I almost want to laugh, because I don’t like this new arrangement any more than he does.

However, it’s comical just how much it’s ruffling his feathers.

“Awe, what’s the matter, Trenton?” I taunt. “Afraid I’ll—”

Words die in my throat when one hand slams across my mouth and the other one hovers over my throat, threatening to squeeze. “I’m not afraid of anything, Stray.”

He utters the last word with so much venom I nearly wince. Out of all the cruel nicknames Knox has given me over the years, this one hurts the most.

Because it’s the truth.

Ever since my dad died, I’ve felt lost and abandoned.

Like a kitten who lost its way and will never find home because they don’t belong anywhere.

He leans in close, his ruthless stare burning a hole right through me. “But you should be.”

A shiver runs down my spine, not only because of his threatening words and the hostility they’re laced with…but the lethal way he’s looking at me.

As if he’s contemplating the best method to kill me and dispose of my body afterward.

I’ve heard all the rumors going around school.

His mom was murdered when he was twelve…

And his dad sent him to a mental institution for a year while he covered it up.

Because Knox was the one who did it.

People weren’t terrified of him just because he was a bully who got off on terrorizing others.

They were terrified because he was a legitimate psychopath who was capable of homicide.

Until now, I wasn’t sure I believed any of the gossip.

At six foot three he towers over my five-four frame, but I force myself to peer up and look him right in the eyes. “Go to hell.”

Deep down I’m petrified of the lunatic, but I refuse to let him see that.

My breath hitches when he presses his body against mine and the hand looming over my throat constricts. “I live there.”

Live? More like ruled because as far as I’m concerned, he’s the devil.

My retort falls by the wayside, though, when he leans in and his mouth brushes mine.

I’m about to ask what the fuck he’s doing, but a sharp sting shoots through my flesh when his teeth clamp down on my bottom lip and I taste a hint of copper.

I try to pull away, but that only makes the pain worse.

Thinking quick, I knee him in the balls.

With an aggravated grunt, he finally releases his hold.

I expect him to be pissed so I brace myself, preparing for another attack, but to my surprise there’s a trace of amusement in his expression.

His tongue darts out and I see the glint of metal from his piercing as he swipes the blood gathered on his lip. “Welcome to the family, sis.”

With those cryptic parting words, he turns and storms out.

Chapter 2

Knox

Anger warms my blood as I zero in on the Mercedes stationed under a large oak tree in the back of the parking lot.

The black SUV rocks ever so slightly with their movements, and all six windows start to fog up.

Gravel crunches beneath my boots as I make my way over to them.

They’re so into their forbidden fuckfest, they don’t hear me approach.

I stand behind a tree as one window rolls down and I hear their heavy breathing.

Bringing a cigarette to my lips, I light it, observing their little show.

Long red hair cascades down her back in a mess of silky waves, and her dress is pushed up those creamy thighs as she straddles him in the backseat, riding his pathetic cock to the finish line.

The old man sputters a curse, digging his fingers into her hips. “Shit.”

He pants and beads of sweat drip down his face as he reaches up and yanks the top of her dress down, exposing one of her tits.

I ignore the way my dick twitches when he sucks a pale, pink nipple into his mouth.

“Oh, fuck,” he sputters. “I’m gonna come, honey.”

She speeds up her movements, causing the SUV to rock a little more. “Me too.”

I grind my molars when she tilts her head back and moans, the action sounding every bit as fake as she is.

My new stepsister might have everyone at school fooled with the straight A, student body president, goody-two-shoes persona she likes to put on…

But I know the truth.

Aspen Falcone isn’t nearly as innocent as she pretends to be.

And in my experience, those people are the most dangerous.

The hypocrites who like to hide who they really are.

Pinching the cigarette between my fingers, I take another long drag, watching as Aspen unfastens herself from my uncle’s—and her dead dad’s best friend’s—dick and fixes her dress.

Smoke pours out of my mouth as I laugh under my breath.

The only thing better than killing a wild animal is catching it in a trap.

Because then they have nowhere to run.

Nowhere to hide.

Chapter 3

Aspen

“Breakfast is ready,” my mother calls out from the other side of my bedroom door.

I roll my eyes so hard I swear I see my brain. Ever since the wedding two weeks ago, she’s been acting like some kind of Stepford housewife.

Because that’s what her new husband wants.

Reaching for my pearl necklace, I secure it around my neck.

The holiday break is officially over, which means it’s time to go back to school.

Picking up my brush, I run it through my hair a few times before twisting it into a bun and securing it.

I don’t bother putting makeup on for school, so it doesn’t take me long to get ready.

After grabbing my bookbag off my bed, I head for the spiral staircase.

The only good thing about my new house is that it’s big.

Unfortunately, not big enough to keep me away from him.

Evidently, Knox’s room is in the basement—something I was grateful to find out. However, I have no choice but to see him more than I care to because my new stepdad insists we all have breakfast and dinner together…like we’re some kind of big happy family.

Once I enter the spacious kitchen, I make a beeline for the coffee maker because caffeine is pretty much how I survive.

Unfortunately, Knox beats me to it.

I don’t miss the smirk on his face as he pours what’s left in the coffee pot into his mug and takes a sip.