Wrong Crowd (Kingsley Academy Book 1) Read online

  Not liking his tone, I sit up straighter in my seat. “It’s none of your business.”

  He smirks, leaning forward in his chair. “That’s where you’re wrong. It is my business.”

  I tilt my head, meeting his gaze with a challenge. “How’s that?”

  “You want money, princess, I’ll give it to you. I’m sure I can think of ways for you to pay me back,” he drawls.

  I lean forward until I can feel his hot breath on my face. The nerve of this guy. “I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, but you don’t fucking know me.”

  “I don’t?” he asks, not pulling away. I don’t either, not wanting to give him the satisfaction.

  “No!” I snap. “How dare you!”

  “No, how dare you think you can come here. You.” My back straightens at the way he says ‘you’, like he knows me. Which is weird because I’ve never met him before. Pretty sure I’d remember. “Daughter of a whore. You should know, whatever fucking game you’re playing, you won’t win. I’ll fucking destroy you, ruin you.”

  “Game?” I ask incredulously, not denying my mum is a slag. She was. “I’m not sure what Nova told you, but she wanted me here.”

  “Yeah, and you came willingly, wanting to sink those fingers into money that isn’t yours. But we both know why you’re really here,” he tells me cryptically.

  “Fuck you,” I snap, having enough of talking in circles. I feel like I’m missing a crucial part of the story. Before I have the chance to argue any further, he leans closer, his lips a breath away, and I freeze, my mouth going dry.

  “Great arse, great tits. Might even be able to get past the rest of you for just those. I think I’ve even got enough change on me to pay you.” He slides his Rays up on his head and glares at me with disdain.

  My lips part at his words. Pretending he isn’t getting to me isn’t going to work much longer.

  The moment he touches me, my skin begins to burn, and I try to move back. I’m frozen to my seat when he brings his nose to my exposed neck, running it along my jaw and up to my ear.

  “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Do anything for a few quid,” he whispers harshly. I jump when he cups my breast, and then slap his hand away.

  “Get the fuck off me.”

  He chuckles dryly, eyeing me up and down, making me feel naked and exposed. “Yeah, money-hungry slut. Get out.”

  “What?” I gasp, trying to wipe off the effects of him touching me has left. I meet his gaze to see if he’s being serious, but he’s showing nothing, his expression blank.

  “Need me to dumb it down? I said, get the fuck out. I said what I needed to.” Short, curt, and he means it.

  “You’re gonna leave me here? I don’t even know where here is,” I screech at him.

  He sighs, turning the car off and opening his door. I panic when he walks around the other side, and I’m almost tempted to lock the doors and jump in the driver’s seat. But I have no idea how to drive.

  He can’t really be doing this.

  He opens the door and leans in to unclip me, purposely making his fingers brush over my breasts, before dragging me out of the car. I’m in a haze, so I don’t fight. He really is going to leave me here, wherever here is. On my own.

  “Kaiden, let me go,” I start, coming to terms with what’s happening. I’d beg, but that’s one thing I’ll never do, especially not to him.

  He slams the door shut behind me before pushing me against the car, which, hot with the summer heat, burns into my back. I wince.

  “Listen. Know your place when you’re here. You don’t belong. Never will. Don’t go snooping into things you have no business being in. And last warning: we’ll be watching you.”

  “Are you fucking serious,” I yell.

  He stares at me dead on, no emotion behind those forest green eyes as he replies, “Deadly.”

  “Wait,” I yell, going to grab his arm. He shoves me off and I trip, falling to the floor. My arse and palms sting, almost bringing tears to my eyes. Almost. I’ve not cried since I was little and learned that it got you nowhere. I didn’t even cry when they told me my mother died, or the day she was cremated and buried.

  “Never touch me,” he snaps, looking deadlier than I’ve seen him yet. I knew he was dangerous, but this is more, and I know I’ll have to watch my back if I’m to stay here. “Just like your mum, down on her back.”

  His leaving comment hardens another part inside of me, and I get up from the floor, dusting myself off. I lean down, picking up a rock, and before he can pull off, I aim at his back window and throw. It smashes from the force, and I grin to myself before picking up another and walking over to it.

  I reach the back of the car with a smirk on my face, and slowly, I dig the stone into his red, flashy paintwork and run it along. The door opens and he slowly gets out, and my back straightens. I expected him to get mad, to yell at me, but this seems much worse. I don’t cower, instead I stand taller, showing him that I won’t be pushed around like some new toy Daddy bought him.

  “Never, and I mean, never, lay a fucking hand on me again. Never speak to me that way either. Stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours. I’m here a year. I’m sure someone like you doesn’t feel that threatened by a nobody like me.”

  His glasses are back on, so I can’t read what he’s thinking. Even his body language isn’t giving anything away, which makes it all the worse.

  He takes two steps to reach me before leaning down, his face so close to mine. “You’ll regret that, princess.”

  He doesn’t say anything else to me, just folds himself into the car and screeches off, his tyres kicking up dirt, causing stones to hit the bottom of my legs.

  My hands shake as I sit back on my haunches, wondering what the fuck I just did. He’s not like the guys I’m used to. He’s in a league of his own.

  A dangerous one.

  And I just seriously pissed him off.

  Shit!

  CHAPTER THREE

  I’m fuming by the time I make it into town. My feet are killing me. I’m pretty sure my blisters have blisters.

  He wasn’t just a jerk, he was a fucking wanker.

  And to make matters worse, this isn’t a town. It’s a few shops in a small area surrounded by a few town houses. It’s like I’ve hit a place where there is zero population in the middle of nowhere. There are no charity shops, no banks, no take-out joints, nothing. Just a corner shop, a flower shop, and a couple of others that hold no appeal to me.

  The amount of horse shit I saw on the way over made me want to puke. It was worse than the dog shit that would litter the streets where I lived before.

  I sit on the steps of the church, eating a breakfast bar I grabbed from the corner shop. A corner shop that literally sells fags, booze, and a few bits and pieces. When I asked where a Tesco or a Morrisons was, the guy looked at me and laughed. Actually laughed. He said folk—yes, he actually used that word—had their shopping delivered.

  I guess rich people didn’t want to get their hands dirty by going to something as small as a grocery shop. Heaven forbid they get caught in the condom aisle.

  Grabbing the phone Nova bought me, I flick through the contacts and decide to text her. If I speak to her right now, I’ll lose my mind. She let me go with that—that… moron, and what’s worse, she acted like the sun shone out of his arse.

  I’m thinking a year here is going to be harder than I thought. There is nothing here. Nothing I can do to keep my mind off things. There isn’t even a skateboard park—not that I have a skateboard anymore. The one I snatched after finding it abandoned at the park near me, broke last summer. This is an endless place of nothing. I might die of boredom.

  Nova texts straight back to say she’s on her way.

  I wait, watching the few people walk by. This is nothing like the place I lived. There’re no bags of rubbish outside on the pavement, no gangs of kids on the street corners causing mayhem, and everything is clean. I swear, the pavements are cleaner tha
n the carpet in our old flat.

  I’ve never seen anything like it. Hell, I didn’t think a place like this existed. I kind of miss the noise of traffic, kids causing trouble and couples arguing. Silence isn’t something I’m used to.

  And then there’s Kaiden, a new brand of male. I’ve never encountered a jerk like him, and I’ve met plenty.

  “Are you lost, dear?” I turn to the old lady walking her two Beagles. She has to be in her fifties or sixties, easily.

  “Depends who you’re asking,” I mumble, taking a swig of Coke. It’s getting hotter and sweat is running down my back.

  “Ah, I’ve been there. You don’t live around here,” she states, and I guess I have a plaque on my forehead that screams, ‘Doesn’t belong’.

  “Nope. I just moved in with my aunt. My mum died,” I tell her.

  She walks up the steps after tying her two dogs to the end of the rail. “You don’t look too upset about it.”

  Is she for real? Why is she talking to me?

  “I’m not.”

  “Weren’t sad to see my mum go either. Best thing to ever happen to me.”

  That piques my interest. “How’s that?”

  She helps herself to one of my chocolate bars, peeling off the wrapper. I fight the smile threatening. She really gives no shits. I kind of like that about her.

  “Was a mean woman. Should never have had kids. Couldn’t hold a job either, not that I think she ever had one.”

  “You don’t look like someone who grew up poor,” I murmur bitterly. In fact, she’s dressed in a pantsuit, even though she’s only walking her dogs. You’d think she was on her way to a wedding, which she could be for all I know.

  She laughs. “I was. I just didn’t let that control my life. Most people who grow up in poverty feel like they deserve to be there, so they never try hard enough to get themselves out.”

  Her words hit me like a train. It wasn’t too long ago I was thinking the same thing. I don’t fit in here and to be honest, back home, I was settled. I knew my life was never going to get much better; the most I’d get was a job that paid a good wage.

  “What if that person really does belong there?” I ask curiously. I’ve got no idea why I’m talking to her, but it’s not like she’s given me a choice. That and she’s the only one I’ve seen today who hasn’t given me side-eyes or watched me like a hawk. One woman, who was pushing a pram with her kid inside, moved to the other side of the road when she saw me coming.

  “That’s BS.”

  “BS?” I laugh. The words leaving her mouth are hilarious.

  “No one belongs in a life like that. Is that what your life was like before your aunt?”

  “I guess, in a way. I’ve only been here a night,” I confess, still wondering what the fuck is wrong with me. Usually, by now I’ve told the person to fuck off and leave me alone. I’m not really social. My mum, on the other hand, was, and I think that’s why I’m not.

  “Where are you staying?”

  “Anyone ever tell you you’re nosey?”

  She laughs, finishing her—no, my chocolate bar. “You seem like someone I can be around.”

  At her shrug, I watch her for any catch. “What, you want to be bingo buddies?” I snark.

  “Testy,” she remarks. “No. But when I see a beautiful girl looking sad and lost, I want to brighten her day.”

  “So, you feel sorry for me?” I didn’t mean for it to come out so harshly, but it does. “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine. I am curious though… Why hang out here?”

  I sigh. “Like I said, I’ve been here a day. And my aunt Nova said it was a town.”

  She laughs at my expression, patting my knee. “If you want shopping malls, cinemas and all that, it’s another thirty-minutes’ drive. There is a bus that runs every twenty minutes going to and from,” she informs me. “Wait, by any chance are you talking about Nova Monroe?”

  “Jesus, it really is a small town. And yes,” I inform her.

  “Bad time of it that one,” she murmurs.

  “What do you—”

  “Ivy. Mrs White,” Nova calls through her open window.

  “Your aunt has my address. If you want, you can come help me on the weekends.”

  “Help with what?” I ask, holding my finger up to Nova.

  Mrs White grins at me. “Strawberry picking. My husband’s arthritis is acting up so he’s not been able to help me much. I could use a young, fit girl like you. Wouldn’t be able to pay much, but you have to start somewhere.”

  I have so many more questions, but Nova calling my name again has me standing up.

  “I’ll ask her. Thank you. My name’s Ivy, by the way.”

  “You’re welcome. And call me Elle. Mrs White makes me feel old.”

  “You are old,” I tell her without meaning to. I groan. Did I mention I was dragged up, not brought up?

  “Call me old again and I won’t invite you to bingo night. It can get rowdy, I tell ya.”

  “Take your word for it,” I tell her, and this time I can’t help but grin.

  As I reach the car, Elle calls me back. “If you do turn up Saturday—early—you might want to wear different shoes.”

  At that, the throbbing comes back, and I wince. “Will do.”

  “That was quick,” Nova comments as I get back in the car and pull the belt across me.

  “There’s nothing here,” I whine.

  She chuckles. “What was you talking to Mrs White about?”

  She tries to act natural, but there’s something else there; worry maybe?

  “She asked me to help her on Saturday.”

  Seeing her visibly relax in her seat has me raising an eyebrow. Yeah, definitely hiding something from me.

  Which reminds me of Kaiden.

  “Nova, what is Kaiden to you?”

  “What do you mean?” she asks, looking briefly at me.

  “Just—you seem pretty… close.”

  “I’ve watched him grow up. I’m his godmother,” she tells me, and I all I can think is, great. There’s no way she’ll take my side over his when I tell her what the jerk did. Might as well keep it to myself. “Which reminds me. He came back after dropping you off.” I snort, interrupting her. Bet he didn’t say where he dropped me off. “What?”

  “Nothing, carry on.”

  “He and his brothers—”

  “Hold the fuck up. He has brothers?” I ask, wondering which one is more of a nightmare; my old life or this new one.

  She laughs, nodding. “Yes. Twins; Ethan and Lucca. They are your age.”

  “Oh God,” I moan, resting my head back against the seat.

  “Anyway, they came over earlier and Kaiden made a good point. He said it would be good for you to get to know them since you are practically living on top of each other and will be starting Kingsley Academy come September. The twins are having a party Saturday night and will have a few friends from Kingsley Academy attending. They want you to go.”

  “They actually said that?” I ask, not believing a word. She’s clearly pushed them into it. Or paid them. And twins… God, what the hell am I gonna do if they’re bigger dicks than their brother?

  “Yes. They popped by as soon as Kaiden arrived home. They seemed excited.”

  “I bet,” I mutter. “I’d rather not.”

  “Ivy,” she warns. “It won’t hurt you to get along with them. Please, just try. If you don’t like it, come home. You’ll only have to walk across the garden.”

  “Can I think about it?”

  I notice we’re getting closer to Nova’s housing community. I’m hoping I can relax in my room or maybe somewhere in the garden. Alone.

  “No.”

  The kick out of it? If I want a better life, a start to get me somewhere, then I need her. I’m not naïve enough to say otherwise. I know I can make it on my own, but it comes at a cost. It comes with being scared to go to sleep at night, too hungry to even think about food because it just makes you hungrier. But I
’ll do it if I have to.

  Right now, I don’t, and I will take the help she’s offering, just as long as she knows I’ll never ask for anything.

  “Oh, I had Annette’s husband grab an old bike out of the garage. If you want to use it to get into town, feel free.”

  “Where does Mrs White live?”

  “Did you see the house we passed five minutes ago?”

  “The one near the field with all the horses?”

  “Yes. She lives there with her husband. She used to own the land the horses are on, but they gave it to their son and daughter-in-law when it became too much for Mr White. She has her garden though, and it’s famous for her strawberries.”

  Since that house was only a few minutes away, I could use the bike to ride there. Because one thing is for sure, I’m not hanging around in that house all day.

  “I’ll use the bike to go there then. She said she couldn’t pay me much,” I tell her, but it’s better than I’ve had.

  “You don’t need to work there. I thought you were just helping her out, which is great.”

  “You said I could get a job,” I remind her.

  “I didn’t think you would. You don’t need to. I can give you money while you concentrate on school.”

  “Kingsley Academy hasn’t even started, and I want to make my own money. I’m appreciative of your help, Nova, I really am, but I’m not some money grabber.”

  We pass the same security guard as earlier, and he waves us in.

  “I didn’t say you were. I’d never think that.”

  I gaze out the window, not looking at her. “But I would.”

  “Just think about it,” she tells me, but it sounds like an order, one I won’t follow. She’ll learn that quickly.

  We pull up outside her garage and, unconsciously, I begin to examine the house next door when I get out. Unlike the other houses in the gated community that are spread apart, these two are close together, like the occupants, at one point, were best friends and it got passed down through generations.

  But it’s not just that. Nova’s, although clean and pretentious, is nothing like the one next door. You can see there have been updates made, and the stone pillars just make them look more snobbish. I mean, who do they think they are? Royals?