When her dad’s gone, Emma moves to a new academy for a fresh start, but the town’s BIG FOUR, Rowan, August, Liam and Karl, rule everything. Each dangerous, magnetic, and unpredictable, they pull her into their dark world. But the real danger isn’t them—it’s the secret deal that ties her to a deadly game she was never meant to play.
Because where else would you take garbage on a date but to the dump? Then I put my car back in drive and head to see my heart. EMMA As Thomas pulls up in front of Liam’s house, my hand wrings my wrist. We’re supposed to meet to go over our final presentation for civics.…
“I can’t tell you all the details. Ever since the day I was snatched, I don’t react well to people sneaking up on me or grabbing me from behind. It triggers something, and I’m catapulted back to that day.” His usually smooth voice sounds choppy. Liam lifts his shirt, exposing another tattoo. It looks like…
I bend, capturing her lips with mine, catching her by surprise. She hesitates for a shadow of a second before moaning, allowing me access to her tantalizing mouth. I hear the hiss of breath before the sound of Rowan’s voice. “You’re such a lucky girl we’re at school,” he whispers, sparking her awareness, and she…
He continues to wash my body, his hands roaming over my rounded hips before he begins. “When I was ten, I was kidnapped.” My eyes bulge, a shocked gasp bursts free before I can stop myself, but I don’t interrupt. “Liam and I-,” Karl continues, trying to gain his composure as his hands travel up…
“Wait!” Liam shouts. “He doesn’t deserve to be asleep during any of this.” He walks over to the table and picks up a syringe. Then he stabs Aleksi in his thigh and states, “Epinephrine and norepinephrine. This will keep him awake.” Liam stands back when he sees my arm rise, and I sail the whip…
“You got him, and I won’t stop until we get her,” my father whispers, kissing the top of my head. I don’t move- letting the man I’ve been so angry with comfort me for the first time since coming home. I’ve missed him. I didn’t realize how much until just now. I’m not sure how…
I wonder when we can repeat that? I finally spot the fancy ass opening and press it open. I find mouthwash and two motorized toothbrushes. The one that’s been used is obviously Karl’s, and another is still in its box. A spare, maybe? Snatching it, I decide to brush my teeth. I can always replace…
“Excuse me?” I finally get my brain to tell my mouth to say. His other hand grips my jaw, holding my face, which is unconsciously shaking my dissent, still. “I need this, Angel. I’m going to give you a superficial cut, and then I want you to take Lola and carve the letter ‘A’ right…
I briefly wonder if Emma will ever be able to touch me or if my aversion to touch will forever haunt me. Clearing my mind of those thoughts, I quickly make my way to the chair and zip-tie him. His head still lolls to the side. It’s time for sleeping beauty to wake the fuck…
“She’s right. They hire a whole team of people to make sure whatever kids attend have a blast. Especially the Christmas dinner. Last year they made a winter wonderland indoor playscape that looked like walking into a snow globe,” Shay explains. Jamie squeaks, clapping her hands together. This is how it should be. She’s finally…