by Jordan Ford
Stalking to my locker, I glare at the two girls loitering in front of it until they scamper away.
With an irritated huff, I fling it open and then my insides simmer to a soft glow as I reach for the white piece of paper.
I’m not sure how much longer I can go without having our talk.
Can you meet me on Friday night or the weekend?
Rahn said she’ll cover for me.
I can catch the bus somewhere. Just give me a time and place.
I have so much to tell you. Please don’t make me wait much longer.
Love you xx
C
Scrambling for a pen, I rip a sheet of paper from the back of my closest book and write back.
Friday night. I’ll be there.
I hate you catching the bus though. Can I pick you up from Rahn’s place or is that too risky?
Can’t wait to hang out.
I miss you xx
V
Rahn’s place is kind of risky. I’ll sneak out of her room and run down the street. There’s a bus stop at the corner of Stanton and Emery. I’ll wait for you there.
Maybe we can head somewhere out of town so I can tell you everything…and catch up on all the kisses I’ve been missing.
Is eight okay? xx
C
I’ll be there.
And I know just the place.
Kiss you soon xx
V
33
A Bus Out of Town
CHLOE
“Thank you so much for covering for me.” I squeeze Rahn in a tight hug, knowing how much this means. My parents grilled me before I left the house, wanting to know exactly what Rahn and I would be up to. She played along like a champ when she came to pick me up.
Her tiny fingers dig into my hoodie as she hugs me back. “Be safe, okay?”
“I will be.” I lean back with a smile. “He’s picking me up from the bus stop at the end of your street. It’s going to be fine.”
“Do you know what time you’ll be back?”
“Not sure yet.” I wince. “We seriously have a lot to talk about.”
Her lips curl into a half-hearted smile. “I’m pretty sure you’re not just going to be talking.”
I can feel myself turning red and dip my head to hide the warm current buzzing through my veins.
Rahn snickers. “You know you’ve got it bad, right?”
“Yeah.” I give her a dreamy smile. “I’ve got it real bad.”
“And I’m pretty sure he does too. I caught him looking at you the other day in Biology. He had the sweetest expression on his face.” Her brown eyes search my face and it looks like she’s trying to smile, but she can’t quite muster one. “You know I wouldn’t be helping you if I didn’t…” She shakes her head. “I can just sense how much you mean to each other. The way you talk about him gives everything away.”
“I only tell you.” I grip her wrists. “Thank you for letting me be honest. Thank you for keeping my big secret. And I’m sorry if you feel like I’ve taken advantage of our friendship or…”
She lets out a short sigh. “I have to be honest, sometimes it’s felt like that.”
My insides squeeze with guilt, my dreamy expression disintegrating. “I’m sorry. Rahn, I’m so sorry.”
She raises her eyebrows. I can tell she appreciates my apology when a slow smile forms on her lips. “You love him, and I’m pretty sure he loves you. I can’t stand in the way of that. So, even though I wish you were staying to hang out with me tonight, I understand. Just don’t forget about me. You’re the nicest friend I’ve ever had, and I don’t want to—”
“I could never forget about you!” I pull her into a fierce hug. “You’re the nicest friend I’ve ever had, and I love hanging out with you. I just can’t wait for the day when we can all hang out together. I don’t like sneaking around and hiding.”
“I know. I wish you didn’t have to. From what you’ve told me, Vincent is a sweetheart, and I want the world to see that.”
“They will.” I nod. “One day, everyone will know how amazing he is. And tomorrow, after my baseball game, I’m coming straight back here to spend the rest of the weekend with you. We’ll paint our nails and—”
“Talk about Vincent.” Rahn rolls her eyes.
“No.” I giggle and lightly slap her arm. “We don’t have to talk about him at all.”
“Oh yes we do. I’m going to need specific deets about tonight. There won’t be enough time in the morning.” She winks at me, confirming what an amazing person she is.
I beam her a grateful smile and she laughs at me.
“Seriously, Chloe, your love for the guy fuels my hope. One day I’ll find someone who makes me smile the way you do when you’re talking about him.”
My eyes glass over for a second, my huge grin speaking for me.
Rahn giggles and pulls me into another hug before guiding me to her window. “Get going, you romantic sap.”
Before slipping out, I spin back to double-check. “Are you sure you won’t get in trouble for this?”
“The boys are asleep and my parents are zoned out in front of a movie. Dad wouldn’t come in here if his life depended on it and Mom’s too tired to move. We’re seriously in the clear.”
“Okay.” I give her a relieved smile. “Don’t wait up.”
She giggles. “I can’t wait to hear every little detail.”
I let out a giddy laugh before jumping out the window. I land with a soft thud in the grass and sneak away from the house.
The bus stop is just down the road. It’s well lit, and I don’t feel nervous as I wait for Vincent’s car.
In fact, I’m excited for the first ten minutes, but the feeling starts to fade the longer I wait. After half an hour, a bus and no blue car, I’m starting to worry.
Where is Vincent?
Crap, I hope his family aren’t being assholes.
Have they hurt him again?
I worry my lip and wait another thirty minutes until I’m absolutely convinced he won’t show.
I so badly want to catch the next bus to his place, ask around until I find his house, then knock on the door until they let me see him.
But that won’t fly.
It’s the last thing Vincent needs right now.
Tears sting my eyes. I glance down the street and contemplate going back to Rahn. She’ll give me a hug and listen to me cry.
I’m gutted. Vincent and I never really get to see each other and this would have been the perfect night to tell him about Luisa Garcia and everything that went down at that club in Brazenwood.
I’m desperate to hear about his home life and why he wasn’t at school that week.
I want to be a part of his life. I want him to be free to tell me anything.
A bus approaches and I step back from the curb until it pulls to a stop. A tired woman with short brown hair steps off and glances my way before turning down the street. Next comes an elderly man. He’s taking his time on the steps and I nearly offer to help him, but I’m distracted by the bus destination sign that switches from Armitage to Cullington.
Cullington.
Club Matrix is in Cullington, and my research has told me that Luisa Garcia’s husband owns Club Matrix too. I wonder if I could find any new information there?
I wonder if Luisa will be there tonight. If I bumped into her, would she answer a question or two?
Probably not.
I should just walk back to Rahn’s place, but…
What if there’s some evidence at the club? Someone else I could talk to?
This might be my only opportunity. Rahn’s covering for me. I’m not on a curfew.
I’m—
“Last run for the night, honey. Are you getting on?” The bus driver gives me an impatient look.
It takes me less than a second to decide, and before I can think better of it, I jump onto the first step and pull out my wallet.
It’s a pricier ride than usual because the bus is headi
ng out of Armitage. It was an initiative pushed through by our town council. They worked in with the Cullington town council and arranged for a bus service in Armitage to help out some of the poorer families who couldn’t afford to own a car. It also includes an early morning and late evening commuter bus that takes workers to and from Cullington. Being the bigger city, Cullington has more work available, but Armitage has the cheaper housing, so it’s mutually beneficial for both towns.
Paying my fare, I walk to the back of the bus while the driver heads out of town.
It’s not until we’re taking that final turn out of Armitage that it starts to sink in how reckless I’m being.
How the hell am I supposed to get back?
Hopefully Uber will save my ass. It’ll be a really pricey fare, but quite possibly worth it.
I might as well use my cover for something useful, and what’s more useful than checking out a certain club that could unearth a bunch of answers? Dad made us swear we wouldn’t go anywhere near that club in Brazenwood again.
But I’m not going there.
Even so, Dad will kill me if he finds out.
And there’s a strong chance Vincent will be pretty pissed too.
But it’s for a really good cause.
The sooner we get Nick exonerated, the better. Vincent needs his brother and tonight, I need to unveil another layer of truth that might help in setting the guy free.
Dad needs proof before he’ll reopen the case. Well, I’m going to find him some.
34
No Way Out
VINCENT
The handcuff around my wrist and bedframe both rattle as I fight my imprisonment.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
I can’t believe this is happening right now.
Chloe will have been waiting at the bus stop for me and I never showed. Standing there in the dark, vulnerable and alone, thinking I don’t care enough about her to show up.
Fuck!
Desperate tears scorch my eyes, but I ward them off with a sniff.
I want to kill Diego.
Straining against the cuffs, I let out another roar as pain fires through my wrist and I relive the moment I was put here…
I was cocky enough to spin the keys around my finger as I walked for the front door. I was about to get some one-on-one privacy with my girlfriend. We’d talk, I’d hold her, she’d kiss me. It was impossible to dampen my mood.
I nearly made it too.
My hand was on the freaking doorknob when Enzo stopped me.
“Where are you going?”
“Out,” I mumbled, yanking the door open.
But then Diego and Rex were there, slamming it shut again. Diego’s dark eyes glinted with amusement as he eyed me up and down.
“You going to see her?”
I glared at him before staring back at the door. “You told me to spy, didn’t you?”
Enzo snickered behind me and I caught Diego looking at him out of the corner of my eye.
Dread surged through me, unease cloaking me like a rain cloud.
“I’m coming with you,” Diego told me, like it was no big deal.
“Like hell,” I muttered, my voice dark with anger.
“I won’t get in the way.” He gave me a sly smile. “I just want to see what she knows.”
I turned, eyeing up Enzo and trying to put on the best frickin’ show I could. “You think I’m lying to you?”
“He’ll just watch from the background.” Enzo shrugged. “No big deal.”
“Forget it.” I walked away from the door, figuring I’d sneak out the bathroom window.
Diego grabbed my jacket and pulled me around. “What’s your problem, man? I’ll just be watching.”
I flicked him off me and growled, “She won’t say anything if you’re there. Why would she trust an asshole like you?”
My insult definitely stung, but he clenched his jaw and gave me a tight smile. “I’ll hide in the shadows. Shit, I’ll even close my eyes when you’re having your way with her.”
My fingers curled into a fist.
“We just need to know that you’re doing your job.” Enzo slid his hands into his pockets, looking so calm and in control.
It was completely opposite to the volcanic eruption in my chest. Rage was on the cusp of breaking free, but I had to keep it together for Chloe. I’d never make it out of the house otherwise.
Gritting my teeth, I managed a controlled reply. “I’m not going if you are. I can’t act casual if you’re watching me. I don’t care where the hell you hide. I either go alone or I don’t go at all.”
Diego and Enzo shared another chilling look and I knew my number was up before they even grabbed me.
I fought and yelled, “Don’t touch me! Get your fucking hands off me!”
I screamed and kicked the entire way to my room, making all three work up a sweat in order to contain me.
I was fuming, but was at least comforted by the fact that I could sneak out of the bathroom window in about half an hour. I was pissed that I’d be late, but I was pretty sure Chloe would wait for me. She’s that kind of girl.
“You’re a lying little shit.” Diego shoved me back and I stumbled over to my bed. “Where’s your family loyalty, huh?”
“Why the fuck would I be loyal to you?” I stood back up, facing him head on.
The question scored me a punch in the face, but it was a slight misfire and didn’t really hurt. I was tempted to launch myself back at him, but Rex was right there and I’d have no chance in hell of getting to Chloe if they beat me again.
Enzo stood in the doorway, studying me with the kind of look that tempered my rage and replaced it with a healthy dose of dread.
His lips twitched in thought and then he crucified me by muttering, “Cuff him.”
“No!” I surged forward, trying to run between them. But Diego was on me in a second, wrestling me back to my bed. Rex grabbed my other side, making my fight worthless.
I roared as Diego pinned me down, digging his knee into my chest while Enzo yanked my wrist up to the bedframe. I struggled and strained against him. I made him work for it until that sickening click of metal sealed my fate.
“You fuck!” I screamed at him, tugging against my restraints.
“You don’t want to go out. Fine. You stay here. Maybe these guys can go instead. I’m sure they’d love to find out whatever secrets she has to tell you.”
My nostrils flared, desperation firing through me. I tried to hide it by smashing my teeth together and keeping my rage in check.
“Where were you meeting her?”
I shook my head and he slapped me hard.
“Tell me where she is.”
“I hate you.” I looked him in the eye so he knew I was telling the truth.
He gave me a smarmy smile before turning to his son. “Start at the greenhouse.”
“No!” I roared, figuring I may as well play on it. If I acted desperate enough, then they’d assume that was our meeting place.
It could potentially get me beat later, but at least Chloe would be safe.
Diego hasn’t gotten back yet. He’ll probably bust open the door, saying she wasn’t there and demanding more goods, but I’m not giving him shit.
It’s been over an hour since I was supposed to meet Chloe. She would have given up by now and will hopefully be tucked safely inside Rahn’s house.
She’ll be sad I didn’t come.
Hopefully I can get out in the morning. Maybe Selena will take pity and sneak in here with the key.
I don’t care if it’s a risk, but I’ll get away to find her. I just need her to know that I still care. That if I could, I’d be by her side always.
Closing my eyes, I thump my head against the pillow and stare into the darkness, wishing a hundred times over that I’d never been born a Mancini.
35
A Shocking Theory
CHLOE
The walk from the bus stop to the club is about ten minutes. I walk damn fast,
looking over my shoulder as I go.
This is seriously a bad idea. I shouldn’t be doing this on my own.
But I’m here now.
I’m in this.
I can’t turn back before at least checking out the club.
Lining up behind a group of girls, nerves skitter through me as I glance up at the club sign. The green neon glows against the dark background.
I hope she’s here. I hope my effort is worth this.
The bouncer raises his barely there eyebrows at me. “ID.”
I glance up at his dark, round face, instant dread pooling in my stomach.
Shit! I don’t have a fake ID.
With a sweet smile, I pull out my license, expecting a cool rejection, but instead he tips his head for the door.
I stand there, kind of surprised, until he starts laughing at me. “If you’re waiting for a stamp, I’m not giving you one.”
“A stamp?”
“No stamp, no liquor.”
“Oh.” I smile. “Well, that’s okay. I wasn’t planning on drinking.”
“Then go on. Get in there. The dance floor’s waiting.” He winks. “Anyone gives you trouble, you come see me.”
“Thanks.” I grin and slide past him.
Strobe lights are flickering as I edge into the crowded room. The thick bass pumps right through me. “Move, Shake, Drop” is impossible not to dance to and my hips wiggle a little as I ease my way around the edge of the dance floor.
I’m scanning the crowd the whole time, looking for a short Latina woman in tight clothes with perfect makeup and a beauty mark on her upper lip.
Stopping near the bar, I rise to my tiptoes and scan the crowd again. The strobe lights are off and there’s now a red hue over the crowd. I can’t see Luisa anywhere, although it’s going to be kind of impossible to spot her like this. I need to get in there and start circulating. Hopefully, if she’s here, I’ll bump into her.