by Caitlyn Dare
"Conner," he sighs, correctly assuming where I was. "You're going to get us all locked up or killed."
"It won't come to that."
"Are you sure? James seems pretty concerned, and nothing ever rattles that motherfucker."
"Yeah. I'm fucking sure. Now, are you done?"
"No, James has been looking for you all night. He wants us all in his office."
"Brilliant. Let's fucking go then. Call Ace," I demand, storming past him, shoulder checking him as I head for Dad's office.
"Nice," Cole barks after me. "I was merely the messenger."
Shaking my head, I ignore him and continue forward, storming into Dad's office much as Cole had to me only minutes ago.
"Tell me you have good news." I fall down onto his couch and stare at our father.
“Conner,” he seethes, his voice low and slightly terrifying. “I explicitly told you to stay out of the Heights. Where were you tonight?”
I’ve never seen him angry, and the fact that he’s not shouting right now makes the whole thing even more scary.
This is the man who knows everyone’s secrets. Who apparently lives his life on the dark side.
“I’m pretty sure you already know,” I say, resting back on the couch and stretching my arms out like his anger doesn’t affect me.
His eyes hold mine, frustration swirling within them. They’re the same blue as Ace's, so vivid you wonder if they can possibly be real. His hair is dark, flecked with grey at the side. And just like Cole, he never shows his emotions. He just assesses everything, takes it on board, and figures out how to deal with it without causing a fuss. I guess it's those skills that got him whatever job he's doing.
He opens his mouth to speak, and I damn near hold my breath, wishing, praying that he's going to say this is over and I can drive straight back to the Heights and get my girl.
Clenching his fists, he swallows, his face still a mask of calm despite the storm raging inside because I keep defying his orders. "Not so much as news. More like the plan."
"Saturday night?" I ask in a rush, relief already beginning to flood me.
"Wait for the others and I'll tell you what I can."
"How about you just cut the bullshit and tell us everything?"
"Son," he sighs. "Trust me, if I could and if I thought it would help, I would tell you everything. But right now, you just need to focus on Kennedy."
"I really fucking hate secrets and lies." I pin him with a look.
"I know. But unfortunately, that's not how this world works."
"This world? Are you in some weird cult or something?"
A smile twitches at Dad's lips, and part of me expects him to confirm what I've just said. It sure would have all of this make sense if it did.
"No, Conner, it's not a cult. It's—" His words are cut off as Ace and Cole come barreling through the door.
"You called," Ace sings. Motherfucker is high, and he's got bite marks down his neck.
I roll my eyes at him. At least one of us is having fun, I guess.
"Saturday night," James starts, forgetting that we were in the middle of a conversation. "Everything is planned for Saturday night.”
Ace sits up, suddenly looking sober. "Yeah?" he asks, rubbing his hand across his face.
"I wasn't going to tell you, because you do not need to get involved with this. But I know the second you," he pins me with a hard stare, "get any clue that this is happening, I'm not going to be able to stop you. So I only ask you to do one thing."
I sit forward, waiting to hear what he needs from me for this to end.
"I need you to get Kennedy out of there. Do not get involved with anything else, no matter what happens," he warns. “I mean it, Son. You get Kennedy, and then you get the hell out of there.”
"Done."
"Wait," Ace says, holding up a hand. "What the fuck is going to happen? You can't just send us there to snatch a girl without telling us the whole plan."
"Can't I?" Dad asks, one brow lifting, almost in amusement. "I need you to trust that right now, I'm doing the best thing for all of you. The time is coming where I'm going to have to let you in on all of this, but that time is not right now."
Ace's face twists in confusion. I, however, let it roll off me. I'm beginning to get used to Dad's mysterious non-explanations. I'm sure that once this is all over and my girl is in my arms I'll be desperate to know the truth, but he's right. She's the priority here, not whatever secret world he's hiding.
I shake my head at this whole situation. I thought our lives were meant to get less complicated when we moved to this part of town. Cleary fucking not.
"Are we done?" I ask, needing to get the fuck out of his office and away from everyone so I can continue drowning in the reality that is my life right now.
"I'll let you know the times when I have more information."
"Great. I'm out."
I'm almost at the corner that leads to our bedrooms when Ace's voice rings out.
"Con, wait."
I pause, but I don't really want to. I've done my best to avoid the pair of happy couples around the house. The sight of them is just too much right now.
"What?" I bark.
"Here." He passes me a blunt when he gets to me, which somewhat makes up for things.
"After school tomorrow, the three of us are going out."
"What? Why?"
"Because I fucking said so. You need to get out of your head, and you need to stay out of the fucking Heights." He pins me with a look.
I want to argue that he'd never leave Remi, but I know it's pointless to even try.
"What are we doing?" I ask, my voice flat, totally uninterested in whatever plans they have.
"It's a surprise," Cole says, appearing at Ace's shoulder with a smile.
"Great. Can't wait."
I turn my back on them and disappear into my bedroom.
Pulling my cell from my pocket, I find nothing from Kenny before I drop down on my bed and close my eyes. I wish I hadn't seen Warren pulling her into him and putting his fucking lips on her the second she was in the bar earlier.
My fists curl with my need to end him. I might just have agreed to only get K out on Saturday night, but Dad is stupider than I thought if he really thinks I'm not going to go after that cunt myself.
"Karting?" I ask Ace and Cole, who stand either side of me with smiles playing on their lips.
"Yeah. You used to love it as a kid."
Understatement of the century. "We went once," I argue, remembering the time Charlie took us for mine and Cole's birthday. For some reason, he actually treated us to a day out. Looking back now, I wonder what was in it for him.
"Yeah, but it was great fun."
"Fair enough," I mutter.
"Thought you could outrun a few of your demons."
"I'm not sure that’s possible while he's still breathing."
"Saturday, bro," Cole says, slapping me on the back. "Saturday night your girl will be back in your arms and in your bed, and you can fall asleep with your tiny little coc—"
"Ow," he complains when I slap him across the head. "Was that necessary?"
"Yeah, we all know mine is bigger than yours, so quit trying to convince anyone otherwise." I lean into him and lower my voice. "Even Hadley knows."
I move before he can get to me and laugh at the look on his face.
"You motherf—"
"Shall we have this out on the track, children?" Ace asks, an amused smirk playing on his lips.
"Fine. But you're going to fucking lose," Cole seethes as he passes me.
"See you at the finish line, motherfucker."
"Maybe this was a terrible idea," Ace mutters to himself as I catch up to him.
"Nah, bro. I really appreciate it. Just don't get bitter when I beat your ass."
The place is deserted, and I soon realize that Ace and Cole had planned it that way so we didn't have to deal with anyone else. There are only three karts on the track, and, after makin
g our selections, we buckle up.
"Get ready to lose, assholes," I announce as we stare at the traffic lights in front of us, ready to floor it to the first bend.
The second the green light shows, I put my foot to the floor as a surge of adrenaline races through me. A smile pulls at my lips as I look to my left to see Cole laughing to himself.
Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea on their part. I don't need them to tell me that I've been a miserable fuck the past couple of weeks. I feel it in every fiber of my being, but I needed this. I needed them to stand beside me and show me that not everything is shit, and hopefully we can stand together on Saturday night and put that motherfucker in the ground where he's supposed to be.
I have no idea how many races we do or how long we're out on that track. All I do know is that by the time we're done, I'm covered in a sheen of sweat, my heart is racing, and I can't stop smiling. It's a good fucking feeling.
But the second I step out of the kart, having pulled off yet another win, reality comes crashing down. I'm here enjoying myself while she’s...
"What the fuck is that look for?" Cole asks, his eyes assessing me. "You just won... again."
"Have I, though?" I ask, throwing the helmet to the ground and storming off the track and away from both of them. If I'd won, my girl would be here to celebrate with me, not stuck somewhere against her will with fucking Satan himself.
Chapter Twenty-One
Kennedy
I spend the week sneaking my cell phone into my school bag so I can text Conner throughout the day. After an amazing night together at the bar, I can’t let go. I know it’s risky, I know Warren will probably do something awful if he finds out, but I need that link to him.
It’s that simple.
When I’d gotten that text from Warren, telling me that if I didn’t come back to him, he would ruin the Jaggers, I’d only had one thought in mind.
Save them.
I would happily sacrifice myself if it meant Conner and his family were safe.
But now I see love doesn’t make you weak, it makes you strong. It gives you something to fight for.
Otherwise, what’s the point?
After everything we’ve been through, Conner and I deserve our shot at happiness. We’ve just got to get through this.
Whatever James has planned, I hope it hurts. I hope Warren suffers even a fraction of the pain I have at his hands.
I force those thoughts out of my head. He might own my body, but my heart is in a steel cage he won’t ever unlock. I’ve gotten good over the last few days at pacifying him, letting him use my body to fuck away his anger and frustrations. I don’t even cry anymore. Because I know the end is in sight. I know that after the weekend, I’ll be free.
And hopefully Warren will be gone. Forever.
It’s my birthday tomorrow, and I’ll be eighteen. An adult in the eyes of the authorities.
I can pack a bag, leave the Heights, and never look back.
But I can’t leave Conner.
I won’t.
I lost him once...
I won’t lose him again.
“Miss Lowe, are you still with us?” The teacher’s unamused voice startles me and I bolt upright.
“Sorry, sir.”
“Please try to stay awake in my class.”
A couple of girls snicker and I shoot them daggers. They soon avert their eyes.
It’s last period, and with every second that ticks by the pit in my stomach carves a little deeper. Warren will probably already be waiting. He hasn’t let me out of his sight much since Monday.
Part of me wonders if he senses something.
The familiar vibration of my cell phone against my palm is a welcome reprieve from my thoughts.
Conner: I can’t wait to give you a birthday kiss.
Me: One isn’t good enough, I want eighteen.
Conner: How about one for every second I’ve loved you?
My smile grows. Even in our dire situation he still finds it in himself to be a giant goofball.
Me: That’s a lot of kisses.
Conner: You haven’t seen nothing yet. Try to text me later.
Me: You know I might not be able to.
Conner: I know... but try. Love you, babe. So much.
The final bell rings, and the class breaks into chaos. I quickly text Conner back before packing away my belongings and throwing my bag over my shoulder. I’m not eager to get outside to Warren, but I am eager for this day to be over, because it means we’re almost at the finish line.
Thank God.
Shelbie meets me outside class and we leave together. But she doesn’t take off; instead she sticks to my side as I cross the parking lot to Warren’s car.
“Shelb, what’s going on?” I ask, feeling dread snake up my spine.
“You’ll see.” She shoots me a conspiratorial smile.
“Baby.” Warren pulls me in for a hug, nuzzling my neck. “Did you have a good day?”
“It was okay, I guess.”
“Did you tell her?” His eyes go over my head to Shelbie.
“Tell me?” I frown. “Tell me what?”
“So, I thought,” Warren walks his finger along my collarbone, “you might like to have a girls night with Shelbie tonight.”
“You did”? Hope unfurls in my stomach, but it’s laced with fear. “What’s the catch?”
“Catch? Baby, I’m offended. I need to go out of town for the night. My old man has a date with Hilda, so you’ll be home, and since it’s your birthday tomorrow, I figured it would be nice for the two of you to hang. You can get pizza, drink some of those shitty mixer drinks you like, and watch some girl porn.”
“Girl porn?” Shelbie chokes out.
“Yeah, you know, like Magic Mike or that Fifty Shades crap.”
“You know what Fifty Shades is?”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” he snarls at her.
Shelbie shrugs. “I’m just surprised is all.”
“Did you know about this?” I ask Shelbie, who doesn’t seem the least bit surprised Warren just invited her over for a girls night.
“Yeah, he called me.”
“You called her?” Now I’m the one gawking.
“I’m just full of surprises, baby.” Warren gives me a rare smile before kissing me hard while his hands grope my ass and thighs as if we’re not standing in the middle of the school parking lot.
Shelbie clears her throat after a minute or so, and thankfully it’s enough to make him break away.
“Are you sure about this?” He’s never let me have anyone over to the trailer before.
“It’s your home as much as mine, Kennedy.” He brushes the hair off my face and pushes it behind my ear, staring at me with a raw intensity.
“Well, in that case, I would love for Shelbie to come over for a girls night.”
The second we get back to the trailer, I slip into the bathroom and text Conner. It’s dangerous, but I want to let him know I’m okay, and that Shelbie is coming over, so he doesn’t spend all night worrying about me.
Me: Warren’s out tonight so Shelbie is coming over for a girls night. I’ll call if I can.
His reply is immediate.
Conner: You’d better.
Conner: In fact, I could sneak over and steal a birthday kiss.
Me: You can’t! If anyone saw you...
I can’t bear thinking about it.
Conner: Yeah, you’re probably right. But it doesn’t mean I won’t be thinking about the next time I’m in your arms.
Me: You giant goofball.
Conner: Only for you, K. Only ever for you!
Fighting a smile, I stuff the cell into my bra and slip back into the bedroom. There’s no sign of Warren, so I grab a load of clean laundry and hurry to the dresser, pretending to put it away while I stash the phone in its usual hiding place.
“Ken?” he yells, and I flinch.
“Coming.”
Taking a deep breath, I run a hand
through my hair before going to find him. He and Mitch are talking.
“Hey,” I say. “What’s going on?”
“He isn’t sure he wants to go to Hilda’s, but I told him he needs to stay clear of the trailer.”
“It’s my fucking trailer, kid.”
“Kid? Really old man? Who pays the rent? Who pays for the electricity and makes sure there’s food in the cupboards?”
The air crackles as son and father square off with one another.
“Hilda has invited you over, so I suggest you take a shower, put on a nice shirt, and go keep the woman happy. If you can manage to get it up.” Warren chuckles, but Mitch looks murderous.
“You’re an evil son—”
“Yeah, yeah. Save it for someone who cares.” He walks away from him, toward me. “You all good?”
“Yeah.” I smile, but it’s at odds with the knot in my stomach. “I don’t have to—”
“Shh.” He kisses my forehead. “It’s almost your birthday, you deserve this.”
His mood swings give me whiplash, but I can’t deny I feel a flicker of excitement at the thought of spending the night with Shelbie instead of him.
“Where are you going anyway?”
“Business calls,” he says cryptically, tapping the end of my nose.
I want to ask what business, but something tells me I don’t want to know.
“I’ll miss you,” I add for effect.
“Not as much as I’ll miss you, baby.” He slides his lips over mine, plunging his tongue deep into my mouth. “Make me something to eat before I leave?”
“Of course. What are you in the mood for?”
“That thing you do with the chicken tenders and pasta.”
“Coming right up.” I go to move around him, but he grabs my arm. “I love you, Kennedy.”