“My instincts are telling me that whoever’s doing this is doing it on your behalf, so they wouldn’t want to hurt you.”
“I didn’t ask anyone to do this for me.”
“We know that, but some powerful people are demanding answers.”
“Those powerful people can fuck right off into the sun.”
She lets out a chuckle. “I just want to warn you to stay safe. Like I said, I don’t think they’re after you, but it’s best to be careful.”
“Okay, I will.” It’s not like I ever go out alone.
She stands when Brendan comes back in the room, and he looks pissed. “It was nice to see you, Rory.”
“You too.” She waves and closes the door on her way out.
“Do they have any leads?” I ask Brendan.
“Yes and no.” He runs his fingers through his jet-black hair. I’ve always been so jealous of his hair. It’s wavy and dark, not straight and mousy like mine.
Maybe I should dye it red, or pink! A soft pink would look nice on me.
“They know that it has to be someone with strong connections. We don’t have that kind of pull. Not to mention we don’t have enough funds to hire someone to do this for us.”
“Bren, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay?—”
“No, it’s not. I can get a job or finish school.”
“Are you ready for either of those things?” he asks softly, already knowing the answer.
“Ugh, fine, then I’ll stop eating. I just want to help.”
“No one can begin to know the hell you went through. You need time to heal and process. We’re fine for money. I just don’t have enough to hire a hitman,” he teases. I smile before frowning again. Would he hire a hitman? “Listen, pixie. You are the most important thing in the world to me. I don’t care about this house or cars or my retirement. I did what I thought was right, and just because it didn’t work out, that doesn’t mean that I wasted my money.” He tilts my chin up. “I’d do anything for you.”
I throw myself into his arms. “I’d do anything for you too.”
Taking my keys off the hook by the door, I check myself.
“I’ve got my wallet, keys, phone, taser, and, of course, you, S’mores.” She gets another tight snuggle before I buckle her into the passenger seat. “Alright, let’s do this.”
Driving feels a little weird because I haven’t driven since the ordeal, but it’s just like riding a bike. The best part about driving is I’m safe in the car. I’m not walking, even though I could walk to Graveyard Grind from our house.
The drive takes about five minutes, and then I’m trying to assure myself that it’s safe to get out of the car. There are lots of people around.
I can scream for help if something happens.
Okay. Mentally pumped up, I get out of my car… I get out of my car…Get out of the car, Rory, I order myself, but I don’t move.
Maybe today isn’t the right day for this trip.
Yeah.
I made it this far. Tomorrow maybe I can actually go inside.
Is that person walking up to my car?
He is! Oh shit!
