Red Rose: Red Thorns Crew Book 2

by Hart, Rebel

  Dad pointed. “Listen to your brother out in the hallway, Max. He’s always had a better sense of what’s good for him.”

  “Calling out our positions to your hidden men now, Dad?”

  “John knows when to walk away. You’d do well to learn from him.”

  “Why? So you can manipulate me like you can him?”

  John snarled. “Let’s go. Now.”

  I gritted my teeth. “I’m not walking away, John. And I’m not dropping this, Dad, until we get to the bottom of it. Blood doesn’t mean shit. Not if you’re the one coming for me.”

  Dad smiled. “You know what? Good for you, Max. That’s the first thing you’ve ever said that I respect. And that I agree with. Blood doesn’t mean anything when stakes like this are involved.”

  My nostrils flared. I knew that man was guilty of this. I knew he was behind it. I just didn’t know how to go about figuring that out. But now that I knew where the endgame was, maybe I could walk it back from behind. Start at the punchline, and trace it back to this point.

  To where I had been jumped. To where I had been cornered on a fucking night out.

  To where Dani got roped into this fucked-up nonsense.

  “Max.”

  John’s voice pulled me from my trance. “What?”

  His hand fell against my shoulder. “Let’s go. There’s nothing for us here.”

  Dad pointed to the door. “He’s right. You should go.”

  I shook my head. “No. He’s not right because we should go. He’s right because there’s nothing for us here. Never has been.”

  John glowered. “Max. Shut up and come on.”

  Dad nodded. “Have a nice drive, you two.”

  John practically tugged me into the hallway before I gave in. I drew in a deep breath as we walked through Dad’s mansion, with pictures and artwork and crown molding looming over our heads. I was lost in my thoughts as we walked out to John’s car. And I knew he was, too. John wasn’t silent too often. But when he was by choice? I knew something important was on his mind.

  “Food?” I asked.

  John unlocked the car. “How the fuck can you think about food right now?”

  I ripped open the door. “I’m hungry. I didn’t have much pizza. I could go for something.”

  “Yeah. Sure. Just tell me where to go.”

  As we pulled down the massive driveway, I kept an eye on my side mirror. Just in case Dad was having us followed.

  23

  Dani

  I was stuck in that place between being awake, but still being numb to the world. My 8 a.m. class had gotten cancelled due to the professor having a family emergency. So I had an extra two hours to sleep this morning. Which was well needed on my end of things. I’d stayed up much too late last night trying to polish up my paper and get it submitted. I wanted that thing in my professor’s inbox by the time he got back from his family emergency. I wanted him to see how serious I was about this class, even if I did have to ask for an extension on the paper.

  And I hoped he saw that when he got back.

  I cleared my throat as my body came to life and I rolled over. I pulled the covers up to my chin, curled my knees into my stomach, and settled in for a little more sleep. Five more minutes. All my body needed was five more minutes.

  But I heard my phone vibrating underneath my pillow.

  “No, no, not now.”

  I heard Hannah yawning as I stuffed my hand beneath the cold cushion.

  I tried pressing the side button to snooze my alarm, but it kept vibrating. I peeled an eye open and wiped the crust from my eyelashes as I pulled my phone out. Narrowing my eyes as the morning sun blinded me, I flopped onto my back as my phone continued to jiggle in my hand. The string of numbers flashing on my screen gave me pause. Someone was calling me, but I didn’t have their number saved.

  Who in the world is calling me?

  “Pick it up or shut it up,” Hannah groaned.

  I rolled my eyes as my phone shot the person to my voice mailbox. But the second I put the phone on my chest, it started vibrating again.

  “Dani? Seriously?”

  I sighed. “I’m getting it, keep your panties on.”

  With a voice thick with sleep and an eye still crusted shut, I picked up the phone call.

  “Hello?”

  The person paused. “Oh, my God.”

  I furrowed my brow. “What?”

  “I woke you up. I am so sorry. Your parents told me you had class at eight and ten thirty. I was hoping to catch you in between them.”

  I pulled my phone away from my ear just in time to see my alarm flashing on the screen. I shook my head and muted the alarm before bringing the phone back to my face. Great. It was nine forty-five and I was on the phone with some random person.

  I sighed. “Who is this?”

  “I’m sorry. My apologies. This is Kline.”

  I peeled my other eye open. “Kline?”

  Hannah hissed. “Can you take that outside or something?”

  I waved my hand at her. “I don’t know a Kline. How did y--?”

  Oh. Him.

  He chuckled. “I, uh, I got your number from your mother. You know how those things go. Your mom and my mom practically have our lives planned out already. First dates. Our proposal. The wedding. How many kids we’ll have.”

  I rubbed my eye. “Kline. Right. Sorry. Uh, yeah. Mom did tell me about you. You’re the acupuncture guy.”

  He chuckled again. “I’ve never had anyone call me that before, but yeah, I’m the acupuncture guy.”

  I pushed myself up from bed and slung my feet over the edge. I had to wake myself up. I had to get a fresh set of clothes on and get my ass to class. I blinked slowly a few times, trying to pull myself out of my hazy trance. I watched Hannah turn her back to me, curling up tight beneath her covers.

  But I knew she was still listening.

  “Dani?”

  I cleared my throat. “Yes. Sorry.”

  “So what do you say to their plan?”

  I snickered. “I’m a bit young for kids.”

  He snickered. “Well, I was going to take you out to coffee first. You know, do things the right way.”

  “Like getting my number from my mother before you even know what I look like?”

  “Oh, you better believe pictures were exchanged. You’re very beautiful, by the way.”

  I blushed. “Oh. Well, thank you.”

  He chuckled. “No thanks needed for the truth. So what do you say to our first date?”

  “To what?”

  “Our first date. Coffee. Would you like to get some with me?”

  He’s got a nice laugh.

  I felt groggy. But, more than that, I felt cornered. On the one hand, this was what I wanted, right? A nice man. A nice husband. A clean-cut house in the suburbs. A pearl white SUV for me to drive our three kids around in. He fit perfectly into my future plans.

  But—Max.

  Max was everything I didn’t know I needed. And I was already too deep into him to start back-peddling now. Maybe in another life, I would’ve considered saying yes. Maybe, had he come along a bit sooner, I would’ve gone out to coffee with him. But I loved Max. And there was no turning my back on that. I gave Max my word, and that meant something to me.

  “I’m sorry, Kline. My mother can be very pushy at times, and she kind of gets ahead of herself when she sees something she wants. I’m actually seeing someone currently. And I don’t think it’s fair to him for me to accept a coffee date with a stranger.”

  He paused. “Oh. I--I didn’t know that. My mother didn’t--she didn’t say anything like that. Do your parents know? Or something? I mean, not that it’s any of my business.”

  I snickered. “No, no. It’s fine. It’s new. And it’s… kind of out of the ordinary for me. But I’ve told him that I’m not seeing anyone else but him, and that means something to me.”

  “Of course. I’d never want someone to go back on their word like that.”
>
  “I’m glad you understand.”

  “You sound like a wonderful girl.”

  I ran my hand through my hair. “Eh, you know. I try where I can.”

  He chuckled. “I’m sure you do more than try.”

  I blushed again. “But you know, if you want me to keep your number around, I can hand it out to some of the nice girls on campus. You know, if strange women are your thing.”

  “No, no. That isn’t necessary. To be honest, this is pretty out of the ordinary for me. Usually my parents are very pushy with this kind of thing. But your picture just…”

  I slipped off the edge of my bed. “I appreciate the compliment. And I’m sorry you got wrapped up into this.”

  “Again, you don’t have to apologize. He’s a lucky man.”

  I smiled. “Thank you. I’m a lucky girl, too. And I am sorry for the position you’ve been put in. Believe it or not, my parents don’t know every little detail of my life.”

  “Good for you. Keep a bit for yourself. Because if there’s anything we need when growing up with Korean parents, it’s a bit of privacy.”

  I giggled. “You’re right about that one.”

  He chuckled. “You have a good day in classes. And, if things go south with you and your guy, give me a call. I’d still love to take you out to coffee.”

  I grabbed my mug. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.”

  I hung up the phone and tossed it on top of my bag. I set about making myself some coffee to wake me up before my ten-thirty class. But as the coffee percolated into my mug, I felt a pair of eyes on me.

  “Morning, Hannah.”

  She shuffled around. “Who was that?”

  I shrugged. “A guy my mom wants me to go out with.”

  “Did you say no?”

  I slowly looked over at her. “Gee. I don't know, Hannah.”

  She sighed. “Dani, what if he’s a good guy? What if you just passed up your opportunity to--?”

  “I mean, he probably is. He sounds like a good guy.”

  “So why not give him a shot? Just a shot. That’s all I’m asking.”

  “No, Hannah. What you’re asking is that I slowly migrate myself away from Max because you don’t approve of him.”

  “Can you blame me for that? I mean, look at the guy. It doesn't take a genius to know he’s into some shady shit. You really want yourself getting hurt because of his actions? Because that’s how you get yourself killed.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I need coffee before this conversation.”

  She sat up. “Or maybe you just need to listen to me for once.”

  I picked up my mug. “No. For once, what I need to do is listen to my heart. Listen to my gut. Listen to what my own body is telling me. My entire life has revolved around what others want me to do. You, of all people, know that.”

  “I’m not dictating your future here, Dani. I’m just trying to--”

  “Save me? Do me a solid? Get me out of trouble I’m not actually in?”

  She threw her hands in the air. “How can you not see the trouble that comes with this guy?”

  I sipped my coffee black. “Hannah, I’ve had enough of this shit. I’ve chosen Max. That’s final. If you don’t like it, find another roommate. Or, better yet, I’ll put in for a transfer.”

  She scoffed. “Now look who’s getting all worked up over nothing.”

  “Over nothing?”

  I placed my coffee down and glared at her.

  “Over nothing, Hannah? You mean to tell me that giving me the cold shoulder for days, blowing up my phone and yelling at me once I get back, constantly chastising me for my decisions, and ultimately jumping down my throat every second you get is nothing? You’re really trying to sell that to me?”

  She shook her head. “All I’m saying is--”

  I held my hand up. “I know exactly what you’re saying. You don’t like Max. You think he’s dangerous. You think I have no business being with him. And I hear you, Hannah. I’ve registered it. I’ve logged it away as your opinion. And then, I’ve made my own decision to stick with him because that’s what I want.”

  “You’re making a mistake, Dani.”

  “Maybe I am. But it’s a mistake I’ve made. And I have no intention of turning my back on that man until he turns his first. Because that’s what he means to me.”

  She snickered. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re in love.”

  I shrugged. “Maybe I am.”

  Her face fell. “Are you serious?”

  “What?”

  “Are you in love with that man?”

  “If I am, you’d be the last to know at this point.”

  She leapt out of bed. “Are you seriously telling me that you’re in love with a man who wears leather, rides a bike, smokes like a freight train, and looks like he could kill you with his bare hands? Seriously, Dani!?”

  I grinned. “You’re cute when you’re upset. You know that?”

  “Ugh!”

  I giggled. “Hannah, I know you don’t approve of Max. But listen to me when I say your disapproval isn’t going to make me change my mind. I really care about the man. He makes me happy. He takes care of me. I mean, he may not be what you’ve always pictured in your head or what you want for me. But you of all people don’t get to decide who that person is in my life. I do. That’s under my control. And I choose him.”

  “Of course you do.”

  “So you can either get on board or get off. The choice is yours. But I can tell you what I will do.”

  I waited until Hannah looked me square in my face before I piped up again.

  “I won’t live in a dorm room with this kind of tension any longer. It’s wreaking havoc on my study habits. It’s impeding my sleep.”

  She frowned. “You sure that’s not Max?”

  “I’ve pulled many all-nighters in the past and been fine. But this tension between us? That’s what’s doing the most damage. Some nights when I’d actually like to come back, I choose not to because I know you’re here.”

  “What?”

  “And some days, when I know I should come back and study, I end up not doing that at all and calling Max instead because being around him is better than being here. In this dorm. Or on campus, where I know I’m going to run into you.”

  “You’re just trying to make me feel bad.”

  “Whatever you believe, that’s your call. But this is on you at this point. You want to have a friendship with me? By all means. I’m more than open to it. You’re important to me. But you’re not important enough to weather this tension and this anger any longer. Either get okay with things, or I’m applying for another roommate at the end of the week.”

  She balked. “You wouldn’t do that in the middle of the semester. That’s insane!”

  I picked up my coffee. “No, Hannah. What’s insane is you thinking you can change my mind by constantly turning your back on me. And trust me, one of those times, you’re going to turn back around and I’m going to be walking away. For good.”

  I sipped my coffee as Hannah searched for her words.

  “Dani… I--”

  “Whatever it is, I know you mean it. So, just know I mean it, too. I’m done defending myself. I’m done taking this energy that should be thrown into my studies and throwing it at you instead. Max has showed me how to stand on my own. How to be brave. How to dig deep and figure out who I really am and what I really want from my own life. I’m not trading that in for a guy who ‘might be nice’ because my roommate thinks her anger is going to turn my head, too. Because it won’t.”

  She licked her lips. “I’m sorry, Dani. I didn’t realize--I mean, I didn’t mean--I just…”

  I sighed as I continued sipping my coffee. Watching her struggle for the words.

  “I’m just sorry, okay?”

  I nodded slowly. “Me, too, Hannah. Me, too.”

  I finished my coffee and started packing my things away. I had ten minutes to throw on something decent befo
re I had to head to class. Yet again, I’d be rushing. And it wasn’t Max’s fault. I shoved my things into my backpack, shook my mug over my open mouth to get the last drops of coffee, then stripped myself down. I pulled on a pair of black skinny jeans and paired it with a simple red T-shirt before slipping my leather coat up my arms. And after putting on a pair of my flats, I picked up my backpack.

  “Don’t wait up,” I said.

  And that was the last thing I said to Hannah before leaving for class.

  24

  Max

  My gaze dropped to the bubbling foam at the very top of my beer. The pitcher the waitress had brought Rupert and me was fresh. Cold. Crispy to its core. But for the first time in my life, I was too angry to drink it. Too angry to taste it.

  All I wanted to do was hear the glass shatter against the wall.

  “So you ready to talk?”

  Rupert’s voice pulled my eyes up and I watched him take a pull from his own glass of beer.

  “I’ll take that as a no,” he murmured.

  My eyes fell back to my drink. “He’s guilty.”

  “Wait, what?”

  I turned the glass around on the tabletop. “My father’s guilty as sin.”

  “So he’s the one doing all this shit to you?”

  I nodded. “Looks that way. John still isn’t sure, but I am.”

  “What makes you so sure?”

  I snickered. “You know my old man’s a piece of work.”

  “Well, yeah. But what’s his motivation? Did he at least give you that? Because what we’ve brainstormed doesn’t really add up.”

  “My gut tells me he’s working with another crew. That’s why we haven’t had work in months. And it conveniently started when that bullshit client we almost got ourselves killed for up and decided not to pay us a penny.”

  He paused. “You think that shit has something to do with all of this?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. I do.”

  I finally looked back up at Rupert and saw confusion littered across his face. Yeah, I know. We didn’t have all the pieces. But the pieces we did have all pointed toward my father. My father stood to gain the most and lose the most, no matter what angle we looked at this situation from. My father was the only one who knew my stomping grounds well enough to be able to send a professional team directly to where I was. Hell, he was the only one with enough money and enough anger in his heart towards me to hire multiple professional teams in the first place.