Chapter 13 :Too Innocent
Glancing at Ryder, I shook inwardly with fear. What punishment? I'd done nothing wrong. I couldn't watch some stupid fight. "Oh, the princess won't have a real punishment, boy", he snapped at Gage, shoving him back forcefully. Gage's ice-blue eyes watched me with worry. That's when I saw how much he cared. How much he needed me in his life, and I couldn't stop my mouth from moving.
"What do you want ?" I asked, looking around. Ryder smirked as he watched me. It was cruel and dark. Then he laughed and glanced at Gage. "I want her initiated", he stated.
"No!" bellowed Haze. I turned to him. His face was bleeding as he watched me with utter pain on his features, not from his injuries but from me. He was scared.
"Please don't do this, Ryder", he managed. Ryder watched my reaction curiously.
"What tasks ?" I asked. Ryder smiled.
"I'll join your ranks, but I want to know who killed my mom. You know, the person who has been killing your men", I managed seriously. Whispers lit up the crowd. Ryder tilted his head, assessing me.
"You have no business talking about that princess", he murmured almost softly. But Ryder didn't do nice.
"Your first initiation task will be a fight against an opponent of my choosing at the next fight", he smirked, pretending to think. This guy was an asshole, and it finally made sense why Gage was such a dick. I nodded quickly while all the boys watched on coldly. I needed to find out what had happened to my mom. This was my ticket to do that.
***
"You've made a mistake. Story Fight Club isn't some joke. It's real-life shit", said Quinn; the next day, she flicked her purple hair back as she watched me cautiously.
"You sound like the boys all night. They were pissed at me", I managed, thinking back to yesterday. Tyler avoided me completely. Forrest did, too. Haze, Gage and Izack just argued for hours.
"Can you blame them?" she said quietly. Grabbing a few fries, I popped them into my mouth. Could I blame them? Probably not. Walking with Quinn down the cobbled path to the dorms, I saw Gabriella. She gave me a little smirk as she walked up to me. Sickness coiled in my gut. Not from fear but from pure hatred.
"What do you want ?" I asked. She smiled.
"Nothing much, just that Haze and I have a scan tonight, so probably don't expect him at your place". She smiled, flicking her blonde hair back. I nodded.
"You're welcome to him, He and I are done" I stated watching her. Her blue eyes twinkled. the bitch had taken the bait.
"Oh, right," she whispered. Flicking her hair, she swaggered off. "Why did you say that?" managed Quinn, confused. I smiled at her.
"She thinks she has Haze all to herself. So if she is working with whoever killed my mom, she'll tell them that the way to beat whoever is after us is to outsmart them, not hunt them" I smiled. Quinn studied me and nodded. "Wow, girl, you might actually be an asset to Fight Club", she grinned. "Don't sound so surprised", I laughed. We both giggled as we headed further down the path.
***
Entering my apartment with Quinn, the boys all sat down and did their own thing. Haze was watching television with Izack. Gage was reading something. Forrest was drawing, and Tyler was writing. They were all so beautiful in their own ways. Izack was so chilled out that I knew I could cuddle him, and he'd accept me into his loving arms. Gage was so fixed on what he was doing that nothing could steal his attention. His focus was charming. Haze's green eyes never left me as I walked further in. he commanded my attention with one powerful stare. Forrest made me feel protected, like I could run to him, and he'd shield me from my worst nightmares. He'd never hurt me. And Tyler, well, with one look, he could make my heart stop. For a minute, he makes me forget where I am. These boys were all capturing my heart in different ways. It was scary.
"It's my turn to stay tonight," said Tyler quietly. I nodded quickly. Gage finally glanced up from his book.
"Nice day, princess ?" he asked.
"Great", I whispered, looking at Quinn. Gage nodded, suddenly standing up. He grabbed his black backpack and looked at the boys.
"We have to go. My dad's called a meeting; I'm going to try to find out who you're fighting against", he said.
"Okay," I whispered. Gage walked out with the other boys, who all ignored me. I guess they were still mad. Quinn looked at me.
"Don't worry, princess, I'll talk some sense into them", she grinned, hugging me quickly.
"Thank you," I said.
"I'm out, girl. See you, Tye", she shouted and walked out the door, slamming it behind her.
"Tye huh", I said, turning to the man himself. His grey eyes shined as he smiled at me.
"Do you want to play a game ?" I said. He carefully unbuttoned his top button.
"Do you have chess princess ?" he quizzed curiously. Staring at him, I stuttered out an answer:
"Yes-ss". All I feel when I'm around him is chemistry zapping through us. Fuck.
***
An hour later, Tyler explained all the chessboard pieces to me.
"Last but certainly not least is the queen. She's the most powerful piece on the board", he stated, watching me.
"Is it the Queen? I mean, the aim is to catch the King", I said, staring at the board, still confused. I know the little horsey can move in an L shape. That's all I've achieved. He smirked.
"The king can't be caught if the Queen protects him", he states, still watching me. Studying him, I feel like we aren't talking about chess anymore. So, I take a bold leap.
"Maybe the Queen has no duty to defend the King when all he does is fuck around," I said. Tyler studies me with a powerful smile that scares and dares me all at once. He leaned forward, making me breathe in heavily as his aftershave intoxicated my body. My skin begins to tingle as his hand moves to my cheek carefully. He was hovering, never touching. His lips also hover as his stormy grey eyes stare into mine.
"Oh, princess, the King never fucks around", he states, and then he does something I didn't predict. He presses those soft lips to mine.