AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He brushes her question off with a wave of his hand. “Just some teenagers causing trouble,” he says. The damage looks like it was a lot more than that.
Two police officers make their way out from the back, their shoes crunching on glass. “Okay, sir, we’ve got all we need. We’ll increase patrols in the area tonight. Anything else comes to light, we’ll be in touch.”
“Thank you, officers,” he says. They nod as they walk past while Harlow still surveys the damage. It’s absolutely trashed in here.
“Teenagers did this?” she asks again.
“Yeah,” he confirms, but he’s definitely lying, and I’d be surprised if Harlow hasn’t picked up on it too.
“Do you want a hand tidying up?” she asks.
“I was going to board up the door and then leave it for tonight. My sons will help tomorrow. Thank you, though, miss.”
“Let us help you do that.” She doesn’t ask it as a question, and we can both see she’s not planning to leave without seeing this place locked up safely.
“Okay, but let him do the heavy lifting.”
“I’d be happy to,” I say. I get to work with plyboard that someone’s brought around, and Harlow starts sweeping the debris into a pile despite Chung’s protests. It doesn’t take long, and as soon as it’s done, he’s ushering us out the back door—now the only way out with the front boarded up.
“You get home now,” he tells Harlow. “It’s not safe out here after dark.” She gives his arm a comforting squeeze and starts walking down the alleyway.
“Teenagers?” I whisper to Chung before Harlow gets too far away.
“Keep her safe,” he says. “They’re hooligans.”
“What really happened?” I ask.
“One of my sons pissed off the wrong gang,” he whispered. It would be very unusual for the Seconds to target anyone who wasn’t a Guard, but I’d have to check with the family to know for sure.
“Guards or Seconds?” I ask. My heart is in my throat while I wait for him to answer.
“Guards.” I blow out a small breath of relief for my own conscience.
“Nico?” Harlow calls from the mouth of the alley.
“Coming.” I nod to Chung and jog over to meet Harlow, having a quick look around for anyone in the area. It’s after dark now, and the streets are deserted. Still, I wouldn’t say I feel safe here.
“It was the Guards, right?” she asks quietly.
“Why do you think that?” She gives me a look, as if daring me to continue lying to her, and I sigh. “Why didn’t you tell him you knew?” I ask.
“There’s a reason he was lying,” she says. “If it makes him feel better to think he’s protecting me, then the least I can do is give him that.”
