Riot Hearts: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Saints of Crow Book 1) Read online

“Sure, whatever you decide.”

  “I might read it though.” As my eyes lingered on the letter sticking out of my purse, I grew undecisive. Sucking in a harsh breath, I snapped out of the depressive direction my thoughts were going. “I think I’ll read it.”

  “Okay, do you need anything else?”

  “I need you, me, and tequila afterward. And I’m currently so rich I can take you out for drinks and not even the amount of alcohol you consume can empty my wallet.”

  A loud laugh rang over the line. “Oh my god. Funny. Are you sure you’re up for it, though?”

  Another glance down at the letter gave me the encouragement I didn’t need. “Yes. Desperately. Can I come over to your place and we can get ready?”

  Evie giggled. “Let yourself in.”

  This Friday night was no different from the other Friday nights in my life, and I found myself stretched out on a couch in The Bullet, a night club located in the basement of one of the hotels my father—or rather, Sinclair Corp.—owned.

  My brothers were hanging out by the bar. Nico was sipping from his drink while Sebastian and a girl took turns blowing rings of smoke into each other’s mouths. I was on a couch with some tequila and a girl who clung to my arm while her friend gave me a few blows of her smoke every once in a while.

  The other heirs hung here, too—it was our standard place because it was, by far, the best place in town. I didn’t feel like spending time with them tonight. Most of them were robotic copies of each other. It wasn’t their fault I preferred my own company and got bored easily.

  Neon lights flashed over my head and I drowned my thoughts in the loud music thumping from the speaker system.

  After a while, Nico sauntered over to me and the girls knew it was their clue to scurry off.

  Yes, the club had strippers, which was probably why most of the customers here were male.

  “Why are you sulking?” Nico asked while his eyes remained on a few of the people from school.

  I spotted Elijah and Alexa Colby, the Darlington sisters, and the three Adley brothers with one swipe across the venue.

  “I’m not sulking,” I grumbled. “Didn’t you see the two blondes who were all over me already?” I motioned with my glass in the direction of the girls who had vanished over to Sebastian. Yeah, I knew they were only cozying up to me, but I wasn’t sulking.

  Nico sniggered and took a sip from his scotch glass while shaking his head at me.

  I raised my glass to my lips and let the bitter liquid roll down my throat.

  Just then, Nico straightened in his seat. “Look who just walked in.”

  My eyes slid over to the entrance where Nico’s eyes had already found the person next to the tinted glass doors.

  Instantly, my eyes narrowed and the familiar hatred flared up inside of me. Miraculously, I managed to keep my mouth shut and not reveal my thoughts. I stared at Emory as she glanced around the room before she went straight for the bar.

  “She never struck me as a club girl,” Nico remarked.

  “She is. But she isn’t.”

  It didn’t make any sense, but I didn’t care. You couldn’t explain a girl like Emory. She was another-level classy but at the same time, she had street cred and knew how to play the game. And I perpetually hated her for it. She had it too easy.

  Everyone loved her—her annoying family adored her and Gabriel never let anyone talk bad about her. Even people who seemed to dislike her family thought she was great. She was a saint, and she never worked for it. Not like everyone else who worked their asses off and got nothing.

  She acted like she wasn’t a part of this sick web of lies, like she wasn’t a pawn like the rest of us, but she was. Now she was more involved in it than any of us, she just didn’t know it yet.

  Behind her, a blonde popped up and even though she looked extraordinarily drunk, I recognized her as Evelyn White, Emory’s best friend.

  Evelyn was an okay girl, if it wasn’t for the fact that she hated my guts almost as much as Emory. Though I didn’t particularly care much for her, either.

  The two of them mumbled something inaudible to each other before Emory walked over to the bar and Evelyn headed in the direction of the restrooms.

  My eyes were locked on Emory from the moment they split, and I watched her sashay her way over to the bar in her red pumps and black minidress. Her dark hair was tied up into a high, sleek ponytail.

  “Where are you going?” Nico asked when I put my empty glass down and stood.

  I didn’t reply as I sauntered over.

  I snuck up next to her, signaling with two fingers at the bartender to get me another drink.

  “Aren’t you a bit out of place, Nightmare?” I mocked, slicing a glance at her in my peripheral vision.

  Her head slowly turned in my direction and her eyes hardened, but then she turned to stare straight ahead. “Not in the mood, River. Not tonight,” she muttered.

  And I did believe her because God, she had more hatred glinting in her eyes than usual but mixed with that was an emotion I couldn’t place. But something else was there in the hazy part of her eyes.

  At the same time the bartender came over with my scotch and an umbrella drink of some sort for Emory. She took the glass and sipped from the edge.

  “If you show up drunk to a club, you must be having a shitty day.”

  As soon as she finished another long sip from her glass, she hopped down from the stool with a huff and turned her back on me.

  I wasn’t going easy on her.

  Especially when she was this close to falling apart, I could see it in her eyes.

  “Have no snarky comments for me tonight, huh? Have you lost your spark?”

  “Go away.”

  I grabbed her arm, whirled her around, and suddenly, we found ourselves in the corner of the venue. Her back hit the wall with a small thud.

  “I don’t think I will,” I whispered, my breath fanning over her face.

  God, she looked hot when she was drunk.

  “What’s the matter, little vixen? Are you finding it hard to resist me?”

  Grinding against her, I grabbed her hip tentatively. I was surprised when she pushed her body into mine so our hips swayed together instead of pulling away.

  “Or is it you who can’t resist me? After all...” Emory cocked her head and gave me a calculative glance, “you are the one who keeps approaching me.”

  “Careful there.” I braced myself with my hand against the wall next to her head. “I might start to think you like me.”

  She glanced up at me from an angle and, wow, she looked hot doing it. Her spicy, feminine scent drifted up in my nose. It was intoxicating. But for some reason, I didn’t like how her senses was more docile, how she didn’t fight me. It wasn’t as fun.

  The music was still pounding in my ears, but even though her voice was lowered, I heard her crystal-clear.

  Emory leaned forward and for a second, I thought she was about to kiss me but then her lips almost brushed against my ear. “And I might think you hate me a little less than you give the impression of.”

  I shifted my head so our lips almost met. My eyes bored into hers and they were sparkling. “Don’t worry. I hate you with every fiber of my being, and I will always hate you, little Nightmare. Almost as much as you hate me. Trust me. That’s just how we’re wired.”

  She leaned up on her toes. “I could never trust you.”

  Why was she suddenly talking about trust?

  “Then you shouldn’t be standing so close to me. If I had, say… a knife, all I’d have to do is press here.” I pressed two fingers to her ribcage, right below her breasts.

  And I think my dick twitched when she pushed into my fingers.

  A laugh bubbled up her throat and I realized how drunk she was right now. “But you aren’t. And we both know you wouldn’t. So, tell me, how dangerous are you really?”

  “Don’t underestimate my bite.” I was too intoxicated, and she was too close for me not to be
tempted. I wasn’t a saint; I was not a good guy. She was too big of a temptation. I might’ve hated her for everything she was, but that didn’t change how she was hot as hell and currently as reckless as I.

  “Now tell me what happened to the spitfire from two days ago. Why are you still so near me?”

  Her jaw clenched shut for a second. “I just want to stop thinking. I just want to be carefree.” She groaned into my ear and it was the sexiest sound I’ve heard.

  I wanted her, because you know what they say, keep your friends close but your enemies closer. And I wanted her so close I had the power to ruin her. I didn’t want to ruin her yet, though. I’d make her squirm in my hands first.

  “I’m way too chaotic for you, little Nightmare. You shouldn’t play with the big boys.” I grabbed her hips and she didn’t pull away.

  Feeling her hot skin against my sturdy hands almost satisfied my resentment for a little while. Maybe it was the fact that I was this close to breaking her.

  “I’m not the one playing with fire I can’t control.” Emory chuckled darkly. “Walk away, River. I dare you.” Her words were challenging as were her eyes, and her entire body had gone rigid.

  Her walls were back up again. She had gotten tired of playing with me—of playing along with my games.

  This was the problem with her. Even when I thought I had control, she was the one running the game. She only played when she wanted to and she only fell when she knew she could pull herself back up.

  “That’s what I thought,” she said and scoffed when I was too lost in my thoughts to respond. She sent me a smirk and a wink before she slipped away from me and left me with an even stronger infuriation.

  Her annoying best friend came back and joined Emory at the bar where another drink waited for her.

  Walking over to where I’d left Nico, I sunk back into the couch with frustration in my dick and the disadvantage of not being able to form a coherent thought.

  From my peripheral vision, I could tell Nico was watching me, but his face didn’t reveal anything. Not bothering with him, I signaled with my eyes for a blonde to come over and she listened like a good girl.

  I let her kiss my neck but when she got close to my mouth, I turned away. I let her grind on my lap. All the while my eyes weren’t on her but behind her on a certain brunette’s exposed back.

  She turned around and our eyes met for two long seconds before she turned away and never looked back.

  A growl formed in my throat, but I squashed it.

  I hated her. I needed to hate her.

  After my intoxicated encounter with River, Evie and I left after only a few drinks and wandered to other places. As usual, Evie ended up way more trashed than me. At the end of the night, she could barely walk on a straight path. Thankfully, we’d stumbled across Brian, Sean’s younger brother.

  “Woo!” Evie hollered as we shot down the street in his Bentley convertible.

  Her arms dangled over her head and the wind danced in her hair. I sat in the backseat, feeling much like the third wheel, but I didn’t mind.

  Sitting up, I tapped his shoulder. He didn’t react, so I did it harder. “Hey, Romeo. I’m going in the other direction, so unless you want to drive in the opposite direction, I suggest you set me off here.”

  The guy took one glance back at me before the car almost swerved off the street when he screeched to a halt and almost kicked me out of the car.

  “Are you sure you’ll get home by yourself?” Evie tried asking through her drunkenness.

  “Yep, I’ll be fine. Call me if you need anything.” I smiled at her before turning to Adley. “And you’re driving her home. Don’t take advantage of her, Brian. I mean it.” I signaled with two fingers at my eyes on him.

  He grinned and flashed his pearly whites. “Relax, Emory. I’m not that guy.”

  I couldn’t help but roll my eyes because I knew Evie was in good hands. Brian was cool for the most part, a bit childish and cocky like his older brother, but nice enough.

  Enough for him not to take advantage of drunk girls.

  Turning to Evie again, I directed a finger at her. “I’m on speed dial. And text me when you get home.”

  “Promise,” she crooned. “See you Monday.”

  Rolling my eyes, I stepped away from the vehicle. “Mhm,” I muttered, “because you’ll spend the next two days in the toilet bowl.”

  Evie only laughed when they drove off and left me in the dust.

  One glance around was all it took for me to know I would have trouble hitching a cab, so reluctantly, I walked.

  Wind tugged at my thin dress and despite it being pretty warm, I shivered. Automatically, I walked faster, trying to look for a cab. Straying from the main road, the sound of my heels clicking against the cobblestones took over for the street noise.

  But the cars honking in the distance and the city lights outshining the starlit sky all made me feel tiny. It was weird, considering I was now pretty big in this small town.

  Passing darkened side-streets and alleys, shivers ran up my spine and I wished I wasn’t alone. But I had always been rational like my father, so it didn’t bother me.

  I was used to being alone—and I enjoyed my own company. But when you’re walking alone in the dark, you’re really afraid you aren’t as alone as you thought. But unrationalized fear didn’t do any good, and I’d just decided to stop thinking about the shadows creeping up on me when a hand gripped my wrist.

  My heart nearly jumped out of my chest and I screamed, but a hand grabbed my mouth and pulled me off the street. The scream never reached my tongue before I was cut off and only resulted in muffled groans. I almost toppled over as I tried to resist the force pulling me into the alley and around a corner, but it was pointless.

  My attacker suddenly spun me around and pressed me up against a brick wall. Their hand was still over my mouth and a forearm pressed against my throat. I got a glimpse of sharp cheekbones and dark hair, shaded in blue moonlight, and my eyes widened.

  “What the hell, River,” I said, my voice muffled into his hand.

  “Shh.” he hissed, pressing his hand tighter over my mouth while his other went to his waist. Glancing down, a glimpse of shimmering black metal caught my eye and my eyes widened.

  His eyes gleamed with something primal as he glanced around us. The low light threw shadows across his face, making his high cheekbones and features look even sharper. Yet, his face remained stoic and detached.

  After a few seconds, I grew impatient and shoved him off me, leveling him with a cold glare. “What is going on?”

  “I think a thank you is in order, Nightmare, don’t you?” He inclined his head at me and his eyes darkened.

  “What the actual hell? You attacked me for Christ’s sake!”

  I gasped in a gust of air when he shot forward and wrapped his hand over my mouth. Again.

  “Keep it down,” he grumbled. When his hold let up, I smacked him. He straightened his back and adjusted his collar. “If you hadn’t noticed yet, you’re perfectly fine and unharmed.”

  When I spoke next, it was in a hushed whisper, and I didn’t know why I was obeying him. “Shut up and leave me alone.”

  My heart did an unwarranted skip when River pierced me with his eyes. They were cold and enchanted me so I couldn’t look away.

  “Maybe you should be the one to pay attention to your surroundings when you walk alone in the city late at night.”

  “To be aware of sociopaths like you!”

  “Actually, I would prefer if you called me a psychopath. Sociopaths are hot-headed, impulsive, and erratic; I’m neither,” River purred. “And I wasn’t talking about me. I had to get you off the streets.” He paused and I gave him a stern look, awaiting an explanation. “If you hadn’t noticed, someone was following you, and it wasn’t me.”

  A sarcastic laugh escaped my throat. “You’re joking, right?”

  What did he think this was? A scene from Batman where he would come save me? If he hadn�
�t noticed, I didn’t need saving and he was most certainly no hero.

  “No, I’m not. Someone was following you and I happened to know because I saw you step out of Adley’s car and noticed someone else was watching you.”

  “Sure,” I drawled. “This isn’t a horror movie.” My confidence faltered when his smile faded away, replaced with a mask of cold steel.

  “Wow. You don’t get it.” He took a step closer. “This city thrives on wealth and corruption; it feeds off it. Everyone wants to climb the social ladder, and newsflash, Nightmare, you’re the shiny new thing everyone wants to control. When you inherited your family’s fortune, you got a target on your back. It’s time you act the part.”

  “What does that even mean?”

  “It means—” He pinched the bridge of his nose to calm down. “It means you have a lot of power right now. You’re young and impressionable. People want to take advantage of that, and if they can’t… well…” He shrugged.

  My eyes narrowed. “Just because I’m young doesn’t mean I don’t have opinions. I’m only two years younger than you. Besides, why should I trust you?”

  “You shouldn’t. But I know you’re not dumb, so you know I’m right. And you’ll listen.”

  I pursed my lips and scowled at him because what he said made sense. “Why would you even care if I have a target on my back?”

  He stepped closer and a waft of his aftershave mixed with expensive cologne washed over me. “I’ll admit I like seeing you squirm, but I like to be the reason for that. If anyone or anything will get the pleasure of ruining you, it will be me. And it’ll happen when I decide to do so, and when I choose to, you’ll know. So, for now, you might want to sleep with one eye open… but not because of me.”

  River eyes sparkled with something diabolic.

  “Welcome to St. Crow, Nightmare. Where even the lightest souls can be driven to corruption, and everyone is awaiting your fall. Living here is like having a noose around your neck. Let down your guard or try to relax, and you’ll suffocate. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  I didn’t want to listen to him, but his words stuck with me through the night—all the way home and when I went to bed. Even as sleep took me, it was on my mind.