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by Cassie Alexandra

  “Yet, she wants to break up with him?” he said.

  “Krystal gets bored. That’s the way she is and always has been. In high school, she used to have a new boyfriend every month. So, wanting to break up with him isn’t a surprise.”

  He began asking me about the Gold Vipers.

  “Seriously, I don’t know very much about them,” I said. “I just met Trevor, yesterday, through Tank. All I know is that they’re a club and it’s like one big family.”

  “What’s your relationship with Trevor?” asked Stone.

  My mother’s hand tightened on mine.

  “We just met. I don’t know, yet.”

  “Can I give you some advice?” he said, staring at me hard.

  I shrugged.

  “Stay away from him and the rest of his gang. We’ve got records on almost everyone associated with the Gold Vipers. Everything from narcotics to arson to theft. You don’t want to be involved with people like that. They’ll bring you down with them if you’re not careful.”

  “What about Trevor?” asked my mother, leaning forward. “Does he have a record?”

  “No, surprisingly, he doesn’t. That just probably means he’s good at keeping a low profile. He knows how to play that game and not get caught.”

  “Or, he’s not playing any game and he’s just a decent human being,” I countered, getting angry.

  Stone smirked. “He comes from trash. His father’s in prison for drugs and his mother’s been in and out of jail, most of her life. He’s in a gang of hoodlums, which is right, by the way, Ms. Nikolas,” he said, nodding toward my mother. “They are really nothing but a bunch of thugs.”

  “See,” she said, waving her finger at me. “I told you.”

  I sighed. “Just because they are doesn’t mean Trevor is.”

  “Defend him all you want, but ask yourself this – why would he want to be associated with people who continually break the law if he’s such a decent guy?” asked Stone.

  “I don’t know, maybe because he has nobody else?” I mumbled, rubbing my forehead. “You know, I thought we were here to talk about finding Krystal and Breaker?”

  “We are,” he said, shuffling papers. “Which reminds me-”

  Another officer walked through the doorway and motioned for Stone. “We have some information.”

  “Oh. Good.” He smiled at us and stood up. “I’ll be right back.”

  “You heard what that man said about this gang,” said Vanda, after he left. “They are nothing but trouble.”

  “I know what he said, but Trevor is a good guy.”

  “How do you know?” she said angrily. “You keep defending someone that you don’t know, Adriana.”

  “Because sometimes, you just do,” I replied angrily.

  “You’ve only known him for two days.”

  “Yeah, so? It’s not like we’re getting married.”

  “You may as well after what went on in your bedroom,” she mumbled, looking at me out of the corner of her eye.

  I sighed. “So what? I’m twenty-one years old. I’m not a child.”

  “I know, but-”

  “Mom, you have to learn to trust me,” I said, grabbing her hand. “I know that Trevor is part of this gang but he’s much more than that. I can feel it. I can also feel that he would never do anything to hurt me.”

  “You’ve just met. How do you really know?” she asked, looking weary.

  “I don’t know. It’s something in my gut, I guess.”

  She sighed. “You’re all I have, Adriana. If anything happened to you, I… I don’t know what I’d do.”

  I squeezed her hand. “I know, Mom. But, you don’t have to worry about me.”

  “I will always worry about you,” she replied, blinking back tears.

  “I know, but learn to trust me. Okay?”

  She let out ragged sigh. “I do trust you. It’s him I don’t trust.”

  “Try? For me?”

  “I will try, but if he hurts you, so help me…”

  The door opened back up and Stone walked in. The look on his face was grave.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  He sat down across from me. “I have some troubling news.”

  My heart stopped. “What is it?”

  Stone put his hand over mine. “We found your friend, Krystal. She’s been murdered.”

  “What?!” I shrieked, pulling my hand away. I covered my mouth. “She’s been murdered?” I began to cry. “No! This has to be a mistake!”

  “Krystal’s mother has already confirmed that it’s her,” he said. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Where did they find her?” asked my mother, who had her arm around me as I sobbed.

  “She was found in the parking lot of Griffin’s. She was… rolled up in a blanket.”

  “Oh my God,” I cried, picturing it. “Those bastards!”

  “It gets worse. From what it sounds, whoever left her there was sending a message. In fact,” he sighed. “I probably shouldn’t even tell you this, but I want you to know what kind of people we are dealing with.”

  “Tell me what?” I said hoarsely, waiting for him to continue.

  “Someone carved the words ‘Revenge Is Sweet’ on her stomach,” he said, his eyes hardening.

  “What does that mean?” asked my mother.

  “I believe that this was payback for Breaker’s murder. Look,” he said, pinning me with his eyes. “This could have just as easily been you. Hell, maybe it was supposed to be, since Breaker was obviously obsessed with you.”

  “What?” cried my mother. “You think they were trying to target Adriana and got Krystal, instead?”

  “It’s possible. There’s obviously a war going on between these two gangs and an innocent girl was murdered.”

  “That’s it!” cried Vanda. “You are never seeing that man again. Krystal is dead and I’m not losing you, Adriana. Promise me that you won’t see Trevor again. Promise me!”

  Stone handed me a box of tissues. “I’d have to agree with your mother. Especially now that there’s a murder investigation going on. You need to stay as far away from this character as you can.”

  The pain in my heart seemed unbearable as I pictured Krystal’s beautiful, smiling face. We’d been best friends, for so many years. Now she was gone, and for what? Revenge? Because of me?

  “Fine… I promise,” I mumbled, wiping my tears. “I won’t go near any of them.”

  “You’re making a wise choice,” said Stone. “You know that, don’t you?”

  The only thing that I did know was that my best friend was dead… and nothing else mattered.

  Chapter Thirty

  Adriana

  Krystal’s funeral was two weeks later, after the autopsy. It was revealed that she’d been raped and then strangled. Unfortunately, they didn’t have enough evidence to arrest anyone and so the investigation was still open.

  Trevor and Tank both attended the funeral, even though Krystal’s mother had tried banning anyone associated with the Gold Vipers. She blamed them directly for her daughter’s murder. When the time came, however, she allowed them to attend, too grief-stricken to care about anything else other than the fact that she was burying her daughter.

  When it was time for me to speak, during the eulogy, my eyes met Trevor’s for a brief second. He nodded, but I looked away, my heart heavy for everything that I’d lost in the last two weeks.

  “I met Krystal in the sixth grade,” I said, reading off of the piece of paper in front of me. I knew the words by heart, but I couldn’t look at anyone. I knew I’d start to cry. “I was new in school and very nervous. After the teacher introduced me in class, I went to go take a seat, when a boy stuck out his foot. I tripped, landing on my face, dropping my books and everything else. Of course, everyone laughed. Well, everyone but the teacher and Krystal, I guess.” I smiled through my tears and went on. “She beat him up, after school that day. Actually punched out one of his teeth, because of the way he’d trie
d to humiliate me. The funny thing was, they were going steady.”

  Some people chuckled.

  “That was Krystal, though. She had a heart and she’d stick up for you, no matter what.” I sniffled. “If you were her friend, you’d be so for life. If you were a guy, in her life, well, you didn’t want to piss her off or you might have ended up with dentures.”

  More chuckles.

  “Anyway,” I looked up. “Although she’s gone, I know she’s looking down at us today, wondering if her hair was done right or they used the right color of lipstick.” I smiled sadly and looked over at Tiffany and Claudia. “Remember when she went through that phase of wearing blue lipstick? I still don’t know what that was about.”

  They both nodded, smiling through their tears.

  I took a deep breath. “Anyway, Krystal, we’re going to miss seeing you laugh and smile, but we’ll always feel you in our hearts. Always. I love you and I already miss you so very much,” I said, my voice cracking. “I only wish I would have told you how much when you were still alive.”

  My eyes were blurred with tears and I couldn’t read the rest. Wiping my face with the back of my hand, I picked up my sheet of paper and hurried away from the podium.

  “You did good, Honey,” whispered my mom as I sat down next to her. “I’m sure Krystal thought so, too.”

  I didn’t say anything, I was too choked up.

  When the funeral was over, we all drove to the cemetery, and she was laid to rest. As I put a rose on her coffin, I looked up to find Trevor standing on the other side, watching me. I had to admit, he looked incredibly handsome, especially in the dark suit he was wearing.

  I quickly looked away.

  “I have to get back to the shop,” said Vanda, as we walked back to the car with Jim, who’d also attended the funeral. They’d already been on a couple more dates, and were becoming very close, already. I could tell from the way that she looked at him.

  “I’ll drive you,” he said. “That way, Adriana can go to the reception.”

  “Thanks,” she said, digging into her purse. “Here are the keys. Are you okay to drive?”

  “Yes. Of course.”

  She looked past me and her eyes hardened. “I still can’t believe that those two had the audacity to show up.”

  I turned around to see Trevor and Tank walking toward their motorcycles. Tank’s expression was unreadable now, but I had seen tears in his eyes when they lowered her casket. He’d definitely had feelings for her.

  “I can’t believe they’re riding bikes in this weather,” said Jim. “It must be forty-degrees. That’s got to be cold.”

  I shrugged.

  “He didn’t try talking to you, did he?” she asked, as we reached the two cars, which were parked next to each other.

  “No,” I said. He’d been respectful to my wishes, even though he hadn’t understood them.

  “So, that’s it? You don’t want to see me again?” he’d said, after I’d given him the news.

  “I just can’t see you again.”

  “Why?”

  “Because of what happened. Krystal is dead. DEAD. I can’t get caught up in that kind of… world.”

  “You know I’d never put you in any kind of danger.”

  “Trevor, your entire world is ‘danger’. Whether you want to admit it or not.”

  “I’m not ready to let you go,” he’d said, his eyes burning into mine. “You’ve gotten under my skin. You’re all I think about.”

  “You know what I’m thinking about? My best friend. She’s dead and why? Because of some senseless gang warfare that she didn’t want any part of, either. I don’t want to be next. I don’t want to die”

  “You aren’t going to die.”

  “How can you be certain?”

  “I won’t let them near you.”

  “That’s a gallant thought but you can’t protect me every hour of the day.”

  “They’re going to pay for what they did and then, I promise, you won’t have to worry about it.”

  “See, that’s exactly what I do have to worry about. Retaliation. First them and then you. It’s going to go on and on. I just want to live my life without having to worry about getting kidnapped or shot, Trevor. Don’t you understand?”

  He sighed.

  “Trevor, please… respect my wishes and… stay away from me.”

  “That’s just it. I don’t know if I can do that.”

  “You have to try. If you’re not even willing, then you’re not the man I thought you were.”

  “Ouch.”

  “I’m serious.”

  He’d finally relented, even though it had been hard for both of us. I knew that I wasn’t in love with him, but there was something between us. Something fierce.

  She nodded. “Good. I’m glad.”

  I sighed. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  “Be careful. Don’t drink and drive.”

  “Yes, mother,” I said, my voice hollow.

  “Don’t drink too much and drive,” corrected Jim, smiling. “One glass of wine won’t hurt.”

  I winked at him and got into the car.

  Mom waved at me as she slid into Jim’s car.

  Stealing another glance across the parking lot at Trevor, I tried ignoring the pangs in my chest. I wasn’t a fool. I knew that I longed to be with him, even after everything that had happened. Feel his arms around me. But, it was over and both of us had to accept it.

  I started the engine and drove to the reception.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Adriana

  The reception was held at a local bar. As I walked toward the entrance, I ran into Detective Stone. I’d seen both him and Detective Williams at the funeral, but was surprised to see him at the reception.

  “Hello, Adriana,” he said, holding the door for me.

  “Detective Stone. I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

  “Please, call me Jeremy.”

  I smiled. “Sure.”

  “I wanted to pay my respects,” he said, walking behind me. “How have you been holding up?”

  I glanced at him over my shoulder. “It’s been hard.”

  “I can only imagine.”

  “How is the case going?” I asked as he moved next to me.

  “Slow.”

  “Can’t you find any DNA or fiber matches to convict any of the Devil’s Rangers?”

  He grinned. “You’ve been watching CSI?”

  “Of course,” I said, smiling sheepishly.

  “Well, they’re still working on it. That’s all I can really say,” he said as we entered the area that was reserved for the reception. I noticed that Tiffany, Monica, and Amber were already there, ordering drinks.

  “Thanks for coming,” said Krystal’s mother, Bonnie, who looked like she was about ready to start crying all over again. “Both of you.”

  “Of course,” I said, hugging her.

  “You, too, Detective. Have you found the people who’ve done this, yet?”

  “Please, just call me Jeremy. We’re still working on it. You’ll be the first to know if we do, though.”

  “I’m counting on it,” she said, blowing her nose.

  “Hi, Adriana,” said Tiffany, walking over with two glasses. “Here, I bought you a Rum and Coke. Figured you’d need it after giving that speech. You did great, by the way. I was balling my eyes out.”

  “Thanks, Tiff. I missed the last part of it,” I said, taking the drink from her. “I was too choked up to continue”

  “How can you not be? At least you had the balls to get up there. I’m sure Krystal was proud of you, though.”

  “I hope so,” I said, getting choked up again myself.

  “And, who is this?” she asked, smiling up at Jeremy.

  I was going to introduce him as Detective Stone, when he jumped in.

  “Who me? I’m Jeremy Stone,” he said, smiling.

  “Are you two…?” she asked, pointing to both of us.

 
“No,” I said quickly, realizing what she meant. “We’re not dating.”

  He laughed.

  She smiled at Jeremy. “I wasn’t sure. You’re not wearing a ring and I’ve never seen you before. I know that.”

  Oh my God, she’s interested in him, I thought, not sure if I should be amused or horrified.

  “Nope. No ring,” he said, holding up his left hand. “Not anymore, at least.”

  “Oh, were you married before?” she asked.

  “Engaged. I guess you could say, it fell through.”

  “Well, you know what they say – if it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be,” said Tiffany, taking a drink of her Screwdriver. “You’ll probably find someone much better.”

  It was then that I realized he was actually a very nice looking man. I hadn’t thought much about it before, but I could see why Tiffany was interested. He was tall, with brown hair, and caramel colored eyes, and a goatee. I pegged him to be in his late twenties and he obviously kept in very good shape.

  “How did you know Krystal?” she asked.

  As he began explaining, I glanced over to the bar and noticed that Trevor was standing next to it, ordering a beer. My stomach knotted up.

  What was he doing here?

  “Excuse me,” I said, moving around my friends and toward him. When I reached the bar, Trevor turned to me, smiling.

  “What are you doing here?” I said in a not-so-friendly voice.

  “Well, hello to you, too,” he said, the smile falling.

  I looked around. “Is Tank here, too?”

  “No. He’s taking it pretty hard. He just wanted to be alone.”

  I stared at him for a few seconds, my foot tapping anxiously. I had to admit, that he looked so handsome that I wanted to jump his bones again. But, I was more pissed than horny. “You shouldn’t be here, you know.”

  He frowned. “Why? I knew her too, you know. I’m just here to pay my respects.”

  “You did that at the cemetery.”

  He grunted and shook his head.

  “What?’ I asked.