Justin doesn’t seem to care that his assistant is standing right there. He continues to talk freely. That gives me yet another clue to work with. Mr. Fosser was clearly in his employ as is Mr. Volli. Apparently, so is Raúl. And I don’t just mean that the man collects a paycheck.
“This town and its horrible, horrible people stole everything that I had and then some. Now, they’re going to see what happens when karma gets involved.” Justin motions down the hall. “I’m assuming there’s a bathroom somewhere in this lovely Vanguard home?” He very nearly scowls when he says that, offering up yet another intentional clue.
Justin doesn’t like Paul; I could see that right off the bat. And I don’t just mean that he doesn’t jibe with him. I think he’s jealous of his relationship with Tess.
“Down the hall to your left,” Chasm remarks dryly, and Justin nods, giving me one, last look before he strides off.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Mia.” He moves away from us with his assistant in tow as X turns his attention down to my hand on his arm. He looks stricken as he reaches down and carefully untwines my fingers from his thick bicep.
“I can’t believe I just did that,” he murmurs, but more to himself than to either me or Chasm.
“Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Chasm snaps, gritting his teeth as he turns his attention in the direction Justin disappeared to. I’m sure Tess would balk at the idea of her ex freely roaming her house. Not that he, apparently, has any issues getting in here. He left the heart pin, the skeleton key, kidnapped me, kidnapped Parrish. What is he not capable of? “You’re lucky that prick never explicitly asked us not to hit him. I have a feeling he’s a stickler for rules. This honesty thing is a kink of his.” Chas turns back to X with a sharp expression on his face. “But if what you did affects Parrish in any way, I’ll be the one hunting you down.”
“He won’t hurt Parrish for that,” I say, weirdly confident in the whims and choices of a deranged serial killer. “But god only knows what else he’ll do.” I bite my lower lip. There’s no way we’re getting away with this scot-free. Not a chance in hell.
“I’m sorry,” X says, running both hands over his messy hair. “That was stupid as fuck.”
“Yeah, it was,” Chasm snaps back, sliding his hands into the pockets of his slacks.
“You’re not actually going to go with that guy, are you?” Maxx asks me, and I can see that he’s in the same camp as Chasm. “You can’t be alone with him, Kota.”
“He won’t hurt me,” I repeat, and both boys give me dark looks thick with frustration.
We all pause when the front door opens and Tess and Paul come back inside. Right away, I see Tess’ eyes flick to the blood on the floor.
“Justin got a nosebleed and excused himself to the bathroom,” I explain as she looks back at me. There’s the slightest hint of betrayal in her gaze. She hates that I begged to go with him. But she has no idea that I’m protecting her son with everything I have, giving up little parts of me with each of the Slayer’s directives.
“I need that man out of my goddamn house,” she murmurs, exhaling sharply and reaching up to rub at her temples. Paul remains her silent bodyguard, as usual. But I don’t miss the way his brown eyes—so similar to Parrish’s—flick in the direction of the downstairs bathroom. He despises Justin Prior in a way that’s more than just ‘my wife’s ex’. There’s something personal there, that’s for sure. “And Kwang-seon McKenna, do not think I missed that cigarette hanging out of your mouth earlier. I know how your father feels about smoking.”
“Please don’t tell him,” Chasm begs, giving a curt, little bow in response. He stands up and locks his hands together in a prayer position. “I have to spend Memorial Day with that man.”
“Speaking of,” Tess continues, giving Chasm a once-over. “You should get ready and head home before he starts blowing up my phone.”
I have to give her credit for not telling Chasm’s dad that he covers his lip piercings and his hair; she also clearly keeps her mouth shut about his ink. See, Tess has plenty of redeeming qualities. Nice that I’m seeing them now, since Justin is determined to make me look like a heartless douche in front of my bio mom. So much for that spark of a relationship we’ve been kindling …
“On it,” Chasm agrees, exchanging a quick look with Maxx.
That’s right.
I’d almost forgotten their plan to check out both the diner and Mr. Volli’s house.
“I stink,” Maxx mutters with a slight cringe. But I don’t think that at all. Actually, he smells amazing. Goddamn it, Dakota. You’re so fucking cringe sometimes. “I’m going to shower and then I need to grab food for the damn rabbit.”
