The Ascendant Shadow

Chapter 4: Four in the Dark

Valentina's POV:

Instead of lying in bed, stewing over it, I decided to sneak out. My parents were asleep, and I'd done this more times than I cared to admit. But this new house? It was a challenge. Climbing down the tree was harder than I expected, but I managed.

Once on the ground, I brushed myself off and started the 20-minute walk to the park. I needed the time to clear my head.

When I reached the playground, I sat down on a bench and thought back to Connor's threat: "You involve my brothers or Veronica, and you'll have a real problem." I had stood my ground then, just like I always did.

He'd laughed. "Relax, V. I'm not doing anything."

"Just because I helped you doesn't mean you get to threaten me."

"You decided to join in, Valentina. You don't get to pick and choose when you're part of this."

"I'm not in your fucking gang."

He chuckled again. "You might as well be."

"Connor," I warned, but he stepped closer, his gaze darkening.

"You're so fucking beautiful, Valentina." He reached to touch my cheek, but I grabbed his wrist before he could.

"You know why I did this, and it wasn't for that." I kept my voice low, but he got the message.

"I know," he said, backing off slightly. "Tomorrow at 10," he ordered. He knew I wouldn't say no. I hated that.

I blinked hard and took a deep breath. I'd left that life behind—or at least I thought I had. But somehow, they always found a way back.

"What are you doing here?"

Xander's voice startled me, and I looked up to see him and his crew standing there.

"It's a playground. I can't sit here?" I shot back.

Ron smirked, though he quickly hid it.

"He means it's 1 a.m. You could get fucking raped out here," Ron snapped, glaring at me.

I knew he was right, but I wasn't worried about that.

"I just like thinking... alone." Which wasn't entirely true. I was stressing over Connor and his gang coming after me. We didn't exactly part on good terms.

"No, you don't," the guy with jet-black hair said. "You've got secrets."

I let out a breath before putting on my mask. "Well, I should head back—"

"No, come with us to a party," Xander cut me off.

"No, I—"

"Come," he ordered, his voice firm. I glared at him, but something in his eyes weakened me.

"Fine, but how do I know one of you won't hurt me?"

"They won't," Xander replied, already walking toward what I assumed was his car.

Ron and one of the others glanced at me before following him. The last guy, Jason, lingered behind me, his gaze lingering.

"Go ahead," he nodded toward the car. I sighed and followed.

Xander climbed into the driver's seat, while Ron got in the front. I squeezed into the back between Jason and the guy I'd kicked earlier.

"I'm Jason," the one next to me said with a nod. "And the guy you kicked is—"

"Christopher," the other guy cut in.

Jason shot him a glance before looking back at me. "Yeah, Christopher."