)

Logan and I stood in front of my car, "How do you know Jake?" We were leaning against my car.

"We were best friends in Freshman year. We were inseparable. We were like brothers." He smiled at the memory and it made my heart warm.

"I could picture you two together. Little troubles makers." I laughed at the thought and checked my phone.

I had eight text messages from my dad and two missed calls from my mom. What a time for my parents to act like parents. I rolled my eyes and pushed myself off the car, "I've got to go Logan." I dusted off the back of my pants.

"Already tired of my company I see?" He smirked and one corner of his mouth tipped up.

"Not yet. It's just my parents." I sighed and faced Logan who had stood up off my car too.

"See you tomorrow Day."

"See you tomorrow Logan." We stood there for a few moments just looking at each other. Finally I opened my door and slid in.

Logan walked away and I finally checked to see what my dad had sent me:

Dad: Where the hell are you?

Dad: U better get back here soon.

Dad: I bet your off with some guy you slut.

Dad: B ready to get beat when you get home.

Dad: I swear to god get your ass back here soon Daytona Pierce

Dad: if you don't get here soon, u better be praying to god I don't kill you.

Dad: if u aren't home in 5 minutes I'll kill u

Dad: times up..

My stomach lurched at the last two. I started my car and took two shaky breaths. I pulled out of the school and headed to my house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I got there the house was quiet. I shut the door behind me soundlessly. I didn't know where my dad was so I tiptoed up to my room. I looked around and slowly opened my door to be sure and not alert my dad that I was home.

I pushed open my door and froze in mid step. My dad sat in my bed, his back to me. He was twirling something in his hand but I couldn't see it.

My body froze no matter how much I wanted to turn and run, my feet were stuck to my floor.

My vision blurred and I started to recall that night several years ago:

I went out to town to grab a few things from the store. On my way I saw my dad sitting with a girl at a cafe. She had waist length blonde hair. My mom had brown hair. I thought maybe it was just a co-worker or a client, but then he leaned over and kissed her. I dropped the bag of groceries accidentally grabbing my dad's attention. He turned towards me and his eyes widened when he realized I caught him cheating, "Daytona!"

He called after we but I couldn't hear anything but the pounding of my feet on the sidewalk as I ran home.

I threw open the door to our house hoping my mom was home and I could tell her, but I couldn't find her anywhere.

"Mom!" I yelled as I was wiping the tears on my cheeks.

Someone grabbed my arm and spun me around, "Mom–" I was getting ready to tell her what I witnessed when I looked up and met my dad's blue eyes.

"You will not utter a word about this to your mother. Do you understand?" I shook my head in protest and he slapped me across the face.

More tears pooled in my eyes and my cheek stung from his hit, "I'll say it one more time," he pulled out his pocket knife switching the blade up, "you will not even breath a word of this to your mother, or I will kill you."

"Daytona!" My dad yelling at me snapped me back into reality.

I jumped and did the only thing logical, I ran.

I ran out of my room and down the stairs with my dad on my tail, "Where the hell were you, you slut?" I slid on the tile at the bottom of the stairs almost falling, but I caught myself on the railing.

I made a quick turn into the guest bathroom and hid there until I saw my dad pass, "Where are you Daytona?"

Clamping a hand over my mouth I held my breath until I heard him rummaging in the pantry, then I took off running back upstairs.

"Daytona Pierce Lyn! Get your ass here now!" I could hear the footsteps stomping up the stairs.

"No!" I ran into my room slamming the door shut and locking it. My breaths came fast and heavy. My chest rising and falling at a quick pace. Tears stung my eyes but I didn't let them fall.

My dad pounded on my door yelling at me to open it. I shook my head no, although he can't see me, "Fine I'll just go get the key!" I ran to my dresser and started to push it so it blocked my door.

I sat on my bed running my fingers through my hair. I hate my father.

With that thought, I put on some old joggers, a sports bra, then I threw on a zip up jacket with a hood. I walked to my bathroom and grabbed tape out of my drawer. I stuffed the tape into my pocket and opened my window.

Last year I removed my screen. With the tree right in our yard it was easy to just climb on to the roof and then shimmy down the tree.

I jumped out of the tree and texted Charlotte:

Me: If my mom asks I'm staying with you.

I turned off my phone and started walking towards downtown.

When I finally got there, there was already a crowd formed around the ring. People walked around carrying hats or envelopes and taking bets. I threw my hood up over my head and stood somewhere in the middle of the crowd.

I could see the two guys in the ring fighting. One was built like a fighter. He was tall and had muscles bulging from his arms.

The other was slightly smaller and had an average toned build. Listening to the people around me they all thought Mr. Ripped would win. I knew better.

Although Mr. Ripped had the advantage of being tall and built, that was also his downfall. Wins usually come easy to people like him, but I could tell by watching the other guy in the ring that Mr. Ripped would loose.

People like him are always so arrogant and so I walked around the cage like a predator stalking his prey, eyeing both of the fighters as I tapped my hands.

"Let the fight begin!" The announcer yelled into the microphone and people started to jump and scream.

The taller one threw the first punch, but the smaller one easily ducked under him and in the same motion he thrusted his knee up into the bigger ones stomach causing him to bend over catching his breath. The smaller dude grabbed the back of his head and brought it down at the same time he brought his knee up again.

His knee hit Mr. Ripped directly in his nose. Crimson blood gushed everywhere. The smaller one started to land punches anywhere he could. His face, stomach, sides and he even landed a few kicks. The guy wobbled a few times then fell to the ground. The fight was over and the smaller one won.

"We have a winner! What's your name sir?" The announcer held up the winners hand.

"Colton Derry." The name sounded familiar but I pushed it aside. There were probably a thousand Colton Derry's I've met.

"Well is there anyone who wants to take on Mr. Derry?" The crowd burst out into a murmur. Everyone examined the almost unscathed body of Colton. No one said anything.

"I will." I threw my hand into the air and heads whipped around to look at me. I met Colton's eyes and we both smirked.

The crowd was silent. No one breathed as I made my way up into the ring.

When I faced Colton and threw my hood off that's when the cheers started, "She's back!"

"The Demon Queen is back!"

"Is it really her?"

"I guess we'll find out."

The crowd hushed when the announcer started to explain the rules, "Remember anything goes. Just no bitting."

"Everyone ready?" The announcer started and the crowd came to life again, "Then let the fight begin." I took a deep breath and rubbed my tapped hands, feeling the adrenaline and energy flow through my veins.

"I'll go easy on you because you're a girl. I'll even allow you the first hit." He tilted his head and a crooked smirk played at his lips. His cockiness reminded me of Logan's.

I stepped closer to him, "Rule number one of fighting: If you want to throw the first punch, make it a good one."

I faked with my left, then swung with my right, but he saw right through that, like I hoped.

He remained still scoffing at my 'attempt' to hit him.

So I hit him where it hurts.

I rammed my knee into his crotch kind of like what he did with the other guy he fought. But instead of using my knee on his nose, when he leaned forward I jabbed him underneath the jaw. He recovered suprisingly fast and threw a punch to my side. I wasn't expecting it and I barely moved out of the way, his hand grazing my stomach.

The crowd started chanting, "Demon Queen! Demon Queen! Demon Queen!" I used this and my anger towards my father to propel me forward. He swung towards me again but I moved, caught his arm, and flipped him over my back.

The crowd went silent again for a few seconds before the erupted with yells and cheers, "It's really her! The Demon Queen is back!"

I looked down at Colton who was trying to get back up but I swiftly knocked his feet out from under him and he landed on his stomach. I straddled him and pinned his arm behind his back.

The announcer ran up to us and hit the floor, "One. Two. Three. Winner!" I stood up off of Colton and threw my hands into the air.

"Demon Queen! Demon Queen! Demon Queen!" They all chanted my nickname and I smiled at them.

I hopped out of the ring and walked over to the bar. On the way there people were congratulating me on my win and telling me how good it was that I was back.

I sat on an empty bar stool and ordered a water. I didn't look up when I heard the chair next to me scrape backwards. I just kept my head forward and drank my water.

"Nice win–Daytona." I almost choked on my water and turned to see who was next to me. My eyes met piercing blue ones as his mouth tipped up in a smile.

"Jake?! What the hell are you doing here?" I stared in utter disbelief.

No one from Clearwater ever visited here. No one.

"I came to check out what kind of fighting club it is. I must say I'm pretty impressed." His eyes held mine and I couldn't decipher whether he meant he was impressed with me, or the club.

"No one at school can know about this okay?" My voice became deadly serious, "And no one here can know my name."

I jumped off the chair and headed toward the door, "Why are you here Daytona?"

I stepped out into the cool air before I turned around to face him, "It's none of your concern." I turned back around and Jake jogged to catch up to me.

"Can I give you a ride home?" I instantly stopped at the mention of home, Jake fell out of step with me but quickly turned round when he realized I wasn't beside him anymore, "What's wrong Daytona?"

"Uh it's nothing. I just don't want to go home." I twirled the sleeves of my jacket trying to figure out what to do.

"Than come home with me."

"What?" I cast him weary eyes. I had only met Jake today and although he was hot, I had just met him.

"I swear I'm not some psycho killer. If you don't want to go home, just come with me." I thought about Logan's words earlier but ignored them.

"Fine I'll come with you."

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What'd you guys think of Daytona the badass? I know you're probably hella confused, but it'll all get cleared up later on in the story. Why do you guys think Logan doesn't want Daytona around him?? I hope you guys are enjoying the book! Love you! 😘❤

~May :)