Unconsciously, I rub my thumb over my fresh scar that matches the ivy leaves to hers. I can’t believe I let myself share that with her. I’ve never shown anyone my process before, nor have I met someone who would let me mark them in my fucked-up methods. But I felt…vulnerable tonight.
What the hell does she see in a man like me? Especially after her ex hurt her like that… I’m cruel to her, at best. Why doesn’t she hate me?
She will once I use her as a lure to get that guy to show himself again.
Guilt is a heavy burden to carry, one that I haven’t endured in years. But the thought of using sweet, unsuspecting Briar puts a weight in my chest.
Briar calls me over, her eyes bright with answers she got, I’m assuming. The corner of my lip curls up, and I have to shake my head at her relentless care for others. Does this Hailey person even know her very well? I doubt it. I’ve been watching Briar since the party. No one except that damn Sutherland boy has been around her.
“They said she just clocked out and we might be able to catch her in the parking lot if we hurry. They’re worried because she hasn’t been looking so great this week.” Her eyes narrow, and she bites her lower lip—an unfortunate habit that makes me want to be balls deep in her.
“Let’s go then.” I toss the orange onto a shelf, and it earns me a glare from her. She should know that I don’t give a shit. About the orange or her judgy looks.
The parking lot is fairly empty, so it’s not hard to spot the only other person in it who happens to be walking with a limp toward her car.
“Hailey! Hey, are you okay?” Briar shouts as she trots across the asphalt toward her. I shove my hands into my jacket pockets and survey the parking lot as I follow.
Hailey visibly stiffens and quickly looks over her shoulder at Briar. Her eyes widen, and she hurries to her car.
Briar freezes for a second before resuming her pursuit. “Hailey?” Her tone falters.
That’s a strange reaction to have to someone coming to see if you’re all right. I look around the parking lot one more time before jogging to catch up to Briar.
We get to the car before Hailey can start it. Her expression is filled with terror, and she’s trembling.
“Um, Briar.” I reach out to set my hand on her shoulder and stop her from pursuing this, but she’s already talking.
“Hailey. Oh my God, what happened to you? Did Grahm do this?” She opens Hailey’s door and inspects her. Briar’s breaths are heavy now, and I can see why.
Hailey’s face is a bit swollen, and she’s clearly using makeup to hide some bruises on her face and throat. Her eyes are bloodshot, and I’d bet beneath her jeans and jacket are many more bruises and potentially worse.
I frown. “Sutherland did this?”
I knew he was likely in on the black market, and that he’s likely the one who killed Briar’s uncle, but I didn’t pin him for someone who beats on women.
“P-please just leave me alone.” Hailey’s voice is shaky, and she finally successfully starts her car.
Briar takes a few steps back, tears brimming in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to make sure you were all right. I didn’t see you at the party after Grahm followed you into the trees.”
I give Hailey a dull glare and set my hand on the hood of her car and lean in. “Did Sutherland do this? I’m not going to ask nicely again.”
The blood drains from her face, and she forces her eyes to her steering wheel where her hands are gripping it tightly. “If I say yes, I’m only putting myself in danger.” Her tone is clipped but with fear, not anger.
I lean in closer so Briar can’t hear what I say next. “Are you in the underworld? A gatekeeper for Sub-Rosa?” I mutter coldly.
Her eyes flash wide, and she finally looks at me. I don’t know what she sees, but her teeth start clattering. “Yes,” she whispers. “I used to be.”
Unfortunate.
“I see. Well, you’d better get home before trouble finds you again,” I say in a normal volume. Briar looks worried, even though Hailey wasn’t very friendly to her. “I’d be quick about it too,” I tack on at the end, and she seems to get the message loud and clear.
She shuts her door and tears out of the parking lot.
Briar’s holding her arms as if she could make herself smaller than she already is. “Will she be okay?” she asks quietly.
I glance down at her and firm my frown. “My bet is that she’s going to go home and pack all her shit. She’ll likely leave town before morning.” Briar covers her mouth. “At least she will if she’s smart. Things in Bane Falls are escalating.”
The farm is as lifeless as it was the first night we met. I cut my headlight a mile out from the house in case we have company out here. This is probably a really stupid boundary to push with everything that happened today. But Nolan was clear. He wants the flash drive and the gate location to the underworld.
