Ally Jackson's life took a dark turn at the hands of those who were supposed to protect her. The shadows of her father and brother's vile actions loomed over her, casting a sinister pall over her young life.
Ally's world shattered when the truth of her father's heinous crimes emerged, ripping apart the façade of the perfect family. The bruises on her skin spoke volumes - a silent testimony to the horrors she endured in the confines of her own home. Her mother, oblivious to the nightmare unfolding under her roof, was left reeling from the betrayal.
As her father was hauled off to prison, Ally's relief was short-lived as another predator emerged from the darkness. Her brother, tainted by the same twisted desires as their father, sought to claim her innocence. In a harrowing showdown, Ally fought back with a ferocity born of survival and fled into the unforgiving wilderness, a fugitive from the demons of her past. Half-naked and broken, she was rescued from the clutches of her brother's depravity, but the scars of her ordeal ran deep.
As her brother was stripped of his freedom, Ally was left to navigate the treacherous waters of healing. Counseling became her sanctuary, a fragile lifeline in a sea of turmoil, as her mother assumed control of the family business, a reluctant heir to a tainted legacy.
High school became a battleground of whispers and taunts, a harsh reminder of the isolation Ally faced. The merciless scrutiny of her peers made her a pariah, a figure of mockery and scorn. But amidst the shadows of her past, a flicker of light emerged in the form of a kindred spirit.
A girl, whose empathy shone like a beacon in the darkness, extended a hand of friendship to Ally. Then, a boy entered her life, his eyes filled with understanding and warmth. With his gentle presence, Ally discovered a sanctuary in his embrace, a refuge from the storms that raged within.
She didn't reply and I felt her finger move across my skin, lower, and almost all the way down my lower back. A shiver coursed through my body, strangely pleasant, and I felt her finger stop. "Your tattoos are beautiful," she said softly.
Too close. She was too close. My pulse was hammering and I could feel her cool breath against my skin when she spoke, and my body was warm from having felt her. I couldn't reply. My breathing was light and shaken. I wanted to just turn around and pull her against me, or rather put her against a wall, so I could kiss her and feel her more properly against me. If she touched me again, I wasn't sure that I could keep myself from doing just that.
"I'm going to take a shower," I said suddenly in an attempt to escape. She didn't stop me, so I took that opportunity to walk away. When I reached the bathroom, I took a deep breath to steady myself as well as my pulse. Closing the door behind me, I ran a hand through my hair. She truly was a nightmare.
A bad boy's worst nightmare was a girl that made him want to be a good one.