The Devil is in the Details (Book 3)

The Distrusted

-Amelia's POV-

I turned sharply when I felt someone grab my wrist. 

I had got to school with Prince again that morning but he told me he wouldn't be able to pick me up after so I was on my own. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly scared without anyone with me. My guard was high and I was replaying anything my uncle Xavier had told me about self-defence as soon as I stepped out of the school gates. 

What shook me was the sudden hold from a place I could have sworn I didn't see anyone in. 

When I looked round though, I was almost relieved it was Francis, the faces of everyone in that gang flashing in my head before I saw his and although I wasn't quite ready or trusting of him, I preferred it over someone I didn't know. 

"What are you doing with my brother?" He asks, anger stitched into his words. 

Looking over the features I once found statue-perfect, I now couldn't help comparing them to Prince's. While Francis' skin was flawless, his eyes a light shade usually and his hands smooth, Prince had scars all over, face and otherwise, proving the battles he fought with strength and honour, something I didn't find in Francis at all. And although Prince's eyes were darker, they were honest. 

Did he not care at all? I thought, shocked that after all the events between us, this was the first thing Francis said to me. 

I ripped my arm away from him. Unhappy enough to leave him without an answer. "Leave me alone," I mumbled and was about to walk away when I heard him groan to himself before putting a gentler hand on my shoulder,

"I'm sorry, really," I looked back into his eyes, they were soft again, like they were before in the time at the park, at his house, "Are you okay?" 

"I'm fine," I said coldly, remembering Prince's warning repeatedly. 

He seemed to see my doubtful expression and tries harder, "I was so worried about you-"

"Clearly," I cut him off when a figure catches my eye from somewhere behind him. 

He look behind him at what I was looking at to see his girlfriend. I had nothing against her, I just hoped that she was taken care of and loved. Pain is an awful thing. 

"I'll explain it to you, I swear!" He says a little desperately but quietly enough for her not to be able to hear. 

His efforts suddenly made me give him a pitiful smile which stops him. I leaned into his ear like I had done in the beginning and gave him my parting words,

"I told you not to play with the word 'love', it'll haunt you forever and always,"

I then start walking away. 

"That fucker is using you! Don't let him touch you, he'll disregard you once he's satisfied!" I heard him yell back at me once his shock was over. Those words were painful to hear. I didn't want to accept them from him. How could you hate your brother that much? And it was too late for me wasn't it? I had already exposed myself to him. 

Pain and fear grew in my chest so I kept walking. 

Unlike the last time I was given such a warning, I wasn't going to wait to find out the truth. I didn't want to be used, I didn't want to think Prince would do that to me and although going straight to him with my doubts probably wasn't the best decision, there was a reason I wanted it to be him to tell me. 

I walked to the bar but instead of going inside, I went to the back. It was darker here and I was unfamiliar with it considering I never had a reason to be here before. I began to feel even more fearful and although I could see the back entrance now when I heard some men coming from behind me, I panicked and quickly hid around a corner.