Rage (Ruthless Tendencies Book 1) Read online

  Turning seventeen a few weeks ago was a milestone for me. This year at Creekside High has flown by but is turning out to be one of the best so far. It’s also my last year here then I’m out of Monroe County. College has become my new focus for the next phase in life or at least that’s what my mom keeps saying.

  You’d think she’s more excited than I am about college but furthering my education and becoming a lawyer is my dream. My plan is to make as many crazy memories with my best friend, Asia Grace, as humanly possible without being handcuffed or at least not in a bad way.

  Asia moved here from Japan six months after Rage moved away and disappeared from my life altogether. God, even after all this time when I think about him my heart squeezes like the devil himself has it in a vice-like grip, fucking painful. Asia and her parents bought his childhood home across the street. We’ve been best friends ever since.

  Asia’s first week at school was an educational one for me. She used her black belt skills to karate chop Jefferson Davis in the throat. All because he stole my lunch money. It was hilarious and much deserved Karma. She successfully dropped him to the ground. While he struggled for air, she confiscated my greenbacks he’d stolen from me. I decided then she was a keeper and I’ve held on tight to her ever since.

  To underestimate Asia’s petite frame and gorgeous looks is a fatal move. The chick has been studying karate since age five. Hell, four years ago she added Jujitsu to the mix. She’s the definition of female mortal combat with a side of savage style. Her long wavy brown hair puts off a glitzier chick vibe. But it’s her almond chocolate brown eyes that can either spear straight through you or warm your insides, the choice is really yours.

  It all depends on your approach. She’s a live wire of energy beaming from every corner of her body. It’s beyond me how this is even possible considering her unrelenting training schedule in two different physical contact sports but its simple facts.

  They say opposites attract. Well, I think that’s true for every aspect of life, including best friends. Asia and I have almost nothing in common other than just waiting to break out into the real world. She’s a ball of energy bounding about at the speed of light. I’m more of the observe first, collect brain data then proceed based on logic and statistics. I’m wise beyond my years. I’ve been told this since I was just a little girl.

  Asia just wants away from her structured lifestyle that her parents have push down her throat. I agree they expect a lot of Asia. But I also see the love they have for her. I keep my opinion to myself because Asia will argue relentlessly with me over it. She insists that I don’t understand because my parents love through understanding where hers browbeat with ridiculous schedules and expectations. As her best friend, sometimes that means listening without voicing opinions or passing judgment.

  Exercising for me means walking around the school all day long in my six-inch heels. It keeps my calves in shape, ass firm and I manage to look stylish while doing so too, win-win. That’s about the extent of my workout regimen. Thank God for good genetics. My curves come from my mother and one of my best ASS-sets is the apple booty bouncing in the back. Plus, my boobs are a little more than a hand full, a large handful to hear Asia tell it, but I’m not complaining. And with my dad’s height contribution, my six-foot frame alone gives me a break in the weight department.

  With stats like that, it’s safe to say that I’m not bean pole skinny nor am I overweight. My ass is not flat by any means and I fill out a bra well. I’m a healthy size six with curves in all the right places. I’ve been blessed. Plus, Asia says my long jet-black hair is to die for and with emerald eyes that tantalize. She’s seriously my biggest supporter and I love her for it.

  “Sweetie I love the hooker shoes but damn you're taller than Big Bird. I totally feel left out of the high-rise club events.” Asia says. She bounces down the hallway in my general direction.

  “Asia you know the heels are my workout.” I roll my eyes and slam my locker shut. “Did you get your college applications sent out? We only have a few months left to hit the timeline. I want us to go to the same college.”

  “Yes, mom I did.” She links our arms together and we stroll to our next class.

  “Have you seen the new eye-candy that transferred in?” She clucks.

  “Oh, God… Asia get your head in the game.” I giggle at her and she jerks her arm causing me to stop.

  “Listen, V-card holder.” I slap her arm and shush her, but she continues like I haven’t said anything. “I know you’re waiting on your white knight, but these guys are fucking anger wrapped in skin laced with cut-up muscles. They’re dripping with sexual fantasies promised beyond our wildest dreams.” She fans herself with her hand.

  “Dear Jesus Asssh.” I shake my head. “No, I haven’t been interested in the new recruits you’ve tied up in that red-room of pain playing out in your brain.” Laughing out loud at my own joke she ignores me and slaps my arm.

  “Whateve’s hooker, listen to me. I heard that one of the guys was kicked out of his school last year. He was expelled so he had to transfer here to continue. Something about bashing a guy’s head into his locker until he caused multiple concussions. Plus, numerous staples to the face. Dude’s brutal. Before that, he beat three other people to unconsciousness. Thus, the reason he was expelled.”

  “Sounds like a walking orgasm for you, huh? Just what we need, another thug in our halls.” I say.

  “Anyway, word is that he didn’t return to school last year because his cousins wanted to transfer with him here. They stick together or some shit like that. So, they all came here together for their last year as seniors.” She’s smiling a sadistic grin. I seriously worry about my best friend sometimes.

  “Asia please think college applications, yeah?” I start to branch off for my next class and she jerks me back into her.

  “OH MY GOD REESE… They’re coming down the hall and dear God, I think I just creamed my pants. The guy’s name is, uhmmmm, give me a minute… Uhhh…” I turn and lock eyes on Remmie Rage Reynolds with all of his cousins walking straight for us. Un-fucking-believable…

  Every one of them press together look like a wall of bulging muscles barging our way. Rage looks like a linebacker on steroids with a fallen off the track’s fuck with me please vibe. His hair is now midnight black and styled like Bradley Cooper’s in The Hangover. He’s at least six-five or taller, making his cousins that are flanked on either side of him seem like midgets. In the three years that have passed Rage has morphed into what you would imagine the son of Zeus, the Greek God over the skies and thunder, to resemble.

  My legs tremble as I soak in the sight of his high cheekbones, perfectly shaped thick ribbon lips and matching masculine nose. His angular jaw structure is so acute that a simple touch could sever a finger. His icy eyes seem to be void of any warmth and hold zero remorse. It’s chilling to look at. Straight on eye contact feels like a fucking brutal assault to the center of my heart. Oh God, what’s happened to my Remmie?

  “His names Rage,” I whisper out in shock.

  “Shit… Your Rage? What the actual fuck?” Asia’s eyes are bouncing back and forth between us.

  “He was never mine. I have to get to class.” I break away from his lasers that feel like they’re zeroing in on me trying to place facial recognition. Turning on my heel, I flee the scene like my ass is on fire.

  Chapter 3 - Reese

  Avoiding that entire interception, I slip into the restroom and lock myself in the first empty stall available. My chest’s rising and falling with a rhythm that matches a horror flick. My heart feels like it’ll bust out of my chest at any given moment. Jesus Christ, Rage Remmie Reynolds is here at my school. Just as quickly as he disappeared from my life he’s reappeared, after three years. Shit.

  If I’m not mistaken his glacial eyes were burning holes through my forehead. There’s no damn way he remembers his pain in the ass neighbor who loved him beyond anything a psychiatrist would deem healthy. Fuck me running, I
’m screwed. My head falls against the stall wall. I bump it back and forth trying to clear out the cobwebs in the dormitory that houses everything Rage related. I shift my backpack on my shoulder and unlock the door gliding out of the stall.

  Looking in the bathroom mirror, I study my appearance and deem the white silk lowcut shirt, skinny jeans, and hooker high white heels a fashion statement that screams, classy smart with a side of sexy. My iron straight long locks softly frame my face and flow endlessly. The entire put together picture makes my emerald eyes pop around my barely-there makeup. The only thing I went hard on was the mascara and nude lip gloss. Before seeing Rage, I was confident in my appearance but now my stomach’s twisting up in knots. Shit, screw this I’ve got to get to class.

  I swivel around and forge ahead straight out of the bathroom and right into a head-on collision with Jake Adams, the school’s quarterback.

  “Damn. I’m so sorry Jake. I was heading to class. My bad.” I stumble around my words. He places his hands on my shoulders letting a low laugh escape his beautiful lips.

  “Not a problem pretty girl. Anytime you want to slam into me you’ll get no objections on my part.” He says on a wink.

  Jake Sellers is a luscious-looking guy and if I was a normal teenage girl allowing my body to call the shots, I’d be all over him. His blondee hair, sapphire eyes, and massive build are inviting but I have no time for this one. My goals to hit down on a college-bound education doesn’t involve him. I’ve learned to deflect his advances at every turn. He reaches up and tucks my hair behind my ear before looking off into the distance over my shoulder.

  “Looks like the trash has made its way into our school finally.” I turn to see what he’s talking about and find Rage congregated with his cousins but staring at us. “Get this, the steroid slammer goes by Rage. That’s trouble transferred in if there ever was some.” He turns back to me. I fight the sensation to knee him in the balls for talking about my Rage like that. Then I remind myself again that Rage is not and never was mine.

  “Right. Well, I’m headed to class Jake. Talk to you later.” I take off but he wraps his hand around my upper arm stopping my progress. My eyes glare at his hand locked on my arm then descend a path up to his eyes. I quirk my brow at him and he releases a chuckle.

  “You know those guys Reese? Because Rage seems to be burning a hole through you.” He has a perplexed look on his face. God this guy right here acts like we’re lovers which is laughable because we’ve never even ridden in the same car together.

  “Jake.” I tilt my head to the side and smile brightly. “Get your hand off me.” He drops his hand away and rakes it through his hair. I hold up one finger wiggling it back and forth. I tsk him. “It’s called boundaries Jake. Get familiar with that term, yeah?”

  “Damn Reese. Go out with me. I’ve been asking for two years now.” He acts as though I owe him something. Just because the rest of the high school population of girls here drop to their knees deep throating his junk on command doesn’t mean I’m going to. Dream on asshole. “Or at least show up to the game Friday night and support your team.”

  “I’ll think about it, Jake. Alright? But no promises.” Before I can walk away Principle Rowlane walks up and engages. Jesus Christ, I need to get to class.

  “Reese, can I borrow you for a moment?” He looks between me and Jake. “Jake are you ready for the game on Friday?”

  “Yes, sir. We’re going for an undefeated season this year. Those idiots from Brix County have nothing on us.” Jake puffs his chest out. I just barely contain my eyes from rolling back into my head. This guy needs to focus on his education but not my monkey or circus, so whatever. “I was making sure Reese was coming to support her team.” He shoots me a smile. “I’ll catch you after third period, yeah?” With that Jake saunters off.

  I notice Rage watching him with murderous intent etched out on his face. Rage simply flips the middle up and fans it out at him. Renegade laughs while throwing his arm over Rage’s shoulder. Jake gives the display a chin lift and chuckles as he continues through the hallway to class.

  “I need your help, Reese.” I break my attention away from Rage and look back to the leader of our school. The man’s drop-dead gorgeous, and he has brains which does it for me. If I was into the older man thing, he’d be doable. Asia loves him but then again Asia loves any man with a pulse.

  “Okay, what is it that you need Principle Rowlane?”

  “We have a few new additions to our school family. I have paired them all off with our finest influences here except two. And I was wondering if you’d be up for the challenge? You know, welcome them to our school and help them as they get familiar with our layout and rules.”

  “Principle Rowlane I’d love to help but my schedule is so tight with added advanced classes that I’m afraid it’d put a strain on my focus.” God, please help me out of this. My heart’s racing and the lump in my throat is making it hard to breathe. “Asia would love nothing more than to help. You know she lives for this kind of thing.” Yeah, it was low to throw my best friend under the bus. But in all fairness, the girl would volunteer herself for this role with arms wide open.

  “I figured you’d say that. So, what I’m offering is a letter of recognition for your help with this. It’d be a great thing to have for college submissions.” He pulls his sleeve jacket back and takes a quick glance at his watch. “What do you say? Help me out with this Reese.”

  “Fine but I need the letter by the end of the day. And can you do one for Asia too?” I smile brightly because I know I’m pushing it.

  “You drive a hard bargain Reese, but I like it. You’ve got a deal. Tell Asia she can shadow Renegade Carter and you can pair up with Remmie Reynolds. Until they both adapt, I’ll expect you two to stick with them like glue.” He turns to leave, and I fall in step behind him.

  “Principle Rowlane. Hold up.” Shit. Not Rage, any of them but him. He turns to face me. I can feel the added weight of Rage’s watchful eye eavesdropping. The irony of how the tables have turned is not lost on me.

  “Can you assign me to Renegade please?” I plead with my eyes and he looks at me with concern.

  “Reese is there a problem with Mr. Reynolds that I need to be aware of?” Oh, for shit's sake. I don’t want him to think badly of Rage. God knows he has enough trouble considering the reason behind his transfer here in the first place. Time to backtrack.

  “No.” I clear my throat. “Not at all. It’s just that I thought maybe I could be paired up with someone in advanced classes. That way I’m more useful to them, ya know?” I nervously laugh.

  “That’s why I paired you with Mr. Reynolds. He has three advanced classes with you.” He smiles. I should’ve known that Principle Rowlane did the leg work before approaching me. “It’s settled then.” He turns and heads for the front office. “Thanks for your help with this Reese.” Damn, Rage is in three advanced classes? Way to go Rage.

  I shoot out a text to Asia quickly explaining the highlights of our new assignment then tell her to come and snatch up Renegade. Pivoting my ass around, I move in slow motion until I’m standing in front of Rage and his cousins. Rage is lounged against the locker studying his phone and ignoring me altogether.

  “Hi, guys.” I nervously wave at each of them. “I wanted to take a moment and welcome you all to Creekside High.”

  “Hey yourself gorgeous. Believe me when I say it’s our pleasure. One hundred fucking percent.” Renegade says.

  He licks his lips as his eyes devour my body. Jesus Christ, this guy’s trouble. Asia will love every second of it too. Rebel looks up from his phone and gives me a wink. Rampage flashes me a winning smile of appreciation too. Funny how they never noticed me before boobs and legs.

  Rage makes no effort at all to acknowledge me. Other than the twitching muscle in his jaw that’s working overtime, I get nothing. Those glacier eyes roll over to Renegade. The look he sends him says he’ll rip his throat out of his body with his bare hands. My body reacts with
out my permission producing a heavy coat of goosebumps. It must be an inside joke of some sort because Renegade coughs out a laugh into his hand.

  Renegade and Rampage are twin brothers. Renegade’s hair is longer like Thor’s and freaking beautiful in a masculine way. They both share a set of striking grey eyes. Both brothers are over six-foot-tall, but Renegade is built like a stacked-out brick house. You can tell that the guy constantly feeds his body protein around the clock. Which probably explains his energetic vibe that filters over into everything he does, bringing life to his surroundings. His body’s trained for action-packed demolition on the football field. It’s his thing.

  Rampage’s dark brown hair is slicked back like an underground mob boss that God let off the leash to concur the underworld. He’s a leaner layout but only because he likes to run. The scar above his right eye is his signature claim for uniqueness. Notably, he’s the dark mysterious one that gains intel from studying people. What always stuck out to me was his gift for being ten steps ahead of everyone. Before the average Joe has time to find their footing, Rampage is gone. Rumor has it he’s in charge of the county’s books for high school and college football bets. Hell, I wasn’t aware that shit existed. My sheltered existence is real.

  I paid attention to these guys because they were a part of Rage’s life. By default, that made them a large part of my stalker fetish. What can I say? I wanted to know everything that went on with my next-door neighbor and that included them.

  Rebel’s a year younger than his twin brothers and he’s more reserved. His jet-black hair is groomed nicely but hugs the shape of his ears and his bangs flow over into his eyes slightly. He looks older than what he is, and his hazel red-rimmed eyes miss nothing especially not the random mean-green marijuana smoke breaks.

  The shocking detail about Rebel is that he’s bigger than both his brothers. Coming close to matching weight pound for pound as well as height with Rage. Rebel’s the quiet stoner loner. From what I remember, he’s off the charts freaking smart when it comes to computers too. Dude can hack your shit in two point five seconds flat, stealing all your private moments and social accounts to boot.