Redd

by Leah Holt

  Covering my face with my palms, all I could do was nod. I couldn't talk, I couldn't look at him, I couldn't think anymore.

  I wanted everything to go back to the way it was before I was stolen. I wanted to click my ruby heels and be back home in my bed, going to sleep just like I had planned to do that night.

  My nightmare hadn't ended.

  And right then. . .

  I wasn't sure it ever would.

  Chapter Twelve

  Bijou

  The passenger door clicked open, and I felt the car shake as someone slipped inside. I stayed silent in the back seat, staring up at the ceiling. Stretching my arms, I settled the anxiety that tried to swell between my ribs.

  A part of me wanted to glance up and make sure it was Vicki, to double check that it wasn't one of Diablo's men who had spotted me from a distance when I had my outburst and tried to lunge from the car.

  It's just his sister, that's the reason we're here.

  “Hey, how was school?” Redd asked, his tone upbeat and casual.

  The way he spoke was so tempered, as if nothing had happened; like he hadn't stolen and killed, like I hadn't destroyed his home and threatened him with a knife.

  I couldn't understand how he could smother the situation and submerge it below the surface, making it unreadable and undetectable to someone else.

  But I knew, I knew what was happening. And I wasn't sure if I'd be able to throw on a smile if I looked up at his sister. Keeping my eyes on the roof of the car, I twirled my thumbs and bit my lip nervously.

  His sister stayed quiet for a long moment, fumbling with her bag and dropping it onto the floor beside me. There was a long pause in her breathing, and I could feel her eyes surveying me.

  “What's she doing here?”

  “It looks like someone is still mad at me.” Chuckling, he rubbed the back of his neck.

  Vicki didn't laugh, pointedly giving him a wide stare.

  Sighing, Redd sucked in air between his teeth, turning his face away from his sister. “Don't be rude, Vicki. She came for the ride, is that a problem?”

  “Why is she laying down in the back?”

  “Why all the questions? She's tired, she didn't sleep well last night.”

  I could feel her studying me, peering down at my face and completely understanding my presence in the back seat had nothing to do with lack of sleep.

  My face was flushed and glistening in drying tears, my nose was still running, so I kept wiping the back of my wrist across my face. I was trying my best to put on a brave face, and not let her see how upset I really was.

  It wasn't working.

  “Mm, hm.” Flipping back around, Vicki grabbed the seat belt and clicked it into place. “You're doing that thing again, I can see it. I really wish you would stop treating me like I'm stupid, Redd.”

  “Will you stop already, I'm not in the mood for this right now.”

  Slumping in her seat, his sister laid her elbow against the window and rested her head in her hand. “Yup, like you're ever in the mood to tell me the truth lately. Am I still supposed to act like she isn't here? I mean you brought her with you, but do you still expect me to pretend like I can't see her?”

  “What do you want me to say, huh?” Tapping the wheel with his hand, he shifted in his seat. “I want you to be nice, I don't want you to start asking all kinds of questions I can't give you answers for. But you don't have to act this way, it's ridiculous.”

  “Is it? Am I really being ridiculous?” From the corner of my eye, I watched her cock her head and thin her lids. “What do you want me to do? You've always told me everything, but now I feel like you're hiding something. Why? Why won't you just tell me what's going on?”

  “Vicki, enough,” Redd snapped, jerking his arm up in the air. His mouth ground down hard, teeth clenched tight. “I tell you what you can handle, nothing more. That's the way it's always been. You don't know everything and for good reason.”

  Scoffing, I could practically hear her rolling her eyes. “Yeah, that's right, I'm still a kid in your eyes, I forgot.”

  “And I'm sorry about that. But that doesn't give you the right to act like this. It's not normal.” His voice was smooth and steady, his tone more fatherly than I'd expect between siblings.

  “Normal? Are you serious right now?” Whipping her head to face him dead on, her big curls plopped around her cheeks. “Because taking strange people home with you is normal? Maybe if you took the time to talk to me, to really talk to me—you'd know that you could tell me what was going on and not keep whatever this secret is from me.” Flicking her finger between Redd and myself, she glared at him. “I mean, come on, Redd. You act like I don't know who you are, like I don't keep your secret, that you—”

  That he what? What did he do? Who is he really?

  “Vicki, this conversation is done!” he yelled, slamming his fist down on the wheel. Redd refused to let her finish, keeping me hanging in limbo, wondering what information had just been slapped down from her lips.

  I was tempted to ask, the questions sat on my tongue, the curiosity an explosive disaster screwing up my brain. Now is not the time to pry.

  Keeping my mouth shut, I stayed out of the argument heating the car and brewing in the front seats. That was between them, and I wasn't about to insert myself to defend his actions or encourage her defiance.

  I had no place in that fight.

  Squeezing her lips tight, Vicki turned her head to look out the window and let out an annoyed groan. “Whatever.”

  I could feel the tension between them. It was so thick and dense, if I had a knife I could probably cut chunks out of the air.

  The car rolled forward, and I took one last peek out the window to see my sister. But she was gone, disappearing into the tidal wave of kids and teachers that flooded the front court yard.

  Flopping back down, I laid my hands over my head. The entire situation was fucked up. I had been held against my will, and now I was free, hiding in the back of a car. My family was literally minutes away, my sister was right there. . . And I could do nothing.

  Straightening my legs, I placed one foot on the floor and left the other up on the seat. I could feel Redd looking at me, but I didn't meet his gaze. I just kept my eyes on the roof, unable to focus on anything but my sister's face in my mind.

  Reaching between the seat and the door, Redd started to rub my ankle with his left hand, out of view from his sister. Flicking my eyes up, he was staring back at me through the rear view mirror, his eyes saying everything he couldn't at the moment.

  'It's okay, I'm here.'

  'This will get better.'

  'I'm going to help you.'

  “What's for dinner?” Vicki asked, breaking the quiet drive back to their house.

  “What do you want?” Clearing his throat, he pulled his hand off my leg and placed it back. Squeezing the steering wheel with two hands, he glanced at his sister then back at the road. “Pasta?”

  Whatever feelings of anger they had with each other seemed to vanish, their tones relaxed and casual as if they hadn't just had a mental battle of right and wrong. Truth and secrets, feelings of being left in the dark and withholding answers—it fizzled out, blowing away like dust in the wind.

  Making a gagging noise, I could see her shake her head 'no' from the corner of my eye. “We always have pasta.”

  “Then what do you want?”

  “I don't know, something different.” Tapping her finger against her chin, her lips crinkled in thought. “Stuffed peppers?”

  Redd chuckled, loosening his grip on the wheel and placing a hand in his lap. “I don't know how to make that, keep it simple.”

  “Can't you just try? Mom used to make them, I think I liked them.”

  “You did like them, I can't even believe you remember that. You were probably four or five the last time we had them.”

  “Didn't her and dad fight over them too? He was pissed that she changed the recipe and used a cheese sauce instead of re
gular tomato sauce.”

  Redd shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing back at me then back at the road. “Uh, I'm not sure, I can't remember. That was a long time ago, Vicki.”

  “Yeah, he did, I remember. You don't remember? You had to separate them, and Dad got really ticked off with you when you stepped in, and he—”

  “Vicki, stop. I don't want to talk about this.”

  Her tone lowered, head falling into her chest. “Sorry, I forget sometimes.”

  The two siblings looked at each other, sending soundless apologies and drawing clear lines.

  They were talking without words, their eyes telling each other what the other was thinking. There was this connection between them, something that I had never seen between a brother and sister.

  It made me miss Lila and my family even more.

  Sitting up, I gripped my knees and exhaled hard. “I can make them.”

  Vicki snapped her head in my direction, gawking at me like she had just seen a ghost. I knew Redd didn't want me to talk his sister, so I looked at him when I spoke. Hoping he would sense the innocent nature of my offer.

  “I don't mind, I'd be happy to do it. I watched my mom make them a bunch of times.”

  Vicki turned to Redd, a small smile emerging on her lips. “Can she make them, Redd? I'd really love to have something other than pasta for once.”

  “I make other things.”

  “Sandwiches don't count, and neither do frozen meals.” Turning back to me, Vicki's face lit up with excitement. “You can really make them? You know how?”

  Looking to Redd, I waited for some signal that I could speak to his sister. I didn't want to just stare at her like a mute, it felt wrong. And this was a mindless conversation, I couldn't see any reason for him to disagree with me.

  But I wanted him to know I respected what he had asked of me. He didn't want me talking to his sister, and even if she was willing to tick off her big brother—I wasn't.

  I didn't want to make him angry or upset, I didn't want to give him a reason to push me away. I needed him, and that need stirred something inside me, melting the block of ice around my heart.

  Blinking, he gave me a quick grin and a subtle nod.

  “Yeah, they're not that hard actually. I can teach you, then you'll know how if you ever want to make them again.”

  Clapping her hands together, Vicki lifted praying fingers up towards Redd. “Please, Redd, can she make them for us? Please, please, please?”

  Scrubbing his jaw, he smirked. “I don't know, I think an apology might help me make up my mind.”

  “I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for being a bitch—”

  “Vicki, the mouth.” Giving her a stern look, he furrowed his brows.

  “Sorry, I didn't mean to swear.” Holding out her hand, she gripped his shoulder. “Can she, can she make them?”

  Pursing his lips, Redd eyed me through the mirror. “What do you need?” Rattling off the list of items I needed, he shook his head. “Alright, we'll make a quick stop at the store. Vicki, I'll have you run in and grab the stuff, can you remember what she said?”

  “She? Does she have a name?” Twisting to grin at me, she looked back at her brother. “I'd really prefer to call her something other than she.”

  Redd turned his lips down, crooking his jaw. He was debating if he should tell her or not, if he should give her a nugget of information about the mysterious woman he brought home.

  After a long second, he angled his head, side-eyeing his sister. “Bijou, her name's Bijou. But—” Holding up a single finger, he spoke with firmness in his voice. “You are not to mention a single word to anyone about her. Understand?”

  “What? Redd—”

  “Not a word, Vicki, I need you to just agree and listen to me on this. As far as you're concerned, she's not here. Got it?”

  Thinning her lids, she tilted her head in wonder, but she didn't argue about it. There was no doubt she had a lot of questions, and for the moment, she kept them to herself. Shaking her head yes, she glanced at me then back at Redd. “Okay, I got it.”

  “Bijou, when we get to the store, I'm going to need you to get back down.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Pushing my back against the seat, I rubbed my thighs.

  Vicki kept shifting her eyes between Redd and myself, but she kept quiet, despite what she was probably thinking.

  Redd passed her some money, and she tucked it into her palm. Climbing out of the car, she closed the door and Redd watched her closely until she disappeared into the store.

  “I'm sorry, I know you didn't want me talking to her, but I—”

  “It's fine, I think my expectations for that were a bit far fetched.” Watching me through the mirror, he slipped his arm between the seats and started to rub my knee. “I just don't know how to answer her questions. I can't tell her what happened.”

  “I understand, how the hell do explain that to a child?” A little chuckle escaped my lips, as I rolled my eyes. “That's not a conversation you'd ever expect to find yourself in.”

  “Didn't you hear her? She's not a kid anymore.” The tips of his fingers tickled gently over my skin, running up and down, barely touching the surface. “I find myself having a lot of conversations with her I don't think many people would with someone her age. She's pretty grown up, she kinda has to be.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, angling my head to see him better in the mirror.

  I watched his eyes and how they dulled, losing some of the spark I had seen before. Hanging his head, he kept touching my leg. It was sensual and soft, a touch I might expect to see between a boyfriend and girlfriend.

  We were far from that, only a few days into whatever kind of relationship you might call this. But it wasn't a loving, caring relationship. . . Was it?

  My stomach stirred, fluttering with those damn butterflies that kept popping up when he was close.

  Lifting his head back up, he shrugged his shoulder. “She's been through a lot, we've both been through a lot. And that changes you, even if you're a kid. Bad shit gets under your skin and you can't help but change with it.”

  That's more true than I could have imagined.

  But what's your story, Redd?

  “What kind of shit?” Biting my tongue, I scrunched my nose. I didn't mean for the question to come out so bold. There was this twinge of desire to know it all. The good and the bad, anything and everything about the man who had come in and whisked me away.

  Pulling his gaze from mine, he went back to looking at the store. “Shit that you can't take back.” Sitting up straight, his eyes turned to razors, glaring at something out the windshield.

  “What is it? Do you see something?”

  “I don't know, maybe.”

  “Maybe? What do you mean, maybe?” Pushing up on my elbow, Redd threw his hand back and shoved me down.

  “Stay down.”

  “What the fuck do you see, Redd?”

  “There's a guy sitting in a black SUV a few rows over. It looks like the same car those guys were driving that night.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I followed them to the house.”

  “Wait, what?” Dropping my jaw, my eyes blinked wide open. “You followed Val and Dom?”

  “Yes, I followed them.”

  “Redd, what the hell were you thinking? I thought you ended up there by chance, like you made a mistake or something.”

  “The only mistake I made was finding you instead of cash of jewelry.” Flicking his eyes back to the mirror, he said, “But it's a mistake I wouldn't change.”

  What the hell is he talking about?

  I thought about our conversation, and when he mentioned how he had been there looking for something.

  Jewelry. . . Money? He thought he was going to go in there and find precious stones—

  He had no fucking idea.

  Redd failed to realize that he would have left his little scavenger hunt empty handed even if he hadn't found me. Diablo did
n't have shit like that in his house, he never kept anything he treasured that close—except me.

  He wasn't stupid, Diablo knew how to stay ahead of his enemies. But I was different. He kept me there to keep an eye on me, to have me at his beckoning call and to meet his needs when they took hold.

  Money, jewelry, valuables—that shit was locked up tight in a bank vault.

  Running my fingers across my forehead, I took in a deep breath. “There wasn't anything like that in that house, Redd.”

  “Those guys were talking about having to guard something worth fifty grand, they said jewel. Maybe he never told you about them.”

  Closing my eyes, I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Why would you go looking for jewels in someone's home?”

  “Bijou. . .” The word rolled off his tongue, weighted with more letters than my name had to offer. “I'm not who you think I am. I'm not a hero, I'm not your hero. I take, that's what I do. That's what I've always done.”

  His eyes blazed, glazing over and darkening like a shaded pool. I didn't know what to think about this man. But one thing became clear, Redd was a thief.

  “Yeah, you got that right.”

  “What's that supposed to mean?”

  How naive was he? Did he really expect he'd be able to just waltz into Diablo's home and take what he wanted? He had no clue the repercussions that were coming his way.

  “There are no jewels, Redd, there never were.”

  “Maybe Diablo never told you about them. Those men said jewel, that's why I went there in the first place.”

  “You're wrong. They said jewel, but they didn't mean actual jewelry, or any shit like that.”

  Laughing, Redd glanced between me in the mirror, the store, and the vehicle he didn't trust. “What else could they mean? I know what I heard, and I know what they said.”

  “They were talking about me. I'm what they were guarding, I'm the jewel.”

  His expression turned to stone, brows dipping in and knitting together. Studying my face, his eyes stilled inside the sockets. He wasn't understanding what I was saying, assuming I was crazy for even insinuating I'd have an actual value.