CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CASH
I watched Clover enter the police station from down the block. They’d been waiting for her when she got out of class. I’d been waiting for her too. Once I saw the cops, I kept my distance, making sure I didn’t draw their attention.
We had no choice but to let Clover leave the house. She had classes to attend, and as much as we wanted to keep an eye on her, she wasn’t a hostage. She was free to live her life. Since we had no way to track her, I’d volunteered to watch her. Personally, I thought it was high time to strap a tracking chip to her body or put a tracking app on her phone.
While she was in the police station, I debated on whether or not to tell Daire and Blaze. No doubt they’d freak out and assume the worst. Although I didn’t know for sure, my gut told me that she wouldn’t rat us out.
When Clover finally emerged from the station, she hurried to her car and took off. She seemed stressed. I followed her, keeping my distance. She led me right to a lounge not far from campus. She entered alone.
I almost got out and followed. Until Raina Monroe showed up. She checked her surroundings before getting out of her SUV. Smart girl. She knew better than to assume her safety. A lesson Clover still had to learn.
While they engaged in their girl talk inside, I sat down the street in my car, scrolling on my phone. Time ticked by, leading me to wonder what they could be discussing that would take so long. Something they wanted to discuss alone. No Gods. No us.
Maybe it shouldn’t have piqued my suspicions, but it did. What was our Sunshine up to?
Finally, they both emerged. Clover wobbled slightly as she descended the two steps leading into the lounge. She broke into laughter, throwing her head back as Raina reached to steady her.
Raina nodded to her SUV, most likely offering Clover a ride. She seemed too tipsy to drive. Clover shook her head, holding up her phone. Ordering an Uber. Raina pulled her into a hug before they parted ways.
I waited for Raina to drive away before slipping from my car. Hands stuffed in my pockets, I sauntered over to where Clover leaned against the building. She tapped around on her phone screen as she placed her Uber order.
I plucked the phone from her grasp. She gasped, glancing up with shock splayed over her face. She relaxed when she saw that it was me.
“Cash, what are you doing here? Were you following me?”
“Damn right I was.” I cancelled the Uber and closed out the app before handing her phone back. “What did you tell the cops?”
She visibly paled. Gnawing her bottom lip, she glanced around, making sure nobody was within earshot. “Nothing. I told them that I haven’t seen Zane since we broke up. They grilled me, but I didn’t give them anything else. I swear.”
“I believe you. Ratting us out would only land your own ass in hot water anyway.” I reached to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “No worries, Sunshine. Everything will be all right. There’s no evidence linking us to Zane. The cops can’t do shit.”
Clover nodded, her face pinched with worry. “I hope not. One of them really wanted me to slip up and give them something. I stuck to my story. They don’t know a damn thing.”
“Good girl. Let’s head home.” Sliding an arm around her shoulders, I steered her over to my SUV. Once she was inside and we were in motion, I asked, “What were you and Raina talking about?”
Clover did a double take, her brows pinched together. “Nothing important. I told her about the police. She has more experience with this kind of thing than I do. I wanted her feedback.”
“Did she have anything helpful to say?” Studying Clover closely, I searched her for anything that would tip me off. There was a secretive vibe to her that triggered my instincts.
“Uh, yeah. She told me not to worry about it. That the cops can’t do shit without evidence. I guess I know that. It’s just shocking to find two officers standing outside my classroom, you know?”
Clover fidgeted with her seatbelt, pulling it so it stretched long before letting it go back to being snug against her. She caught her lip between her teeth, nibbling it voraciously. Her nervous gestures were driving me nuts.
I waited until we’d left the busy streets behind and turned into the residential area near our house. That’s when I pulled the car over and turned off the engine.
Clover stiffened. “Why are we stopping?”
I turned in my seat to face her. “What are you up to, Clover? I want the truth.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not up to anything.” She held my gaze without so much as flinching.
“I don’t believe you. My gut is telling me that you and Raina are up to something. Spill it.”
“Can’t I have a drink with my friend without it being an issue?” Clover snapped. “I’m starting to get sick of this possessive shit with you guys. My best friend is linked to the Gods. Live with it.”
“You expect me to believe that your best friend, who happened to successfully fake her own death, isn’t helping you plot something?” I scoffed. “You’re not that good of a liar. Are you planning to sell us out to the police?”
Clover’s jaw dropped. “I’m insulted that you think so little of me. All I’ve done is bend over backwards for you guys and this is how you treat me? Screw you, Cash.”
She surprised me by getting out of the car and storming down the street. I scrambled to take off my seatbelt and go after her.
I caught up with her a few houses down from where we’d parked. Grabbing her arm, I whirled her around to face me. “Don’t walk away from me, Clover. You do not want to piss me off.”
“Maybe I do,” she retorted, voice raised. “I’m sick of being a pushover for you guys. You can all go fuck yourselves.”
She tried to pull free of me but failed. My grip was too strong.
“Get back in the car.” I tried dragging her down the sidewalk. The little spitfire dug in her heels.
“I don’t want to get back in the car. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Do you want me to pick you up and throw you over my shoulder? I’ll spank your ass too.” It was nothing for me to pick up her small frame. When she resisted, I did just that.
Tossing Clover over my shoulder, I strode back to the car. She pounded her small fists on my back and ass. It did nothing to stop me. I had to laugh at how ridiculously cute she was.
“Put me down, you fucking caveman. I’m not your property.”
Her shouts got her a nice smack on the ass. “Beg to differ. Now stop shouting before someone calls the cops. How well do think it would go over if they found us together? Is that really what you want?”
That managed to silence her. Until we got into the car.
Clover pounded a fist on my shoulder as I shoved her in and buckled her seatbelt over her. “You are such a jerk, Cash. You can’t manhandle me like a doll.”
“Pretty sure I just did. Stay put. Try to get out and I’ll give you a reason to run.” Pointing a finger in her face, I closed her door and rounded the car to my side.
“You suck,” she muttered when I got in.
Instead of starting the car, I turned to her, reaching to caress her lovely neck. “Be careful, Clover. You don’t want to piss me off. I can become your worst nightmare in a heartbeat. If you’re planning something to fuck with us, think twice about it. Understand?”
My hand slid around her slender neck, squeezing her throat tight enough to make her impossibly blue eyes widen. Her face reddened as she gave a vigorous nod.
“Good. Now let’s go home.”
We drove the rest of the way in silence. She stared out the window, refusing to acknowledge me.
Clover had every right to think we were monsters. We’d never given her a reason to think otherwise. She was justified in wanting to hurt us in some way. I would have too if I’d been in her shoes.
Still, I hoped like hell that I was wrong about this feeling. That she would never turn on us. I’d grown fond of the little rainbow pixie. I’d hate to have to hurt her.