Chapter 10

Beach parties were a pastime that every resident of the area loved. They were usually attended by young people who went with their friends or passersby who ended up there by chance.

Ian was the type of person who had never missed a social gathering so far. He was the soul others needed to make the event a success.

He ignored the people who continually puzzled him as he visually wandered around the beach. He was looking for the person of his choice. He supposed that the girl would not come because she was afraid of his uncle. He was a threat to her because of the relationship she had with Felix.

Taking advantage of Clare, they wanted to scare the boy into coming back to them. They figured it was the only way to talk some sense into him.

If Ian had known it would come to this, he would never have used the idea. He would have done anything to get Felix to leave Clare, but he wouldn't have gone that far.

Not if he was aware that he would put her in danger.

- I get the impression that today you are not in the right mood for fun. - He refilled his drink and glanced out of the corner of his eye at Violette, who accompanied him. She followed him like a shadow, not accepting that he was not interested in her.

- How can you know what I fancy? You're not in my head," he replied maliciously. He walked away from the bar, feeling that she was following him. When he stopped, she too stood still and fixed her puzzled eyes on him. - You're like a damn turnip. Get away from me, Violetee," he announced directly, ignoring her sad eyes. He had known for a long time that she was in love with him, but he ignored it. He was sick of her company and was going to end it.

- It's because of her, isn't it? - She raised her voice and her eyes glazed over. - You still have hope because your parents planned your engagement, but accept the fact that she will never love you. You're an idiot if you can't see that she's still crazy about the poor guy! - She pressed her lips together and tears ran down her cheeks. - She will reject you, and you will suffer just like me, but you know what, when you think it over, you can come to me. My heart will always accept you, Ian.

He did not answer her. He turned abruptly and bumped into the person who had spilled beer on him in the collision.

- Recently, I've been thinking more and more about killing you. You are like a nasty shadow that keeps annoying me!

The boy opened his mouth and blinked his eyelids, carefully looking at the teenage girl. He didn't recognize her at first, as her hair was black, and the harsh makeup tarnished her beautiful face, making her look like an entirely different person.

- I think your parents haven't seen you yet. I bet everything that they will think that you have joined some kind of sect," he announced directly, looking into her eyes, which were heavily emphasized with black crayon.

- That is, Rosalie did a good job.

Violette stood behind Ian and raised an eyebrow in amazement, wondering what was the reason Clare had turned into a ghoul.

- I don't know what I should think about your appearance, but do you have any extra activities at night?

- Yes, I sleep with the Goths. - She twisted her mouth in a tart smile when she noticed her dull expression.

- Are you trying to become a sharp bitch? This poor guy won't go for it anyway. He's just coquetting with the waitress," she attacked her spitefully, nodding to Felix. - Apparently he likes poor chicks, so you have to disown your family to get him to pay attention to you.

- You're as fucked up as a sharp joke. Shut your mouth and get on with your life.

She was about to approach Felix, but felt a strong grip on her elbow area. She fixed her indignant eyes on the brunette, who wasn't about to let her get to her ex-boyfriend.

- I made it clear to you that I will tell your parents everything if you persist in trying to keep in touch with him. Because of him you are in danger, Clare. Are you in such a hurry to the grave?

- I'd rather die than wait for our engagement to happen. Over my dead body," she declared, extricating her hand from his grasp. She sent him a mischievous smile and giddily approached Felix.

Under Clare's unfriendly gaze, the waitress hastily retreated backward. Although the boy had questioned her about the older man, who had been a frequent participant in beach parties lately, she guessed that the brunette was jealous of him.

She would rather not bring trouble on herself.

- I was in the middle of an important conversation," he stated, glancing at his ex-girlfriend out of the corner of his eye. He raised his eyebrows when he noticed her bold style. Her black hair and stark makeup, made her look like an entirely different person. He guessed that she didn't want to attract the attention of thugs. - I thought you would stay home for your safety, but you must have come up with a crazy idea, as always. You look tacky, but I believe no one will recognize you in this disguise.

- I guess you missed being an asshole," she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest. - What has bitten you that you are trying to be judgmental to me again? I thought we had cleared everything up and the misunderstandings were behind us.

- Go back to that pushy gentleman before he makes trouble for you. Until his eyes light up at the thought of handing you over to your parents," he replied, turning his back on her.

Clare snorted under her breath and glanced out of the corner of her eye at the boy watching her. His face testified that if she did not leave Felix, he would forcibly drag her home and reveal everything to her parents.

- That's why you're playing the bastard again and pushing me away?

He clenched his fists and turned abruptly to face her. His face turned pale with anger.

- Because I understood that you would be safer at his side. He can do what I can't! - He raised his voice at her, and his lower lip trembled. - Protect you.

She looked into his eyes with sad eyes, believing that in a moment he would change his mind and decide to take her in his arms, assuring her that there was no better knight than him.

She was mistaken, and realized it when he unexpectedly pushed her, and she fell into Felix's arms.

- I would never do that in my life, but she is safer at your side. Protect her and fucking take care of her; otherwise I will bruise you to a sour apple.

After these words, he walked away, leaving Clare in the embrace of her former friend.

- Fucking bastard! - she yelled, drawing the attention of the people standing closest to her. She was raring to run after him, but the brunet embraced her tightly to stop her from making a mistake.

The girl was getting more and more unbearable, so Ian couldn't stand it and threw her over his shoulder for the sake of sanity. Clare didn't expect this and screamed for him to let her go, but closed her mouth when the boy uttered one sentence:

- Eventually you are mine.

As he headed toward the parking lot, she confusedly stared at the sand, ignoring Violette's distraught look.

*

Her back was leaning against the car, ignoring Ian standing in front of her. The boy had his hands on the hood, leaning over her and not taking his eyes off her face.

She was bitter because she had again been mistreated by the boy she loved. She thought that after all this, Felix wouldn't leave her side, but he got something in his head again and pushed her into the arms of the jerk he hated the most.

She pressed her lips together and suppressed her tears, not wanting to appear weak in front of Ian. He watched her closely and knew perfectly well that she was close to tears, but she was not going to show him that she could be destroyed so easily.

- Perfect... if he thinks that only you can keep me safe let it be so," she replied unexpectedly, shifting her gaze to Waller. - He may be right. You have money and the right connections, so you will be a suitable shield for me. You once told me that your uncle is a gangster and that's why your parents have no contact with him? Great. In that case, let your uncle help me.

Ian looked confused.

- It's not the best way to get revenge, but let's say that both you and I will benefit," he declared, watching her face, which looked like a volcano. The girl was so furious that at any moment she could burst into an avalanche of the worst curses.

- She wants you to keep me safe? Okay. Let's announce to the parents that the engagement is to take place next weekend.

Ian shook his head, thinking her revenge was for nothing. She wanted to show him that she also didn't give a damn about him, make him beg her to give up the wedding. Although Waller didn't know him as well as Clare, he could figure out people of her ex-boyfriend's ilk.

Felix will never get it.

- Do you want to see if he really cares about you and will fight? That's a poor idea, seeing by the way he treats you. You'll be disappointed, and you'll end up falling completely apart.

- Are you giving me advice? - She saw amusement in his eyes.

- I am the one who is supposed to destroy you, not him. The idiot will spoil all the fun for me," he replied, shrugging his shoulders.

Clare raked the boy with her eyes and pushed him away. She walked away from the car and looked in the direction of the beach, where people were making noise, having a great time in each other's company. Among them was Felix, and it made her squeeze her left breast until she thought of the other girls who might be hanging around next to him.

- Decided. The engagement will take place next week. It's then or never.

- You damn girl," muttered Ian, speeding up his stride and following the brunette who was running. She headed for the beach, directly to the bar.

She pushed away the people who stood in her way, ignoring their insulting remarks. She sat down on a vacant swivel chair and ordered a drink, which she greedily absorbed all at once. Ian pulled down his eyebrows and sat next to her, watching her pour more and more alcohol into herself. He noticed that by the next drink she had had enough, so he snatched the glass from her hand and informed the bartender not to sell her any more alcohol.

Indignant at his fathering, she jumped off her chair, forgetting the bill. Ian paid for it, out of the corner of his eye watching her as she headed into the crowd of people. He felt like nailing her and leading her home because watching her in such a state was worse than babysitting a disobedient child.

He pushed his way through the crowd of people who were enthusiastically chatting among themselves, fingers pointing at the girl. Wobbling dangerously from side to side, she stepped boldly onto the table. She laughed out loud, and everyone wondered who this vulgar-looking teenager was. With her black hair and stark makeup on her face, she did not resemble at all the pretty blonde she was every day.

- Cool party, huh? - she exclaimed, looking around at the people. Her vision was blurred by drinking too much alcohol and everything around her was spinning, but she stood bravely on the table, trying to find the person whose presence had led her to such a state. - I should become an acrobat," she added, straightening her arms to keep her balance. - But I won't become one because I have a fat ass," she replied with amusement in her voice.

The smile came off her face when she saw Felix. The boy was leaning with his back against a vending machine. With his arms crossed over his chest, he looked at her with disappointed eyes.

She felt like punching him. To take revenge for the fact that he had once again rejected her, cruelly pushing her into the arms of another guy.

- I have exciting news for you! - she announced, glancing at Ian, who stepped forward. With a motion of his hand, he ordered her to come down, but she ignored it. - Do you know who is getting married? Me! - She raised her hands and jumped up on the table. At one point, she wobbled dangerously, but managed to keep her balance. - The engagement will take place in a week. Do you know what's really crazy about it? The fact that he is a childhood friend of mine. Isn't he handsome? - She pointed her finger at the brunet, who clenched his teeth in anger as people focused their attention on him.

Her head spun. She slid off the table, but didn't land on the sand as she found herself in someone's arms. She lifted her eyelid and looked at her savior's face, hearing whispers from others.

The bastards themselves had appeared in her life, and now one of them was holding her in his arms, looking into her eyes with tender eyes.

Trouble was coming, and he was strongly associated with it. However. Also was a person who could snatch her from these clutches.

She had two guys at her side, whose fight for her was only now beginning to gain more momentum.