Chapter Seven #2
Christian, to his credit, doesn’t balk under my scrutiny. He actually surprises me by grasping my hand with both of his and giving me one of the most genuine looks of gratitude I've ever seen. “Thank you so much for everything you did for my Macy.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I automatically say. “I just sold her some plants.”
“It’s okay,” Macy says. “Christian is trustworthy. In fact, he’s the reason I’m finally safe enough to get married.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say that Robert should really pay more attention while he’s driving,” Christian says, a darkness shadowing his eyes that looks remarkably similar to the type I’ve seen in June’s.
“The next time he gets in an accident, he may fare a lot worse than simply being paralyzed. Then we’ll see how good of a Romancer he is. ”
My eyes widen. I’m pretty sure he just hinted at paralyzing and nearly killing a man. From the way the anger on his face softens to love when he glances at Macy, I fully believe he’s capable of that and more.
I instantly like him.
“Sounds like Robert finally learned there are consequences to his actions.”
Christian presses a kiss to Macy’s temple. “Yes, he did.”
“Anyway, we’d be honored if you did the flowers for our wedding,” Macy says. “I know you don’t normally do that, but I really wouldn’t want anyone else. Your plants saved me from my last marriage; it’s only right that I celebrate my new one with your flowers.”
“Well, I can’t say no to that, can I?” With a smile, I gesture for them to follow me back to the office so we can discuss details.
~
Amber’s apartment complex is exactly what I pictured. Old, rundown, the perfect place for drug deals. It’s so stereotypical that I almost feel guilty for not being surprised.
I walk to the second floor with my hand buried in my bag, fingers wrapped around a taser.
It takes all my willpower not to look over my shoulder every three seconds.
The relief is minimal when I knock on Amber’s door and hear rustling on the other side.
I wait, knuckles aching with how hard I grip the taser, but the door doesn’t open. I knock louder.
Nothing.
The third time, I accompany my knock with, “Open the door, Amber!”
That does it. The door swings open, revealing a young, thin girl with sickly pale skin and oily hair. “Who the hell are you?”
“Can I come in?” I ask.
“Fuck no.”
“I need to talk to you about the South F—”
“Jesus Christ!” she shouts. She grabs my arm and yanks me inside, throwing the door shut behind her. “Are you trying to get us killed?”
“Sorry, I…”
“Do you work for them?”
“No, I—”
“You work for Theo, don’t you?” Her brows pull together, and she stares at me with distrust.
“No.”
“Then why the fuck are you here?”
My lungs feel tired, as if they’re struggling to refill. I should’ve thought this through more.
“I need you to tell me everything you know about the South Five.”
“Why would I do that?”
I bite the inside of my cheek, considering.
The truth is normally preferable, but I don’t trust this woman one bit.
“My sister has gotten herself mixed up with them, and I’m trying to help her.
She mentioned you once, said you did something to get out of debt.
I was wondering what you did and how. Maybe she can—”
“I’m going to stop you right there. If your sister is mixed up with the Five, then she’s fucked. The only reason I’m not dead for failing to pay them back is because I had unprecedented access to some of their enemies.”
“Who?”
“That doesn’t matter.”
“Please, she’s just a kid.”
“Then pack her up and move her to Canada. It’ll be safer there.”
“But you seem okay. You’re still here.”
“Because I was more valuable to them alive than dead. Not anymore.”
“So why are you still alive?”
She pauses, her jaw flexing. June’s description of her made her seem much stronger, feistier. Like she was angry but healing. This girl looks like she’s barely hanging on by a thread.
“I don’t know,” she finally answers.
“Can you tell me anything? Where are they based? Is there anyone I can talk to on my sister’s behalf? Or anything I can do for them?”
She laughs without humor. “Maybe if you’re willing to spread your legs and be their little fuck toy you could earn her time to repay her debts.”
“Is that what you did?”
Color fills her face. “No. I’m not a whore.”
Way to shame sex workers, I think bitterly. “So, what did you do for them?”
“Why would I tell you? You’re a complete stranger, stupid enough to come asking about them in their territory. It’s time for you to leave.”
“No, please—”
“Get the fuck out.”
Fury fills me and burns away the caution that was holding back my tongue.
Without thinking, I blurt out, “I know you spied on the Saints of Purgatory for them. Tell me what you know and everything you told them, and I won’t go tell the Saints you’ve been selling more of their secrets to the highest bidder. ”
Amber’s lips part in shock. Then her hand flies, palm slapping my cheek. My head snaps to the side, pain blossoming from the impact. I grab my cheek, feeling it warm under my touch.
“You filthy liar! I knew you worked for Theo.”
“I don’t work for him,” I insist, straightening my shoulders and dropping my hand. My face still burns, but I refuse to let the pain show. “But I have no problem going to him if you don’t tell me what I need to know.”
“Why?”
“I told you. My sister is in trouble.”
“How do you know about the Saints?”
“You’re not the first person I’ve talked to trying to help her. I may not work for them, but even I can tell they’re the lesser of two evils. Answer my questions and I’ll never bother you again. Otherwise, I’ll go straight to the Saints.”
“I haven’t been selling Saints secrets.”
“Somehow, I don’t think they’ll care or take the time to verify what I say.”
“You’re threatening to lie? You know they’d kill me, right?”
“I don’t care. I’ll do anything for my sister.”
Her glare is full of a hatred much more poisonous than anything I grow. “I haven’t talked to any Fivers in almost two months.”
“So, tell me everything you know from before.”
“They’ll kill me.”
“I won’t tell anyone you talked to me.”
“And I'm supposed to believe you?”
“No. But you can believe me when I say I’ll make life a lot worse for you if you don’t help me. It’s your choice.”
Her lip pulls back in a sneer, but my resolve has only hardened since the slap.
This is about June. And I was being honest earlier. I’ll do anything for her, whether she’s my blood sister or not. June had no problem killing for me. This is the least I can do for her.
“Fuck you.”
“This is your last chance. Otherwise, news that Amber Wallace is a snitch will spread so fast through this city that people will place bets on who kills you first.”
That does it. I can see the exact moment she makes her decision.
Her jaw tenses. “Fine. But the next time you show up, I’m shooting first.”
“Fair enough. Now tell me everything. Starting with their leader.”