by James Tate
“We should at least dance,” Eddy said, jumping to her feet. “Right after I get another drink.”
She looked between Dante and me. “You two want a refill?”
We both nodded, and when I went to follow her, she shook her head. “All good, I’ll be right back.”
There was a moment of awkward silence, and I couldn’t get my suspicions under control. Dante was my oldest friend. I could barely remember a time when he wasn’t in my life.
Speaking of…
“Do you remember how we first met?”
I’d been young and my memories of those days weren’t that clear. It sort of just seemed like one day Dante was there. Hanging out wherever I was in our neighborhood
His green eyes were confused as he met my gaze. “I mean … I don’t really know. We lived in the same neighborhood, and you were outside all the time, and I just started to hang out with you.”
He’d repeated my thoughts almost exactly, but there was something I was missing.
“Yeah,” I nodded, having no idea why I was asking this anyway.
“Is something wrong, Riles?” he asked, turning to face me fully, legs slightly spread as he rested both elbows on his knees. “You’ve been really quiet ever since I showed up. I know birthdays are not your favorite time, and this is your first one without your parents, but … is there something else?”
Questions bubbled up, as I desperately tried to ignore his words. I couldn’t think about the fact that my parents weren’t here today. I’d break down into a sobbing screaming mess if I did that.
“Nah, all good. Was just feeling slightly sentimental.”
Dante smirked. “Happens with old age.”
“Did you know that Beck fixed up the butterfly?” I sat a little straighter. “She’s beautiful. Not a mark on her.”
Dante’s smile faded. “He did? I asked him a while ago what happened to her, hoping I could find it for you, but he wasn’t exactly forthcoming with the answer.”
I snorted. “Sounds like Beck.”
“What sounds like me?” he said, sliding in behind me, legs on either side of me as he pulled me back into him. I relaxed against him.
“Just discussing how you’re a control freak,” I teased, leaning back to see his face.
He pressed his lips to mine, and Dante coughed. I turned to find him glaring. “You didn’t tell me that this was back on again,” he said, sounding a little too accusatory for someone who’d basically told me to forgive and forget.
“You’re going to have to let the jealousy go,” Beck drawled. “Riley belongs to me.”
I smacked Beck’s arm before turning back to Dante. “I thought you’d figure it out after our last conversation. I told you I was losing my battle in being angry at them. You told me to forgive and forget, and … I took your advice. The guys explained everything that happened, and I … I guess I understand why they did what they did.”
Dante shook his head. “Forgiving them isn’t the same as jumping straight back into bed with Beck. You five are a team that should stick together, but the romance part just complicates everything.”
“You would know, wouldn’t you?” Beck said darkly, his eyes locked on Dante. “You’ve been mixing business with pleasure for years.”
I waited for Dante to tell him to fuck off or something. That wasn’t the sort of accusation he’d normally let slide, but he just got to his feet, muttered something about needing a drink, and hurried away.
My heart was pounding hard in my chest, my palms clammy. That hadn’t looked good.
I spun to see Beck. “He’s definitely part of something,” I said softly. “Or he at least knows a hell of a lot more than he’s letting on. I know Dante better than almost anybody, and that was not the face of an innocent person.”
Beck cupped my cheek, his fingers rough as they tightened against my skin, pulling me into him. I forgot about Dante as I slid up so I was straddling Beck. By the time he was finished kissing me, I could barely remember my name.
“Whatever game Dante is playing, we’ll figure it out together,” he said softly.
He was just leaning back in for another kiss, when his phone started to vibrate under my thigh. With a scowl, he half-lifted me and pulled it from his pocket.
Beck never liked to let the phone go, just in case it was one of his friends needing help. He glanced at the screen and grumbled. “Fucking Delta,” he said before he slid the screen and answered the call.
“What?” he said roughly, his free hands caressing my lips before trailing down to my chin to stroke across my necklace. For a second I worried he was going to rip it from me, because Evan had placed it on my body, and I wasn’t fully comfortable explaining that Bulma was married to Vegeta and that Beck was my Vegeta, because that was quite a heavy conversation. Which meant Beck didn’t really know the full significance of this name.
Thankfully he didn’t break it, just letting the chain fall before he continued to run gentle fingers over my thin black top. When his thumbs brushed my nipples, I squirmed against him.
“When did that happen?” Beck suddenly asked, distracting me. His hand stilled on my body, and that’s when I started paying closer attention too. I could hear the other person talking fast on the line, but I didn’t know what they were saying.
“Yep, I’ll be there,” Beck finally said before he hung up the phone.
“What happened?” I asked.
His face was hard and unyielding. “Someone destroyed Oscar’s grave.”
I stilled. “What do you mean?”
“They smashed the marble, and there’s possible damage to the coffin.”
“You going to check it out right now?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yeah, I need to make sure that nothing else has been destroyed in our plots. There are some family secrets out there that need to stay buried.”
I nodded, sliding off him and standing tall on my new heels. “I’ll come with you.”
He shook his head. “Nah, Butterfly. You stay here and enjoy the party. It’s your birthday.”
“I’d rather be with you,” I said honestly.
He stood, towering over me, his body leaning down into mine as our lips met again. “I’d rather be with you as well, but the entire fucking council is there, and I really don’t want those bastards around you any longer than is absolutely required. You’ve not been called, so I’m keeping you out of it.”
I shuddered at the thought of going near them. “Yeah, okay. Will the other guys stay?”
He nodded. “Yeah, that’s the only reason I’m comfortable enough to leave you.”
I didn’t argue anymore; accepting that Beck didn’t solely belong to me was an important step in our relationship. I would always have to share him with Delta and his responsibilities there. At least until I could figure out how to end them.
29
Beck made sure that Dylan, Evan, and Jasper were nearby before he left. He hadn’t been drinking, so he was driving the Bugatti. Once he was gone, I was a sad bitch, so Eddy dragged me onto the dance floor, all the while plying me with more drinks than was safe for me to consume. Dante reappeared at some point, and it was almost like the entire scene with Beck hadn’t even happened. He smiled and laughed and flirted with Eddy. I tried my best to get lost in the beat and alcohol, but I was uneasy, never able to fully relax.
“He’ll be fine, right?” I asked Dylan, who was propped against a nearby wall, not drinking either. “Why would anyone destroy a grave? That’s so fucking weird.”
Dylan wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. “Beck is fine. But he says there’s something unusual going on with the grave. He didn’t want to say anything more over the phone, but he’ll be back in an hour or so to fill us in.”
Knowing he’d be back soon was enough for me to head onto the dancefloor and try and enjoy what remained of my birthday. “Everything okay?” Dante asked. I nodded, smiling.
“Yeah, just a weird Delta thing. You know how it is.”
He balked. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” he snapped suddenly. “I don’t know shit, and I never thought you’d stoop to these low, underhanded accusations. That’s more Beck’s speed.”
Eddy had stopped dancing, both of us staring at him. “I just meant because of your,” I lowered my voice, “gang stuff. There’s always something weird and fucked up going on.”
Dante was pale, and I didn’t like the sweaty brow he was sporting. “Is there something you need to tell me?” I asked him, giving him this one chance to confess. I wasn’t sure what I would do if I found out Dante was involved in this world somehow.
“I don’t have anything to tell you, Riles,” he said, visibly calming. “It was just … you know … a hangover from Beck before.”
I probably would have pressed him a little harder, because there was something there, only an idiot wouldn’t see it, but a large shove in the back distracted me before I could say anything else.
Spinning around, I glared at Katelyn, who stood in a tiny white dress, her long blonde hair dead straight and gleaming.
“Whoops,” she said, smirking at me. “Didn’t see you there. You blend right into the floor with that outfit on.”
I had on a black shirt and skinny jeans. Nothing fancy, that was for sure, but I hardly looked as bad as her expression implied.
“This party is off limits to Huntley trash,” Eddy snapped, stepping in close to me. “How the fuck did you even get in here?”
Katelyn leveled a glare on her. “Edith,” she spat. “I keep hoping to read about your untimely death, but you somehow keep kicking.”
Eddy smirked. “You’ll probably be dead before me, bitch. Remember who’s an heir here. No one gains anything by killing me.”
I looked around then wondering if we should be having this sort of conversation in public. Luckily, most people hadn’t noticed the fight going down in their midst, but that quickly changed when Katelyn snarled and reached out to grab Eddy’s hair. She yanked it hard, and my friend started cursing and throwing punches in an attempt to dislodge her.
“Girl fight!” Some dickhead nearby yelled, and the crowds closed in around us, effectively blocking Dylan, Evan, and Jasper, who had been heading in our direction. In an attempt to help Eddy, I got smacked in the face by a flailing arm, and with a chuckle, Dante reached out one of his long arms, and yanked Katelyn up and off Eddy. There was a shriek as more than a little of Eddy’s hair went with her, but Dante didn’t care. He just held Katelyn up, practically by her throat.
“Stay the fuck away from Eddy and Riley,” he snarled, all humor lost. “If I catch you near either of them again, I promise that you won’t have to worry about a little hair pulling. You have no idea who I am, bitch, and it’s best you don’t find out.”
She snarled, swinging at him. “I will kill you, you piece of shit ganger.”
Dante’s laugh was dark, cold. “You should be more careful who you threaten. You have no idea what I can do to you,” he said, his voice thundering with anger. “I would end you without a second fucking thought.”
Then he basically threw her ass across to where some of her minions waited, and they managed to catch her before she slammed into the ground. People started shouting and cheering, and Dante got a few dark looks, but no one stepped in because he was tall, scary, and obviously well known as a member of the Jersey gang world. “Thanks,” Eddy said, and I stepped closer to help her fix her hair. “She has quite the grip on her.”
Dante shrugged. “Yeah, no big deal.” He ran a hand over his shaved head, the tattoos flashing in the low light. I was struck by how many times I’d seen him do that same move. It was so familiar, and everything inside hurt, because there was a divide between us. It had slowly been forming ever since I lost my parents, and it was breaking my heart.
“I need some air,” Dante muttered, and he turned and pushed through the crowd. I went to go after him but Jasper got to me first. “You okay, Riles?” he asked, using his bulk to stop me from getting knocked around.
“What about me, asshole?” Eddy said, smacking him. “I’m the one who got half my hair ripped out.”
He ruffled her hair, and she shot him the darkest look ever. “You’re always fine, little sister.”
Eddy flipped him off before she stormed off toward the bar.
“I’m okay,” I said, smiling as Evan and Dylan made it to my side. “Just a little cat fight.”
Dylan’s face was thunderous. “That stupid bitch needs to be taken down. She’s been in our territory for too long.”
“I don’t understand why Huntley is here at all. I mean, how come Delta hasn’t kicked them out.”
“It’s the vote,” Jasper bit out. “All rules are off until this fucking vote is over.”
“How long until this vote again?” I asked.
Evan sounded tired. “One month. One more fucking month of that stupid bitch, and Graeme Huntley around town.”
I hadn’t seen her father at all, but it sounded like he was here as well.
“I’m going to find Dante,” I said, meeting their eyes. “Check he’s okay … maybe ask him what the fuck is going on.”
Dylan wrapped his hand around my wrist. “Do you think it’s safe to be alone with him?”
For the first time I hesitated before answering. “Dante would never hurt me.” At least not physically anyway. Emotionally was another story.
“Maybe you don’t know him as well as you think you do?” Jasper said, not moving to let me past. “At least let us stay in sight.”
I finally agreed, and the four of us walked around the party while I tried to spot Dante. I finally saw him at the end of the long driveway. “You wait here,” I said to them. “He won’t talk to me unless we’re alone.”
None of them looked happy about it, but they didn’t argue. They already knew Dante was a touchy subject for me, especially after they’d hurt him.
Hurrying along the path, I kept an eye on my feet, because the ground was pretty uneven, and in the dark, there were a lot of hazards—empty beer bottles, glass, trash. It wasn’t until I finally looked up when I was almost at him that I realized he was on the phone. His back was partially to me, but from what I could see of his face, he didn’t look happy.
“I’m fucking done,” he snarled. “She knows, Catherine.”
My entire world fell out from under me then, and I must have stood there for many minutes just staring at him, trying to comprehend what I’d just heard.
He’d said Catherine. I was almost certain of it.
I had to be in shock, because I couldn’t move closer to him, even though I needed answers. Dylan was shouting now, and I wanted to listen to his words, but I couldn’t hear anything. There was a weird, echoing ring in my head, and I finally stumbled back before spinning and running. Straight into Dylan’s arms.
“What happened?” he said.
I shook my head, throat tight, eyes burning. There had to be another explanation. Catherine wasn’t an uncommon name; maybe he was talking to someone else. Someone in the gang or maybe an old friend.
She knows. That could mean anything too, right? She could be anyone.
“Riley!” Dylan gently shook me. “Snap out of it. We can’t help you if you don’t tell us.”
“Let’s just kill him now,” Jasper suggested, already heading toward Dante.
All of our phones buzzed at the same time, which stopped him in his tracks. I was in no frame of mind to read mine, so I let them all fill me in on whatever horrible shit had occurred in our world. Phones going off at the same time was never a good sign.
“Beck’s not coming here now. He wants us at the cemetery,” Dylan said, still keeping me somewhat propped up.
I hadn’t taken my eyes off Dante, who appeared to be off the phone now, but he was still staring out into the darkness around him. I couldn’t tell if it was a blessing or not that he hadn’t seen me yet.
Dylan’s words finally registered with me. “Cemetery? What?
Why?”
“Guess we’ll find out when we get there,” Evan replied, tucking his own phone back into his pants pocket. “Let’s roll.”
“Wait, what about Eddy? We can’t just ditch her here,” I protested. I’d come to the party with Eddy and Dante but now that Dante seemed like a snake in the grass … I couldn’t run out on my only other friend.
The guys exchanged a look, doing their silent communication thing before Dylan nodded to Jasper and grabbed my hand. “You come with me and Evan, Riles. Jasper will grab Eddy and drop her home on his way to the cemetery.”
“Okay, that works,” I agreed, letting Dylan hurry me down the drive in the direction of his car.
Jasper turned and went back inside, searching for his sister, and the urgency of Beck’s message almost had me forgetting about the betrayal from my best friend.
“Riles!” Dante called out as we hurried past him. “What’s wrong? Where are you going?”
My breath sucked in with a harsh gasp, all that broken hearted betrayal I’d felt just moments ago slamming back into me.
“Evan,” Dylan snapped. “Deal with him. We’ll meet you there.”
We’d just reached Dylan’s car, and I gratefully slipped inside and slammed the door shut while Evan stepped in front of Dante and blocked him. I couldn’t deal with Dante. Not yet. Not when something was going down at Oscar’s grave and the pain was still so fresh.
She knows, Catherine.
His words echoed in my head, and I clenched my eyes tightly shut as Dylan gunned his engine and carried us away from that awful party.
30
Beck was alone when we arrived. He waited beside the wrought iron gates of the Jefferson Cemetery with his strong arms folded across his chest and his face like a thunderstorm.
“Where are the guys?” he demanded when only Dylan and I got out of the car.
“Coming,” Dylan replied, succinct as ever. “Council gone?”
Beck nodded. “Yeah, they saw all they needed to see. I didn’t want you all hearing this over the phone or from one of them, though.”
