The Dark One (Vicious Lost Boys Book 2)

I don’t want to return to James’s side of the island but I’ll never pass up the opportunity to have Vane all to myself.

He gave me fifteen minutes to get ready, so I’m going to spend every single one of those minutes making sure I look cute and enticing.

When my brother gave me to Pan and the Lost Boys, I sobbed for days in the tiny room where they stuck me. It’s at the end of one of the hallways on the main floor. Far, far away from the loft. That was several years ago now. It feels like a lifetime. Like I’ve always been here in Pan’s house, the only girl amongst the Lost Boys.

Well…until Winnie.

I don’t hate this Darling like I thought I would. But I don’t like her either.

All of the boys are tripping over themselves to have her. I’m not sure why. Her boobs aren’t as big as mine and she’s rail thin.

But she is nice. So I have to give her that.

I just don’t want to have to compete with her for Vane. I’ve spent the last several years trying to get his attention. I’ve done everything short of bowing at his feet and worshipping the ground he walks on.

I’d have done that too if he’d let me.

But then…he finally gave in.

I shudder at the memory.

I’m okay with getting the worst of Vane if I can have any of him at all.

My body still aches from the… Pounding is the only word. Even if it is inadequate.

I’m still sore between my legs and bruises still pepper my skin. I wear them proudly, of course.

I have the marks of his hands on my skin. Winnie Darling just has a bruise around her throat from when she made him mad.

In my room, I put on my best dress, one I bought with my own money from a dress shop in Darlington. It’s deep indigo with a low-cut neckline and a pleated skirt. In the mirror over my dresser, I check my reflection and smooth over my hair.

Does Vane like my hair up or down? I suppose if it’s up, he can get a better look at my neck. I’m more than happy to let him choke me.

My inner walls tighten at the thought.

Before I leave my room, I decide to leave my panties behind.

Who knows how Vane will feel after we leave my brother’s. If Hook is anything like he used to be, he’ll piss Vane off and he’ll need to expend some of that energy.

And I’ll be more than happy to help.

Vane is silent as we leave the house on foot. We follow the road toward town and skirt the perimeter, keeping away from the busier heart of Darlington. Everyone will fawn over Vane if they see him. He’s smart to take the lesser traveled roads.

“Why are we going to my brother?” I finally dare to ask.

Vane’s longer legs keep a quicker pace than my shorter ones so I have to fast-walk next to him.

“Pan needs permission to enter his territory.”

“Why?”

“Why do you ask so many questions?”

“That’s only two.”

“That’s two too many.”

We keep walking. Frogs croak in the marshy land to the left of the road and moonlight gleams on the brackish water. It stinks in this part of Neverland. Like lit matches and moldy flowers.

Vane lights a cigarette and the burning tobacco takes some of the stench away.

“So…is Winnie staying on the island for a while?” I ask.

Vane blows smoke. “Fuck if I know.”

“Do you want her to?”

He stops all of a sudden and I slip on the graveled road when I overcorrect to come back to him.

“Cherry, listen to me very carefully.”

I nod, trying to focus, but he’s so nice to look at, it’s hard to think of anything other than his mouth on me.

“Cherry.” He snaps his fingers.

“I’m listening.”

“I don’t want to speak on this trip. No talking at all. Not a single fucking word. Can you do that?”

“Ummm…” That doesn’t sound very fun. “Not even—”

“Not. One. Word.”

“But—”

“For fuck’s sake.” He grumbles to himself and surges ahead again.

I chase after him.

“Vane?” He doesn’t respond. “Vane?” I say again.

“What?” he barks.

“Do you like her?”

Please say no. Please say no.

He scowls at me and I shiver beneath his glimmering black eye. “Cherry.”

“Yes?”

“Shut the fuck up.”