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“You’re convinced they will,” Arsenio finished. “Free themselves of this lawless place run by a couple of young, if handsome, men who keep the boot on their throats. Actually, you’re certain the vote will go your way because Daddy’s money is greasing the road. I’d ask why he and Foundry care so much about an out-of-the-way town deep in the bush, but I know that too.
“And so do you.” A smile stretched across his lips. “You know why your old man wants this town, Ellis. Wants it so bad he sent you and your Girl Scout club to intimidate the only ones who could stand in his way.”
Jeremy paled. He lowered his knife hand, stepping back.
“You can’t have it,” Arsenio sang. “Even if you succeed, you’ll never get what you came here for. But go ahead and give it your best shot. While you’re doing that, pick up a history book and research what we do to tyrants in Bedlam.”
I playfully cuffed Jeremy’s shoulder. “So? How’d us dummies do?”
Jeremy laughed. Couldn’t have been more forced if he wasn’t trying. “Terrible,” he said. “Totally wrong. Don’t know where you got all that bullshit from, but my dad doesn’t want this shit heap. Just a part of it, and the whiskey distillery on top.”
He sneered at Legend. “Did you tell your boys the business is going under and you won’t be able to pay them to be your friends anymore?”
The mask broke. Legend rose from his seat, and the charming son did not rise with him.
“This is what I’ll tell you,” he hissed. “Tomorrow, you’re going to wake up and find something missing. Something you can’t live without. And when you do, you’ll crawl back here sobbing and licking my fucking boots, dripping apologies. I suggest you make them good.”
“You don’t—”
“Tomorrow,” Legend said. “Set your alarm.”
Reddening, Jeremy retracted his blade, shoving it in his pocket. “We’re outta here,” he said. “Oh, one thing. I wouldn’t get too comfortable. Crystal Canyon is making a comeback.”
Arsenio raised his voice. “Bedlam now.”
“Bedlam forever!” rebounded our audience.
Cairo grinned at him. “We’re pretty comfortable.”
Jeremy stormed off, muttering something about cults and pistol-whipped dogs. I stood as Micah streamed past, brushing my finger across the back of his hand.
He knew without a doubt that was for him, and he didn’t say anything. Not to tell me off or holler for his brother. Micah cast one last look at me, then picked up the pace to catch Jeremy.
Promising, I thought as I claimed the empty seat by Legend. Never slept with the enemy before. That’s another one off the bucket list.
Chapter Ten
Rainey
“I’m so sorry. I swear, Rainey, he’s not going to mess with you anymore. Jacques either.”
Paris kept up a string of apologies, promises, and vows of retribution all through the car ride. Understandable, since the story we were going with was the Bedlam Boys blackmailed me into a leash for a little viral video.
How do I explain it’s bigger than that? And so are my reasons for staying.
“You don’t have to apologize,” I said. “Cairo is responsible for his actions. It looks bad, but they’ve agreed to leave me alone after everyone’s seen me made a fool of, like I did to Jacques. I’d rather that than they keep coming after me, and it damages your relationship with Cairo if you stand in the way.”
“You’re too nice, Rainey. My relationship with Assface is hardly the issue here.”
Paris veered off Lincoln, turning onto Bay Avenue. The street sign forced me to take note of where we were going.
Bedlam wasn’t a wealthy town, and like a lot of places, when someone hits it big, they tend to move to a larger city with larger houses and a larger community of moneybags to schmooze and impress. Unless your money is tied to Bedlam, then you tend to stick around.
Where they stuck around was Bay Avenue.
The big houses— Mansions I believe the rich call them. Infinity pools next to the hot tub. Four cars in the drive for the two people who live inside. That was Bay Avenue where the owner of the distillery, dean of the university, and apparently Paris got to live.
“Uh, Paris? We’re going to your place, right?”
“Of course we are. We’re about the same size. You can shower and change while I convince you to let me take care of this thing with Cairo.” She blew out a breath. “At least he likes you. He won’t go too far.”
I blinked. “Excuse me? Did you just say he likes me?”
“Yeah.” Paris slowed down, rolling to a stop by the curb. “They beat the shit out of Alphonso. Do you think they do that for everybody? Plus, he told everyone you’re their girl.”
“That means something other than I have to wear a collar?”
“It means what they said. No one messes with you. No one disrespects you.” She shook her head. “Except for them, I mean. Small comfort.
