Chapter 18 Maddison #2
He tosses the jacket into the back and places a hand on the shifter. “Let’s get you back to the academy so you can shower and warm up.” He shifts into reverse and starts to back up.
“Wait.” I place a hand on his. “I have to go to northside—it’s where I was heading before I got jumped.”
His astounded gaze snaps to me. “No, you need to warm up. Trust me; this is bad.”
“I know, but if I don’t go to northside …” I trail off, realizing if I tell him, I’ll be outing Noah’s secret.
“What’s going on?” he hedges as raindrops splatter against the windshield.
I consider not telling him, but in the end, I know I have to.
“It’s Noah,” I start then quickly explain to him what’s been going on, minus a few details that don’t need to be told to him by me–that’s up to Noah and if he wants to.
By the time I’ve finished, shock, worry, and anger are masking River’s expression. “Why the hell is he dealing steroids? What the fuck is wrong with him?”
“Please don’t get upset with him.” My chattering has subsided, but the coldness of my wet clothes seeps deep into my body. “Until you find out the entire story.”
His lips thin as he studies me. “Is there more to it than you said?”
I lift a shoulder as I place my hands in front of the vent. “I’m sure there is—people don’t just start dealing for fun. There’s always a reason. My father did it because it was a source of money. Plus, it’s all he knew. That’s not why Noah does it, but I’m sure there’s a reason.”
He drags his fingers through his damp hair. “Maybe.” He rubs his eyes with the heels of his hands. “I’m going to go get Noah, but after I drop you off at the academy.”
“No,” I protest firmly, but my frail voice makes me sound weak at best. “They want me, River. That’s the entire point of holding him hostage.”
“Maybe, but I also know that money can persuade people to change their minds.” He carries my gaze. “This isn’t on you. This is on my stepbrother. Whatever the reason he’s dealing, he still made the choice to do it. You were just trying to help him out.”
“But I …” I trail off as he cups my face between his hands.
“I know you have this thing with feeling in debt, but money means nothing to me. You do. And it’s not worth you going down there and handing yourself over to this Aiden guy so he can give you to Drew when I can just buy him off.”
In the back of my mind, I’m aware he’s right.
But another voice is screaming at me not to get into debt with a royal, even if he’s the sweetest guy I’ve ever met.
I want to fight him on this and try to find an alternative solution.
But, in the end, exhaustion presses down on me, and all I do is nod and whisper, “Okay.”
The tension in his shoulders unwinds as he nods then finishes pulling onto the road.
I mean to ask him what his plan is. I mean to say I’ll pay him back for helping me.
I mean to say a lot of things, but the moment I rest my head against the seat, exhaustion consumes me, and I end up falling asleep.
“Maddy, wake up,” River’s beautiful voice whispers through my thoughts.
My head lulls to the side, and I roll my eyes open. He’s leaning over me, his dark eyes are filled with worry, and rainfall can be heard from somewhere.
“You with me, baby?” he asks, brushing strands of my hair out of my eyes.
I bob my head up and down. “I think so … Where are we?” I peer around and realize I’m still in his car, but we’re no longer moving and River is standing beside the passenger side with the door open.
“We’re at the academy.” He crouches down so we’re at eye level. “I can carry you in if you need me to.”
I shake my head and force myself to sit up. “No way am I about to look weak after what those shitheads did to me.”
The muscles in his jaw tick. “I don’t want to force you to talk about what happened, but I really hope you will.”
Summoning a breath, I lean forward. “I don’t mind talking about it, but maybe after you get Noah away from Aiden.”
He gives an agreeing nod while placing his hands on my arms to steady me.
Then he helps me out of the car, ensuring I don’t bump my head.
When I’m standing, he keeps one hand on my back and uses his other to close the door and lock the car.
Then we make our way toward the stairs that lead to the academy's entrance.
It’s late, and darkness is blanketing everything except for a few dots of light here and there. The ground is covered in puddles that my boots splash in as I take heavy steps. I lean into River more than I’d like, but every part of my body feels heavy and achy.
I barely register where we’re at until we enter the building and see a few people wandering around. By the stares I get, I’m certain I look like a mess.
“Can I take you to my room?” River asks as he guides me down the hallway with his arm around me, his gaze sweeping across the corridor. “I want to make sure you’re safe for now.”
Again, I’m too exhausted and mildly delirious to care.
“Sure.” I slip my arms around his midsection and press against him, seeking both warmth and comfort.
A shaky breath fumbles from his lips, and his body stiffens. Confused, I start to move back, but he presses me closer.
“You just surprised me. That’s all,” he explains without me having to say anything aloud.
It’s almost as if he can read my mind. Or maybe he gets me. The latter is way more terrifying than the first.
We make the rest of the journey to his dorm in silence. When we reach the door, he stops in front of it and utters, “It’s weird with you being so quiet.” He continues to bear most of my weight as he retrieves his phone and scans the code to unlock the door.
“You say that like I’m a total chatterbox,” I joke lamely and in a feeble voice.
“Not a chatterbox. But you’re definitely a good conversationalist.” He pushes the door open. “It’s one of the things I like most about you—that you’re easy to talk to.” He steers me inside then kicks the door shut.
“Most people say I’m annoying to talk to because I’m such a smartass.” I focus on the conversation in an attempt not to fall asleep.
But sleepiness is whispering to me, begging me to close my eyes and surrender.
“Do you think you can take a shower?” he asks as we exit the foyer and step into the living room.
“I think so,” I answer, even though I can barely keep my legs underneath me.
“Okay, let’s get you into my bedroom, and you can start getting undressed. I’ll wait to make sure you’re good before I take off to get Noah.”
I immediately shake my head. “No, you need to go now.”
Hesitancy is written all over his face as he peers down at me. “I don’t feel comfortable just taking off. Let’s get you to my room, and then I’ll see if I can find Finn and have him come keep an eye on you.”
I smash my lips together, a thought biting in the back of my mind. “You don’t think he had anything to do with what happened to me, do you?” To be honest, I don’t either, but considering how many times I’ve been backstabbed, I have to question it.
River shakes his head with zero hesitation. “He would never do something like that.”
“I believe you.” And I do.
I believe what he says.
Just like I trust him, letting him guide me into his room.
He helps me sit down on his bed then tells me to start getting undressed before exiting the room. The moment I’m sitting in the room alone, tears pool in my eyes.
“Get your shit together, Maddy,” I whisper as I swipe tears from my cheeks.
I notice how dirty my hands are. So are my clothes and shoes. My hair is so caked in mud that flakes fall from the strands as I run my fingers through them. I need to focus on getting in the shower.
I start to reach for the button of my pants when my watch buzzes. A message pops up, reminding me that I no longer have my phone, but apparently, the people who took it left it on.
I tap the screen to open the message, and my heart leaps in my chest.
Aunt Ellie: Maddy, I won’t be able to send you any message after this, and I probably shouldn’t even be sending this one.
But I need to warn you that you’re in danger.
And I’m not talking about northside danger.
You’re being targeted by a group of royals who are more powerful than any other group in the world.
They come from one of the oldest bloodlines to ever exist, which means they have a lot of power.
You need to be careful. Nothing about your life is what it seems. Do not trust anyone.
And do not tell anyone you know me. That is the most important thing, Maddy.
I’m not who you think I am. One day, hopefully, I’ll be able to explain, but for now, the less you know, the better.
Be strong and protect yourself. I love you, sweetie.
And I’m so sorry for all the problems I’ve caused.
If I was in shock before, I’ve reached a whole new level.
What the heck is she talking about? What problems? And why am I being targeted? Is she referring to the society?
It doesn’t seem like it, but what else could she mean?
She also said not to trust anyone, but what about River?
I glance at the closed door then back at the screen. What the hell is going on? And what the hell has my Aunt Ellie gotten herself into? I need answers before something worse happens to me.