Page 186 of Promising You
“I’m glad you called.”
“Are you busy? Because I could call you back later.”
Why did I just say that? I can’t call him back later. I’m stranded here with nothing but gated mansions around me and a cell phone with an almost drained battery. Wake up, Jade! And get your freaking head on straight.
“Is something wrong?” He asks it like he already knows the answer, which I find very strange.
“Yes, something’s wrong. I need help.”
“Of course. Tell me what you need.”
I hear the concern in his voice and it makes me want to trust him. Soon the words are spilling from my mouth before my brain can filter them.
“I was home on spring break and when I got back this morning, I found Garret in his dorm room. He was really drunk and saying all these things that didn’t make sense, like how he was sorry and how he didn’t know, and he kept telling me I had to go away. I called his dad and he came and got him, but he told me I had to go back to Iowa and that he was taking my scholarship away. So I took a taxi to Garret’s house but the guards won’t let me past the gate and now I’m stuck here. I’m out of money and I can’t get back.” I stop to take a breath.
“Just calm down. Where are you right now?”
“I’m down the street from his house.”
“I’ll send someone to pick you up. I’d get you myself, but I’m in Manhattan and with traffic it will take forever to get there.”
“But I came here to talk to Garret. I can’t leave before I find out what’s going on.”
“You need to go, Jade. I told you I would help you and I will. We’ll get you enrolled in a different college. I’ll take care of your expenses.”
“Wait. Do you know what’s going on here? Because you’re acting like you do.”
“Just stay where you are. I’ll send someone to get you.”
“I’m not leaving here until I know what’s going on. So if you don’t tell me I guess I’ll freeze to death sleeping out here tonight.”
“Jade. You need to get out of there.”
“What I need is answers. And I’m not leaving until I get them.”
He lets out a long sigh. “I told you when we met that there were plans for Garret. Those plans have now been approved and will soon be finalized.”
“What plans? The ones from your secret organization?”
He doesn’t answer.
“So what are the plans?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“I swear if you don’t tell me, I’ll tell everyone about this organization you’re part of and then I’ll tell them the truth about Royce. I’ll go to the press. I’ll tell them everything.”
Now I’m blackmailing my own grandfather? I’ve never blackmailed anyone before, but I’m desperate and I need to know the truth.
“If you do that, Jade, you won’t like the consequences.”
“Which are what? The people in your organization will come after me? Hurt me?”
“Not you. But Frank and Ryan. The people you care about.”
Shit! Who are these people? I take a deep breath as I try to think of a way to get Arlin to tell me the truth. I decide to guess at what might be going on and see how he reacts.
“This group is trying to make Garret’s dad pay for killing your son. And you said Mr. Kensington didn’t want Garret involved in anything this group does.”
