Page 172 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

Harper steps forward between Luke and Eli. “So what do you need from us? And how can you help us?”

When Art glances at Nina, she nods and pats his chest.

Art covers her hand with his and meets each of our gazes, stopping on Luke. “Money would help. And I know some of what he has planned for tomorrow night. He doesn’t trust anyone with the whole thing, but he was fucking bragging about tonight. He was sure you were going to lose it in the shower room.”

There’s no way he could have known that unless Zach said something. Art’s gaze remains on Luke. When Harper leans against Luke, he wraps his arm around her shoulders and draws her in close to him.

“When you didn’t, he figured he could still control the situation.” Art shakes his head. Zach was willing to take a beating to figure out what Luke would do. Luke remained logical even when Zach had Harper trapped. Luke sensed the setup and hesitated before acting. “He thinks he knows what you’ll do in the situation to save your own asses. Or to save her.”

Zach doesn’t know us. He thinks he knows us because of two incidents and maybe a lifetime of watching the others. But he doesn’t know me. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect Harper.

We may be teenagers, but we’re not little boys playing. I may not have been with them here for the things they did. But I wasn’t an innocent when I came back. There are things I’ve done. Had to do. And I’m not afraid to do them again.

“So we give you money and you tell us what he’s planning? That’s your plan.” Eli steps back to lean against the car next to me and also to give me more of a view. “And you’ll be long gone by the time we figure out if you’re playing us.”

“They know about the camera you planted at the drug house.” Art looks over his shoulder like they’ll show up and beat him up for telling us. “It’s why they’ve been so fucking careful. They’ve been careful about what they say there. It’s how they got the idea for the camera in the shower room.”

“How long have they known about it?” Caden asks. Just because they knew doesn’t mean they haven’t slipped up. Kenz has been the one reviewing them this week.

“At least a week.” Art shrugs. “You’ll never catch Zach saying anything incriminating. Fuck, half the time he just encourages the others to do his bidding. Letting them decide what he wants them to do. It’s a fucking nightmare, but the money was good. Especially when you have none.”

“If your information is good, we can give you some up front. When we find out if you’re being truthful, we’ll give you the rest of the payment.” Luke’s tone is even.

Art’s face shows his frustration and then he starts to pull back, but Nina holds him in place. He blows out a breath and looks at her. His eyes soften, and for a second, I see that desire in him to do anything to protect her. He locks that shit up when he lifts his head to look at us.

“Yeah, but I need a guarantee. Because if you don’t like what happens, you might not follow through.” Art’s lips are a thin line as he narrows his eyes on us.

“We’re men of our word.” I straighten. “If we say you’ll get your money, you’ll get your money. You want a guarantee? Don’t fuck us over.”

His gaze slides to me. We aren’t on a football field here. I would destroy him in a heartbeat if I thought he was here to fuck over Harper. But there’s enough fear in his eyes to tell me he’s saving his own ass. He’s not doing this out of kindness.

But maybe his woman is because her concerned gaze hasn’t left Harper.

Harper

Art’s girlfriend, Nina, watches me closely. Both of us are pressed against our men, but I’m not leaning against Luke for support, but to give him mine. I’m pretty sure she’s in the same boat. She doesn’t want her boyfriend going to prison or dying for Zach’s cause.

“We won’t fuck you over,” I say to Nina. And I mean it. No matter what happens, win or lose, if what they say is the truth, then I’m okay giving them the money they need to get out of here. But it’s not my money.

Caden closes in on my back and puts his hand on my shoulder. Sparks ignite where he touches me, familiar and calming.

“We won’t go back on our word,” he says. “We just want to keep Harper safe.”

My insides flutter with nerves. Time is ticking by so quickly. Soon we’ll be at Homecoming, and whatever happens will happen. I dreamed of going to the Homecoming dance for years but never thought I’d actually get to go. And definitely not on the arms of the hottest guys in school.

Sometimes it still feels like a dream I might wake up from. But if it’s a dream, I’d rather stay asleep. I’d rather be in their arms than have the life back I used to have. If this is the tradeoff, I’m okay with it.

Art nods, coming to a decision. I hold my breath, waiting for the verdict.

“Five thousand now, fifteen after.” His gaze drops to me for a second before returning to Caden’s behind me.

My mouth wants to drop open at the amount. But to start a new life is expensive, I suppose.

“Fine.” Caden doesn’t even flinch.

“Tell us what you know.” Luke’s hand presses me in tight against him.

Art breathes out. “They have a distraction planned for the dance. That’s all I know about that part. They’ll do anything they can to separate you from Harper.”