“There was some kind of fire at Sian’s place. She was having a sleepover and…”That got my full attention and I sat up from my reclining position. “When did this happen, was she hurt?” I had the biggest smile on my face. Could this night get any better?
“I don’t know, I saw the fire and police trucks go by. I thought you might know more.” Was that a sneer I heard in her voice?
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why the hell would I know anything about that twit?” I looked over at Liz who was all in my conversation. She better not had told Kelly shit.
She gave me her patented stupid look and I rolled my eyes. “Never said you did. Anyway I was just calling to give you the news I know how much you’d want to know.” I looked at my nails as if I wasn’t interested in what was going on-on the other end of the phone, since all eyes in the room were on me now.
“I wonder what happened. And you haven’t heard anything else?”
“Nope, as you can imagine the streets are a mess so I don’t think I’ll be coming over there tonight.” My eyes squinted in concentration. Since when? Sian’s house was down the street from hers yes, but I can’t imagine that it was so crowded as to keep her from leaving the neighborhood.
I let it slide for now because I had more important things to think about. I hung up the phone and the others went back to their inane babbling while I laid back on the chaise lounge at the end of my bed ad thought.
I need more information. What kind of fire was it exactly and was anyone hurt? I tried to think of a way to get what I wanted but saw no angle I could use. If the bitch had burnt to a crisp in the blaze that would solve all my problems, but that idiot Kelly didn’t know shit.
“Liz, you still have Shane’s number?” Idiot. She looked up at me like a little puppy ready to do my bidding. She’d seen my anger at her neglect and was shaking in her boots. I guess she thinks that little dressing down was punishment enough, not even close. I’m going to show her what it means to feel deserted. Not now though, I have this new little morsel to play with before I destroy her life.
“Yes, but he’s blocked me or something.”
“Figure it out. I need to know about that fire at Sian’s place.” A sudden fear gripped me, something I hadn’t even thought of at first. What if Jace had been over there? What if he was hurt? I grabbed my phone to call the one person I knew would be able to tell me if anyone had been admitted to the hospital. I could find out the particulars of how the fire started later.
I wasn’t looking forward to calling this maggot, he’d already served his purpose and it had been all for nothing, but this was worth it. At least I wouldn’t have to sleep with him this time.
TRACK
“Motherfucker did you just take my phone?” I rounded on the asshole that was this close to getting his ass kicked. It didn’t matter that he was older, bigger. I was sure I could put him down with a few short moves. Asshole!
“You know the rules, no personal calls while you’re here. You’re dealing with very sensitive information.” I’d like to wipe that smirk off his face but I was too close to fuck up now.
“Oh really, I’ll tell you what. You keep the phone I’m leaving.” He made a grab for me but I evaded his hands. “Where are you going?”
“Home, my girl needs me.”
“You can’t leave.” The asshole laughed like he had me, or some shit.
“Watch me.” I knew who to see and what to say to get my way.
So far I’ve been playing along because I was getting something out of this little deal. Something they knew nothing about. I’d seen some shit in the last couple days that told me shit was about to get hot in my neck of the woods. I’ll go home, take care of this Mandy shit once and for all and then take care of my family matter.
My time playing with he big dogs was almost at an end thank fuck. It’s like swimming with sharks in this bitch. The fact that I was younger, not military and black puts a lot of their backs up, like I give a shit. I knock back all their stereo types on a daily basis and this one especially had a hard time accepting that I didn’t give a shit about him or the rules and well… didn’t have to.
If they hadn’t caught me hacking into their shit they’d never have known I exist. But I think it was the fact that they knew I got caught purposely that had them on their toes. They have no idea what I’m up to and they think keeping me close is the best way to go, outside of killing me off. Lucky for me I knew I was worth more to them alive than dead.
My problem was that I was too good and these assholes won’t let me get back to my life. I’d only needed enough time to find the asshole that might come after my sister and see what he was up to and who the fuck was working with him here, but now I’m stuck. That’s the price of being the best. Not to mention when these Uncle Sam fucks get their hooks in you it’s hard as fuck to get out from under their shit. Thank fuck I’m a civilian. That clearance thing was going to come back to bite me in the ass at some point I was sure, but for now I was still ahead of the game.
I found the general in his office scowling at papers on his desk and muttering under his breath. “I hear you’ve been causing trouble again young man.” He didn’t even look up at me.
“Did you also hear I found what you needed?”
“For now. But we still have a long way to go. Why don’t you come in and sit down.”
“Can’t gotta go.” That got his attention.
“Go, but you just got back.”
“Yeah something came up.” It was easier than I thought to have a conversation without saying the words out loud. He knew from my expression what was going through my head, and unlike his subordinates I didn’t have to spell shit out for him. Then again maybe that wasn’t such a good thing. These military types tend to stick together and shit. The shit was about to get real ugly real quick, but I needed to go see to my people before I got mired down in this shit.
“Okay how long this time? You only have a few weeks before summer break and you would be free.”
“I don’t know how long but I do know the longer you keep me here the longer it’ll be.” And maybe I won’t be so accommodating the next time you want me to hack into somebody’s shit.
“Fine, I’ll have your transport ready.” That’s all I needed to hear. I was almost at the door before I turned. “Tell that asshole if he touches my phone again I’ll break his face.” I didn’t wait around for his usual lecture I needed to get home.
7
Jared
“You okay Red?” I nuzzled her ear and got close.
“No I’m not okay, I’m scared shitless. And don’t tell me it was faulty wire again because I know better. My dad used to be a stuntman remember? I’ve been around exploding shit all my life.”
I knew she was scared out her mind. Her language always get a little salty when she feels out of her depth. But what was I supposed to say to that? It was agreed among the males here tonight that none of the females should hear the truth of what happened. Mom and Mrs. Sanders only knew because mom was there when the inspector told us what went down. They agreed not to tell the younger girls, so it must be the right idea. Women usually stick together don’t they?
“It is what I told you it is, now leave it alone.” She glared over her shoulder at me but I just pushed her head back down on the pillow and pulled her back closer into my chest.
“How long do you guys think you can sell Sian that bullshit lie? Her head’s all turned around right now, but trust me, once the dust clears she’s going to remember the explosion.”
“If she doesn’t you don’t bring it up. I’ll leave Sian for Jace to deal with. I’m telling you to leave it alone.” I nipped her ear to distract her from the argument I was sure was coming. It worked.
“Jared.”
“Yes baby.”
“This was about Sian wasn’t it?” I squeezed her around her middle this time, just hard enough to let her know to quit. “Go to sleep Red, we’ll talk in the morni
ng.” We won’t but I needed to come up with something to take her mind off this shit.
It wasn’t long before her breath evened out in sleep. I didn’t get up right away, but laid there and thought over the night’s events. I’m with Jace, this shit was aimed at my sister and there weren’t that many guesses at to who was behind it. I hadn’t let myself deal with the fact that Belle had been in that room as well.
I’m not Jace; my head doesn’t run hot. I’m more of a slow burn kinda guy. I’ve been protecting Sian all her life, between dad, and I she’s been well sheltered. I trust Jace to take up the torch there, but whoever was behind this didn’t care that Belle and the others were in there as well and could’ve been hurt or worse.
The cops aren’t looking at me, but they have Jace in their scope, that’ll give me room to work. I know Jace wouldn’t want to let someone else handle things, but he’s gonna have to. It might be easier coming from her brother. There’s no way he’d be left out in the cold so I’m gonna have to let him in on whatever plans I make. That’ll have to do.
Once I was sure she was out cold I slipped my arm from under her and eased off the bed. Alex had asked Shane and I to join him when the others were in bed. No Jace. I wasn’t sure what that was about but I guess I’ll find out.
SHANE
I rolled away from her still panting for air. She wasn’t doing much better but at least she got to lie there and go to sleep, while I had to go see what Alex was up to. He’s been acting weird ever since the explosion, like he was lost in his head or some shit.
“You okay babe?”
“Uh-huh, I can’t feel my toes though.” Good at least she wasn’t still worried about tonight. I laughed playfully and made my way down her body to her toes. “Can you feel this?” I took her little toe between my teeth and bit down lightly and she squealed. I gave each of her toes the same treatment until she was like molten lava on the bed.
I’m pretty sure Jace’s parents had only put us in separate rooms for propriety’s sake, but there was no way I was staying away from her after the night we’d had. She’d barely made it through the door with Cassie and Valerie before I dragged her back out. Jared had already hustled Red down the hall to the room down the hall. Poor Alex was the odd man out. That’s what he get for talking shit all night.
I looked up her body after releasing her last toe. Her legs were spread just enough for me to see my wetness leaking out of her sex. The sight, added with the adrenaline from earlier was enough to get my dick hard enough. I guess I wasn’t gonna have to wait the usual in between time to go again. But if I get inside her again it might take a while, and I knew the others would be waiting. Let them wait. Besides, I’m supposed to wait until she’s out.
I climbed up her body and slid into her. She lifted her legs over my ass, pulling me in closer until our bodies were flush against each other. Taking her face between my hands I smiled down at her as I held my body still inside hers.
Her eyes were clear and no longer held that scared look that had been there all evening. I’d lied my ass off yes I did. I told her the explosion was nothing more than an accident and that I’d have been there before anything happened to her if she hadn’t already been out of the house.
It took some doing but I think I convinced her. Just in case that didn’t work I’d kissed her silly before making her hot enough to forget everything else but me and what I had taught her body to do in the last few weeks. I’m not sure if the others were having as much luck, but I’d done my part. Now I was going for seconds before I had to go do whatever the hell it was Alex wanted me to.
I cleaned us both up in the guest bathroom before putting her back to bed. I held her close until her body finally gave out from exhaustion before leaving the bed and sneaking out of the room.
Outside in the hallway was the first time I had a chance to think since this whole mess started. How had the evening gone so fucking wrong? I thought we’d catch the girls up to no good, crash their little party as we always do and spend the night stealing a feel or two. I should’ve known dealing with Jace and his crazy ass that should wouldn’t go as planned.
Things were getting serious now though. I was on the fence when Jace was sure that the attach on Sian was planned. Knowing how he has tunnel vision when it comes to her, there was room for doubt. So even though I was ready and willing to back my boy’s play, I still left that little window open, because what the fuck, this is high school.
This shit tonight though, had quickly eroded all doubt. It was obvious that this person didn’t give a fuck who they hurt, and since Tammy is part of Sian’s crew and I was pretty certain she wouldn’t stay away from her, not that I would ask her to, Jace’s problem had now become mine.
It didn’t matter that she’d made it out of there without being hurt, or that that shit was aimed at Sian. My girl was in there, and so was Jared’s. I’m not even gonna think about the fact that Track’s woman was there as well. At least he was out of the picture for now in that halfway house, reform school whatever the fuck, so that was one less worry. For now.
I saw Jared leaving his room as sneakily as I’d just left mine and sped up to meet him. Alex was already out on the balcony of the room he was using when we walked in. “Dude, shirt, damn.”
“Shut the fuck up Shane, we’ve got a problem.” His usual playful tone was missing so the two of us joined him out there and waited to hear whatever it was he was going to-to maybe fuck up what was left of the night.
“Okay let’s have it, you’ve been acting kinda weird all night.”
“I think I know who did this shit…”
“What?” Jared spoke before I could but Alex had my full attention.
“I saw him, I tried to warn Jace but he just brushed it off. I know I should’ve followed my gut.”
“Who the fuck are you talking about Alex? Saw who? Doing what?”
“Okay follow me here okay. I saw him at school, before practice. He was talking shit all over the place as usual and as usual it was all about Jace. This guy has a real hard on for Jace and I think we never realized just how serious it is.”
“After practice that night, I saw him acting kinda off, and he had this bag. I don’t know…something about had my radar going off. You know how they gave us that drill about what to look for when there’s a school shooting or we suspect something? That kinda feeling.” He blew out a breath of air and ran his hand through his hair.
“You still haven’t told us who.” I’m not sure I trusted Jared’s cool relaxed tone. For some reason all my friends have turned into hard-asses. Alex looked nervous as hell, but I think I already knew what he was going to say before he said it.
“I’ll tell you but you have to promise here and now not to tell Jace because he’d kill him.”
“For fuck sake, who?” I was at the end of my damn rope with his shit.
“Stanley.”
“Oh fuck me sideways, he’s completely fucked.”
The End
Eden High Series 2 Book 4 Page 5
