“Will we see you again before you leave?” I ask hopefully.
She shakes her head. “Probably not. Our concert is tomorrow, and then we have an early flight.”
I nod, but my disappointment must show in my expression because Norah leans in and hugs me tightly. “I’m so glad to finally meet you, Jeremy. Take care of our guy.”
Marcus hugs Norah next, and we both shake James’s hand and head in different directions.
It’s late as we huddle together and speedwalk up the sidewalk. I’m on cloud nine. It was a small gesture, Marcus opening up about us and his sexuality, but I know how hard it was for him, and it means a lot to me.
Just then, Marcus’s pocket starts to vibrate incessantly, like someone is sending a bunch of texts in a row. He pulls out his phone and slows as he reads them.
“What is it?” The heaviness I felt as we walked here returns, souring my stomach as an eerie feeling of dread settles over me. I grab his hand. “Marcus? What’s going on?”
The color drains from his face, and I feel like the world slows, the din of the city fading to gray static as I stare at him.
“Shit.” Marcus starts to run, yanking me after him.
I try to keep up with his long strides as I stumble and skip behind him. “What is it?” I ask again, but he doesn’t answer. We’re just rounding the corner toward Marcus’s condo when a black SUV skids to a stop next to us. Marcus jerks me behind him, taking a defensive stance as the door opens.
A man in a black suit steps out, and I swear I see all the muscles in Marcus’s back tense, and his hand tightens painfully against mine, crushing our knuckles together.
“Your father wants a word with you.”
“Now?” Marcus asks incredulously.
The man nods and steps aside so Marcus can get into the vehicle. My instincts are screaming that something’s wrong. This man’s demeanor and the way he carries himself exude danger.
Marcus turns to me and lowers his voice. “I need to go with him, Jer. But I’ll text you as soon as I can, okay?”
I swallow and nod, but the man behind Marcus clears his throat and pulls out a gun from his suit pocket. “Actually, Mr. Conner, I was told to bring both of you in.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
MARCUS
“If you want to live, come with me,” my father’s goon says robotically, and I would have laughed at the botched line if I weren’t so scared for Jeremy’s safety.
It’s really happening. But we’re prepared, right? So it’ll be okay.
I glance at Jeremy, who’s even paler than usual, his teal eyes wide with fear. I tug him gently against me and help him into the car. When we sit, he wrenches his hand free and scoots away from me. I try not to react to the move. My instinct is to hold him close. Protect him. But I suspect that now he’s trying to protect me.
The door slams and the SUV pulls away from the curb. The inside of the vehicle is immaculate, like it’s been deep cleaned or never used at all.
I’m curious if a blacklight would tell another story.
Sabrina was the one who sent me the warning texts before we were ambushed. Her last one said,I’m so sorry.
Did she tell them what John and I have planned? Did she tell them about me and Jeremy?
I don’t think she’d do that, but what if they threatened Laura? I’d do anything for Jeremy, so what would Sabrina do forher? I’m not sure I’d blame her if the situation were life-or-death.
The sinking feeling in my stomach tells me that this is the end. I was careless tonight, and it’s going to cost me everything.
He was worth it. He still is. As long as I can keep him safe.
I’ll doanythingto do that.
But what about Seb and Charlie? Are they fucked now too?
