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“Not after what Tobias did, no.”
“Goddamn piece of shit,” Tobias growled. “You know he’s lying, right? There’s no way Laz would tell him a goddamn thing.”
“Are you sure about that?” I glanced at the red blinking light on the map, then lifted my gaze to the flickering lights as they broke through the darkness. “Because I’m not, and right now we have nothing else. I can’t take that risk, I just can’t.”
The Jeep barely jolted on the lonely dirt road I’d been driving for the past ten minutes.
Tobias’ growl grew louder. “I don’t trust him.”
“I know.” I geared down, slowing the Jeep. “Which is why I was going to call you anyway so you can hear everything he says.”
“You were?” Nick broke in.
“Yes, I was. There was no way he was going to tell me anything with any of you there, so right now, this was our only option, unless you'd rather I talk to Lazarus Rossi instead.”
“Over my dead body,” Tobias practically howled. “Send us the coordinates, we’re on our way.”
I slowed the Jeep a little more, gripped the phone tight, and took a screenshot, sending it to Tobias’ phone with one hand. By the time they caught up, I’d have the information I needed. “Done.”
A stampede sounded on the other end of Nick’s call. Theboomof the front door came barely a second before the Mustang’s engine growled to life.
“Just hang back,” Nick ordered. “Wait for us to get closer.”
I sought out those glittering lights, sure that if Gio even suspected they were on their way, he’d clam up. There’s no way he’d talk to me then. I glanced at the phone, listening to the Mustang's squealing tires as Nick drove it hard.
I couldn’t take that chance, not when what I needed was so close. I eased my foot off the brake and let the Jeep pick up speed.
“We’re right here,” Nick’s voice came through the speaker, as though he knew on instinct that I needed him. “Twenty minutes from you.”
“Okay,” I whispered, scanning the darkness as the front door of the building opened and Gio limped out, leaving others behind. Laughter and voices spilled through the window.
I lowered my hand, hiding the fact that my brothers were listening to every word. Gio looked at the Jeep, then scanned the darkness. “You came alone?”
“You told me to.”
“Yeah, well.” He massaged the back of his neck.
He was nervous, still nervous after I'd told him the truth. I got out of the Jeep in front of the house and climbed the wooden stairs, glancing through the window. “I’m here. Tell me what you know.”
“Inside.” He motioned with his head.
I shook mine. “That wasn’t part of the deal.”
Hate flashed in his eyes as he turned on me. “Neither was three broken ribs and a bruised splayed neck, but I guess we get what we get, don’t we, Ryth?”
I froze at the sudden savagery, the others inside would hear us…they’d come, wouldn’t they? He stilled, sucked in a hard breath, and glanced over his shoulder to inside the house. Goosebumps raced along my skin and my instincts were on fire, telling me not to go in there.
“Tell me what I want to know,” I demanded, not moving an inch. “Tell me and I’ll go.”
“Come in the house, Ryth.” he turned back to me, but his once kind eyes now held no warmth. There was just stony anger. “Come in and I’ll tell you what you want to know.”
I looked toward the doorway behind him, catching one of the jocks from school peering out and narrowing in on me before turning away. There had to be at least five others partying inside. Gio wouldn’t do anything, not with a crowd, would he?
“Don’t fucking do it,” Tobias’ voice came from my phone in my hand. “Ryth….”
Time froze as Gio stared at me. My pulse thundered, sending a chill down my spine before fear finally kicked in.
I spun and lunged, stumbling down the stairs as Gio let out a snarl.
