My Beautiful Poison (Wicked Poison Book 1) Read online

  I shudder.

  I haven’t missed him at all.

  Not even in the slightest.

  “You haven’t been answering your phone.”

  “I drowned it.” I smirk as I tell him.

  He laughs as if it’s some sort of joke.

  “I’ll get you a new one.” Anderson reaches out and pulls me to him by my waist. I go because fighting him isn’t worth the hassle right now. “I’ve missed you,” he says again as he leans down and kisses my neck.

  My hands remain by my sides, not lifting or touching him in any way, even if he doesn’t seem to notice or care.

  “We need to talk.”

  “Yes, later,” he says, his mouth leaving sloppy kisses all over mine. I attempt to pull away, but he keeps me close, his hands grasping hard, causing bruises, I’m sure. “I need you.”

  “Not now, Anderson. I want to talk.”

  “Later,” he says in a deeper, more stern voice.

  I try to push away, but he doesn’t let me. “Anderson… Let. Me. Go.”

  “No. You need to be reminded of how suited we are for each other.”

  “No, I do not.” I pull back.

  He stares at me. “You do. You love me.” He goes for my lips, and his mouth comes down hard on them. Anderson is a shit kisser—too hard and too sloppy. I don’t give him access, but that doesn’t stop him from taking what he wants as he tries to keep kissing me.

  Managing to pull out of his embrace, I escape his hands and separate us.

  “You need to leave.” He steps toward me, but I hold up my hand. “Leave,” I say in a voice I didn’t know I was capable of.

  Anderson’s eyes lock on mine. It’s then he sees me. Sees I don’t want him. And when he does, a look passes across his face that truly makes me scared.

  “You are mine, Rylee.”

  “I am not. I am mine, Anderson. No one owns me.”

  He laughs. “Bullshit! Everyone owns you. Your parents. Me. Fuck, who else does?”

  “I’m my own person, and I don’t want you here anymore.”

  “You don’t get to decide that, Rylee. You’ll be my wife soon,” he says through gritted teeth with a touch of smugness in his voice.

  “I won’t marry you,” I tell him with as much force as I can muster. “I want you to leave and never come back.”

  I watch as his top lip quirks up, then back down.

  “You seem to be delusional right now.” He takes a breath. “I’ll give you a week to get your head right. That’s all I’m giving you, Rylee. Then I will be taking what’s mine.” Anderson reaches for me again, and I manage to step back so his hands don’t touch me. He glares at me with hard, uncaring eyes that hold no emotion. He doesn’t care about me. I’m simply a means to an end for him. A trophy, and I won’t have it. I won’t allow him to come near me again.

  “Just leave, Anderson. I don’t know how many more times I have to say it.”

  His teeth grind at my words, but he turns and shifts through the doorway quickly, slamming it so hard the adjoining walls rattle.

  Finally pulling my bag down and off my shoulder, the door opens again, but this time, my mother is standing there.

  “What was that about?” She glances at my bag, which is on the floor, and steps in, picking it up and placing it on the bed. “Are you two fighting?” she asks while checking around the room.

  “I won’t marry him. Hell, I don’t even want to see him again.”

  She pauses and fixes her attention on me. “You simply need sleep,” she says and turns toward the door.

  “Why do you want me to marry him so badly?”

  “Because you’ve been with him forever, and he adores you. He can support you in any way you wish.”

  “I can support myself, Mother,” I say back to her. “And I may have been with him since high school, but now I’ve grown up, I want better for myself. He’s cheated on me. You want me to be with someone who doesn’t respect me?”

  “You think you can do better than Anderson? He comes from the best family in the country. Everyone knows who they are.”

  “I know I can do better. Anyone is better than Anderson,” I retort back with more venom than I meant to. It’s not her fault. She simply doesn’t know what an awful human he is.

  “His mother loves you, and she doesn’t like anyone,” she says. “That right there tells me you are perfect for each other.”

  “You’re delusional.” I shake my head and walk to the door, standing there holding it open. “I need some rest. I have work tomorrow.”

  She rushes past me as she heads out the door. “Just think about what you’re doing. Your life with Anderson could be perfect.”

  I scoff at her and shut the door behind her with perhaps a little more enthusiasm than I should have as it slams shut.

  No. My life with that man would be a nightmare.

  Of that, I am one hundred percent certain.

  Our city is large, but the town we live in is small. It seems everyone knows everything about everyone. People gossip. The rich mingle and tell each other everything, then they tell the others, and it never stops. It’s like a game of telephone, gossip, slandering each other—it’s horrible to witness most of the time.

  So when August’s name pops up, I lean in closer to listen as I sit across from my sister at a local café the next afternoon.

  “I mean, I know he’s bad. But have you seen him? I would like to use and abuse that body, that’s for sure.” I roll my eyes at the girl’s words and Rhianna giggles.

  “You’ve been avoiding going home most of the week,” Rhianna says, lifting her milkshake and bringing it to her lips. “I mean… you know you’re always welcome in my home, but don’t you think it’s time we find you your own place?”

  “I was planning on doing exactly that.”

  Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “You plan to leave the confines of our parents’ house?”

  I nod.

  “Please tell me it’s not with that loser,” she says with an eye roll.

  “No. I’m leaving him.” I watch as Rhianna’s eyes go wide.

  “Have you told him that?”

  I tuck my hair behind my ear and glance down to my coffee that’s going cold. “I’ve been trying, but he really isn’t taking the hint even though I’m using a sledgehammer to deliver it.”

  “Want me to pretend to be you? I’m sure I can make him take the hint.”

  She used to swap with me in school when I couldn’t cope with things, and she could.

  Problem with this little scenario is that Anderson can tell us apart.

  “No, I have to do it.”

  “Good, he’s a dick anyway.”

  “That he is,” I agree.

  “Tomorrow then. Tomorrow, we’ll search for a house for you.”

  I give her a simple nod in agreement.

  The girls next to us start talking again about August. I stay quiet but listen intently.

  “He’s the talk of the town,” Rhianna says. “They’re either scared of him or want him.”

  “I saw him,” I tell her.

  “Where?”

  “At the supermarket. He was trying to buy food, but they wouldn’t serve him.” Her eyes go wide. “I bought it for him, but he wasn’t impressed.”

  “You bought food for him?”

  “Yes, I’m not a bitch, Rhi,” I reply, shaking my head.

  She holds up her hands. “Never said you were, but I am surprised. Noah said he’s done a lot in that old house, but the neighbors aren’t happy he’s living there. They call the cops on him a lot.”

  That makes me sad.

  “Do you think anyone will accept him?”

  “Well, you seem to have.” Rhianna smirks, lifting her coffee to her lips to try to hide it, but I can see it in her eyes.

  “I was just being a decent human,” I say defensively.

  “He’s hot, much hotter than before…” she says, trailing off.

  But I know what she
wanted to say… than before he went to prison.

  “That doesn’t mean he’s a good person, Rhi. Now, that’s enough.”

  She shrugs but keeps a smirk firmly on her face.

  And I wonder, why am I so drawn to August?

  Chapter 6

  August

  A week goes by fast, followed by another. It’s lonely. I haven’t left the house.

  Noah dropped in last week with some essentials, and since then, I haven’t left. But I need to because I’m out of food again, and my money stash is becoming smaller with each passing day.

  I’ve never held a real job. Before I went away, I did what was necessary to earn money. It paid, and I never thought beyond that. I probably should have.

  There’s a small knock on my door, and when I pull it open, I beam. It’s the first genuine smile I have had in weeks. Paige is standing on the other side with a bag full of pastries in her hand, and I can smell the delicious treats, which makes my mouth water. All the letters she sent me when I was in prison told me how much she loves to cook, sweets being her favorite. I promised to try them one day in my return letters.

  Today must be the day.

  “August.” She says my name with excitement.

  I pull the door open further and she comes inside, her eyes darting around the room before they come back to me. “It’s beautiful.” She pushes the bag into my hand and goes to the table, running her hand along it. “I made them this morning for you. I hope you like tarts. I’ve made a few different kinds since I wasn’t sure which flavor you liked.”

  “I do like them. Does your father know you’re here?”

  She scrunches her nose up and turns her head away, then proceeds to check around the house. I reach for the cell phone Noah gave me, which I haven’t used, and send her father a text message letting him know she’s here.

  “I want you to meet someone…” She pauses. “Beckham. He wants to meet you, too. If you’re willing.” I can see the hope in her eyes at the mention of his name.

  “This your boyfriend?”

  “Yes. I love him. He’s good to me. Really good.” Her smile is so large, her eyes twinkle with the emotion she’s feeling.

  Who am I to knock that down?

  “You’re only sixteen, Paige. Don’t tie yourself to one person.”

  “Our mother was sixteen when she had you.”

  “And look how well that turned out,” I say sarcastically.

  “I think you turned out great, August.” It’s the first time someone has said that to me as if I’m not a major disappointment.

  I walk over and pat her head before I step into the kitchen and open the bag. The smell hits me straight away, and my mouth starts salivating at the thought of eating the delicious treats right there in front of me. I glance at Paige. “I can have them all?” I ask, hopeful.

  Paige giggles. “Of course. I made them for you.”

  I put one in my mouth and instantly regret not eating enough over the last few days because I know this packet of goodness will be gone before she leaves.

  “I can make you more. I bake savory things as well. Beckham prefers them.”

  “If you cook it, I’ll eat it.” I wink while stuffing a blueberry tart in my mouth next. She ambles to the living room, which is in front of the open kitchen, and sits, reaching for the remote. She flicks it on and keeps flipping channels.

  “Where’s your Netflix?” she asks, glancing at me over the back of the couch.

  “Don’t have it.”

  Paige gasps then shakes her head. “What do you watch then?”

  I shrug. “Nothing.”

  “You don’t watch TV?” she asks, clearly surprised.

  “No. I work around the house, then pass out.”

  Hearing a knock on the front door, I eat the last pastry as I head over to answer it. Glenn stands there, his hands on his trousers which holds his gun, and he’s dressed in full uniform.

  I had forgotten he’s a cop. Well, almost.

  Stepping back, I open the door wider. Glenn marches in, offering me a nod before he sees Paige sitting on the couch, still trying to flip through the television channels.

  “Paige.”

  She turns at her father’s voice, and her eyes narrow as she glances at him, then to me. “You told him I was here?” she asks.

  “You know you need to ask permission.”

  Paige stands from the couch, and her hands go up in the air. “He’s my brother.” Her voice raises as the words leave her mouth. “I should be allowed to see him whenever I want.”

  I hear Glenn sigh. “Go out front while I speak to August for a moment, please.”

  She huffs but does as he says, grumbling us as she leaves.

  Glenn eyes me up and down. I guess he could be intimidating to some, but I’ve dealt with a lot scarier people than this man before me. “She’s clearly going to keep visiting you.”

  I nod because we both know it.

  He scratches his head then checks outside the door where she’s waiting by his cop car.

  “Two afternoons a week. If she comes more than that, you have to let me know. Can I trust she will be safe here, August?”

  “She’ll be safe. You have my word.” He turns and calls to Paige, who comes back to the door with a sullen look on her face.

  “Two weekdays after school. Don’t push your luck,” Glenn says to Paige.

  She smiles widely and wraps her arms around her father’s waist. “Thank you, Daddy.” She beams up at him.

  Glenn assesses me while still holding a hand on his daughter. It makes me happy to see she knows what it’s like to be loved—something I’ve never had.

  “She is to leave before dinner.” I nod at his words.

  Glenn leaves, and Paige stays until around six o’clock.

  Paige comes over the next day, bringing more food, for which I’m thankful. And that’s her limit for that week. But the following week when she comes, she asks me to meet Beckham. She even told me what I should wear. And who the fuck am I to argue with a teenager?

  We make our way to the local café where he’s meeting us. When we enter, I spot him straight away, only because Paige squeaks next to me as she runs over to him. He hugs her and then pulls her back, offering me his hand as Paige grips herself around him.

  “August, I’m Beckham. It’s good to meet you.” I nod, appreciating how nice his manners are. I, on the other hand, would not have been like him at that age. I slept with them then left them. It was easier.

  No attachments.

  No problems.

  No trouble.

  Beckham steps back when I nod, and I see he also brought someone with him. Behind him, sitting at the table is rich girl.

  I smirk and pull out the seat opposite her. “Rich girl.”

  “Prick,” she retorts, which only makes my mouth quirk up higher at her sassiness.

  “You two know each other?” Paige asks.

  “We go way back. But how does your boyfriend know her?”

  “That’s my brother,” Rylee says, clearly confused, and shakes her head.

  “You’re dating a Harley?” I ask Paige, then look at Beckham. She shrugs. I turn back to Rylee. “How do your parents feel about that? Their son dating a girl who isn’t wealthy?”

  Rylee simply scoffs before she turns her head away. “How about you guys go and get us some milkshakes while we have a chat.”

  Beckham turns his head to his sister, worry etched on his face, then he spins back to me. I stare him down, waiting for him to speak. Paige pulls at him, and they stroll away.

  “We need to chat?” I ask her, leaning back in my chair.

  “Don’t be an ass in front of my brother. He’s a good kid and loves your sister, asshole.”

  “Oh, so she does have a backbone. If you do, why does Mommy tell you who you can date?”

  Yes, all the town has heard the rumors. The Harley girls are held to high standards, and only one of them has met them until recently. Rhianna i
s with Noah, and I’m not sure you can do better than him.

  Anderson is the scum beneath my feet, and that’s where he needs to stay.

  “Mommy doesn’t tell me who to date, asshole.”

  “So, you aren’t dating Anderson because Mommy wants you to?” My hands sit in front of me. I open them, and her eyes fall down to them before she looks up at me.

  “I date Anderson because I want to,” she says with venom coating her tone.

  “Oh, wow, you chose to date that lowlife. Well, I guess if you chose to, then it’s okay, right? You know he cheats on you.” She sits back in her chair, and it’s as if I slapped her. Hard. She knows, though. We all know. However, why she stays with him? Who knows.

  Before she can say another word, her brother pulls out the chair next to her and slides her a shake. Paige does the same, and I smile as I watch Rylee squirm in her seat, and I take great pleasure in doing so.

  Chapter 7

  Rylee

  August sits across from me, arrogant and so damn good-looking. I hate that he’s so attractive. I loathe it. Because when he speaks to me, butterflies take root in the pit of my stomach, and I can’t seem to tame them, even when he’s being an ass.

  And that’s every time I’ve seen him.

  He sits back in his chair, Paige next to him with a wide smile. Beckham glances from Paige to August. I can feel he’s intimidated by him. August can be intimidating, but I’m starting to see cracks in his hard exterior. Especially with the way he treats Paige. He respects and loves her. As I do Beckham.

  “So, how long you two been dating?” August asks. I sit forward and grin. “Not you, rich girl. We all know that you and that loser have been together way past your expiration date.”

  Beckham laughs next to me, and I elbow him.

  Beckham well and truly agrees with his statement.

  “I wasn’t going to mention my relationship, but since you seem so interested in it, what else would you like to know?”

  “Guys,” Paige says, looking between us.

  August ignores her and leans forward. I can smell the mint on his breath, and his strong, calloused hands sit between us. Surprisingly, though, his hands are clean.