Chapter Thirty-Three RUSSELL
Chapter Thirty-Three
RUSSELL
An hour later, with my heart pounding and my stomach tied up in knots, I waited down the road while the police dealt with the situation at Paisley’s parents’ vacation home.
As far as I knew, Todd was refusing to come out.
As Paisley had predicted, he’d gotten suspicious when she didn’t return and found her at the pizza place.
From what we understood, Paisley had played it cool and returned with him after alerting the staff at the pizza place to call the police when she went to the restroom.
The police had spoken to Paisley and said she was safe. I looked at her brother. “This is on you, you know.”
Ryder leaned his head back against the seat, letting out a ragged sigh. “I fucking know, dude.”
“What were you thinking?”
“I was young and stupid. Then I thought I could just keep it going and keep it controlled.”
“Look, I know something about doing dumb shit when you’re in college, but this is next level when you're committing crimes like this.
All those people care about is the money.
They're not going to protect you. They're going to protect the money. What made you and your friend think you could gracefully exit? Maybe he was your friend once, but right now, staying out of jail is more appealing to him.”
“Obviously, I see that now,” he muttered, leaning forward and running his hands roughly through his hair.
Rain ran down the windshield, blurring the view. We got sick of listening to the sound of the wipers, so we turned them off. It felt like forever before a police officer approached the car.
“We're still dealing with your friend, but Paisley’s safe,” the officer said through the window.
“Where is she?” I demanded.
“She's waiting up the road by her rental car.” He glanced at Ryder. “You need to come with me.”
“Can I talk to her?” I asked the officer.
At his nod, I stepped out in the rain, oblivious to it as it poured down over me.
I followed where the officer pointed while he led Ryder over to a cluster of people standing near a police vehicle.
Paisley was waiting beside a vehicle under an umbrella.
She was talking to a police officer, and I didn't even notice.
I ran to her, pulling her into my arms. She didn't hesitate, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist and burying her head against my chest.