His white-knuckle grip tightened the wheel.
I shrugged. “Like I said, it’s just a feeling, but they’re not worried about the return of Crystal Canyon.”
“They will be.”
The air-conditioning blew frigid on me. I turned it off and was still cold. The atmosphere around Jeremy unnerved me. I mean, if someone convinced the town I was messing around with my sister, I’d want payback too. But even before Roan did what Roan does, the Crows were off.
They came in too fast and too hot. Jeremy stabbed Cavendish for the mere sake of proving he was big and bad. He organized a mob that put people in the hospital. He whipped out his knife like he was ready and willing anytime—just give him a reason.
It wasn’t so much that I thought he was dangerous. It was that I was starting to think the Crows, Ellis, and Foundry were... desperate.
They wanted this town so badly, they were shelling out hundreds of thousands to buy homes out from under people. They were hiring college girls to spy and resorting to felonies to drive out the main opposition against them.
That’s what made them frightening. There was no one more dangerous than a desperate man.
“If I ask you something,” I began, “will you tell me the truth?”
“Depends on the question.”
“How will driving Cairo and the guys out of Bedlam clear the way for you? Marjorie Creed is the mayor. Eileen Stone is the judge. Jack Sharpe is the one with the cuffs if they link you to the fire. I half expected the contract to say I had to get close to their parents, but no, you’re focusing all your attention on the guys. Why? Whether they’re here or not, it’s not up to them how this goes.”
Jeremy cuffed my chin. “You just keep looking pretty, de Souza.”
“I’m going to punch your teeth in.”
He barked a laugh. “Incredible the Bedwetters ever got you on a leash. What do they have on you?”
“I asked you first.”
“Answer mine and I’ll answer yours,” he shot back.
I pressed my lips together. What they got me on is the burning death of a particularly disturbed accountant, but I’m hardly about to tell you that.
“I’m sure everyone already knows,” I finally said. “I disrespected Jacques for the entire class and all of YouTube to see. They came after me and offered an exchange of services in place of punishment. The Bedlam Boys get unpaid help and a plaything, and my homeless ass gets a roof over her head. Believe it or not, the doghouse beats the motel.”
“You’ll have your farm back soon enough.”
The spires of Bedlam Hall rose above the trees. My rendezvous with Jeremy Ellis was coming to an end.
“The place will need some serious work, but after those guys fuck off, you can stay with us until renovators make it livable. Although, it’ll have to wait till the spot’s not a crime scene. Did you hear about that?”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “I heard.”
“Two murders. This town is fucked.”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
“Ah.” Jeremy rounded the final corner, pulling up to the curb. “I guess it’s understandable you don’t see the hold those guys have on this town, you spent all your life living on the edge of it. It’s the Bedlam Boys who got people locking their doors at night. It’s the Bedlam Boys rolling up with a bat when Joe Corner Store is short on payments. It’s the Bedlam Boys who’ll carry out retribution against those who side with us.
“No one is afraid of the president, Rainey. They’re afraid of the secret service. No one quakes in their boots thinking of flabby-bottom senators, but the armed forces our government commands have them reconsidering. It’s the muscle behind the power that must be taken out first. Do that, you become the muscle, and watch how quickly they all fall in line.
“The town is scared of the Bedlam Boys. Imagine how they’ll fear the guys who put them down—permanently.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Can’t get into it now, but hey”—he grasped my arm as I made to climb out—“remember whatever happens, it’s not about you. It’s about getting what we all want.”
“I know.” I tried to tug free.
“I gotta make it look good,” he said, holding on. “They can’t suspect you’re on our side.”
“So, I should probably get out of this car before someone notices us together.” I gave the hand on my arm a pointed look. “Now.”
Jeremy released me. “Bring me something I can use next week.”
I followed his headlights around the corner, picturing the steaming hot bubble bath I was due with Cairo or Roan. Whoever was home right now and would wash my hair while I scrubbed every inch of me.
I shuddered. Some kind of fucking bold going on about me living with them after they drove the Bedlam Boys out. Not to mention the fantasy he’s living in, playing like there was anything they could do to get the guys out of this town. There’s a reason Bedlam is their name.