CHAPTER 10
“HERE,” EMMETT SAYS,handing me a beer the instant I plop my butt down on the threadbare couch in Sariah’s living room. Her grandma is at bingo tonight, so we have the place to ourselves. “You look like you need it.”
“Man, do I ever.” I drain half the bottle in one go, sinking back into the couch as I finally relax. My muscles were wound tighter than Bradley Cooper on Oscar night.
“That bad, huh?” Sariah says coming into the room carrying a massive bowl of chips. Sean is behind her carrying a couple of dips.
“It was like outlaw central. Mom’s definitely lost a few friends tonight.”
Thank God, I eventually managed to convince my bestie to sit this one out. She wanted to come to support me. The three of them did. But I put my foot down. Bringing them tonight would have put them directly in The Sainthood’s path, and I’m already risking their lives as it is. I won’t deliberately put them at risk, which is why I’ve already told all of them they are banned from my house whenever Neo is there.
I know firsthand how gangs work. They target friends and family and use them to force cooperation. Over my dead fucking body will Neo use Sariah, Sean, or Emmett to make me toe the line. And that’s the main reason why I’m here tonight. They need to know what’s at stake, and it can’t wait for our diner date. They need to hear this now.
I take another sip of my beer as I consider how best to start this conversation. But, honestly, there’s no good or easy way to say this, so I just rip the Band-Aid off.
“I need to explain some stuff, because things are seriously fucked up. Anyone connected with me is in danger.”
Emmett sits up straighter, angling his body so he’s looking me more directly in the face. “What kind of danger?”
“The life-ending kind of danger.”
His chest heaves, and he gulps. “What’s going on?”
“Are you sure you want to know?” My eyes move around the room. “I won’t fault anyone for walking away before it gets too deep.”
“I’m all in.” Sariah doesn’t hesitate.
“Sure?”
“Hundo P. I’ve got your back. Always.”
A layer of stress flitters away, and my heart swells at her instant loyalty.
I fucking love this girl so hard. “Right back at ya. I’m always here for you.”
“I’m in too,” Sean says. “You’re as much my friend as Sariah’s, and we don’t abandon friends in times of need.”
I nod, smiling despite the tension swirling in the air. “Truth, and I’d do the same for you.”
I refocus on Emmett, and I won’t hold it against him if he wants no part of this. He’s not as invested as Sariah and Sean, and our friendship is still new. “You need to protect your sister. I totally get that. While I will do everything in my power to keep all of you out of the firing line, if you’re privy to this, I can’t promise they won’t come after you.”
He runs a hand through his messy hair, and strands of dark brown hair tumble over his forehead. “I’m already involved. I’m already on their radar. And no one dictates who I can and can’t hang out with. Provided we’re smart, we can keep my sister out of this.”
“I won’t fault you for walking away, Emmett. You’re the least invested here.”
He shakes his head. “Nope. I’m in. Hit me with it.”
Air whooshes out of my mouth in grateful relief, and I don’t have the words to express how incredible it feels to not be alone. “I love you guys,” I choke out in a momentary burst of emotion.
“We love you too, Harlow,” Sean says. “And whatever it is, we’ll deal with it together.”
Tears sting the backs of my eyes, but I know they won’t spill because it’s been years since I’ve cried. I pull myself together, remembering the seriousness of the situation, locking all my emotions up tight again.
“Before I explain, I need your cellphones.” I hold out my hand, and one by one, they deposit their phones in my palm. All three of them share similar confused but curious looks as I remove the detection device from the pocket of my jeans and scan their phones for tracking devices. I doubt anyone is keeping tabs on my friends, but you can never be too sure.
I hand them back their phones and repocket the detection device. “I was checking for bugs or tracking devices,” I confirm before anyone asks. “You’re all clean.”
“Shit, girl. What the hell is going on?” Sariah inquires, tucking her blonde hair behind her ears. “And is this somehow connected with your past?”
