“They’ll kill Bryer and Kaitlin. I don’t care about what happens to me, but I have to take care of Bryer and Kaitlin.”
Adelina ran for the door, but as she went to open it, Jett called out her name. The tone of his voice seemed to stop her. He approached slowly, until he was right behind her.
She leaned her forehead against it as he caressed her hair.
“Talk to us. Tell us who threatened you. Come clean and we’ll help you.”
She cried. “They’ll kill them. Now that you know, I’m as good as dead.”
Jett ran his free hand gently up her arm, to her bare shoulder. He released the hand she held the door with and turned her around so he could look down into her eyes. The tears streamed down her cheeks, her mascara was running. “You’re breaking my heart, baby.”
He cupped her face between his hands.
“You know who wants this place. You know who wants to hurt Flynn and me, and our families, don’t you?”
She nodded her head, and then choked out a cry. “I can’t tell you.”
“You will tell us,” Flynn said as he joined the conversation. “You’ve known us for two years. You know what we used to do. Don’t you think we have ways of getting you to talk? You don’t think we’d do it.”
“Flynn.” Jett raised his voice and Adelina went to move, but Flynn grabbed her hand. He pulled her from Jett and against his chest. She gasped, her chin wedged up against his chest.
He stared down into her eyes.
“We trusted you. I care about you.”
“I’m just the club manager.”
Jett gently pressed up against her back. He moved the hair from her shoulder and massaged her tight shoulder muscles.
“You’re more than that.”
“How did they get to you? When did they first make contact?” Flynn asked.
“Please.”
Flynn gently placed his hands on her waist. “You’re going to explain everything. We’re going to come up with a plan, and you’re going to bring them to us.”
She shook her head.
“He’ll kill me.”
“No, he’ll want you to do his dirty work. You were going to do it anyway,” Flynn said, filled with anger.
“He’ll hurt me again. I won’t do it. I’m scared of him. I won’t do it. You can’t make me.” She carried on and then tried to pull away from them.
As Adelina slumped over in what appeared as emotional exhaustion, Jett saw the discoloration on her upper back.
“What is this?” he asked.
She turned up to look at him. “Jett, don’t.”
“What?” Flynn asked.
“Adelina?”
“No, Jett. Please just drop it. Please.” She pulled from them. Jett looked at Flynn.
“We care about you.”