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Quinn's hand cupped my cheek, stroking my stubble. "So next week is Blair's birthday."
It was like a bucket of ice had been poured over my hot, sweaty body. I did my best not to let her notice my trepidation. I already knew Blair's birthday was coming up. It had been a hot topic with the Hunters recently, and I knew things were about to start escalating. The thought should have calmed me. It meant I could go back to my normal life.
Except I didn't know that life any more.
Thiswas my life now. Quinn was my everything. And Blair? She was one of my best friends.
I had truly fucked up my mission the past year. I was supposed to just monitor her, get her to trust me. But she had grown on me and the more we hung out at parties and Oreo's, the more I realized I couldn't betray her. I couldn't hurt her, and I couldn't hurt Quinn.
Fuck. I even loved those fucking douchebags on the football team. This fragment of a counterfeit life had slowly devoured me whole. This is what I wanted, where I was meant to be.
Things had been messed up lately. I was worried my father could sense my predicament. His punishments were getting worse. It was just a game for him. I suspected he wanted to try to break me, for me to admit I had fucked up. But I'd be damned if I gave him the satisfaction.
Swallowing the thoughts, I forced a smile. "What's the plan for Blair's birthday?"
Quinn rolled her eyes. "Blair doesn't want to do anything. Such a party pooper. But I mean, I understand her reasons."
That's right. Quinn had filled me in about Blair's mom. Blair blamed herself for her mother's death and hated celebrating her birthday out of guilt. I felt bad for her. Despite everything, an 18th birthday was a huge deal. She should get to enjoy it.
"Why don't you take her a present to school?" I offered.
My girl laughed. "Already on it. Sugar and coffee. The best way to Blair's heart is through her stomach."
The past week had been intense and I had struggled to stay focused. Every day as we moved closer to Blair's birthday, regret filled me. I wanted to back out, but I was too far in. And I was such a small fish, that even if I tried to stop the Hunters, it would be useless.
Last night I had been called in for a meeting with my father and the Hunters. Tomorrow was the day and I did my best to act excited. Everyone bought it except my father. After the meeting had finished, he pulled me aside with a sneer.
"Son. We've been waiting a long time for this. You better not jeopardize it."
"I won't," I said through clenched teeth, trying to act nonchalant.
Lucas scoffed, stepping closer to me. "You seem to be getting awfully attached to Woodlands. I would hate for more accidents to happen."
More accidents? What the fuck did that mean?
Before I could respond, a closed fist hit my stomach. I doubled over, coughing as pain spread through me. Lucas turned, chuckling as he made his way to the door.
"Remember, Levi. You're a Henderson. Act like it. Or I'll be forced to remove you from the family lineage if you can't uphold our standards."
The following day, I woke up with a feeling of dread. No one had told me what was planned exactly. I could only assume it was something to do withan accident. I suspected I was kept in the dark so that I wouldn't interfere and it fucking wrecked me.
Classes dragged on and waiting for news was killing me. I was just about ready to go storming through the school to find answers when my phone dinged with a message. I dug into my pocket, flicking it on as I pulled up the message.
Quinn: You will never believe what happened today. Blair's car caught on fire when she was on the way to school. Lucky she wasn't in it. But then she got cornered by Reed Xanderson and his entourage about it. It was weird.
I froze, re-reading the message. The Black Spades were involved?
I had done my best to keep a low profile from them the past year, making myself appear to be a typical jock. But now I was worried. If Blair was on their radar, something bigger was happening. It also meant that it would put a target on my back if they started looking into Blair's circle. I had no doubt that the Hunters would happily sacrifice me if it came down to it.
I hated being in the dark. I was the one in the snake pit. The least the Hunters could do was fill me in on shit.
I sent back a quick message to Quinn, feigning shock. Though, if I was being honest, I may not have been shocked but I was fucking horrified. I did my best to reassure her it was an accident, trying to settle Quinn's nerves. There was a party tomorrow night and I told her I'd meet up with them then. Quinn and Blair loved hitting the parties and I'd be damned if I let them go alone. I desperately needed a drink, and to see them both in person. If the car fire was part of the Hunters scheme and it didn't work, it was only a matter of time before they tried again.
Would they be successful next time?
Not knowing was the worst part, and I was keen to find out what I could. Sending a message to my coach, I lied, telling him I was sick and had to skip training. He'd be pissed but high school football was not high on my priorities right now.
Immediately after pressing send, I opened up a new message. I may have been kept in the dark by the higher ups, but I still had connections with other Hunters. Call it brotherhood, or nepotism, but I had some power and sway. Especially since I looked after those I cared about.
