“Now we wait,” Kade states, and that’s exactly what we do. We are on their time now.
Headlights blind us as the Scarlet Brotherhood pulls up in front of us.
“Jesus fuck!” Grayson spits, and I growl.
“Shut the fuck up!” I snap, and he rolls his eyes. I know he doesn't want to be here right now dealing with this shit, but I needed back up and I wasn't meeting them alone. They step out and walk overto us. I shake Darius' hand then he looks over at Grayson.
“Hey, Mercer,” Darius says, putting his hand out for Gray to shake. I hold my breath, because this is not the time for Gray to be pulling some shit, but he shows Darius the respect he earned by shaking it back. “So boys, I see you brought the product. Knight—give them the cash,” he orders, and Knight tosses Kade the backpack.
“It’s a pleasure doing business, boys. I’ll call when we need more,” Darius tells me, and I nod.
“Uh, I have a question,” I say, stopping all four of them in their tracks. Adrian folds his arms over his chest while the others listen, looking bored as ever. “If we ever needed someone to be handled, what does that look like?” I ask.
“Well, usually it comes with a price, but I like you guys, so it would be a favor for a favor,” Darius answers, and I nod.
“Cool. Talk soon,” I say, but Darius raises a brow, adjusting his stance and tucking the AK strapped to his chest around to his back. The need to come strapped to meet us is overkill. We know we would be dead instantly going up against them, but I guess it's just how they roll.
“Give me more than that? Who needs to be taken care of?” he asks, and I take a deepbreath.
“Someone who knows a little too much for our liking,” I say, and Darius nods.
“Okay. Well if you need us, just hit me up,” he says, then turns and they all get back into the SUV, shining their fucking lights at us, and the moment they are out of sight, Grayson looks over at me and snarls.
“Really? You just couldn’t help yourself huh?” he states, and I huff.
“It was just a fucking question. Now we know,” I say, and he rolls his eyes and gets back into the car. We get on the road and all I can think about is my bed. It’s late and I’m ready to call it a fucking night.
“You think she got the pig’s blood off of her?” Kade asks, and Grayson shrugs.
“I don’t really give a shit!” he deadpans, then leans back and closes his eyes. I let out a breath thanking God this is all over but my mind drifts to Rowyn, and I can't help but feel bad for what they did to her tonight but there's nothing I can do about it now.
thirty
Rowyn Hale
The Cafeteria
Three weeks later…
It’s the week of Thanksgiving, and the last day of classes before everyone leaves to go home. Not me. I don’t have a home to go back to. Misti offered for me to come with her but I declined. I think it's a good time to reflect on everything that has transpired in the last few weeks and maybe sort my own shit out. It will be nice to be all alone and not have to deal with my bullies nagging me.
After the Halloween dance, I don’t remember getting back to my room. I woke up still covered in whatever that rancid red shit was and no memory of anything after I smacked my head on the sidewalk. I’m too terrified to go see the school shrink. I don’t want to be labeled as anything, and I shit for sure don’t want them trying to put me on medication.I’m fine, I just need to figure my shit out alone with no distractions.
Checking myself in the mirror, I nod my head in approval. Kade's been sending me clothes, ones that actually fit, and there was a note specifically stating what to wear today along with a new bottle of perfume that smells just like watermelon Jolly Ranchers. I head to the cafeteria for lunch and immediately want to cringe. It's loud as ever as voices overlap and trays clatter. I stand in line and grab some chicken noodle soup and a chicken sandwich then walk over to my usual seat. Someone laughing too hard gets my attention and that's when I see the guys walking in, shoulder to shoulder like they own the place. People move out of their way on instinct, because who wants to be on the other end of their wrath. Not me. That's for damn sure. I eat in peace, listening to their conversation as if I’m not even here. They haven't noticed me yet which is a good thing. Hopefully they eat and don’t spot me. One could only hope, right?
"Practice is cancelled until we get back," Elliot mutters, grabbing a drink from someone else’s tray without asking. "Coach is pissed," he states, and Grayson nods. Kade rolls his shoulder, scanning the room, and I brace myself when he spots me. It feels as if time stops as he tilts his head looking at me. Not blinking, just staring. He nudges Elliot who snapshis eyes up to me and they widen. "No fucking way." His face drops and goes white, and I'm stunned. What the fuck? Grayson looks up and freezes, then slams his fork down and stands. No! No! No! I close my eyes, bracing myself, and I hear his shoes stomping and stopping right in front of me. He slams his hands against the table making me jump.
"Is this a fucking game?" he snarls, but I shake my head.
"Look at me," Kade commands. and my eyes snap to his.
"Black skirt, white top, v-neck. Even the way her hair falls over her shoulder," Elliot spits, and Kade growls.
"That fucking scent!" he spits, and I jump. They are fucking angry. I've never seen so much rage radiating off them all at the same time.
"It's like someone reached into her grave and pulled her out! What the fuck!" Grayson growls.
"Who did this?" he asks, his voice low, dangerously sinister.
