Chapter 13
Nik
The door clicks shut behind Rhett, and the room goes still.
The music from downstairs keeps pounding, but it’s muffled, like it’s underwater.
Noelle hasn’t moved except to wrench her hand from mine.
Her arms are crossed now, her eyes locked on me like I’ve just told her I murdered someone.
She’s not scared, not completely, but she’s wondering who the fuck I really am. It’s written all over her face.
I rake a hand through my hair, pacing once before stopping in front of her. “Who are you here with tonight?”
“My sister and my best friend.”
“Text them. Tell them you’re with me, and I'll get you home.”
“I’m not leaving them if they aren’t safe here–”
“They’re safe. They don’t want them. They want you.”
Her eyes widen, and she fumbles for her phone, sending the text, surprisingly enough. “Nik, what the fuck is actually happening? Because all I know is I came out to get away from you, and now you just put me in the middle of” she waves her hands around the air “whatever the fuck this is!”
I wince. “Nothing is going to happen to you now–”
She takes a step forward. “Why would something happen to me? Now you’re scaring me, so you better start explaining. Because what this looks like to me? You just used me as bait. Who was that guy? Did he send those guys the other night?”
“Now you’re catching on.”
Dante steps in. “What happened the other night?”
I close my eyes, exhausted from all of this already, and fall onto the couch. “I stopped two guys from assaulting her the other night.”
“Assaulting me? They were just trying to scare me.”
I deadpan. “Yeah? And what would have happened next if they didn’t think you were scared enough? Stamáta piá! Just stop, Moreno. Stop sticking your head in the sand.”
“Are you kidding me right now?”
“You didn’t even thank me.”
She throws her arms in the air. “Thank you? Oh, let me just drop to my knees and suck your dick like every other Warrior groupie around this town.”
Dante whistles. “Oh, she’s feisty.” He chuckles, and it makes me want to reach out and smack him.
She raises a brow, eyes landing on Dante. “Who are you?”
Dante, being the always suave Casanova, steps forward with his hand out. “Dante Shivers. Pleasures all mine.” The tug on his lips lets me know he’s enjoying this.
She doesn’t take his hand, and I roll my lips in, hiding my laugh as she says, “Likewise. I think.” She tilts her head, examining him. “You own this place?”
Dante raises a brow. “Yes.”
“My sister was here last week, and said the clientele was less than appealing. Your bouncers should screen more carefully at the door.” Then, in a deadly tone, says, “Tell me what’s going on.”
“Oh? I’ll be sure to follow up on that.” His eyes flick between her and me, like he’s putting something together.
“Fuck.” I can’t help the curse that comes from my mouth as I lean forward on the couch. I didn't want it to be true. I wanted everything Rhett was saying to be a mistake. I wanted those two guys cornering her to have the wrong girl. “Tell me about the article you're writing.”
“Yours?”
“No, the fucking mailman. Of course, mine.”
She rolls her eyes. “If you'd actually answer some interview questions, you’d know more.”
“There’s no time for this, Moreno. Tell me who you’ve been talking to and what you’ve found.”
She holds my gaze. God, she’s fucking beautiful, but she’s up to something, and this has to end before she exposes the whole thing.
With a quick retort, she says, “I’ve done research. Called ZU athletic archives. Reached out for some interviews.”
I don’t need to look at Dante to know he’s fuming. I can feel the heat coming off him. She’s opening doors that were supposed to be nailed shut.
I debate on how much I can tell her, but right now, we’re way past that.
She’s in danger, and so am I. Someone knows more than I’d like and now they know she’s ready to tell all.
“Do you feel like you’re being watched lately?
I’ll bet anything they’ve been tailing you since the other night, and obviously before that.
They followed you here tonight. Rhett and those other two assholes were sent to try again. ”
“Rhett Daniels?”
My heart stops. “How do you know that name?”
She replies quietly. Gone is the defensive woman, and in her place is someone who’s been caught snooping. “It was in some emails from the university.”
I stand from the couch. “What emails?”
She glances around the room, no doubt realizing she’s alone with three strange men, and me, someone whom she thought she knew.
She lifts her chin. “When you wouldn’t talk to me, I told you I was researching your sophomore year.
I found some paperwork, and Rhett was mentioned. ” She pauses. “As was Trevor.”
“Jesus Christ.” I look at Dante and grind my teeth. “This is all connected, isn't it?”
He holds my stare and doesn’t answer, but I can see his mind is working overtime.
“Rhett went to school with me, but I guess you already know that.” I pause, watching her face. She doesn’t flinch; she just stares back as I talk. “What do you know about Trevor?”
She watches me intently, no doubt deciding what to tell me. “I don’t know much.”
“Malakíes!” Bullshit.
She jumps at my outburst, then clears her throat. “I know he was forced out of Zeiders, and there isn’t a legit reason why. I know no one fought for him, including himself. And I know his name is closely tied to yours. And it’s got everything to do with sophomore year.”
I turn from her, running my hands over my face and stop, connecting eyes with Dante again.
He’s calmly watching me, but his eyes are on fire.
Everything that's happening in this room was supposed to be dead and gone four years ago.
Noelle poking around is bringing it to light.
And somewhere along the line, she disturbed someone who didn't want to be disturbed.
Dante says quietly, “It's connected. Whoever sent Rhett for her knows everything. And Rhett may not have known it, but he’s just connected it and the two of you. Rhett is gonna run his trap to whoever is pulling the strings here.”
“I agree.” I look away. The glass wall gives me a perfect view of the dancefloor below, showing a sea of people who don’t have a clue what really moves under this city.
And on the other side of that wall, the real money maker.
The real reason for the secrets. Yet, they’re all still dancing in a place owned by someone who could erase them before sunrise.
And I’m upstairs pretending I’m not part of it.
“What have you come across in your research?” I spit the last word with sarcasm.
“I just told you,” she snipes back.
I laugh without humor and scrub my face with my hand again. Dante clears his throat. “And who have you told? Do you already have an article printed somewhere?”
Her face goes expressionless. “I haven’t written anything except my own notes. And I haven’t–” She stops speaking, her face paling, and I know there’s more.
“Tell me.”
“I interviewed Trevor.”
“And what happened?”
She chews on her bottom lip. “He knew I was looking for more answers than he was willing to give and told me to question you.”
“Okay, we’re done here,” I snap out. “You need to stop digging. Whatever you found, you reached someone who doesn’t want to be reached. For your own good, I’m telling you, leave it alone.”
“Who are you?” she whispers.
I turn on her quickly, my blood boiling over with all of this. “I’m your savior! If I wasn’t here tonight, Rhett would have taken you. He would have hurt you and dragged you off to silence you completely.”
She stares at me, and I wonder what’s running through her head. Gone is the Saint she thinks she knows, and in its place is this guy. The one who had to learn to survive a whole different world. The one who likes it way too much still.
“There's something you’re not telling me. You act like you run this place, this town. You’re just a football player. It doesn’t make sense."
I inhale deep and step closer to her. Tell her, runs through my mind and it makes me question my sanity.“There's a lot I’m not telling you, and it doesn’t have to make sense. You don’t get to ask questions anymore.”
She exhales shakily, then looks at the floor. “I’m not leaving until you tell me the whole truth.”
I shake my head. “No. You are leaving. And I’d warn you to stop digging.”
She looks up, eyes fierce. “You don’t get to tell me what to do.”
“Yes, I do,” I snap. “When you’ve already opened the door to something you have no idea about, I do get to tell you.”
Dante speaks up, “Nik, he’s not going to stop looking for her. If they're sending Rhett, it’s personal.”
I turn that over in my mind, knowing I have to do something more here. “Why is it coming up now?”
Dante replies, “Either because they found out she’s close to something and don’t want it getting out, or they’re using it to take you down. You’re at the top now, Nik. Some people don’t care what they have to do to make sure you don’t stay there.”
I turn to her. “You’re in danger. And since I'm a betting man, I'd say it’s because you touched on something you shouldn’t have. They're gonna be salivating over this.”
“So, what does that mean, Nik? That I’m gonna be collateral damage in a game I didn’t even know was being played?”
We stare at each other until Dante says, “Actually, you’re leverage.”
“Bait, you mean.”
Dante speaks matter-of-factly. “No, bait is expendable. Leverage is valuable. Rhett hit the jackpot.” His eyes focus on me. “Rhett knows Nik, and Rhett knows Nik will protect you. That's what's changed now.”
I look at Dante, a silent conversation happening before holding her stare. “You can trust me, or take your chances out there. Choose wisely.”