“Okay, let me start over. When your stepdad said all that shit, I did start to wonder about you. You’re so fucking mysterious, Colton, stealing things, making me feel different than I have my whole life. I don’t understand you at all. But I think I’m getting there. Anyway, I went over everything he said again and again, and then I called Maya. I asked her to do some digging, to help you out.”
“Why would she do that?”
“She likes you, and I like you, so…” I shrug and then reach out, grabbing his hand. Our fingers link, and I stroke the back of his hand with my thumb.
“She said she’d give us the tools we need. She said she has them right now, actually. It just took her a minute to gather them.”
“What kind of tools? For what?”
“To prove him wrong and you right. To make sure you’re done with them once and for all.”
He swallows, his eyes watering slightly.
“Do you mean she’s acquired a gun?”
I huff a laugh. “No, not that. Just cameras and shit like that.”
He blinks rapidly and sniffles. “You really believe me?”
I nod, holding his hand tighter. “I sure as fuck do. And that means I’m going with you this weekend. And when we get there, we’re going to take those sons of bitches down. You and me, Colton. We’re going to make them regret ever hurting you.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Ithink this is a bad idea,” Colton murmurs as we drive toward his family estate on Saturday.
We spent the rest of the week planning, and as the time to leave grew closer, he became quieter, more reserved.
“I think we should turn around,” he says, chewing on his bottom lip.
I glance over at him from the driver’s seat. I insisted I drive. I knew this would happen, that there was a chance he’d turn around and head back to his frat house.
I was determined to save him from this.
“We aren’t turning around. We’re finishing this.”
“No one has ever been there. I don’t know how they’ll be around you.”
“Probably on their best behavior.”
“Fuck, but that would ruin our chances of catching them.”
“No, it won’t. Because they can’t help themselves. And they want the power and money that come with your shares in the company.”
He worries his bottom lip again. “I don’t know. I don’t want you to get involved with this.”
“Well, I’m with you, right? I’m already involved.”
“Why?”
“Because I care about you.”
“Yeah, and I care about you, so we should probably go back home.”
“No. Maya gave us the surveillance stuff. She’s gonna stay up and watch the live feed and make sure nothing gets erased. And she told us about your stepdad, remember? He’s not as perfect as he thinks he is. After this, wewillhave something to hold over him.”
He turns to look out the window as I continue to drive down the winding back road.
“I’m sure he’ll find a way to get out of it. He always does. They were never caught for a reason.”
