Always Us (The Jade Series #8)

by Everhart, Allie

  We won’t have much time to enjoy the lights because this Saturday we go back to Connecticut, this time for Christmas. We’re staying for a week. We considered staying a little longer than that but we wanted to leave before the big meeting started. Every year, the organization has their big end-of-the-year meeting. It lasts for the entire week between Christmas and New Year’s. Members fly in from all over. Even though I supposedly don’t have to worry about them anymore, I don’t want to stick around and risk running into them.

  When we return from the holiday, Jade and I plan to stay home and relax for the rest of the winter break. We need some time to de-stress after all the shit that happened this past semester. But we did make plans for New Year’s. We’re driving down to LA to see Sean. We’ll see Harper, too, but we haven’t figured out when. With the two of them broken up, we have to split our time between them.

  My morning final turns out to be easier than I thought it would be. Afterward, I go to the library to study, then eat lunch and take another final in the afternoon. I have five finals and they’re all crammed into Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Jade’s last final is Thursday, too. On Friday, I’m sure we’ll collapse from exhaustion. It’s only Tuesday and I’m already exhausted.

  After my afternoon final, I walk to my car, feeling like my brain’s fried. I hate finals.

  “Garret.” I turn and see Kiefer standing next to me. He must’ve snuck out from behind a tree or something. His hair’s a mess and it looks like he hasn’t shaved for a few days.

  “What are you doing here, Kiefer? I told you I couldn’t meet with you.” I keep walking, heading to the parking lot.

  He grabs my arm. “Please, Garret. I’m begging you. I just need a few minutes.”

  I yank my arm back. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s important.” He jumps in front of me. “You know what this is about, right?”

  “Yes. And you know I can’t talk about it. Nobody can.”

  “I know that. It’s just that I don’t know what to do. I don’t know who to turn to. I got myself into this and now I don’t know if I can get out.”

  I stop walking. “You’re already in it? I thought—”

  “No, I’m not officially a member yet. That’s why I need to talk to you.”

  “What do you mean when you say you want to get out? Like not become a member?”

  “Yes. I don’t think I can do it.” He scratches his head, which messes up his hair even more. “I didn’t know what I was getting involved in, and now I’m in so deep I fear what they would do to me if I told them no.”

  A couple guys walk past us, staring because Kiefer’s freaking out here. Or maybe they’re spies for the organization, watching us, listening to our conversation.

  “Kiefer, I can’t do this.” I walk around him. “You’ll have to figure this out on your own.”

  He follows me. “I need to know the truth. If I’m going to risk everything to try to get out of this, I need to know that my suspicions are correct and that this group isn’t who I thought they were.”

  He keeps pace with me. We shouldn’t be out in the open like this. We’re at the parking lot now where anyone could see us.

  “Garret, if you don’t help me, Harper’s life will be over. They already have someone picked for her.”

  He needs to stop talking. I don’t want to know any of this. I just want to be left out of it. I spot my car and click the remote and quickly get inside.

  Kiefer grabs hold of the car door before I can close it. “I just found out who it is. I don’t want my daughter with this man. They told me it would just be a sham marriage. Just for appearances. That she wouldn’t even have to live with him. But they lied. This man has had his eyes on Harper for months. He saw a photo of her and decided he wanted her. I think Harper was one of the reasons I was offered membership. I knew Roth never liked me, so I was surprised when he came out here last summer and officially asked me to join. Now I know why.”

  “What does Roth have to do with this?”

  “The man who wants Harper is Roth’s son, Andrew. He’s 40 and rich and spoiled. He doesn’t work. He just lives extravagantly and gambles away his father’s money. He uses women, then tosses them aside. He’ll never be faithful to Harper and—” He pauses, closing his eyes as a few tears run down his face. “He has a history of being abusive to women.”

  Shit. Why did he have to tell me that?

  I can’t get involved. I can’t involved. I repeat it in my head because getting involved could put Jade and me at risk. Doing so could get us on the organization’s radar again. It sounds like they really want Kiefer as a member and if they found out I was helping him get out, or even just talking to him about it, I could get in big trouble.

  “Just tell them no,” I say, trying to close the door.

  He steps in front of the door so I can’t close it. “If I do, they might kill me.”

  I shake my head. “They won’t kill you. You have skills that they need.”

  “They’ve already made it clear that any new recruit who tries to back out at this stage will be punished. But I don’t know what that means.”

  New recruits? How many new people are they adding? I thought it was just Kiefer.

  “Garret, I know you and Jade care about Harper. If you can just give me some advice.”

  Shit! I hate this. What do I do? Save Harper? Even if it means risking Jade and me? I scan the parking lot. Nobody’s around.

  “Get in. Back seat.” I click open the door. “Hurry up.”

  My back windows are tinted so Kiefer won’t be seen. I start the car and drive onto the street, then turn and go down a side street and park. Hardly anyone goes down this street, but in case they do, I get my phone out and pretend I’m just sitting here making a call.

  “Why did you want to be part of it?” I ask him.

  “Because they offered me a lot of money. I’m talking hundreds of millions. And they offered me access to a medical clinic that is supposed to have advanced treatments that the public isn’t allowed to have. Kelly has a family history of breast cancer. There’s a good chance that she or one of my daughters could get cancer, and if they did, I was told this clinic would be able to help. Maybe even cure them.”

  “I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t think they have a cure for cancer. So the money and the clinic? That’s why you wanted to join?”

  “They also promised me even greater success as a director. Not just money, but prestige. They even promised me an Academy Award.”

  “But now you want out because of Harper.”

  “Yes. But also because I found out this group is violent. I knew about the election fraud, but it didn’t bother me. I always assumed those things were rigged, so I had no problem making the fake videos and fake recordings. But I didn’t realize these people were criminals.”

  “How do you know they are?”

  “I did a video a few months ago to help boost poll numbers for Kent Gleason. You probably saw it on the news. It was a scene with Gleason saving a little boy on the beach. Anyway, the actress in the video figured out what was going on and threatened to tell the press. A member was there on the shoot that day and heard her say it. And just last week, I found out she was killed while jogging in the park. I know they did it. They had to get rid of her, just in case she decided to tell her story. Then a few weeks ago, when I told them I was having trouble getting Sean out of Harper’s life, they—”

  “They what?” My anger keeps rising the more he talks.

  “They sent some guys after him. They told Sean they’d kill him if he didn’t leave Harper alone. They beat him up and probably would’ve killed him that night if the police hadn’t driven by and stopped to see what was going on. Garret, I had no idea they took things this far. You have to tell me, are they always like this? Or were these just isolated incidents?”

  I’m silent. He can figure out what that means. And he does.

  He starts talking really fast. “
I can’t be part of this. I need to get out. I need you to help me.”

  “What do you expect me to do?”

  “You got out. How did you do it?”

  Does he really not know? You’d think he would’ve put the pieces together and figured it out. He made the videos that ruined my reputation. Did he really think that was all because of the reality show? To make me less popular with the fans?

  “I was never in it,” I tell him. “I didn’t need to get out.”

  “I thought you were born into it.”

  “The rules have changed. That’s why they’re letting you in.”

  “Could you talk to your father for me? I’ve tried, but he just keeps giving me the sales speech, telling me it’s a privilege and an honor to be part of it.”

  “He won’t listen to me. I’m sorry, Kiefer. I can’t do anything. And frankly, I’m pissed that you’re even here. You’re putting me at risk and you’re putting Jade at risk. You never should’ve come here. You need to get out of my car.”

  “But what about Harper? And what if they go after Sean again?”

  “Why do you care about Sean? I thought you hated the guy.”

  “No, not at all. I think he’s a nice young man and I don’t want to see him get hurt.”

  “So if you get out of this, you’ll let Harper date Sean again?”

  “I would do more than let her. I’d encourage it. Since being with Sean, she’s never been happier.”

  “Then why the hell did you go and fuck everything up?” I’m so angry I didn’t filter my words. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

  “No. You’re right. You’re absolutely right. I got caught up in the money and the prestige and I fucked everything up.” He opens the car door just slightly. “I’m sorry that I just showed up like this. I’ll leave you alone. I don’t know what I was thinking coming here. I was just desperate. I sincerely hope I didn’t put you in any kind of danger. I won’t bother you again.” He quickly gets out of the car, then shoots over to the sidewalk and starts walking down the street.

  I take off and turn down some side streets to make sure I’m not being followed. I’m not, so I head home.

  Just when I told Jade this was over for good, Kiefer shows up and brings it all back to us. Shit.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  30

  JADE

  “I need to talk to you,” Garret says as he walks in the door. He has that serious look on his face that I don’t like.

  “What’s wrong?” I watch as he checks out the window. “What are you looking for?”

  “I’m trying to make sure I wasn’t followed.”

  “Garret, do not say stuff like that.” I go over and turn him away from the window. “What’s going on? Why would someone be following you?”

  “They’re not. I’m just making sure.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “Kiefer came to see me today. He showed up on campus wanting to talk.”

  “About the organization?” I feel the tightness in my chest that forms every time this topic comes up.

  “Let’s sit down.” He takes me over to the couch.

  “Did you talk to him?”

  “I didn’t want to, and I tried to get rid of him, but he wouldn’t go away. He was desperate to talk to me. You should’ve seen him. He looked like he hadn’t slept for weeks.”

  “He didn’t look so great when we saw him at your dad’s house either.”

  “He looks a lot worse now.”

  “So what did he say?”

  “That he doesn’t want to do this. He doesn’t want to be part of the organization, but now he feels trapped, like he can’t get out of it. He got lured in by the money and the power and the clinic. He has no problem supporting the rigged elections, but he had no idea about the other things the organization does. The things they do in order to keep their secrets. Now he wants no part of it.”

  “Why does he think you can help?”

  “Because he thinks I got out and he wanted to know how I did it.”

  “So he doesn’t know what happened? How could he not know? He was part of it.”

  “He believed the story about the reality show being the reason we made those videos. So I didn’t tell him the truth. I just told him I was never a member.”

  “Did you tell him we can’t be involved in this?”

  “Yes. Which is why I got in my car and told him he had to leave but then—”

  “Then what?” My stomach knots and my chest tightens even more.

  Garret holds my hands. “Promise me you’ll stay out of this if I tell you.”

  “Tell me first.”

  “No. This is bad and I probably shouldn’t even tell you but—just forget it. You don’t need to know this. I’m pissed that he even told me.”

  “Garret, you can’t say something like that and then not finish. Tell me what he said. Is it about Harper?”

  He doesn’t answer. Dammit. I hate it when he does this.

  “I swear, if you don’t tell me, I’ll call Kiefer myself.”

  “Jade, I’m serious. Do not get in the middle of this. If I have to, I’ll talk to my dad, but that’s it. Kiefer got himself into this and he has to get himself out. And he better do it damn quick because the initiation is early January. And once he’s in, he’s never getting out.”

  “Garret, please. Just tell me. I promise I won’t get involved.”

  “You say that now, but after you hear this…” He drops his head, his gaze on our hands.

  “You have to tell me. You can’t leave me guessing.”

  He nods. “They found someone for Harper. Actually, someone requested her. He saw her and decided he wants her.”

  “Wants her to what? Marry him?”

  “Yes.” Garret lifts his head and his eyes meet up with mine. “It’s Andrew Roth.”

  “Roth, as in—”

  “Yes. The son of Cecil Roth. Apparently he saw photos of Harper sometime last year and told his dad he wanted her. Kiefer thinks that’s why he was offered membership. It sounds like Roth had to give the final approval to let Kiefer in. And he did, but Kiefer thinks it’s only because of Harper.”

  “I think Harper met this guy. A few months ago when your grandfather had that party at his house and Harper was babysitting Lilly, she said some rich guy kept trying to get her to go out with him. She said his name was Andrew and that he was like 40 years old.”

  “That was him. He probably wanted to see her in person to make sure he still wanted her.”

  “And Kiefer didn’t know this?”

  “He just found out and now he’s panicking. He doesn’t want Harper with this guy. Andrew sleeps with a lot of women and can’t stay faithful to any of them.”

  “So they’re setting Harper up with a guy who’s twice her age and cheats?”

  “That’s not the worst part. I don’t know how Kiefer found this out, because if it’s true, the organization would make sure it stays hidden, but maybe one of the members told him.”

  “Told him what?”

  “Andrew has a history of abusing women.”

  “No.” I shake my head, tears welling up in my eyes. “They can’t do that. They can’t make her be with him. Why would Kiefer let them do that?”

  Garret brings me into his arms as tears roll down my face. “He didn’t know about this until just recently. He doesn’t want this, Jade. He didn’t know it would be this way when he agreed to be a member.”

  “But he knew they’d make his daughters marry whoever they picked.”

  “Maybe they told him she’d be able to pick who she wanted. They do that sometimes. They give you options and you get to pick. But this guy saw Harper and said he wanted her. And since he’s Roth’s son, he gets whatever he wants.”

  “But Roth is gone now.”

  “It doesn’t matter. The deal was made when Roth was still alive.”

  “Did Kiefer say anything about Sean? Did he admit to threatening Sean if he didn’t leave Harper alone?”

  “He s
aid he had nothing to do with that. He said the organization sent some guys to go after Sean and that they attacked him and might’ve even killed him if the cops hadn’t shown up. Kiefer didn’t want Sean getting hurt. He claims that he likes Sean and that if all this wasn’t going on, he’d want Harper to be with Sean.”

  “Are you serious? Then why did he go and mess everything up?”

  Garret laughs.

  I shove away from him. “Why are you laughing? This isn’t funny.”

  “Because I said the same thing to Kiefer except I used worse language. It’s good my cursing hasn’t rubbed off on you.” He kisses my cheek.

  “So what is Kiefer going to do?”

  “He’s trying to get out, but I don’t know how he’s going to do it. He knows too much, so even if they let him go, he’ll always be tied to them. They’ll make him do all their shit for free. And they’ll punish him for backing out of his commitment.”

  “You think they’d hurt him? Or…kill him?”

  “No. They need to keep him around. They’ll find some other way to punish him. But honestly, Jade, I don’t think he can get out of this.”

  “He has to. Harper can’t end up with that man. He’ll hurt her.”

  Tears stream down my cheeks and Garret wipes them away. “I knew I shouldn’t have told you. It’s no use knowing this when we can’t do anything about it.”

  “But you’ll talk to your dad? Please say you’ll talk to him.”

  “I will, but what’s he gonna do? He can’t get on the organization’s bad side. Then he’ll be the one getting punished, and they’ve already done enough to ruin his life. Kiefer will just have to tell them no and deal with the consequences.”

  “What am I supposed to do when I talk to Harper? I won’t be able to just pretend everything’s fine. She’ll be able to tell something’s wrong, so what do I say to her?”

  “Jade.” Garret gently rubs my hand. “You need to know something else.”

  “No. I can’t hear any more bad news.”

  “You have to.”

  “Fine. Just hurry up and get it over with.”

  “If Kiefer becomes a member, you can no longer be friends with Harper. You can’t have any contact with her. No phone calls. No texts. Nothing.”