I barely manage to keep from tugging my hair out of his hand. I can’t afford to make him mad. I also can’t give him what he wants from me. It’s not that I’m afraid of sex, but sex with a horseman…yeah, not for me. I don’t want to be party to their games.
“I’m not sure what you want me to say.” Honesty might work best.
He leans in and pulls my hair to keep me from retreating. Tight enough to cause pain. He stares at my lips, so close to his.
My heart pounds a frantic rhythm. The truth is I spent so much time avoiding them, I didn’t do what normal girls at regular high schools do. I haven’t even had my first kiss. But normal girls don’t have to deal with the four horsemen. At the time, it was worth it to lie low, but right now, that seems like the worst thing I could have done.
“I don’t like to do anything half-assed,” he whispers, and the words are soft against my lips. “Consider yourself marked by the horsemen. No one else will touch you until we’re through with you.”
My heart sinks and I shut my eyes at his words. My lucky streak has run its course. My only recourse is homeschooling. I would miss a lot in my senior year, but it would be better than being stalked by four guys determined to get under my skirt.
The door opens to the classroom and the sound of the teacher arriving filters through my brain. I open my eyes to Luke’s icy blue ones.
“If you run, it’ll just make it more exciting for us, unicorn.”
“Unicorn?” I can’t help asking.
“You’re the last of your kind, Harper Davidson.” His grin makes me flinch.
“Mr. Foster, could you please take your hands off Ms. Davidson so we can get started?”
Luke gives me a wicked smile before drawing his hand out of my hair and lounging back in his chair. “Of course, Mr. Wick. Do your thing.”
“Thank you for your permission.” Mr. Wick shakes his head and gives me a look to ask if I’m okay.
Fuck no, I’m not okay. The year just started and the horsemen have decided I’m their newest toy. I’m screwed unless I want to screw one of them and I most definitely do not. It may not be a huge deal, but I’d like to be with someone who actuallylikesme for my first time. Not being chosen just because I have an intact hymen. I should be able to choose who and when, not be forced to make a decision because they have a reputation to maintain.
I give Mr. Wick a small smile and face front. Turning my back on a horseman makes butterflies spin drunkenly in my stomach. I know I’m not worth their time, but how can I make them see it that way?
While Mr. Wick outlines our English course for this year, I notice Kenz texting on her phone and feel the responding buzz of my own. I peek at my screen.
Kenz:
Holy shit, H! What are you going to do?
Me:
*shrugging emoji*
I lean to slip my phone back into my backpack, but a hand snags it from me. Luke.
Heat gathers in my cheeks as I start to ask for it back when Mr. Wick turns from the board. His eyes on the classroom.
My phone is unlocked. I didn’t have a chance to hit the off button. So Luke could do anything he wants on it. Look over my dismal text messages. Check out my minuscule contact list. Verify my lack of a life with my level on Candy Crush. Scroll through photos of my cat.
What can I possibly do to a horseman? They run the school and if they want me, they can get me. No one will stand in their way. A shiver courses down my spine again.
The end of class draws closer and Luke still has my phone. I’m going to have to ask him for it back. What will he ask me to give up in return?
The bell rings. Fuck, I really don’t want to do this. But I need my phone. Those butterflies start divebombing.
When I grab my bag and stand, Luke blocks my path. My breath catches.
“You’re a small thing.” He smirks down at me. My eyes land at the center of his chest. I’m not technically small. More average, but the horsemen are tall and built.
“May I have my phone back?” I clench my teeth even as my stomach twists into a knot. I add, “Please?”
“Mmm. I like it when you beg, unicorn.” He presses something on the screen and his back pocket buzzes. “We have your number now. If you ignore us, you’ll be punished.”
