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"Where the hell have you been?" Cole barks, inviting himself into my room only seconds after I crash through the door.
"Fuck off," I grunt. I don't need to look at him to know that his brows are pulled together in concern. Unlike my twin, who's tried—and succeeded—to do it time and time again, I've never shut him out. Not like this.
Part of it is to do with the colossal secret he kept about Charlie, but as each day passes, I realize I care less about that. That cunt needed wiping off the face of the Earth, so really, Cole did us all a favor—I kinda wish he'd go pull the same stunt on Warren, if I'm being honest. Right now, I just don't want to talk about it. I don't want them knowing what risk I'm putting us all at because I can't stay away from Kennedy, because of my need to ensure she's safe. I don't want him or any of them to look at me with disappointed eyes because I couldn't last a few days, especially when I know for a fact that they wouldn't be able to do it either.
"I was out," I seethe, dropping to the end of my bed with my back still to him. I rub my hand down my face but almost instantly regret it.
I can still smell her.
Images of our time together hit me. The devastation on her face when she saw the condom. I'd hurt her with that move. I knew there was a chance I would, but we had to. I also knew that there was no way I couldn't properly make her mine once more. No more fucked-up rough sex against a tree. I needed her to know that everything I'd said to her was real, that beneath my anger was still me. Even if it seems harder and harder to find myself these days.
"Conner," he sighs, correctly assuming where I was. "You're going to get us all locked up or killed."
"It won't come to that."
"Are you sure? James seems pretty concerned, and nothing ever rattles that motherfucker."
"Yeah. I'm fucking sure. Now, are you done?"
"No, James has been looking for you all night. He wants us all in his office."
"Brilliant. Let's fucking go then. Call Ace," I demand, storming past him, shoulder checking him as I head for Dad's office.
"Nice," Cole barks after me. "I was merely the messenger."
Shaking my head, I ignore him and continue forward, storming into Dad's office much as Cole had to me only minutes ago.
"Tell me you have good news." I fall down onto his couch and stare at our father.
“Conner,” he seethes, his voice low and slightly terrifying. “I explicitly told you to stay out of the Heights. Where were you tonight?”
I’ve never seen him angry, and the fact that he’s not shouting right now makes the whole thing even more scary.
This is the man who knows everyone’s secrets. Who apparently lives his life on the dark side.
“I’m pretty sure you already know,” I say, resting back on the couch and stretching my arms out like his anger doesn’t affect me.
His eyes hold mine, frustration swirling within them. They’re the same blue as Ace's, so vivid you wonder if they can possibly be real. His hair is dark, flecked with grey at the side. And just like Cole, he never shows his emotions. He just assesses everything, takes it on board, and figures out how to deal with it without causing a fuss. I guess it's those skills that got him whatever job he's doing.
He opens his mouth to speak, and I damn near hold my breath, wishing, praying that he's going to say this is over and I can drive straight back to the Heights and get my girl.
Clenching his fists, he swallows, his face still a mask of calm despite the storm raging inside because I keep defying his orders. "Not so much as news. More like the plan."
"Saturday night?" I ask in a rush, relief already beginning to flood me.
"Wait for the others and I'll tell you what I can."
"How about you just cut the bullshit and tell us everything?"
"Son," he sighs. "Trust me, if I could and if I thought it would help, I would tell you everything. But right now, you just need to focus on Kennedy."
"I really fucking hate secrets and lies." I pin him with a look.
"I know. But unfortunately, that's not how this world works."
"This world? Are you in some weird cult or something?"
A smile twitches at Dad's lips, and part of me expects him to confirm what I've just said. It sure would have all of this make sense if it did.
