by Ciara Knight
“Scarlet, wait.” Ton held up his hands.
I poked my finger into his iron chest. “By the way, if it wasn’t for you, I never would’ve met Drake. So, your stunt of putting me in a job you knew I’d fail at backfired. I found a job in this place and I enjoy it. I can get lost in the music and not have to listen to crazy people ramble on about nothing.”
Drake stood up. “Scarlet, it’s okay. Calm down,” he whispered. “I’m going to touch your shoulders.” His hands gripped my shoulders and sat me back in the chair. “I’m sure Ton didn’t intend to set you up for failure.”
Ton sat forward, the chair creaking beneath his massive frame. “Yes, I did.”
Drake’s mouth fell open and I sat simmering, so mad I thought I’d spit at him instead of yelling any more.
“Why would you do that?” Drake asked, his voice taking on a reprimanding tone.
Ton lifted one eyebrow, his tiger tattoo tightening at Drake, but remained seated.
“Scarlet needed help, and you set her up to fail? You wanted her to fail and end up back on the street doing God knows what?” Drake fisted his hands at his sides. “She proved you wrong.”
I moved to stand between him and the table, knowing Ton would eat him up and spit him out like a lion would a chew toy. “Don’t.”
Ton crossed his arms over his chest. Ink marked up his forearm. “Let him go.”
The smell of testosterone was overwhelming the aroma of coffee, so I slid to the side and hoped they didn’t kill each other.
“You want to know why I set her up with a job I knew she couldn’t do? Because the shorter the time she was away from the Community and the people who keep her in check the better. The longer she remained away, the lower she’d sink into the dark world she just scraped and clawed her way out of. You weren’t there when I found her beaten and near dead in that back alley. You didn’t sit by her side through the tremors, sweats, and vomiting of detox. You didn’t stand by and watch her wake up to the world she’d blocked out for so long to survive.”
“No, but I’m standing here now, and unlike you, I believe in her. She’s managed this long without your help. If she didn’t have this place, I believe she would’ve found another.” Drake pushed his knuckles against the tabletop, and they cracked under the weight of him scowling down at Ton. “I don’t care how big or scary you are, I’ll stand up for Scarlet because she deserves one person in her life who sees how amazing she truly is.”
Ton shoved his chair back and straightened to his six-foot-five-inch height, his shoulders almost the width of the table. I scooted closer, but Drake pushed me back. Ton lifted his hand to his waist and shot it out over the table. “It’s nice to meet you, Drake. I respect a man who’ll stand up to me, especially when it’s in defense of Scarlet.”
Drake took his hand and I saw their knuckles go white with tension. I fell back in the chair and held my head in my hands. “Seriously, you two almost gave me an aneurysm.”
Drake chuckled. “You? I thought I was gonna have to defend your honor and get my skull crushed in the process,” he mumbled into my ear before sitting in the chair by my side.
“So, what are you two going to do today?” Drake asked.
“Apartment hunt,” Ton announced.
“I’m not ready to get an apartment. I don’t have enough money yet,” I protested, not wanting to back down and allow him to dictate my life all over again.
“For me, not you. But we’ll be discussing your sleeping arrangements while we’re out.”
“What are you talking about?” I rubbed my hands down my jeans to rid them of the sweaty palms Ton always induced when he entered a room.
“I’ve been wanting out of New York for a while, and you seem to like it here, so I put in for a job and got it. I’ll be starting in a few months.”
I shook my head. “You said you’d never leave the Community.”
Ton rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, well, some things went down and it’s time.”
“Looks like we have more to discuss than my sleeping arrangements.”
Drake kissed my cheek then stood. “Well, I’ll let you two catch up. I’ll be back around six this evening. You’re welcome to hang here as long as you like.” He took a key from his ring and handed it to me. “Just lock up when you leave.”
I held the key in my hand for a second. I’d been with Drake day and night since he’d found me at the warehouse, so I hadn’t realized that I didn’t have a key to the place. “Thanks.”
“Nice to meet you, Ton. You’re welcome here anytime.”
Ton nodded. “Yeah, we still have some talking to do.”
Drake shuffled backward. “Well, until the next time, then. Scarlet? Walk me out?”
I nodded and gave Ton a death stare to remain in his seat. Drake stopped around the corner and whispered, “I’ll see you this evening.” He licked his lips and swallowed hard. “I know how I feel now, and I’m ready to show you.” He kissed my cheek, and an inferno of hope and want erupted inside me.
He took off before I had a chance to say a word and left me with visions of what the night would bring for us. Did he really mean what he said? With a spring in my step, I returned to Ton, who sat eyeing the stone walls and the iron chandelier overhead. “I can see why you like this place. It’s unique. Artsy and dark.”
“And don’t forget there’s music.”
“Yeah, I guess you’ve found the right place for you. Come on, kid. Let’s go. You can show me around town and I’ll buy you lunch.”
Food? My stomach liked that idea. “First, we’ll stop by the local coffeehouse. I want to thank someone for helping us with the upcoming gig. Besides, it’s where several local Straight Edge people hang out. I figured you’d like to meet them.”
“Sounds good, but you’re not off the hook. I want to know more about your plans. You’re not living with this guy, are you? I can still put him in the hospital.”
I rolled my eyes and headed for the side door. “Let’s go. I’ll tell you all the sordid details of my sex life on the way, right after we stop at the corner and score so I can get high.”
“Funny, Scarlet. Real funny. Since when did you get a sense of humor?” Ton ducked to get out the door, and I shielded my eyes from the bright sun.
“Since I discovered I could actually have a life. Thanks to Drake, everything’s perfect. I never thought I could have so much and nothing’s gonna take it away now. Not you, not even my crazy sensory issues, and not by losing this club. Nothing and no one will take this away from me.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
I spotted the same skater punks from my club freak-out night, but I was too tired to walk the long way around. After hoofing it all over the city with Ton, looking for an apartment, I was exhausted. He’d grilled me about everything, my intentions and Drake’s.
The loser with the knit cap spotted me, but there were enough people around to prevent any real issues, so I marched down the winding sidewalk to the street in front of Bands.
“Hey, slut. You ready for some real fun yet?”
I ignored his taunts and crossed the street to the side door, hoping Drake had returned. When did I need someone around? Ton was right. I had changed.
The big metal door wouldn’t budge, so I pulled the key from my jean pocket and unlocked it. All the lights were on, sending me a few steps backward. Shielding my eyes, I found the switch along the wall and flicked them off. “Hey, what’s the deal with the lights?”
“It’s what normal people do when they’re in a building,” Barbie’s voice screeched through the room, drilling into my eardrums.
I halted, willing it to be a hallucination, but when I turned around I found her standing at the landing above. Her hand on her hip and a smug smile pasted on her face, she stood as if she were a deity about to send down her wrath.
My teeth locked tight, grinding with the desire to throw her off the balcony. “What are you doing in here?”
“Oh, hostile, are we?
Well, I know it’ll be a relief to Drake to be rid of you.”
I marched toward the stairs with fists by my sides.
Barbie took a step back but quickly recovered. “I should warn you, the police are on their way. I’m having you removed for trespassing. Oh, and I’ll take that key.” She held out her hand expectantly.
I gripped it tight in my hand, the jagged edge digging into my palm, but I didn’t care. “You can’t do that. I’m not trespassing. I work here.” I ran past her, shoving her into the wall. “Drake!”
“He’s not here, and he won’t be returning.” She straightened her silk, see-through blouse and stood tall on her spiked heels.
Instead of asking what she was talking about, I went to his room, bathroom, office, and even the closet to see if he might be gagged and tied up.
She followed me from room to room like a bodyguard instead of a psych warden. “I guess I have you to thank. After all, you played your part so well.”
I shot past her, returning to the bedroom as if he might spontaneously appear there.
“You see, there was a loophole in the trust fund agreement. Thanks to you, Drake gained control of his money now. His grandmother just had to release the funds if she thought he had the need for it and the ability to manage it. He’s at the bank right now, collecting the check, and then we’re headed out of town.”
“Liar.” I shoved her against the wall. Anger surged to my hands, and I pushed her again. A picture knocked loose from the wall, and glass broke, shattering the dead silence of Bands. I stared at the glass shards, the now-damaged picture of him and his family, then at my duffel. It sat on a chair, as if left for me to collect.
“That’s right. He already packed for you. You didn’t really believe he ever cared about you, did you?” She doubled over with laughter, her arms wrapping around her stomach. “You really believed a man of Drake’s standards would stoop to being with a freak? Please. He just knew his grandmother would go for the artsy, misunderstood type. You were the perfect decoy to represent his newfound desire to be a good human being.”
A searing pain shot from my core outward and down all my limbs as I stood staring at my bag. “I don’t believe you.”
“You’re pathetic.” She sneered. “Think about it. He’s not here now, is he? And he won’t be returning.”
“Anyone here?” called a man’s voice I didn’t recognize from downstairs.
“I’d hoped to leave your bag outside and have the place locked up already, but when Drake told me you had a key, I figured I’d get a bonus watching you crumble. I’m not heartless, though. You’ll find a parting gift in your bag. Oh, I wouldn’t open it in front of the police, though. You’ve already been picked up a few times for possession.”
My gaze snapped to hers and she smiled wickedly.
“I don’t believe you. I’m calling him.” I scanned the room, realizing I didn’t have a phone.
“Here. Use mine.” She held it out to me with a smug smile on her face. I took it before she turned and shouted down the stairs, “We’ll be right down.”
My hands shook, but I managed to dial his number. He’d only told me once, but numbers were my thing. It rang and rang until finally an automated system picked up. “The number you have called is no longer in service.” I hit end and redialed but got the same message.
Barbie returned and held out her hand. “I’ll take my phone back now.”
“I still don’t believe you. You’re lying. Drake wouldn’t do this.”
She slipped her phone into her designer purse and headed for the stairs. “I have to give him credit for his acting skills. You were hard to put up with.”
My skin caught fire, and I saw red. No, that wasn’t true. She had to be lying, but where was Drake, and why didn’t his phone work?
“We’re ready. If you don’t mind escorting Scarlet off the premises, we can lock up the building and get the hell out of this wreck. Thank God Daddy’ll be tearing it down soon.”
Click, click, click.
The sound of her heels against the steps stabbed my brain. I flew across the room and swung. She was fast for wearing three-inch heels, but I leaped from the third step and tackled her to the ground. My fist connected with her chin once before someone hauled me off her.
I swung and kicked, but I couldn’t manage to break free. “Do you want to press charges, ma’am?” a deep voice asked from over my head.
“No, just get her out of here.” Barbie managed to get off the floor with the aid of the other officer and a man holding a lock and chains in one hand.
“This isn’t right,” I squealed, managing to kick the man behind me in the shin.
His grip tightened and he dragged me across the dance floor to the side door. “That’s assaulting an officer.”
Barbie’s heels clicked behind us. “Officer, I think it’s best if we just toss her out for now. I mean, think of all the paperwork. Do you really want to waste your time on street scum like her?” she cooed then turned on me. “As for you, Drake won’t be returning. He managed to get what he needed, and now he’s moved on.”
Chains clanked, and I turned to find the man bolting the doors.
I stood and threw the key at her. “I know you’re lying, but believe me, I’ll find out what’s going on.”
“Pathetic.” She turned and took my duffel from the other officer and tossed it on the ground in front of me. “Here. I wouldn’t want you to accuse us of stealing anything. You got a free place to stay for a while, but why don’t you run back to New York City now?” She marched to the front of the venue and turned the corner before the officer shoved me to the ground.
“Don’t let me catch you giving Ms. Elswood any trouble. I’ll be driving by here every day until they tear this place down, and if I see you around here, I’ll lock you up.” He adjusted his utility belt in a show of authority then followed Barbie around the corner.
I sat there, unable to move or process what had just happened. A cold breeze carrying a fine mist surrounded me. I scooted under the overhang of the building and curled into myself, then waited. I waited for hours, but still there was no sign of Drake. My back ached from the cold, hard cement, so I changed positions and waited again. The muted sun lowered on the horizon, traffic thinned on the main street, and icy rain fell, but still no Drake.
When darkness came, I found a little warmth in the corner of the building. Each time lights shone on the street, I’d check the parking lot, but Drake’s car never showed.
Someone kicked my shoe, so I opened my eyes, hoping to see Drake standing over me, but instead I found the skater boy with the knit cap. I must’ve fallen asleep at some point because it was morning.
“Get kicked out? I’m sure we can find a place for you to crash.” He gawked at me, his greasy hair falling over his eyes.
“Hey, man. Leave her be.” His buddy grabbed his shoulder. “We gonna skate or what? Storm’s coming.”
I peered past him and saw puffy dark gray clouds rolling in over the city.
“I’ll be back,” Knit Cap said. “We’ll work out payment for that roof over your head when I get back.” He dropped his board to the ground and rolled away. The sound of gravel crunching and the whir of wheels in motion relaxed the tension in my neck enough for me to move my aching muscles.
The sky looked as angry as I felt. Why didn’t Drake return last night? I couldn’t believe any of what Barbie had said. Was I just in denial?
With protesting arms and legs, I slung my duffel over my shoulder and headed to my warehouse, the one place in the city I could be alone and out of the rain.
If only I had Hawaiian’s number. He should’ve been back from Savannah by now. Certainly, he’d know what happened with Drake. Unless he was in on it, too. Perhaps he was in on it for some sort of cut of the money.
I shook my head, clearing away the idea of Hawaiian being anything other than a friend. Rain pelted down, soaking me to the bone before I reached the warehouse. I’d never looked forward t
o a quiet place to rest and dry off more than now, but when I turned the corner, all my hope faded. Construction workers were huddling under a brand new awning to the warehouse. A sign posted out front revealed some big chain store was coming soon.
I made my way down the street and found a dry spot under an awning where most of the homeless in the area hung out. I slid down the wall and leaned against the Dumpster, but I refused to cry, refused to believe this was happening.
Drake was a good man. He cared about me, and I was happy. Really happy. I clung to the hope of it all being a lie for the rest of that day and night as I shivered under the awning.
The next day, I longed for a warm shower and Drake’s bed, so I trekked back to Bands. I approached the side door, but the chain remained, so I went to the front. A bright white sign had been tacked to the door, the word Condemned written in big red letters.
My knees hit the hard pavement, and I slammed my head against the metal door. “No, it’s not true!” I screamed. I punched the door over and over until there was no energy left in my body. My hands squealed as they slid down the front of the door and I doubled over as if I were worshiping the building in front of me instead of mourning its loss.
Tears dripped down my face, pooling on my knees.
It was over. It had all been a lie.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Day turned into night then into day again. I managed to find a quieter spot where I could be alone, staring at the clear plastic baggie of white powder that Margo had slipped into my bag as a farewell gift.
Five days passed until I managed to force myself to eat. Ten until I went to the shelter long enough to shower then crawled back into my hole.
I sat in my corner shivering. My joints and bones ached beyond anything I’d ever imagined, but I knew it was my punishment for being so stupid.