“I’m using the front door now,” Xavier said.
I looked at my mother. “I have to go. Do you want to hug and kiss me, tell me to be safe?”
“No,” my mother said. “I wanted to tell your friend that when he’s done with you, I’ll gladly tell him where my bedroom window is.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
Xavier lifted his left eyebrow into the air.
I dove out of the house and grabbed Xavier’s shirt.
“Save me,” I whispered.
He put his arm around me but looked back at my mother more than once.
“If you’re even thinking about it, I’m going to call Easton and make his backseat fantasy come true.”
That got me Xavier’s full attention.
And it pissed him off.
I walked into the shop holding Xavier’s hand.
When I saw Noah and Easton, I had the urge to pull my hand away from Xavier’s. But I didn’t. He didn’t let go of my hand.
The feeling was very weird as we walked toward the table near the back of the shop.
Easton sat on the table with an unlit cigarette in his mouth.
Noah pulled out a chair and straddled it, leaning his chest against the back.
Wearing another nice shirt. Free of blood. For now.
“So this is the official moment,” Easton said as he jumped from the table. “You two crazy fuckers are really together. Want me to say something nice?”
“Sit down, Easton,” Xavier said.
I looked at Noah.
Say something. Please say something.
“We should get right to it here,” Noah said. “We don’t have much time.”
“Agreed,” Xavier said.
He let go of my hand and walked around the table.
He didn’t take a seat.
This was how they were the night I snuck back to listen to them talk about me.
But everything they said wasn’t true that night.
They weren’t going to end up hurting me…
“Sit down,” Noah said to me.
“I’m fine,” I said.
“What do you remember, Winter?” Easton asked.
“Nothing. I’m following what you’re saying.”
“Okay,” Easton said. “Your old man is fucked. Because of my old man and Noah’s old man.”
“And they were stealing money,” Noah said. “You figured it out, Winter.”
“How?” I asked.
“You dug around your father’s office,” Xavier said. “You found out all the truths about the money. You came to us.”
“We came up with a plan,” Easton said.
“Then you started to break away from us,” Noah said.
I nodded. “Right. And now someone is following us. That person is the one who wanted me dead.”
“Probably,” Xavier said. “You need to stay close to us.”
“All of us,” Easton said.
He looked at Noah.
Noah’s jaw tightened.
Then he nodded. “Agreed.”
“I don’t want you guys to get hurt because of me,” I said. “It’s not fair.”
“Don’t be a hero, Winter,” Noah said. “We’re all in this together. We just need to find the money.”
“Find it?” I asked.
“That’s where we got fucked,” Easton said. “I thought my old man had it. He didn’t. So we figured Roland did.”
“He didn’t,” Noah said. “I worked my ass off to get into that office too.”
“So it’s hidden somewhere else,” Xavier said.
“Where?” Easton asked.
They all looked at me.
“What?” I asked.
“You were going to find it,” Easton said.
“I don’t know where it is,” I said. “Why would they have cash? They’re all rich and powerful. Wouldn’t they just move it around somewhere? Like in movies or whatever. They have, what are they called, offshore accounts?”
“This is cash, Winter,” Noah said. “A stockpile of it. For fun. To keep hidden. It’s an insurance policy in a way.”
“And I was the one who found out,” I said.
“Yeah,” Xavier said.
“Well, then let me think about it. See if I can figure something out. Maybe I’ll remember something.”
“In the meantime, we need to think about who can be following us,” Xavier said. “Or we can try to set something up. Get them to follow and then follow them right back.”
“If they’re tracking us…” Easton said, letting his voice trail off.
“Then we might need help,” Noah said.
“I know who can help,” I said.
They all looked at me again.
I didn’t say a word.
They all knew where I was going.
“No,” Xavier said. “Fuck. No.”
“Wait a second,” Noah said. “Is it the worst idea ever?”
“Possibly,” Easton said.
“Think about it,” Noah said. “He gets caught and it’s his problem. Not ours. The risk is on him.”
“I’m not working with a Troc,” Xavier said.
“Maybe you should,” I said. “You know exactly why too.”
“She’s right,” Easton said.
“Xavier, best case, we find out who’s following us,” Noah said. “Worst case, the Troc gets himself beaten or killed.”
Xavier looked around the table.
Then at me.
His lip curled.
He pushed at the table and stormed away.
“He’ll be fine,” Easton said.
I turned and walked the opposite way.
Outside.
Into the night.
I hugged myself and took a deep breath.
After a few quiet seconds, I heard footsteps behind me.
“Want some company, Winter?”
Noah stood next to me.
It was silent for a while.
Until we looked at each other.
I saw something in his eyes and it hurt my heart.
With my left hand, I touched his right hand.
I squeezed it once.
Noah squeezed my hand back.
“I’m so sorry,” I said. “For everything. I wish I could remember it all and explain it. But I can’t. My life has been such a mess for a very long time, Noah. And whatever my father is involved with, I want no part of it.”
“Which is why you did what you did,” he said. “You’re all about surviving, Winter. That’s why I liked you so much. We understood each other. All I want is to distance myself from the legacy left at my feet. I don’t want to become a piece of shit who cares about power over everything else.”
“Then don’t.”
“I’m not,” he said. “But that’s what brought us together.”
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I used you. I’m sorry I made you feel something that wasn’t there.”
Noah turned and looked down at me. “That’s where you’re wrong. You don’t get to apologize for my feelings. Only I can. And I don’t apologize for my feelings. I felt how I felt for a reason. I still do.”
“I don’t feel that way about you, Noah,” I said. “I never will.”
“I know that.”
“So, then move on. Walk away.”
“I can’t.”
“We’ll figure out a different plan for the money then,” I said. “Or different money. I don’t know.”
“We have to see this through,” Noah said. “And I’m going to be there until the end of it. Protecting you. No matter how much it hurts.”
I swallowed hard.
He was kind of killing me.
I just wanted to jump up to my toes and kiss his cheek. I wanted to love him back, but there was no way I could love him the way he loved me. It would only hurt him more.
I heard a whistle from behind me as Easton and Xavier came outside.
“Rekindling some old love?” Easton asked.
Noah moved toward Easton and Easton jumped back, putting up his fists.
“No fighting,” Xavier said. “I’m in. On everything.”
“Everything?” I asked.
“Call the Troc,” Xavier said. “Set it up. Pay him. And then call my sister. Tell her we need to talk. There’s a chance her boyfriend will get hurt. I want her to know she’s not alone. If we’re going to do this, we do it right. We get the money. We distance ourselves from these families. And that includes my sister. I want her safe and protected too.”
“You won’t like this,” I said, “but with Talon, she is safe.”
“He’s a Troc,” Xavier said.
“His name is Talon,” I said.
“Sounds like she’s got a side thing with a Troc,” Easton said.
Xavier swung the back of his hand and smacked Easton in the face.
Blood sprayed as Easton stepped back, laughing.
“Now why wasn’t I able to do that?” Noah asked.
“You want your shot?” Easton asked. “Come on.”
Xavier stepped forward and threw his hands out.
He grabbed Noah with his left hand, Easton with his right hand.
And he stared at me.
“Make the calls,” he said.
“Do you still love me, Xavier?” I asked.
He curled his lip.
I’ll take that as a yes.
Chapter 15
A Family Thing
“So what’s the deal with your mother?” Easton asked.
“Hell no,” I said.
“What?”
“Don’t even think about it,” I said.
“Easton, come on,” Noah said.
“I’m just asking a question,” he said. “Xavier told me-”
“What’s that?” I asked.
Xavier let out a growl. “Thanks, Easton.”
“What did you say?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Xavier said.
“Liar,” Easton said. “You told me her mother was flirting with you.”
“Flirting?” I asked.
“Well, she was,” Xavier said.
I put my hands to my face and groaned. “I hate this.”
“I’m just asking a question,” Easton said.
“Look…,” I took my hands off my face. “My mother is crazy. She used my father to get pregnant so she would be financially set. Then she took off. She wanted nothing to do with me until now. And that was only because I was faking losing my memory to get back at you guys.”
“That’s psycho shit,” Noah said.
“I like it,” Easton said.
“I will cut your-” Xavier started to say.
“Nothing will happen,” I said. “Ever. Got it?”
“Got it,” Easton said.
“She’s just… way out there. Okay? She likes dating guys in their twenties. I hate hearing the stories as it is.”
“That’s wild stuff,” Easton said.
“No it’s not,” I said. “It’s done and over with. We are never talking about it again.”
“Fine,” Easton said.
“Where the fuck are they?” Noah asked. “I hate waiting around.”
“They’re coming,” I said.
“Probably humping first,” Easton said.
Xavier jumped off the steps and grabbed Easton’s shirt.
“That’s my sister you’re talking about,” Xavier growled.
“It’s so cute to hear you say that,” Easton said.
Xavier pushed Easton back. “I never wanted to think of her being that close to a Troc.”
“Well, you’re going to hate this next part,” Noah said. “They’re walking our way. Holding hands. Like a happy couple.”
Xavier turned his head and made fists.
I grabbed Xavier’s left hand and forced his hand open so I could hold it.
It was cute to hear him refer about Gia as his sister.
But she was my best friend.
And I was going to protect her.
That meant also protecting Talon.
Talon put his hands up. “Who’s throwing the first punch this time?”
“We don’t know yet,” Noah said.
“At least give me a heads up,” he said. “I’d like to be able to say I dodged one punch. You know?”
“That’s classic,” Easton said. “Why don’t you take a few more steps back. Too much Troc too close isn’t good for us.”
“If you’re going to treat him like shit, we’re leaving,” Gia said.
“Gia, come here,” I said.
Talon winked at her.
She walked in front of Easton and her face turned red.
I grabbed her hand and we stood next to each other.
“It’s fine,” I whispered. “Trust me.”
“So did you want to meet up to apologize?” Talon asked.
“No,” Xavier said. “This is business. We obviously know about Winter paying you for help.”
“Yeah,” Talon said. “I’m good at what I do.”
“Sure,” Xavier said. “We have something else for you to do.”
“Oh, this is great,” Talon said. “Do you mind if I call a friend? He needs to hear this. A Bump asking a Troc for help.”
“It’s not like that,” Noah said. “This is a job. It’s money. The same as you cleaning my toilet after I take a shit. Got it?”
“If I’m cleaning shit, can I have gloves?” Talon asked.
I slowly smirked.
He was so damn bold about everything.
I glanced at Gia and she was nervous but I could tell she was loving this too.
This was weird though.
The guys we loved hated each other.
“We think someone is following us,” Xavier said. “We need to figure out who it is.”
“And you need me for that?” Talon asked.
“We need you to stay close,” Noah said. “So when that person starts following us, you follow them.”
“Right,” Talon said. “That’s a big ask.”
“You’re getting paid,” Easton said.
“I want double what Winter would give,” Talon said.
“Done,” I called out.
“Wait a second,” Noah said.
“No,” I said. “I’ll get my portion of the money. You three come up with the rest. Done. This is serious, Talon. This is really serious. For me. Okay? And for Gia.”
“They’re following you too, darling?” Talon asked.
“I don’t know,” Gia said.
“She’s my best friend,” I said. “Anything I’m in, she’s in. Same for her with me.”
“Fuck,” Talon said.
“Don’t fuck this up,” Noah said. “And just know, there’s a risk. Whoever this is… if they catch you…”
“We can’t and won’t save you,” Easton said. “Sorry.”
“Then don’t do it,” Gia yelled. She broke from me and ran to Talon. “I can’t lose you.”
I could feel Xavier seething, ready to explode.
“We have to figure this out,” I said. “Talon… they might even be following you too. They were really close to your house after I left…”
“Why do I get the feeling that I have no choice here?” Talon asked.
“You don’t,” Xavier said.
“And you’re still getting paid,” Easton said.
“Thank Winter for that,” Noah said. “If it was up to me, I’d just force you to do it.”
“I don’t like this,” Gia said.
“It’s okay, Gia,” I said. “We’re all in this together. Bumps… Trocs…”
“I’m not admitting that,” Noah said.
“I’m in on it,” Talon said. “I can do that. Just get me the money first. Winter knows the drill.”
Talon turned and put his arm around Gia.
“We’re not done yet,” Xavier called out.
“I think we are,” Talon said.
“Gia,” Xavier said.
She looked back.
“A little later,” I called out. “We need to talk. It’s really important.”
Gia looked at Xavier.
Then at me.
Her face turned a little white.
But she smiled.
She knew what was coming next.
“How long do we have?” Xavier whispered as his tongue flicked against my neck.
I grabbed his arms and put my head back.
“We’ll have all night in a little while,” I whispered.
Xavier kept kissing down… to my chest…
“I need to know a time,” he growled.
“I don’t know,” I said. “Twenty minutes. Maybe.”
His mouth moved over to my left breast and I shut my eyes.
I arched my chest and his right hand moved up my body and cupped my right breast.
I moved my hands to the bedsheets and squeezed them tight.
Xavier’s left hand rested between my legs so naturally that it made me wonder why I had waited so long to confess my feelings for him.
He was… really good.
Two of his fingers caressed my sensitive core. Making circles, playing and teasing, then pressing against me, entering me.
I sucked in a breath and arched my back some more.
Xavier lifted his mouth from my breast and exhaled.
The warmth of his breath made me shiver and my body tightened against his touch.
He fought through it, thrusting his fingers with one goal in mind.
He wanted me to finish.
I lowered my back to the bed and lifted my head.
Xavier was right there. His evil eyes burning like a raging fire.
He was close but far enough away I couldn’t kiss him.
And he did that on purpose.
“Xavier… come here…”
“No,” he whispered. “I’m watching you.”
I bit my lip.
My eyes moved to his left shoulder.
I watched his strong muscles flexing as he touched me.
He then began to move harder. And faster.
My legs dangled off the bed and I pulled to get closer to him. Which was impossible to do. His fingers were inside me already…
My hands suddenly opened and I let go of the sheets. My next target to grip was his shoulders.
I held them tight, my arms shaking, Xavier not letting up for a second.
Devious Love (Bay Falls High NEXT Book 3) Page 14