Tormented Kings (Boys Of Kingston Academy #2)

Chapter 7

Sadie

I’m stepping into the living room, freshly showered, a towel wrapped around my body while I dry my hair when the door to my cottage bursts open.

“Time to go shopping bitch!” Emma shouts as she makes her grand entrance.

My eyes snap over to the door, widening as I stand there frozen in place.

Emma comes to a stop, eyes going comically wide.

“Move, you're blocking the way,” Mia huffs, pushing Emma out of the way so she and Alice can come in.

“Wow,” Alice says, looking around before a grin takes over her face. “Please tell me we just walked in on you getting your brains fucked out.”

Emma snorts. “Clearly not. She’s in a towel with wet hair.”

“Sure as hell smells like sex in here.” Mia wrinkles her nose.

They just walk in like they own the damn place. Me? I’m still standing there like I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar.

“Oh, look.” Mia grins, looking down at Declan, who’s only in his boxers, cleaning up the mess on the couch. “It’s my fiancé. Hey, boo.” She wiggles her fingers at Declan.

Declan looks up at her, face flaming. “Hey, Mia.”

“Did you fuck my girl good? If not, we’re gonna have words.” She crosses her arms.

“This is so weird,” Declan groans, grabbing a couch pillow to hold it over his junk as he stands. “I’m gonna go get dressed,” he says, grabbing his clothes as he slips out of the living room, leaving me all alone with these heathens.

“That doesn’t answer my question!” Mia shouts after him. “Running in shame isn’t a good look on you, Declan.”

“Cat got your tongue, Pretty Girl?” Grayson chooses now of all times to come out of the bathroom. My eyes snap over to him, slowly taking in how damn fine he looks right now—towel hung low on his hips, hair still wet from the shower. If my best friends didn’t just crash my sex party, I’d drag him back into that shower and make him eat me out again. Yeah, he scrubbed me down and then gave me another orgasm with his face between my legs, not even caring that, most likely, Declan’s cum was still inside me.

Giving me that sexy, cocky smirk, he grips my chin and leans in to press a soft kiss to my lips that leaves me swooning before looking over to my friends, who are now gaping at my man. My man. Holy shit, Grayson is my man. He’s also my stepbrother, but we’re not going to go there right now.

“He indeed fucked our girl good. We did not disappoint. Sadly, however, we will have to disappoint you because we fucked her brains out about thirty minutes before you walked in.” Grayson chuckles as I stand there dying.

I’m not embarrassed. You can’t be when you’re friends with these girls, they will eat you alive. But I know I will never hear the end of this.

They all look at me. “Girl.” Mia fans herself. “I’m into women. But that man.” She points to Grayson. “He makes me question things.”

Narrowing my eyes at her, I flip her off. I know she’s kidding, but does she have to ogle him like that?

“All of you. Eyes off my man now.” I snap my fingers.

Emma raises her brows. “Your man?” She looks between the two of us. “Something you need to tell us, babe?”

“Yes,” I answer. “Later.” I spin around to face Grayson. “You need to get dressed and leave.”

Grayson pouts. “Gonna kick me out like that, baby?” He pulls me into his arms, grabbing my ass. “You’re gonna hurt my feelings.”

I lick my lips, finding it really hard not to give in right now. “I’m sure your ego will be fine.”

He grins. “Fine. Go. Have fun with your friends.” He leans in close, bringing his lips to my ear. “I’ll see you later, Pretty Girl. Now that I have you, I don’t think I’ll ever be letting you go. At least not for long.” I suck in a breath as he nips at my earlobe before pulling back with a smug as shit look on his face.

He grabs his clothes off the ground, winks at my best friends then turns to head into my room to change. At the same time, Declan comes out.

“I, ahh.... I’ll leave you to your friends,” he tells me, cupping my face and leaning in for a kiss. “Thank you,” he murmurs against my lips. I’m not sure what he’s thanking me for, but when he pulls away, he has a huge smile on his face. “For choosing me.” And there goes my heart, melting out of my chest. “I’ll text you later. Have fun, be safe.” He kisses my cheek before making his way past my friends.

“Bye, Declan!” Emma shouts, laughing when he doesn’t make eye contact before disappearing out the door.

I’m waiting, biting my tongue until the guys are gone before I say anything.

Grayson comes out of the room next. His shirt is on, but it’s undone. Thankfully, his pants are on. But his hair looks like he’s been freshly fucked, and I don’t know if it makes me jealous that other people are going to see him like this or happy that it’s because of me.

“Have fun, Pretty Girl.” Grayson grins, grabbing me by the back of the head and pulling me in for a quick kiss. “But not too much fun,” he adds before kissing the tip of my nose.

He turns on his heels and walks over to my friends. “You three. Keep an eye on my girl,” he says in a serious tone. “I’m sure she’s told you about everything?”

“Don’t worry, big guy. We won’t let anything happen to her,” Alice replies.

“Good.” Grayson nods. “See you later, ladies.”

When he’s gone, Emma shuts and locks the door before spinning to face me with a shit-eating grin.

“Holy fucking hell, girl!” Emma squeals. “What the fuck did we just walk in on?”

“Nothing.” I glare at her. “Thankfully. Dude, what the fuck! You just walked right in.”

“Ahhhh, yeah, just like we always do.” Alice raises an eyebrow.

Right. Shit. They have keys, they’ve been making this place their home for years now.

“If you’re gonna have wild sex in the middle of your living room, maybe text us first.” Mia laughs, her face bright with amusement.

“Or, at the very least, don’t do it when you know we have plans.” Emma crosses her arms with raised brows.

“Okay, fine, you have a point.” I deflate.

“Bitch, you better fucking spill. Now,” Emma demands.

“Follow me.” I turn around and head into my room. They follow, all taking a spot on my bed while I head into the closet to change.

“So, wanna tell us what all that was about?” Mia calls out when I don’t immediately start talking.

“It’s called a threesome, Mia,” I answer back.

“No shit, smart ass.” She laughs. “Just didn’t expect it after everything that’s been going on. What about Collin? How did that go when we left you this morning?”

I slip on a pair of jean shorts and a crop top before joining them.

“The photos were photoshopped. A part of me kind of knew they were edited, but I think I was just too fucked up over the whole ordeal to see it.”

“You were kidnapped, then threatened and paid off. I think you have the right to not be thinking clearly. And how were you to know if they were real or not? You don’t know Collin that well,” Alice says.

“I do, and I don’t.” I shrug, taking a seat on the bed. “I knew the Collin I grew up with. But that is in no way this man now.” I laugh. “Collin is possessive, determined, and–”

“Crazy,” Mia adds in with a smirk.

“Crazy hot is more like it.” Emma laughs.

“Yes, all of that.” I roll my eyes with a smile. “But he’s also passionate, loyal, and kind. With how he’s been treating me and the way he was when pleading his case, I believe him. His father is stooping low to get what he wants because Collin isn’t doing as he’s told. And he doesn’t like it.”

“I’m not at all surprised by anything that happened. Sadly.” Mia gives me a pitying smile. “Our world is fucked up.”

“Tell me about it,” Emma sighs.

“So, did you talk things out?” Alice asks.

“Pretty much. The photos were of him, but back when he was a teenager with a girl who was not the one that was photoshopped into the photo. I guess his dad has been keeping tabs and trying to control him for a lot longer than he thought. Or maybe he knew his dad was up to some sneaky, fucked up shit. I don’t know. But I believe him.”

“What about the voice recording?” Emma asks.

“I’m gonna go with AI? That shit is scary these days. They sound believable. All you need is some voice samples, and they can do a lot of damage.”

“I’d say,” Mia agrees. “Where does that leave you two?”

“He told me he loves me and wants to be with me.” I bite my lip.

“And....” Alice hedges.

“And I told him I loved him too.” I bury my face in the pillow. “I know, I know, I’m crazy. But I do love him. I’m not sure if it’s madly and deeply, but I do love him. We have a past, and it’s crazy complicated for so many reasons. But we have a bond I don’t have with the others. It’s...”

“Complicated,” Emma finishes with a laugh.

“Yeah.”

“Are you together?” Alice asks.

“I think? He told me to think about it.”

“Thinking about it means fucking two of the sexy Host Club members who you also have feelings for?” Emma raises a skeptical brow.

“No.” I gave her a blank look. “Collin said he would share me with the guys, as long as it means he gets to have me too. At first, I thought it wasn’t fair to him to settle just to make me happy. But then I went and talked with the guys.”

“And let me guess, they told you they liked you, wanted to be with you, and were willing to share you too?” Alice grins wildly.

I nod. “Pretty much.”

“Holy shit, girl,” she sighs. “You're living my bookish girl dream.”

“What?” My brows furrow.

“You're getting your own reverse harem!” Mia laughs. “Lucky bitch.”

“Wait. So you’re with all four of them now?” Emma asks.

My stomach drops. “No. Just the three of them.”

“Not Preston?”

Sucking my lower lip into my mouth, I shake my head. “No.”

“Why the fuck not!” Mia grumbles.

“Because it’s Preston. Do you think he’s just going to magically admit he has feelings? No. He’s going to be a broody asshole about the whole thing until he can’t take it anymore and then snap, confessing his undying love for her,” Alice says as if it was that obvious.

“This isn’t some enemies-to-lovers romance.” Mia glares at Alice.

“But isn’t it?” Alice wiggles her eyebrows. “Could totally be.”

“Preston doesn’t want me like that,” I tell them. Then my mind goes back to what he said at the ball. He wants me but hates that he wants me? What does that even mean?

“Yeah, okay,” Emma snorts.

“You like him, though?” Alice asks.

“Yeah, but it doesn’t matter. Because I already have enough to deal with, I’m not going to chase after a guy. If he wants me, then he can grow a fucking pair and tell me. I’m all for being treated like shit in the bedroom, but I won’t allow it in real life.”

All three of my friends’ eyes go wide. “Holy shit, babe.” Emma bursts out laughing. “You really are a dirty little freak, aren’t you?”

“Oh, fuck off.” I push at her, sending her rolling to her side on the bed.

She’s right, though. But if the guys are into it, then that’s all that matters... right?

“What about this?” Alice asks, holding up a bra.

“Ahh, we’re here for a costume, not underwear.”

“It’s a part of a costume,” she counters, looking it over.

“What is it supposed to be?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “It’s cute, though.” She puts it back on the rack and continues to look.

We’ve been here for an hour, and none of us have found the right costume, but we’ve been having fun messing around. This is exactly what I needed. A day out with my best friends.

With everything going on, some normalcy is nice.

“About the party. It’s at Grayson’s, right?” I ask as I search through a rack.

“Yeah. But that shouldn’t be an issue, right?” Emma asks. “He’s your boyfriend now.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.” I give her a look.

“No? Then what are you?”

“Dating? I don’t know. No one has brought labels into this yet, and I’m not until they have.”

“You do have a label with him already, though.” Mia grins. “Stepbro.”

Alice bends over to grab something off the ground. “Oh, stepbro, help me. I’m stuck in the washing machine.”

“Oh my god!” I laugh, a blush creeping onto my face as my friends burst out laughing. “Stop!”

“Has it been like a cheesy porno yet?” Mia asks. “Has he called you sis?”

I roll my lips together and refuse to answer as I continue to look. But it’s all the confirmation she needed.

“Damn, Dee. You keep getting freakier and freakier.”

“I’m done telling you about my sex life.” I glare at them. “It’s one thing with the Host Club, but if I’m going to be in a relationship with these guys, I can’t be telling you about every time we have sex.”

“Why not?” Emma pouts. “It’s fun.”

I shake my head.

“Fine. But you have to tell us if anything funny happens,” Mia adds.

“Or something that blows your mind,” Alice tacks on.

“But they blow my mind every time.” I grin.

“Lucky bitch,” Emma sighs.

“You have a man!” I laugh.

“I know, but I could be like you and have four.”

“Three,” I correct.

“For now,” she says coyly before continuing to browse.

Another hour later, we leave with our costumes. I’m still not sure how I feel about mine.

I decided to go as a sexy dark angel. It’s pretty much just lingerie with badass wings, but I felt sexy in it. And the girls were obsessed.

Emma is going as a naughty nurse. With Brent going pre-med next year, she thinks it will get him all hot and bothered.

Alice is going as Alice, as in Alice in Wonderland . We all laughed, but she did look good in the dress.

And Mia is going as Catwoman. She didn’t see how Alice was eyeing her up in that bodysuit, but I did.

Those two need to get in a room and talk shit out. It kills me to see Mia so in love with someone she thinks doesn’t want her back when, in reality, Alice does. I’m not sure why Alice is so in denial about her feelings. But I think a big part of it has to do with her parents.

When Mia came out, her parents laughed it off and dismissed her. They haven’t been outright homophobic about it, but they’re convinced it’s just a phase and will pass once she’s out of college and married to Declan. Oh, what an awakening they’re about to get.

It’s still crazy to think the guys are going to break off their engagements. They said it so surely, but I know it’s not going to be that easy. Nothing is in this world.

The girls bring me right to my door when we’re done, and I make sure that it’s locked and the security alarm is set before I hunker down on the couch to study with the TV playing in the background.

My mind keeps drifting to what happened earlier today. Smiling wide, I jump up and do a little happy dance and squeal before flopping back on the couch.

“Is this really my life?” I whisper. “Or is this some sick joke, and I’ll be left utterly destroyed?”

My phone dings and I sit up, grabbing it off the coffee table. My heart flutters when I see it’s from Grayson.

Grayson: Missing you like crazy, Pretty Girl. Wish you were here. You know, your room is empty and missing you. Just something to think about.

I laugh, shaking my head.

Me: I’ll keep that in mind. I miss you too.

I hit send and bite my lower lip as my body flushes with nerves.

Me: Hey, Grayson?

Grayson: Yeah, Pretty Girl?

Me: Is this for real? Us, I mean. Are we really going to be more than friends?

Grayson: It’s real for me. And I sure hope it’s real for you. I like you, Pretty Girl. So damn much. You have no idea how much it consumes me. You're it for me. I don’t want anyone else. We both went into this thinking it was going to be the arrangement and nothing more, but we both know that was just a lie we told ourselves. At least, I did. Because I was already obsessed with you before. This only solidified my feelings for you. I can’t speak for Declan, but he’s not the kind of guy to lead anyone on. If he’s in, he’s all in, too. I know it might take some time to get used to this—it’s going to be an adjustment for all of us—but I know we got this. One day at a time, Pretty Girl.

Tears sting my eyes as I chew on my lower lip, reading his text message over and over again until the doubt starts to ebb away. If I start thinking about all the things that could go wrong, then that’s what’s going to happen. Creating problems where there are none is only going to fuck this up before it’s even started.

I know it’s hard for me to accept this, but I have to. I need to. Because I deserve this, don’t I? With all the shitty things that have happened in my life, I’m due for some good. To be happy.

Even if it’s with three guys and is not socially accepted in this society. Why do I care about what these people think about me anyway? My mom might be marrying into this world, but that doesn’t mean she agrees with their ways either. She saw what she wanted and took it, not caring what they might think about our significantly lower income and her career as a groundskeeper.

So, I’m going to take a page from my mom’s handbook and do the same. If my guys don’t care, then neither do I.

Another text message from Grayson pops up.

Grayson: Did you fall asleep on me, Pretty Girl? ;)

Me: Sorry. Just needed a moment to process what you said.

Grayson: Don’t overthink it, okay? I don’t want my girlfriend to be stressed. Get some sleep, we’ll see you tomorrow. XOXO Sweet dreams, Pretty Girl.

His girlfriend? Okay, now I’m smiling like a crazy person. I text him back, my heart doing a little dance in my chest.

Me: Night. XOXO

I go to bed with only good dreams and high hopes. But I’d be a fool to expect everything is going to be rainbows and sunshine. Nothing’s easy in life, and it sure as hell isn’t in this one.