “You’re shivering. Fuck, Pretty Girl, we need to get you out of the rain.”

“No,” she says, all the anger seeping from her. “I’m not okay. I’m never fucking okay. It’s always one thing after another. And I’m done. I’m tired. I’m so fucking tired. I just...” She looks up at the sky, eyes open, and lets the water rain down on her face. “I just want to go home.”

“Sweetheart, please get in the car. I’m not sure what's going on right now, but I’m really worried about you.” Declan wraps his arm around her shoulders.

Sadie lowers her head and looks at him. “Okay.” There’s no emotion in her eyes, in her tone. It’s like everything shuts off, just like how I found her.

“Sadie!” I shout as I try to take a step forward, but Preston steps in front of me.

“Wanna tell me why the fuck she’s out here walking bare-fucking-foot in the rain, in the middle of the goddamn night by herself?!” Preston roars, his blond locks plastered to his face.

“I...I–” I look down at the photos.

“What the fuck?” Preston snatches the photos, brows furrowed. “Oh my god. Gross.” He shoves them back at me.

“It’s not me!” I growl. “I have no idea what these are or how she got them. But I sure as fuck know it’s not me.”

“It sure as hell looks like you,” he sneers.

“It’s not!” I get in his face. “I have no fucking clue who the woman in these photos is or who the hell photoshopped me into them, but it’s not me.”

I move past him to go over to the car. I need Sadie to believe me. The devastation on her face when she handed them to me is something I never wanted to see on her.

“She doesn’t want to see you,” Preston reminds me, grabbing my arm and yanking me backward.

“Fuck off, Preston, or I swear to god, I’ll fucking kick your ass!”

“Leave her with us; let us get her home, and we will try and find out what is going on. But she doesn’t want to see you right now. It’s only going to make things worse.” He turns and rushes over to the driver's side of the car.

“Sadie!” I shout, running over to the car. I bang on the window. “Sadie, baby, please!” I’ve never felt so helpless in my life. “It’s not me. Please believe me. I love you, baby. I would never, ever fucking do this. Whoever gave these to you is lying. It’s not me.”

The car peels away, leaving me standing there, watching as the car goes.

I don’t move, staying still long after they’re gone. I think I’m in shock, my mind trying to process what just happened.

It’s only when my teeth start to chatter that I finally move. Every step feels like my feet are weighed down by cement.

Getting into the car, I close the door. The only sounds are my labored breathing and the beating of the rain against the hood of my car.

Laying the photos against my steering wheel, I turn the light on and look through them. Bile rises in my throat as I slowly shift through the soggy paper, looking at photo after photo of what looks like me and another woman. But now that I get a closer look, it’s not just any other woman.

Connie. The woman my father is so dead set on me marrying.

I know for a fact these are all fake because I’ve never been with her before. I’ve never been with any other woman but Sadie. At least not since my feelings had shifted from wanting to protect her to wanting to own her, to love her, to consume her.

There's also the fact, that the guy in this photo is clearly me, my tattoos have changed since then

Did they think that Sadie would take one look at it and hope she believed it?

I mean, she did, and I don’t blame her. She doesn’t know my body well enough to know these small details. Yet. She will soon because I’m not giving up on her. I’ll never fucking give up on her.

I’ll leave her be for the night to calm down even though it fucking kills me not to follow after them and demand she hear me out. I could tell she’s at her breaking point, and I really don’t want to be the one to push her over.

I’m going to find out who gave these to her, who tried to set me up and take my girl away from me. And I’m going to fucking make them pay.

It’s one thing to fuck with me, but when you bring my girl into it— hurt her—so help me god, it’s not going to be pretty.