“I got you brother. Always.” He whispers, hugging me tightly. The door opens and I pull away seeing Maverick Cyprus walking in, smoking a joint.
“Hey boys. Whatcha got for me on this fine evening?” He asks, passing the joint to Spade.
“I need you to tell our friend Asher here all about The Radleys,” he states and Mav’s eyes widen.
“What about them?” he asks and I huff.
“Jake Radley was dating my girl Riley. He stabbed her and left her for dead. And now he’s kidnapped her, doing god knows what and I’m waiting on his location so I can go get my girl and fucking kill him.” I spit and he swallows thickly then looks at Spade.
“It’s fucking happening again, isn’t it?” He states and Spade shrugs.
“Presley is safe right? There hasn’t been any threats or anything?” he asks but Mav shakes his head.
“Nah, ever since we killed Jacob Lee and their father. Things have been quiet. I thought Jake Jr wasn't like them but that was stupidity on my part. All the Radley's are fucking scum.” He snarls, as Spade passes me the joint. I take a long hit as Mav continues. “Presley and my brothers went through some shit a few years back. I don’t know what kind of power Jake Jr holds and I don’t know if he’s trying to recreate what his father built but youhaveto take him down. I’ll help if you need it.” He states as I pass him the joint.
“I didn’t know how deep this went. Spade tried to warn me but clearly I don’t fucking listen.” I laugh and Spade rolls his eyes.
“You think you can help track her phone?” Spade asks Mav which makes him smile.
“Fuck yeah, let’s do it.” He cheers walking towards the office.
“I’ve got a team ready once we have her location. My brother’s are on their way.” he smiles and I nod.
“Thanks man. Let’s see if Mav can work his magic.” I laugh and we head into the office where Mav’s fingers are already flying over the keyboard.
“I just need her number,” he states and I give him what he needs. Now we wait.
Chapter three
Peyton
What Did I Do?
I shut the laptop and slide her phone into my hoodie pocket. Opening mine I scramble the security cameras and get out of the car. I look around to see there’s no one around and walk back to my car. Once I’m safely inside, I grab a garbage bag from my glovebox and discard the gloves, and laptop. Starting up my car I leave the parking lot and as I do I throw her phone out of the window then close out the program scrambling the security footage. Once I’m a safe distance away from the school I head home and call Ash.
“What?” he growls down the line.
“I got her location. Sending now. Can I come help?” I ask and he huffs.
“No. I already got it. I’m heading out now. Just stay at the house and get a room ready for her. I don’t know what condition I’m going to find her in so be prepared for anything. I’ve called the Doc to give him a heads up.” he states.
“Okay. I’m heading home now.” I tell him.
“What do you mean you’re heading home. Where the fuck did you go Peyton?” he shouts and I roll my eyes.
“Can’t talk about it. Not a secure line.” I say and he growls.
“What did you do?”
“What needed to be fucking done!” I yell as I hear shuffling in the background.
“I don’t have time for these games. Get the fuck home and do as you are told.” He orders and the line goes dead. I’m trying really hard to not get mad at him for the way he spoke to me. I get it, but I don’t deserve his wrath.
Pulling in the driveway, I get out of the car with the garbage bag and walk into the house. I take all of my clothes off and throw them into the fireplace, along with the bag. Turning the gas on, the fire ignites and I stare as the evidence burns along the fake wood. Walking over to the sink I scrub my face to get rid of the blood then go to my room and put on leggings and a tank top. It’s time to turn her bedroom into a glorified hospital room the best it can be with the little that I have. I just pray that we can take care of her ourselves and all will be well once she’s here. As long as I keep thinking positive thoughts, everything will be okay… right?
I hate this, I really fucking hate this. My hands shake as I remove her blankets from her bed. I fucking killed someone tonight. Like literally murdered her. What the hell did I do? Am I going to get away with it? I can’t go to jail. I won’t do well in there. Alone. Away from Asher and Riley. I don’t know what it's like to be alone anymore. It’s always been me and Ash then Riley came along changing us for the better and now I can’t picture life without them. What if they both don’t make it home tonight? What if I’m left all alone without anyone to love anymore? There’s so many ‘what if’s’ so many things can happen and I just—I can’t think like this. Not knowing is making me spiral. I’m literally losing my mind.
My heart races as my thoughts create narratives that aren’t true so I continue to move around the house getting all the supplies I can find for when Asher brings Riley home. I just keep moving thinking of everything and anything that the Doc taught me. I need to do something else to get my mind to shut the fuck up. Keeping busy is not helping. I just keep panicking that the cops are going to pound down my door at any second for what I did to Mrs. Radley. I did everything right. No fingerprints. I messed with the security footage. This can’t point back to me. Even if I’m questioned. I was here the whole time. I’m okay. I’ll be okay. Everything will be okay. Ash will come home and we will take care of our girl. Everything will be just fine. My phone rings and I jump.I really need to calm the fuck down.
