“Hey, Frankie.” I claimed the seat right by her. “How are my favorite godson and goddaughter?”
She laughed. “You got my kids believing you are their godmother. They asked my mom if you’re the same as a grandma. Keep this up and you’ll have responsibilities if anything happens to me.”
“You’re not going anywhere. But if anything did happen.” The Letter Man’s threats were stark in my mind. “I’d always be there for them.”
“That means a lot,” she said. “Are we off to the farm today?”
“I don’t feel safe there after what happened to Bella. I won’t feel safe until her killer is caught.”
“I was going to say, dear. I’m not comfortable leaving you out there on your own.” I felt her sigh in my bones. “Bedlam’s not what it used to be.”
We tried for lighter topics for the rest of the ride. I waved bye under the street sign for Bay Avenue.
I headed to the only place I could go. I was buzzed in immediately.
The front door hung open.
“Hello?” I called. “Jeremy?”
I stuck my head in, then the rest of me. Tiptoeing down the front hall, a boot came into view, propped on the coffee table.
“Jeremy, I—”
Hands grabbed me.
“Hey!”
Gael threw me on the floor, ricocheting pain up my knees. I gasped as Asher wrenched my head back. His arm circled my throat.
Micah, Bentley, and Zeke stepped off the staircase, joining the silent Jeremy on the couch.
He looked terrible.
Black and blue bloated his nose. One eye swelled shut and the other glared at me through a black ring. Bandaged cuts. Weeping lip. His arm in a sling. Jeremy’s own mother wouldn’t recognize him.
“Did you know?”
“What... is this?” I croaked. “Let me go.”
“Did you know?” he repeated.
“Know what?!”
He waited me out.
“Jeremy!” I punched Asher’s thigh, earning his constriction around my throat. “Get... off! I can’t—”
I punched him again, desperation sending my strikes wide as black spots crept into my vision.
“Ease up,” Jeremy said mildly.
Just like that, the pressure was gone. I sucked in deep lungfuls, gaze burning Asher where he stood.
This fucker is next.
“What is your problem?” I shrieked, thrashing in Gael and Asher’s grip. “You said I had to come so we could plan our next move.”
“We would,” Jeremy clipped, “but I got a notion in my head last night when Sharpe was pounding my face in. Maybe you planned me. You set a trap for us and we walked right into it.”
“No.”
“You are in love with those fucks who hit, abuse, and treat you like a dog. And as their faithful bitch, you lured me out there knowing I couldn’t turn down the Riot Royale unless I wanted all of Bedlam believing I’m a coward. Cairo goes off like the rabid animal he is, and the Crows are nearly forced out of town for good. Just like your owners want.”
Leaning forward, I opened my mouth and drew out, “No.”
“Stop lying!” he exploded, kicking away the coffee table. “I know it was you!”
It flipped and crashed into the window, shattering two panes. Could have been a scary display if I didn’t tempt killers and bruisers to lower their hackles and let me in every day before breakfast.
“Jeremy, listen to me.” I tried to get up and was pushed down. “Look me in the eye and tell me if I’m lying. I did not know about the Riot Royale. I didn’t know people even did those anymore. When Cairo challenged you, I was as surprised as everyone else.”
He jabbed a finger at me. “But he did tell you to get me out there, didn’t he?!”
“Tell me to—! Are you listening to yourself?” I cried. “Did those punches to your head delete our conversation from your mind? I told you, Jeremy. Word for fucking word, I said it wasn’t a good idea for you to show up at the den where you’ll be outnumbered by people who won’t be putting the Crows on their Christmas card list. I said if you did, you may not walk out of there.”
I cocked my head. “I believe your response was to cuff my chin and say I was cute for being worried about you. Didn’t I warn you, Jeremy? Didn’t I?!”
A hundred emotions flashed across his face, and showing stark among them: doubt.
“How was I setting you up when I told you not to come?”
He settled back in his seat, studying me. A thick, oppressive silence blanketed the room. I bore it, holding Jeremy’s gaze the whole time.
“Alright,” he finally said. “No lie, you did warn me, and I didn’t listen. I fucked up.”
He nodded at Asher and Gael, who let me go.
“But that went down way too smoothly,” Jeremy continued, gesturing for me to sit between him and Micah. “Could the Bedlam Boys know you’re working for me? It may not have been an accident you overheard him talking about getting people to the den.”