Prodigal Thorn

Prologue

Times like these I wish I'd pick better friends or well enemies as I stood surrounded by people I thought I had unwaivering loyalty, but if my father ever taught me anything it was you can never trust anyone. The winds picked up on the cliff side overlooking what most would consider the outskirts of Rosewood Heights. A storm was approaching the coast, not that it mattered, I had feeling or lack there if given my bound wrists that I wouldn't make it through the night. I stared straight ahead allowing my green eyed gaze to absently miss one of my abductors in front of me, plastering a blank expression on my face, which I know from experience must piss Killian off greatly.

"I'm talking to you, Runt, or are you just that ready to die?" He demands, grabbing my face and pulling me toward him. To say Killian James, or Killer as he was known around town wasn't a complete blood thirsty rich boy with a psychotic disposition was a bit of an understatement. I tilted my head up to look into his ice cold blue eyes and wondered how many of my secrets did he feed the mob of Rosewood high, how many promises of protection he made and then betrayed me, how many times he said it's me and you baby girl before he plunged that knife in my back.

"Sorry I spaced, Killer, you were saying something about me making you my bitch just so you could protect your standing in The Game," I smirked glancing over Killian's broad shoulder at the brown haired surfer currently making out with my now ex bestie, Natalie, on the hood of my 'stang. "Sorry Luca, your boy here wasn't much of a lay and the pillow talk was weak as hell, also get off my car with your disease infested ass girlfriend."

I fully expected some retort or threat but the sound of an approaching car caught my attention. For a split second I thought maybe Xan came through with his boys from Low Heights high, but that was quickly diminished when I blue Lambo with a scorpion on the hood pulled up. Killian tightens his hold briefly before shoving me back into someone. "You should know better than to tempt fate, Runt. What did you think would happen when you showed your treacherous face back here again, trying to be a Thorn, trying to be Core, manipulating us all-" Killian was cut off just as Nate Richards places a hand on his shoulder and smirks, his grey eyes like metal and just as cold. I fight the shudder this man brings with the promise of death in his gaze, but he's not alone, the passenger gets out and I find my heart stopping at the sight of Tyler Hendrix, someone who was supposed to be doing time in Juvie for my attempted murder.

"I'm sure Alexandra knows all of her crimes, just as she knows how the Core feels about betrayal and while some within the Thorns may have forgiven her indiscretions the Core has not." Nate steps toward me and I notice a knife in his hand, not that's unusual for Nate, but I squirm in my captors hold while Nate tsks, amusement flickering in those steele gray eyes, "oh do make this worse for yourself, Alex, I love playing with my food." Snickering heard over the wind gust that I feel deep in my bones.
His gaze never leaves mine as he cuts my T- shirt and Killian rips it off. Good thing I wore a bra right?

I schooled my face into mock curiosity as I looked at Nate who was already directing one of the younger Thorns (oddly enough called a shrub, but whatever) to bring his portable tattoo removal machine. I cringe internally as I could feel the chuckling coming from behind me. It's custom that when a member of the Thorn is removed their mark is removed as we but the removal of a member of the Core or Collective is a bit more um painful.

"So this the reason you sent Xan to Low Heights. You knew he'd fight you on this just like you knew I'd never go down without a fight." I smiled and almost like he could see the thoughts tracing my brain, Nate gestures to Tyler, who up until this point has been an afterthought. If Nate didn't already terrify me, Tyler's ice cold gaze did. He gives a nod just behind me his green eyes never leaving my face and I'm instantly let go of. I glance behind me to find Zachary Jones as my captor and huff out a laugh. "Still doing Shrub work huh, Zacky," I also make note that now the Thorns are standing behind me, keeping me trapped in front of my former Core members.