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“Money,” he said. “My dad’s loaded. I can transfer fifteen grand into your bank account by the time you finish your panini. And that’s just my daily limit. Another fifteen grand could be yours tomorrow.”
I flashed him a hard look. “And you want to give me thirty grand why? Because you feel sorry for me? Why don’t we start with what you want, and then I’ll decide what it’s worth.”
He smiled. “If it’s not worth thirty thousand, then it doesn’t look like you come at a price. I’ll skip ahead to what you truly want.
“De Souza Farm.”
I stilled. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. The farm’s been tied up in legal issues and murky questions of ownership since your grandmother passed and the company that was supposed to buy the farm went under. The bank isn’t about to hand it back to you, so it’s just sitting there waiting for someone else to move in. Your family home. The de Souza name on its sign for six generations.”
Each word stuck a pin through my heart.
“Don’t tell me you wouldn’t give anything to get it back. At the very least, if you had somewhere to live, you wouldn’t be bunking in a doghouse.”
I yanked free of him. “How do you—? Of course. You broke into their place.”
“One of the school’s custodians cleans their house. You may not have a price, but they do,” he said. “I know how awfully they treat you and that you want to get away.”
You know nothing, New Boy.
“My father is on the board of a few development companies. One word and they cut through the red tape, buy the farm, and put the deed in your name. No one will take it from you again.”
“Let me see if I’m understanding this. You’re going to convince your dad to buy my farm... and then hand it over to me. De Souza Farm is twelve acres for eight thousand and seven hundred dollars an acre. That’s just for the land.
“To get the farmhouse, barn, chicken coop, and animal pens on top, it’s five hundred grand,” I said. “That’s not a guess. It’s a quote from Cruella herself. Over half a million dollars, and it’ll be a gift? Daddy Warbucks is going to make that happen?”
Jeremy didn’t blink. “That’s what I just said, isn’t it?”
“Then again, I have to ask, what’s in it for you?”
“Nothing sinister. I just want you to keep an eye on things for me. You’re living with— under them,” he corrected. “You overhear their conversations. You snoop in their rooms. You’re as close to the Bedlam Boys as anyone can be. Tell me what they’re planning, and you get your farm back. Simple.”
The first crack in his mask appeared. “You can start by getting St. James to tell you where my brother is. I broke into their house and he’s not there. I’ve sent my guys to their houses too. If I’m missing a place, find out where it is.”
“Everything you said sounded simple, but it’s not,” I replied. “You know what is? Giving Legend what he wants. I’m surprised you haven’t swallowed your pride by now. This is your brother we’re talking about.”
“So help—!” He cut the shout off, clearing his throat. “Help me. We both hate these guys. Help me take them down.”
“Why do you want them out of the way? What are you planning?”
The frown twitched. “Honestly, I didn’t think you’d make it this difficult. I’m handing you everything you want on a silver platter. Don’t tell me— Shit. Are you in love with those guys? They treat you like garbage. Scratch that. They treat you like an animal.”
“Thanks for the reminder,” I said, tone even. “No, I’m not in love with them. It’s not about them. You haven’t asked me why I call you New Boy. It’s not because you just transferred here. New Boy is short for New Bedlam Boy. Far as I can see, your Crows are no different from them. Getting deep with you would be taking the leash from their hands and putting it in yours.”
“That’s not true.” Jeremy ran a finger up my thigh. “I’d never treat you the way they do. You’re a goddess, Rainey. The Crows would worship you.”
I folded my legs, knocking him off. “If you’re so different, prove it to me. The Bedlam Boys aren’t honest with me. They haven’t told me a thing about what they do in this town or why. If I’m supposed to trust you, then you can trust me. Tell me what you guys are doing here.”
Jeremy held my gaze for five, ten, fifteen seconds. He looked away.
“That’s what I thought.” I stood to go.
“Wait,” he hissed. “Obviously, I’m not going to spill my guts in a crowded library when you just told me their spies are always watching. You can trust me, de Souza, I swear. Agree to help me out and everyone gets what they want.”
