Chapter 3 Carpooling with the literal devil

Stephanie

I regretted it.

The second Mum and I stepped out of the house and I saw the emotion in Kendrix 's eyes, I regretted agreeing to go with him. I had a very strong feeling that he could murder me in his car, dump my remains in the beach, and no one would question him.

I wasn't ready to die.

But as I turned to my mother, I saw she was again engrossed in a conversation with Emily. Our tentative friendship few minutes ago seem to have fizzled out. I clamped down the self loathing that crept in my mind and helped my stepfather load the rest of the bags in the backseat.

“Wow, I really do have so much luggage.” I winced when I saw the entire backseat was filled. Only a cramped space remained and it definitely wouldn't have been comfortable for the long ride.

“Didn't expect you to love shopping so much.” Kendrix said as he loaded the last bag on the other pile.

“Considering…that.” he frowned.

I followed his sight and realized what he was staring at. The ripped jeans and white cropped top I was wearing and the pleated shirt tied around my waist. I noticed his own far better dressing. The blue jeans and black t-shirt probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. My cheeks warmed with both embarrassment and rage.

I glared at him. “You aren't used to seeing girls dressed like normal people?”

I was certain girls in his world heels to the bathroom. I almost snorted at the image in my head when he said,

“No, I'm not used to seeing girls dressed like crazy people.”

I blinked, my lips parting in surprise as he strode to his car. Then insurmountable rage coursed through me as I stalked towards him, ready to tear his head off his ridiculously perfect body.

He did not just call me crazy.

But before I could get to Kendrix and carry out my murderous intentions, Mum announced she and Will were leaving. Emily cornered me as they entered their car and drove off.

“I'm gonna miss you, Steph.” She said as she hugged me.

I pushed back the murderous thoughts and embraced my best friend, a hesitant smile on my lips.

“I'm going to miss you too, Em.”

I hated how the words felt like a lie, hated the tiny bit of relief I felt that we were finally leaving this place.

No, I wasn't going to miss this place or the memories of it.

And maybe a small part of me was happy that I wouldn't have to watch my mother and my best friend together anymore. I wouldn't have to wonder if she wished Emily was her daughter instead of me.

I hated myself for feeling like that. Maybe I was a monster after all.

The persistent honk of the car behind me forced us to pull away from each other. I glared at the car and the insufferable owner inside it. I was well aware he could see my face from the rearview mirror.

“You should go. Don't upset him before you get the chance to collect his number.” Emily winked at me. She must have caught the look in my eyes because she added, “Be on your best behavior, Steph.”

I simply smirked. Oh, I would be on my best behaviors all right, until I murder him.

The honks increased.

“Go.” Emily urged.

And just because I wanted to spite him, I decided to delay a little bit more. But I should have known Kendrix wasn't the type to wait for anyone because the bastard actually ignited the car.

“Hey!” I yelled.

“I hope you know how to run, Princess.” that was all he said as he zoomed off.

I swore viciously, realizing I had left my backpack and phone in Will's car. I hadn't been to the Sinclair's house before and I have no idea how to get there.

“He stopped. Hurry before he leaves again.” Emily pointed to the parked red Ferrari.

I gave Emily a quick good bye and began walking towards the car. I had gotten close enough that I could see his smug face in the rear view mirror. I snarled at him.

Just as my fingers brushed the door handle, the asshole drove off again.

“Are you fucking insane?!” I screamed after him.

He popped his head out of the car window. “I told you to run.” Then he increased his speed.

Okay then. He wanted me to run, then run I shall.

I tied my shoelaces properly and began jogging after the red car. Whenever I was about reaching it, he would increase his speed, leaving me to jog after his car again.

He kept up his sick game for three more blocks before he finally parked and let me enter.

I was panting heavily by the time I sunk into the leathery car seat, my dark curls clung to my forehead with sweat. I grabbed the bottled water in the cup holder and gulped down the content. I lifted my head to see the asshole smirking at me.

“Seatbelt, if you will.” he drawled like he didn't just make me run down three blocks chasing after his car like a maniac.

“I’m going to kill you!” I snarled furiously.

“I'm afraid it's going to take more than an animal-like sound to kill me, Princess. Now fasten your seatbelt.”

I simply glared at him and raised the bottle to my lips. His eyes flashed with annoyance. He started the car suddenly, making me jolt forward and spilling water on my shirt.

“I told you to use your seatbelt.” he shrugged.

I debated dumping the remaining water on his face. My fingers tightened on the plastic bottle, crushing it.

“Unless you want us to get into an accident, it's best you rethink your decision.” he said without taking his eyes off the road.

I ground my teeth together, crushing the bottle completely. “You know, I actually wanted to apologize for my assumption of you earlier, but I'm glad I didn't. You're exactly what I thought you'd be, a fucking asshole with no regard for anyone but yourself.”

“Glad to know I lived up to your great expectations of me, Stepsister.” he sneered.

I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me lose my temper. I averted my gaze from him. My white top was wet, the thin fabric made my bra visible, but I couldn't care less.

If he had a problem with it, well, he could go fuck himself. But he didn't show any sign that it bothered him. We spent the rest of the journey in thick, uncomfortable silence.

Forty minutes later, we finally arrived at the Sinclair's house.

Correction: their mansion.

In all the months that my mother and Will dated, he always came over to our place. I'd never been over to his, not even on the wedding day.

I couldn't stop a small gasp from escaping my lips. I knew that Will was rich, I just didn't know to which extent. Mum had never specified, and Emily had just been too obsessed with Kendrix to tell me just how rich he was.

This sprawling mansion was a far cry from our small house at the other side of the city. With the fountain and the shining walls, it was magnificent.

Kendrix drove through the double gates and parked the car in the driveway. I got down from the car, still admiring the exterior. Kendrix threw the key at the chauffeur and headed into the mansion, the man lowered his head as he walked by.

Clutching the sleeve of the shirt tied around my waist, I strode after him. The sound of my mum's giggles reached me before I even saw her.

“You guys got here late. Did you get stuck in traffic?” Will asked.

Kendrix glanced at me, amusement dancing in those gray eyes as if daring me to tell them what really happened. How he had made me chase after his car and then spilled water over my shirt.

I held his gaze and smirked. I wasn't going to tell on him, no. I was going to get even. I would make him wish he'd never tried to cross me.

So I turned to William and said, “Something like that.”

“You know how it is this time of the year. The summer is coming to an end. People are getting their shopping done.” Kendrix added with a tight smile.

Will stared between us, a flicker of worry in his eyes, worry that his stepdaughter and son weren't getting along.

I stepped forward and clapped Kendrix on the back. He whirled towards me and glared.

“I have a feeling Kendrix and I are going to have so much fun together.” My gaze hardened as I turned to Kendrix . “So much fun.”

His answering glare conveyed one thing, the emotion I was certain was mirrored in my eyes too.

Kendrix and I were going to kill each other.