I read through the text messages, the number having no name attached to it. The first one was information, a list of the prices that were being offered for each of us, and the second was the reminder that I was worth more if I was killed first. My stomach churned as I read it. No one really wanted to confirm that there’s someone who hated you so badly, they would pay to have you dead.
“That doesn’t mean much to me when I don’t know who sent it.”
“Then call the number.”
“No way. I don’t know who it is.”
“Asher. One of the most powerful men in the city, and a friend of ours.” The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place from where.
“What if it’s just Mason, or Aiden, or Hero pretending to be someone else?”
“Call him. You will know it’s not any of them.”
“Won’t he be sleeping?”
“Maybe. I don’t know,” Rook said. He seemed sad now, the quiet demeanor nothing like the one he had earlier.
“I’m not calling some rich, powerful asshole in the middle of the night to ask.”
“Then I’m not sure what else you want me to say to prove it right now. You aren’t believing my words.”
“Why would I? You’ve been lying to me the entire time I’ve known you!” I yelled, my words echoing into the night.
He looked around, but he didn’t shush me.
“How am I the bad guy here when you have been mad at your dad already? You know he’s an asshole to you. You know that he thinks you aren’t worth shit when he’s giving his business to an idiot like Elliot before you. When he doesn’t even tell you he’s getting married? Have you even questioned why he’s getting married when he’s apparently so fucking sick, he can’t even care to help you after you gave up everything for him? He can take on a wife and brand new son, but he’s too sick to make sure you are okay?” He stepped closer, glaring down at me. “Stop only questioning me, Regan. Start questioning him and then decide who wants you safe.” He reached up, running a hand down my jaw, and I hated that I didn’t fight him on it. “I am glad you are questioning me, and I will give you any proof you want that I have, but don’t only ask me these questions.”
I couldn’t take any more. From the way his hair fell over his forehead, to the way he looked at me, even to the smell of his jacket wrapped around me. I couldn’t be near him and not want to give in. I shrugged off the jacket, making him take it before I spun, heading back inside without a word.
Maybe I needed to ask my dad questions, and maybe I needed to ask Rook a few more, but for now, I needed to be alone.
Rook hadn’t been around all day.
I had paced my room, cried, and tried to get ahold of Harper, but she was apparently busy because I hadn’t heard a word from her yet. Night fell, and I tried to not get myself more scared than I already was. I checked the lock on the window first, securing it closed before locking my bedroom door. I didn’t know what a flimsy lock on a wooden door would do to keep Rook, or anyone else, out if they truly wanted to get inside, but it at least made me feel like I was attempting to keep people out.
But I shouldn’t be surprised it wouldn’t stop Rook.
He walked into the room like I didn’t even have a door, let alone a locked one.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, already glaring at him.
“Came to see if your dad is home, but his side of the house is pretty quiet.”
“Because he isn’t here.”
“How sad. I was hoping to get this entire thing done tonight so we could move on with our lives.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, barely wanting to know the answer.
“It means I came over to see about killing your dad tonight and forcing him to tell you the truth. Now we have to wait.”
“You know, I’ve said it before, but you are a monster, Rook.”
“No, I just don’t want to spend another night away from you, and he’s in the way of that. And you can’t act like you aren’t one now, too.”
“I did what I had to because I didn’t want you dead. It’s not like I liked it,” I said.
“Then what aren’t you understanding? I will do what I have to do to keep you safe,” he said, taking a tentative step towards me.
