He occupied a wooden desk chair positioned near the window, his eyes glaring at me. “How did you get in?”
My lips curled as I released my hand from Kenny’s mouth. “You didn’t think a cop would keep me out?”
“Shit,” Carson muttered, raking a hand through his already disheveled surfer-boy sandy hair. I didn’t like the guy. What could I say? Everything about him irked me. From his preppy-rich boy clothes to his too pretty looks.
I angled my head, stepping back from the bed to give Kenny some space. The shock seemed to be wearing off. “You don’t look surprised to see me,” I said to Carson.
He scowled. “I’m just wondering what took you so long.”
“Do you really want to know thedetailsof what I’ve been doing all day while you’ve been locked up in this house?”
He scrunched his face. “Not if it makes me an accomplice.”
I shook my head. Could he be more of a selfish ass? How did these girls not see him for who he really was? “I don’t have time for you,” I growled, rolling up my sleeves, and glanced at Kenny. “Right now, I need her.”
Kenny didn’t move; she just stared at me, her hands twisting together in her lap.
I leveled my tone when I spoke to her. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just really needed to see you. It’s about Kaylor. I need to get her back, and you’re the only person who might be able to help. You’ve been where she is.” I let gravity settle in before continuing, trying my best not to spook her. “What can you remember?”
“I wish I could give you something useful. I swear I do.” Tears filled her eyes. They drugged me. The ride to where they took me is a blur. I just remember waking up in the room.”
“She’s been through enough—” Carson interrupted as the tears streamed faster down Kenny’s cheeks. He jumped out of his chair and went to the bed, sitting beside her.
“I know what she’s been through,” I hissed, frustration building behind my eyes. “And I’m sorry. I really fucking am. But this is Kaylor we’re talking about.” I turned back to Kenny, letting her see the desperation I’d been trying so hard to hide. “And the truth is, you wouldn’t be here, safe in your bedroom, if it weren’t for her. We owe it to her to do everything we can to save her.” Or I would go fucking nuts. “Don’t tell me she’s not worth a little more pain if it means saving her life.”
Silence fell over the room like a heavy blanket, broken only by our breathing.
Then Kenny nodded. She stood from the bed, smearing the dampness from her eyes, which left behind a glint of determination. “What do you need?”
“Everything.” I exhaled roughly. “Every detail you can remember. Doesn’t matter how small. Where they kept you. How it smelled. The layout of rooms. Sounds you heard. Voices. Words. Anything. Ifyou can retrace your steps, it might help us find her. Do you think you’re up for that?”
“If Carter’s with me, I can try.”
My gaze flicked to the pain in my ass. I didn’t trust him, but it was clear Kenny did, and I needed her as calm as possible, to feel protected, and if Carter did that for her, then the prick was coming with us.
5
KREED
Kenny scooted to the edge of her bed. Carson sat beside her, shoulders squared and spine rigid like her self-appointed guard dog. His mouth was set in a deep frown, disapproval in his features.
I refocused my energy back on Kenny. “Start from the beginning,” I said, dropping into a crouch in front of her. “From the second they took you.”
Her eyes flicked to mine, fingers twisting restlessly together. “I don’t remember everything,” she whispered.
“That’s okay. Just start with what you do remember. We’ll put a timeline together.”
Carson muttered a curse under his breath.
Kenny’s gaze darted to him, and she took his hand, squeezing it, offering him comfort when he should be the one giving her support. “I was taken right after second period,” she began after a deep breath. “Someone grabbed me on the back stairs by the gym.” Her eyes closed briefly as if she were watching a movie projected against her eyelids. “There’s a service entrance there, staff parking, mostly. Teachers don’t really use that area. I remember the smell of grease,”she continued, her nose wrinkling slightly as if the scent still lingered in the air.
I nodded, filing away each detail. “Good. What happened next?”
“They put something over my head. It smelled like cigarettes and body odor, and I couldn’t see anything.” Her voice wavered, but she pressed on. “I think the fabric might have had a symbol on it. I started to get so tired. It was hard to keep my eyes open.”
“Did you notice how long the drive was?” I asked, rising from my crouch to pace the small space between her bed and the desk, my thoughts racing.
She chewed on the corner of her lip. “I’m not sure. Maybe an hour? It could have been more. I blacked out for part of it.”
