I would smile if I could. This is what it’s supposed to feel like. And this feeling is what no drug can give you.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
BLANE
Ring … Ring … Ring…I hang up the phone and toss it on the passenger seat. My sister has been ignoring me for the last three days. I know something is up with her, and I don’t believe for one second that it has to do with wanting to give Savannah and me some time alone. Even Savannah said she hasn’t heard from her in the last few days. I have a feeling she is seeing someone she met while working up at Seven Deadly Sins, and I plan to put an end to it. But at this moment, I have bigger things to worry about besides who my sister decides to jump into bed with. But rest assured, I will beat the shit out of whoever it is.
I bring my car to a stop and turn off my lights. I look around out of habit, but I’m not as nervous as I have been in the past. I’m actually starting to feel the adrenaline from it, the rush. It makes more sense why others do this in the first place. They always talk about that rush they get. I hate to admit … it’s addicting.
I get out of my car and walk to the front. I lean back against my hood crossing one ankle over the other while I listen to the wind howl in this abandoned parking lot.
“Blane.”
I look up to see them walking toward me as they have the last three times. But this time, there’s three of them. Finally! I get to meet Cricket.
I walk toward them and meet them halfway. I’m already grabbing the cash out of my back pocket. I know how things work now.
The one with the snake tattoo places his arms over his huge chest. “How are things going?”
“Great,” I say slowly. Why does he care? Oh yeah, I’m a druggie. I always forget I’m supposed to act as if I am starving for my next hit.
The two guys in front of me exchange a glance and my heart rate speeds up. “We hear you have been hanging out at Seven Deadly Sins,” he muses.
“I have.” I pause. “Is that a problem?” I look back and forth between the three of them.
“Why are you hanging out up there?” I can’t mention Case. That was part of our deal.
“My sister works there.” As soon as I say it, I cringe. Why did I say my sister? I would hate to put her in danger.
“We know about Taylor,” the one on the left says. “We wanna make sure it doesn’t have to do with Case.” He arches a blond eyebrow. “We don’t associate with him.”
Shit! Shit! Shit! “No,” I say quickly shaking my head. “I … I, uh, have never met him. I’m not up there enough to know this guy named Case.”
“Wanna know what I think? I think you’re lying.” The one with the snake tattoo takes a step toward me, and I take a step back matching it.
The third guy who I have never met before steps toward me also. “We have word you’re selling out from underneath us. To Case.” I shake my head again. “I heard the police are looking for him.”
I swallow nervously. “Why would they be looking for this guy Case?”
The one to the far left answers. “Rox ratted him out.” Fuck! That was the guy who Case took me to see. The one I smoked weed with. “Rox’s club got busted and surveillance was obtained by the police, but somehow it went missing. Rox ratted out Case. Said they were working together.” He shrugs. “But the proof has just vanished.” He places his hands out to his side in wonder. “We also heard Case was there with you …”
“Nooooo,” I say stupidly. Fuck! Could this get any worse? Thank God, something happened to that damn tape. I need to ask Case about it. “I wouldn’t do that.” I wish I could ask them who their source is, but that would just make me look guilty.
“I hope not.” He takes a step toward me. “For your sake.” Then he punches me in the face.
I stumble back grabbing my jaw. I didn’t even see it coming. “Come on, guys,” I say placing up my hands. My heart pounds in my chest, and I breathe heavily. I’m about to get my ass kicked, and there’s no way for me to stop it. “I didn’t come here to fight.”
“Maybe not! But we want you to give Case a warning.”
“I don’t know a Case,” I growl getting frustrated. My temper flaring, I was being a scared little bitch, but now that they want me to deliver Case a message, I know they’re not gonna kill me.
He smirks. “Well, then give your sister the message, it will make it back to him.”
“What does Taylor have to do with this?” I demand.
The guy with the snake tattoo throws his head back and his large body shakes as he laughs. “This fucker really has no fucking clue.” They all laugh as I stand there looking back and forth between them.
“What don’t I know?” I yell.
