“You’re not planning to crash my sleepover again are you?” I said it with a huff and finally looked at him. I withstood the look he gave me without saying a word even though I was beginning to get butterflies in my stomach, and not the good kind. When he didn’t say anything, just sat there and stared at me, I went on the defensive. This was just the opening I was looking for.
“Jace you’ve got to let me breathe.”
“Say what now?” Oh I had his attention alright.
“You don’t have to watch over me every second, I can take care of myself.” I had to make it as believable as possible so I made my voice as annoyed as I could as I stepped out of the car. My legs were shaking so hard I couldn’t believe he didn’t hear them.
Since that day when I’d flirted with Stanley to get back at him, I’ve tried my damnedest not to get on his bad side. He’d shown me then what I was up against and I’d just as soon not deal with his brand of crazy right now. Not when I had something as pressing as dealing with Mandy later on on my plate.
The look on his face when he got out on his side and walked around to me was one I’d never seen before. He looked like I’d punched him in the gut followed by a look that said he was going to strangle me and bury my ass in the woods. It made me rethink my strategy. Just as I was about to reach out to touch him and apologize he turned on his heel and walked away. Gutted!
He got back in the car and peeled out of the driveway. Oh shit! Maybe I’d gone too far. It was burning a hole in my tongue to call him back, but I had to do this for him as much as for myself. This had to end. In a way it was almost as important as finding out who’d attacked me. I’ll talk him out of his mad as soon as it was over. I had no doubts.
***
JACE
***
“Your sister’s up to some shit.” I pulled my phone as soon as I was out of sight after speeding out of the driveway. She’s lucky I know her ass so well or I’d have spanked her ass for talking shit at me. she’s good, but not good enough, she can’t fool me for shit. Whatever it is that she’s up to, she’s scared. I hadn’t missed the trembling legs. Little idiot, doesn’t she know me well enough by now to know I don’t miss anything when it comes to her?
I had a good idea what she was up to I just didn’t know her plan. Fuck if I was gonna let her get anywhere near that psychopath, not on my watch.
“How do you know?”
“She just gave me the brush off.” I snorted at the audacity.
“Wait, what? Si broke up with you?”
“The fuck are you on? Of course not. But she’s trying to get me out of the way and I have a feeling it has something to do with what your dad was talking about earlier. I was watching her the whole time and something’s off.”
“Damn, what the hell could she be up to? You think the others are in on it?”
“Of course they are, but I wouldn’t try getting shit out of Belle, they’re not gonna talk. Hardheaded ass females.”
“So what’s the plan?”
“I’m gonna let her think her little scheme worked of course. Then I’m gonna keep an eye on her ass and make sure she doesn’t get herself into some shit that will put my ass in jail for the next forty years.”
“I’ll meet you at your place. You calling Shane?”
“Yep. I’m sure his girl is in on it too.”
“How come every time they have a sleepover some shit happens?”
“Fuck if I know. She’s your sister.” This time it was he who snorted. “Yeah but she was sane until she met your ass. Should we tell dad?”
“Nah, not yet, let’s wait and see what she does first.”
I hung up and checked the tracker I’d had placed in her ring to make sure it was doing what it was supposed to. Not like I hadn’t been doing this same thing every minute since she’d been hurt. Only this morning her dad had warned me about going anywhere near Mandy. Somehow he’d found out she was going home from the hospital. He’d pretty much reiterated what dad had said. They’d discussed the situation, and they were on it. All us kids had to do was stay out of the line of fire.
He’d thanked me for looking out for his daughter, but as he put it, I would do more harm than good if I went after the twit myself. I told him the same thing I told dad and he understood. Then he’d shared some of what they were doing to find the truth, what strides he and dad had made so far.
It helped that they both believed me when I said that Mandy was involved in what had happened to my girl and were doing their own thing to find out the truth. I sometimes forget that he loves her as much as I do. Still, it’s hard for me to step back and let others do what’s mine to do.
I went home and played with my dog for a bit but I couldn’t settle. If the little sneak was willing to test my wrath then she must really be after something. I knew she’d been playing a part, but I was gonna have to warn her never to say that shit to me again. Maybe I will put her feisty ass over my knee after all once I got whatever the hell it was she was up to out of her. Pain in the ass!
Chapter 10
TRACK
***
Shit, what now? I paced the room back and forth as my mind worked. I felt like a trapped animal, a caged beast. I’ve been on pins and needles all day, ever since I got the call about Mandy and her trifling ass. It was more than the fact that Mandy had been released from the hospital though. There was something else bothering me.
I’d had to leave before things were settled, which always left me feeling on edge for days. I never trust anyone else to take care of shit, not when I know I can handle it better if I do it myself.
I went back to the desk trying to get my mind off of shit with work. Maybe if I finish up here quicker, the sooner I can get back there. It didn’t help that I wasn’t too jazzed about the project I was working on. What the fuck is the government up to now?
I’m pretty sure I was working on a device that would invade the privacy of every living soul in the country. But they’re slick. They thought if they had me work on only one phase while having others work independently on others, that we wouldn’t put it together.
How fucking stupid can you be? They hired me for my brain and yet didn’t think I was smart enough to use it. I have something for them too, fucking screw-ups. That nagging feeling hit me in the gut again and my mind flashed to Valerie.
“Fuck!” That sixth sense I have where she’s concerned was zinging and I never go against my gut. I didn’t feel as if she was in imminent danger, but I knew there was something wrong, but what? She’s well protected, I know that, but without me there I can never be sure that things will go the way I want them to.
Tonight was the big sleepover. She’d talked my ear off nonstop about it before I left. I know she would be safe there. I was sure Jace would keep an eye on her as I’d asked . So what was it that was putting a hole in my gut?
If I’d thought like her dad that she was in any danger through her association with the others I would’ve nipped that shit in the bud no question, but I knew they were good for her. She didn’t have a lot of friends, I am all she has. Oh yeah, so why the fuck do you keep leaving her alone to come here with this shit?
I didn’t have a choice, I reminded myself. I never thought that my intelligence could work against me, but it has been since the government got ahold of me. Bad enough the blood sucking vultures suck their citizens dry come tax time, now the fuckers think they have sole rights to anyone with a working brain.
I should be home with my friends and family, enjoying my last year of high school. Instead these fucks keep interrupting my life to hide me away in their bunkers to do their dirty work. The only good thing about this set up is that it opens doors that would otherwise be closed. Still, at times like this I’d much rather be back in L.A.
That Mandy bitch was fast working on my last nerve. I’d warned Jace about her, but he was as hardheaded as I am and I guess he needed to see for himself. Now she was causing trouble for him and everyone else it seemed and if
Jace wasn’t careful she’d destroy him. I couldn’t let that happen.
I should’ve taken care of her ass while I was home. Now she was headed home and from what I know about her she won’t stop until she got what she wanted. It was hell being here while so much was going on back there, but the government could give a fuck about the drama in my town.
I wasn’t allowed to make calls, not unless it was an emergency, and even then someone else took care of it. I’d made a promise and I’m a man of my word. But the nagging fear that something was wrong had me questioning it.
My first loyalty is to Valerie and always will be, so I had to find a way to reach out. For the first time since I’d been letting the government use me as a guinea pig, I decided to break protocol. I went in search of a secure phone to call my girl.
Chapter 11
SIAN
***
“Dammit she’s home, what are we going to do now?” I looked around my room at the girls who were laid out all over my bed and the floor. I only just learned that Mandy was back home when Cassie let it slip at dinner. Damn!
“I guess we have to come up with a better plan. The hospital was a bit risky anyway.”
“Shit Belle I just wanted to talk to her not finish her off.”
I’d had the bright idea to go visit Mandy in the hospital where I could corner her and she had no way of getting away from me. I figured if she made a stink I could just pretend that I’d gone there to bury the hatchet. Now she was back home and I’d missed my chance. I wonder if Jace knew she was out. “Cassie how did you hear that anyway you never said.”
She flinched like I’d hit her and I grew suspicious. I’m beginning to think that there was something more than the way Mandy was always picking on her bothering her. Did she know about her dad? I hope not. I’d been meaning to talk to her, to get the truth out of her without giving anything away, but the way she’s been acting lately told me I might be too late.
“I heard Liz and the others talking.” She didn’t look at me when she answered and she looked way more uncomfortable than the conversation warranted. I didn’t want to push, not with the others here, but I made up my mind to talk to her before the weekend was over no matter what.
I changed the subject for now and concentrated on my next move. “I pissed Jace off for nothing.” I rolled my eyes, because I knew he was going to make me pay for that. Damn girl was still causing me grief. He hadn’t called me all night which was a first so I know he’s still pissed.
“I might know a way in.” Cass was a bit nervous as she made that announcement.
“You? But how? I didn’t think you and Mandy got along at all. What gives?”
“It’s no big deal. About a year or so ago our mothers got the big idea that it would be cool for her to take me under her wing or something. I guess mom thought hanging out with the cool out going Mandy would break me out of my shell. That was before she came to her senses and told me I didn’t have to go over there again if I didn’t want to.”
“Wow, how did that go?” Tammy and I seemed to be on the same wavelength. I would never have guessed from the way those two circled each other like prizefighters that they’d ever got along.
“It was horrible. She was very nice in front of everyone else, but as soon as their backs were turned she showed her true colors. She’d order me around like her lackey and when she wanted to be alone she’d throw me out of her room. That’s how I found her secret escape. There’s a little hole in the hedge on her side of the house. I think she cut it out herself, but she put stuff in front of it so that no one would notice. Who knows what she had to do to keep the gardener quiet.”
“Eww, gross, so this hole tell me more.” Looks like the night may not be lost after all. I didn’t think about her calling the cops on me, which maybe I should’ve. But maybe I could use her little secret escape against her. Whatever. I just want a few minutes to tell the idiot to stop making trouble for us.
Cass told us about the best way to find it and even how to stay out of view of the street and the other houses so that no one would see the car. We went back to the drawing board, working out the kinks. We’d been prepared for the hospital visit but this was different. All she had to do was scream and the jig was up. But I was hoping it wouldn’t come to that. Plus I needed to find a way into the house after I got on the property. I wonder if Google had anything on lock picking.
“Okay, we have to wait until my parents go to bed, which shouldn’t be too long now. Good thing my sister went off to her friend’s house after all and Jared is out.” I rubbed my hands together. I was finally going to put this thing to rest once and for all. I’ll figure out the lock somehow.
“I don’t know you guys, this could go so wrong in so many ways.” Valerie dropped down on the bed next to me and reached into the snack bowl for some popcorn. As the newest member of our little group she wasn’t really up on what had been going on. We’d shared bits and pieces but by the time she came along Mandy was already in the hospital so she’d been spared any direct contact.
“I agree, but if I don’t do something she’s never gonna stop and then Jace is going to think he has to take care of her himself and I can’t have that because he’s gonna land his ass in jail.”
“Well if we’re going to her house we’d better come up with something better than what we’ve got. If this doesn’t go well she’s going to make our lives more of a living hell than she already does.” Tammy was right, we needed a better plan.
***
JARED
***
“Hey Red, come here a minute.” I guess Jace was right they were up to something. If I’d had any doubts, the sudden silence when I walked into the room was a dead giveaway.
“Hey this is girls only, no balls allowed.”
“Very cute, does mom and dad know you talk like that?” She looked around me like she was looking for something or someone. I smirked at her before crooking my finger at Red. “This won’t take long I just need a few minutes alone with my girl. I’ll let her get back to the coven soon I promise.” I got a round of one-finger salutes for that dig.
She looked at her friends with her face red before following me out of the room. I took her hand and led her down the hall to my room. The light under my parents’ door was out and all was quiet except for the light din from the TV in Sian’s room.
It was her first time visiting my room and her hesitance was well understood. I squeezed her hand before closing the door. “Celibacy, remember? Don’t worry. I didn’t bring you in here to ravish you. Not that I’m not tempted. What’s that thing you’re wearing anyway?”
She was looking very Un-Red-like in the knee length nightshirt she had on. It was one of those things that didn’t hug the body but moved in a certain way when she walked. I couldn’t resist running my hands over her hips to see if it was as soft as it looked.
“Umm, come ‘ere.” I pulled her in close before she could argue and covered her mouth with mine. Damn, why did I ever come up with that celibacy shit anyway? I think I might’ve outsmarted myself. In trying to show her that I was in it for the long haul, I might have bitten off more than I can chew.
“You’re so soft.” I love the way she sulks when I take my lips away from hers, like I’d taken away her favorite toy. “What are you up to in there?” I know it wasn’t fair, knew I was using her body against her, and that she’d probably gut punch me once her head cleared but it was worth a shot.
“Hmm, what?” She was busy trying to get my tongue back into her mouth and rubbing herself against me in all the right places. I almost lost my train of thought when her soft round tummy pressed into my growing hardness.
Dammit why did I let Jace talk me into this shit? I should’ve let him or Shane do their own dirty work. “Jared, don’t tease.” She whined at me, too cute. “Okay baby I won’t just as soon as you tell me what you and your girls are planning.”
“Nothing.” Uh-huh. She tried pulling away then but I held fast to her
hips. Her body was almost too good to be true. Soft, plump, and it made my heart do wild things in my chest. “Red I asked you a question, answer me.”
She pulled away and squinted up at me. I guess she couldn’t see too well in the dark without her glasses. I reached behind me and hit the light switch. “Why are you asking me that, what makes you think we’re up to anything?”
“Well for one, you all went quiet when I opened the door, and two, whenever you lot get together there’s trouble so spill.” She looked around me and down at the floor; anywhere but at me.
“We’re having popcorn and watching scary movies.”
“Look behind you.” She whipped her head around and saw our reflection in the mirror.
“What’s with the finger crossing huh?”
“Dammit Jared that’s sneaky.”
“If you get into anything tonight I’m going to be very displeased with you Red. Whatever my sister has cooking in there you better tell me now.” I was putting her on the spot I know, asking her to choose between me and keeping a secret for my sister.
“Jared…”
“I know baby, but you might be saving her a lot of trouble. Does this have anything to do with Mandy?”
“Jared please don’t make me do this.”
“Okay, I guess that’s answer enough.
“I better get back in there the movie’s about to start.” She was very jumpy for someone who wasn’t up to anything.
“Okay, you can go, but don’t tell her what we talked about.”
“Er.” She mumbled something under her breath that I was sure I wasn’t supposed to catch so I let it pass.
“Where’s Jace?”
Now it was my turn to lie.
“He said he was hitting the sack early since his girl is out of commission. That’s why I’m home.”
She perked up after that and I let her leave the room after stealing one more kiss. As soon as she was gone I called Jace who was waiting. “You were right, she’s going to confront Mandy.”
Eden High Series 2 Book 3 Page 6
