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I woke up in Clay’s bed the next morning. After our talk and the activities that naturally followed my nakedness, I went to dinner and then joined the triplets in their room to talk about the Horsemen’s plans for them. Their faces were identical down to the grim expressions as they admitted they knew the whole time. They didn’t tell me because they couldn’t bear to drive home that a future between us was impossible. I broke my promise not to break down and cried myself to sleep in their arms.
Bear. Starfish. Grinning man with one eye.
The many nights I spent in their room, I knew the shapes in the popcorn ceiling better than my own. One of the boys would be pressed against me, lulling me in comfort, and my imagination conjured tales of the bear, starfish, and one-eyed man to preoccupy my racing mind.
That morning, I couldn’t be distracted by Cornelius wearing his starfish friend as a seeing-eyepatch and them fighting the bear together. My thoughts kept drifting back to the seasoned criminals spreading their influence throughout my town like miasma.
A fence. A forger. A loan shark. And a fucking arms dealer.
It was hard to believe there was someone more dangerous than Rio Cruz, the guy who tried to put a bullet in my head, but every molecule of self-preservation and common sense in my body said I did not want to meet the man who gave Rio that gun.
Royal was most likely correct that the Horsemen weren’t going to storm the Estate and cause a bloodbath. This was a desire for increased net worth, not a long prison stay followed by a short sit in the electric chair.
They’d keep low and quiet, and their presence would be felt if not heard. The pervasive mist of fear that clung to the OB would overcome the Estate and those that can’t take it will move. Those that refuse to leave will fight. And those that need their services will feed them until they grow stronger and deadlier. The Horsemen will have Raven River and Rio’s long game that began with his own son will be achieved—
—unless one teenage girl stopped them all.
“How in the hell do I do that?”
Clay stirred beneath the sheets. “Em?”
“Sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“It’s okay.”
Cornelius and his friends disappeared. Clay pulled the blanket over my head and tugged me closer, laying his head on my temple.
“Still upset?”
“Of course.” Burrowing deeper, I pulled his arms tighter around me. “Aren’t you upset?”
“I wasn’t... until you.”
“You always deserved more than the Horsemen, Clay.”
“I see that now because it means losing you.”
“You’re not going to lose me. We’re getting out of here together. Are you applying to Columbia too?”
“I’m not applying anywhere.”
“Clay.” A thick note of warning layered his name.
“For now,” he finished. “If my brother’s going to Columbia and my sister to UF, one of us bums has to work to pay for it. I’ll get a job and take some classes part-time or online. NYU isn’t going anywhere.”
I relaxed. “All three of you bums could work to cover school. It doesn’t have to all be on you. Besides, your rent will be cheap split between us.”
“What do you picture when you see the four of us living with you? Rooms separated by sheets? One bathroom for all of us?” He laughed. “And that’s more than we could afford.”
“The four of you?” I repeated, freezing. “You mean Hiro?”
“I meant Eli. Did you mean Hiro?”
I flushed down to my chest. “No,” I said too quickly.
“Sure you didn’t.”
Twisting, I nipped his cheek. “Just for that, your bedroom will be three sheets and an air mattress.”
He laughed out loud, pulling a groan out of a waking Cassius. “I’ll love it if you’re sharing it with me.”
My nips were replaced by kisses on his cheek and down his jaw. This is what I loved about Clay. He wanted me smiling so badly, he’d live in my fantasy for as long as I wanted. I’d keep him there until I made it reality.
***
IT WAS A SLOW START to my morning. The boys employed various methods to hold me up. Eventually, I made it to my dorm to shower and get dressed for class. Camila was long gone. I snagged my backpack and psychology textbook and hoofed it downstairs.
I rounded the building and came to a jerking halt.
Hiro bent over the trash bag, holding it open while he jabbed at an elusive candy wrapper stuck beneath the hedges. I watched him, brain attempting to understand what it was seeing.
The trash-picker finally caught the wrapper and he shoved it in the bag. Turning around, he spotted me.
“Ember.”
“Hiro.” I cautiously approached as though I feared the hallucination would dissipate. “What are you doing?”
“Picking up trash.”
“I can see that,” I said slowly. “Why?”
He looked down at his blue coveralls, gloves, and garbage bag. “I believe they call it penance. Community service is what I would be doing if you turned me in. I have to pay for what I did and I won’t dodge that punishment. I went to Geske saying I wanted service hours to put on applications. I’ll do this for the rest of the semester.”
I crossed my arms. “You think it’s penance if you decide your punishment?” For some reason, irritation crept up on my good mood. “You want to make it up to me and my brother, and fishing wrappers out from under bushes doesn’t begin to cover it.”
“Kicking my ass is still on the table.” He put his arms out, grin playing on his lips. “Should I put up a fight this time?”
“Asshole.” I stalked off.
Hiro grabbed my hand. My heart shot into my throat as he pulled me back, securing his arm around my middle, and shrugging off his gloves. Darkly tempting pools of obsidian encompassed my vision until they were all I could see.
Hiro’s fingers burned a trail up my forearm, over my shoulder, and then to my chin as he tilted my head up.
My shrinking, softening internal voice said to pull away, tell him off, swear up, down, and sideways that the kiss we shared in the elevator was the first and last. Hiro Saito could have my forgiveness, but never my love.
My lips parted and nothing came out.
Hiro caressed my mouth—his touch like a gentle breeze skimming the cupid’s bow, and he left it wanting to cut a path over my nose to my forehead. He brushed a teasing lock of gold from my eyes and pushed it behind my ear.
“There,” he gruffed. “You’re perfect.”
And then he was gone.
I stumbled, surprised to find myself suddenly out of his arms and expected to stay upright on shaky knees. Hot, steaming embarrassment tinged with something else forced my mouth to work.
“Ass!”
Laughing, Hiro resumed his trash picking, leisurely striding to the back of the building.
I stomped off, more mixed up than ever.
Dammit, fine! I’m attracted to the guy and I can’t pretend otherwise. The long-haired fucker keeps calling my bluff. His efforts to prove he’s become a better man are appreciated, but it’ll take more than picking up trash.
The fact is that any guy that comes into my life becomes a part of Eli’s life too. If it was just me, it’d be a different story, but it’s not. What he honestly had to prove to me was that I could trust him with Eli, and he had quite a lot of work ahead of him to get there.
After breakfast, I took the long way up to my locker. One of the many ways I avoided Brandon. I don’t think he noticed since he was busy with tennis practice most mornings. A good thing since I didn’t want to give myself away too soon. It made my skin crawl to be near him, but be near I must.
I threw open my locker and there on my English textbook was a single folded note. The lock dug painfully into my palm as my grip tightened.
I have a plan. I have a plan. I have a plan.
I repeated that to myself as the urge to track Brandon down and beat him with a racket overwhelmed me. I unfolded the paper.
You’ve been so good. I’m sure it won’t be a problem if we up the price to two thousand dollars. Next Monday. Locker 487.
If it is a problem, you know what will happen.
I tucked the note in my backpack and took out my phone. It rang as I ducked into the bathroom and checked beneath the stalls for feet.
“Good morning and thank you for calling Charles Magallon Bank. My name is David. How may I assist you?”
“Hi,” I said, hopping on the bathroom counter. I was going to be late but Geske would get over it. “Can I speak to Savannah, please?”
“I’d be happy to assist you with anything you need, ma’am.”
“For sure, but Savannah and I have built up a rapport. She wouldn’t stand it if I cheated on her with another customer service rep.”
“Certainly, ma’am.” I picked up the barest chuckle. “I’ll see if she’s available.”
“Hello.” A bright cheery voice took over the call. “This is Savannah. How may I help you?”
“Hi, Savannah. I spoke to you the other day and the call dropped. About those checks and debit cards. Can we put a rush delivery on those?”
“Of course, ma’am. If I could have your information first...”
***
GESKE DID NOT GET OVER my tardiness. He gave me detention after school and I accepted my fate without complaint. After homeroom let out, I risked another afternoon in detention by sliding past Spanish class and heading to Blanchett’s office.
The kind woman lit up at seeing me—a reaction that still threw me.
“Ember, dear. I know what brings you by.” She beckoned for me to follow her. I walked past the pillar and spotted someone on a cot. “Gabriel?”
He stretched out on the white blankets, nursing a fat lip. I forgot all about Blanchett and ran up to him.
“Are you okay? Who did that to you?”
“I’m fine,” he said. “It happened in class, so Seeger forced me to come here. Julian’s back.” He scoffed, putting the ice pack in his lap. “And if you were wondering, the bad shoulder isn’t slowing him down.”
“Julian?” I took the pack and pressed it to his lip. “Why would he hit you?”
“Probably has something to do with me sleeping with his girlfriend.”
My eyes popped. “Sleeping with who now? Does he have another girlfriend I don’t know about?”
He cracked a smile. “Pomona felt guilty after he was shot and she told him the truth. You won’t tell anyone?”
“No,” I swore. “They wouldn’t believe me if I did. I guess this explains why you two were so weird with each other.”
Gabriel sighed, dropping his head onto the pillow. “She loves me, Em. The problem is she loves him too.”
“Is sharing not an option?”
That got a real laugh out of him. Good. That was my intent. Anyone trying to get between Julian Hart and Pomona Winchester needed a brighter outlook on life.
He motioned to his lip. “Obviously not.”
“What are you going to do?” I asked gently.
“Convince her to run away to Dartmouth with me. She got in too. She also got into Stanford where Julian is going.”
“Can I just put this out there? Pomona is the spawn of Satan,” I stated, blunt as a truck. “She’s never let me close enough to find the mark of the beast on her scalp, but it’s gotta be there. Whereas you are a genuinely decent guy. You’re hot. Smart. And rich.” I reached for his hand, softening my tone. “You could be with anyone, Gabriel. Someone who’ll see what they have in you, and know you’re the right choice every time.”
Despite what I said, he smiled. “You’ve got looks, smarts, and strength working for you too, Ember. People would say you can do better than a couple of Horsemen. But we love who we love, right?”
I smiled back. “Right.”
“Ember?” Blanchett broke in. “You should hurry, dear. You have to get to class.”
“Good luck,” I told Gabriel.
Blanchett held the door open for me and closed it firmly behind. She went to her cabinet, dug around, and emerged with my delivery from the pharmacy.
“Here you are. Do you need anything else?”
I held the bag, gazing down at it. Blanchett’s urging for me to get to class didn’t move me. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course, dear.”
“If your parents had done what mine did, could you forgive them? Would you give them another chance to make it right?”
Blanchett gripped my shoulder. “Where is this coming from, Ember?”
“Nowhere.” I stepped out of her grasp. “Forget I said anything.”
“No.” Blanchett walked into my path and diverted me from the door to a chair. “I promised you could come and speak to me when you needed. I’ll write you a note for first period. We’ll say it’s cramps or something.”
I laughed. “We’re really lucky to have you, Mrs. Blanchett. I hope everyone knows it.”
“You lovelies are very sweet to me. I know I’m appreciated.” She sat next to me, patting my hand. “Tell me what’s bothering you?”
“I think there’s more going on with my parents and their disappearance. But who cares to listen to me after what they’ve done?”
“You knew them best,” she replied. “If you believe there’s more to the story, then you’re most likely right. But forgiveness is another question. I believe a child can forgive their parents almost anything... which is often a tragedy.”
“My life is a tragedy and forgiveness was always in short supply. I’m not deluding myself into believing they are something that they’re not. I know who they are and what they’re capable of. But all of that said, it doesn’t change that they might need my help.”
As I spoke, I accepted what I had to do.
“Thank you, Mrs. Blanchett.” I got to my feet. “This really helped.”
“Any time. Though I’m not sure what I did,” she said with a laugh.
I stuffed my birth control in my bag, received my late pass, and left for Spanish.
My morning classes passed in a blur. Clay shared psychology with me, and at the bell, he walked me out of class, arm around my waist in a standard possessive move, but I wasn’t mad about it.
“What do you think about sneaking off campus tonight?”
“Nolan’s ruined our spot for me,” I admitted.
“We can find another spot.”
I shook my head. “I can’t be out there without thinking of him kneeling in the dirt, spouting lie after lie. Plus, it’s too cold for swimming and getting naked in any form,” I said.
Clay kissed my crown. “I want to spend time with you. Just us.”
My skin tightened. It might’ve been my own anxiety, but I swore I sensed “before our time runs out,” added to his declaration.
“I’ll think of a place for us,” he said.
“Options are limited. I’m excited to see what you come up with.”
“Me too.” He laughed. “Can I think outside the fence?”
A groan beat my grin away. “We can’t. My uncle and aunt are under some affliction. Not sure what, but I’m hoping it’s not contagious. The result is I’m not allowed to leave campus without their permission and driver.”
Clay shrugged with one shoulder and held open the door to the cafeteria with the other. “They only find out if you go through the office. We want to leave, we’ll just leave. Security’s not that tight.”
“Hmm. He has a point.” We strode up to the food line. “Punishment if we’re caught?”
He whistled. “Steep.”
I rose on tiptoe and stole a kiss. “I’ll risk it.”
We slid down the line and loaded our trays with pizza, salad, and tomato soup. Sitting at our regular table was Brandon, Gabriel, and Camila. I shot Camila a wave and then veered off, joining Clay at the Angel table. It was not a good idea for me to be near Brandon with his latest ransom note weighing down my backpack.
Cassius and Royal were seated. Cassius paid his food little mind while he messed with his phone. Royal was buried in a sketch as usual.
“Clay,” said Cassius. He didn’t look up from the screen. “What’s Sheridan Oakes’s visiting policy?”
“Why? Who are you talking to?”
“Mom.”
Clay paused with his pizza halfway to his mouth. “Who?”
“Our mother. Remember? She carried the three of us around in the same hot tub for eight months,” he said. “What’s the policy? She wants to know if we can visit her every weekend.”
“How the fuck are you texting Mom?” Clay hissed. “She doesn’t have a phone.”
“I bought five and left it with her friends and the workers at the shelter. But she’s home with Dad right now. On her meds.”
“She’s with Dad? And she’s asking about the home? Which means Dad knows about it.”
Like Royal, I pointed my eyes down at my own business. I cared about the triplets and wanted to help however I could. When the time came, they would tell me how. Until then, I was the silent supportive girlfriend.
“Yeah.” Cassius’s tone said it all. “He knows.”
“Shit!” Clay shoved away his food.
I put my hand on his thigh, sending waves of comfort.
“He’s going to talk her out of going.” Clay was careful to keep his voice low, but his frustration came through loud.
“She’s talking him into going, Clay. Mom’s excited. She thinks they’ll live there together.”
“It’s not a rehab facility. Once Dad looks the place up for himself, it’s over.”
“What do you want me to do? She’s lucid and she remembers us talking to her about the place. How was I supposed to stop her telling Dad?”
“Cas. Clay.”
I jumped. Camila appeared out of nowhere. It must have been triplet telepathy because she picked up on a problem from three tables over and was at their side with a matching frown.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“We can’t do this here.” Clay pushed away from the table. “Let’s go.”
The three filed off, food untouched. I glanced at Royal after they were gone. “I hope they work all of this stuff out. I can’t imagine how hard it’s been having to take care of their parents.” I moved around the table and edged onto his lap, pushing his sketch—of me—aside. I draped my arms around his shoulders, teasing the soft hairs at the nape of his neck. “That’s better. The real-life version deserves all of your love and attention now.”
“All right, but we’ll get kicked out of school if we do that here.”
“Shut up,” I laughed. “And thank you. I needed that.”
“Any time.”
“I heard Julian’s back.”
He nodded.
“Have you seen him? How is he?”
“Hart wouldn’t have let him come back if he wasn’t good.”
“That’s true.” I nuzzled his cheek, marveling that I got to touch this man. Kiss him. Listen to his heart beat beneath my ear as he slept. Receive the rare I love yous that fell from his lips. “How are you? I’ve been thinking about nothing but Nolan, Rio, Brandon, and my parents. A nonstop loop that’s stripping away my sanity. How do you deal with all of this?”
“I’m not scared. If Nolan comes for me again, I’ll be ready for him.”
“He’s got a gun and you have a switchblade,” I whispered.
“You’re right. I should lose the knife. Make it a fair fight.”
I heaved a sigh. “Can you just not be your confusing brand of sexy and reckless right now?”
Royal smirked. “Not if keeping it up gets you out of here and in my room.”
“You can’t distract me with sex. We’re going to talk. A lot. Long, deep, open conversations about our future and our plan to make it happen. Get ready, baby.”
His laugh was deep and rich. “I’m ready.”
“Good. Then we can go back to your room. Is Hiro there?”
“No.” Royal took that cue to pack up his things and tossed his notebook in his bag. “He’s with Eli.”
“Excuse me?”
“He’s eating lunch with Eli,” he repeated like it was no big deal.
“No, he’s not,” I said.
“See for yourself.”
I hopped off Royal’s lap, rushing to the edge of the loft to peer down at the crowded cafeteria. Sitting in his regular seat with his pizza-eating best friend, Tatum, was my brother. The odd sight was Hiro Saito sitting across from him and the empty seats around them cleared by the Angel’s presence.
In a blink I was off the loft and racing down the steps. Eli appeared perfectly fine. He smiled as he signed something to Hiro. That grin twitched as he noticed me barreling across the lunchroom, scattering students like bowling pins.
“Hi, Em.”
“What is this? What are you doing?”
“Ember.” Hiro’s fingers skated down my palm and tried to link through mine. I snatched my hand away like he caught fire.
“Don’t even think about it,” I snapped.
Hiro grinned, far from shamed, and his smile ignited the usual flutter in my stomach.
Eli tugged my blazer sleeve. “It’s okay, Em. I’m teaching Hiro sign language.”
“Teaching him sign language?” It didn’t make sense saying it out loud either.
“Then he’s walking with me to class and telling Dylan Manzoni if he doesn’t stop copying off my paper, the Horsemen are paying him a visit.”
I repeated that to Hiro who, of all things, nodded. “I won’t scare the freshman that badly, but yeah, I’ll handle that cheater.”
“Why in the world would you do that?”
Hiro looked me in the eye and said, “I’m his bitch.”
“Yep,” Eli signed, beaming. “He’s my bitch.”
My eyes ping-ponged between the two of them. Then I gazed around to check I was actually in the cafeteria of Raven River Academy and not Bizarroland.
“Run that by me again,” I said. “You’re his what?”
“I can’t be with you until things are right between me and Eli. Whatever he wants for the foreseeable future, I’ll do it.”
I gaped at him. What he honestly had to prove to me was that I could trust him with Eli. Was this guy reading my mind?
“But you... can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Yeah,” Eli asked. “Why not?”
“I’m your sister. If someone is bothering you in class, I’ll take care of it.”
“Hiro had to make it right with me on his own. And he’s doing it. It’s cool, sis. You’re not being replaced.”
“Can I talk to you?” I grabbed Hiro’s arm and drew him off to the side. “You need to earn Eli’s forgiveness, but if this isn’t about that, and you’re just trying to get with me—”
“I’m not.” He shook his head. “Actually, I am trying to get with you, but I’m not using Eli to do it. He was beaten up because of me. I don’t deserve forgiveness but I have to work to earn it anyway. You know my history, Ember. This is bigger than my feelings for you.”
My indignation leeched away. In spite of everything, I believed him.
“Okay. But seriously, don’t let Eli get it into his head that you’re his muscle or something. Just tell that cheater to change seats.”
“I’ve got this.” Hiro laced our fingers together. I didn’t pull away. “What about you? And Brandon?”
“He left me another ransom note. This time for two thousand dollars.”
A furious hiss leaked through his teeth. “He’s getting fucking bold.”
“That he is,” I agreed, “and that’s what is going to hang him.”