Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Freya
F rom somewhere below me, Kai’s curses echo, but I block them out, concentrating on my tight grip on the edge of the building and avoiding glancing down at the daunting ten-story plunge. My gaze snaps to the hard cement basketball courts and a whole heap of pain. I try to focus on pulling myself back up, but it’s useless—I don’t have enough strength with one arm. A strong hand forcefully pushes against my ass, propelling me forward with enough force to grasp onto the ledge and pull myself up with a desperate scramble.
I roll onto my back on the rooftop, the sound of my laughter filling the air.
“What the fuck, Frey? That was way too close of a call. Even for you,” Kai growls, standing over me. I take his outstretched hand, rubbing off the dirt on my ass as I’m lifted to my feet.
“It’s been a night,” I say, following him to the edge and taking a seat. Looking out into our neighborhood, my legs dangle and I lean back on my hands. There are a few small fires scattered throughout the trailer park, with people talking amongst themselves and drinking. Typical Friday night.
“You’re telling me. Shit’s been popping off on the streets tonight. There was a huge brawl between Daringhood and the cops. We weren’t even there, but you know as well as I do, we will get the blame.” Kai sighs, pulling out a joint from behind his ear.
He’s not wrong. Being part of 18 Hood, the rap group, doesn’t do him any favors with the force. Half the time they aren’t involved; they just rap about what’s happening on the streets.
“That’s bullshit. You know how to get your revenge—through your words,” I say.
“How was the party down at the pit?” Kai asks, changing the subject.
For the next few hours, I fill him in on what happened tonight while he smokes his joint and we watch Tony stumble around, picking fights with anyone he can find. By the time Kai drops me back at my trailer, the sun is rising, casting a warm golden glow across the park, and I curse. I’ve got work in a couple of hours and it’s going to be hell. But at least I’ve had my adrenaline high, and this time, when my head hits the pillow, I fall into a deep and restful sleep.
The air is filled with the scent of cleaning chemicals, while sweat drips down my forehead and my arms ache with each movement of the mop. Each hour has felt like an eternity as I anxiously await the moment when I can finally say I’m finished. Reluctantly, I accepted a double shift from seven in the morning until ten at night, and now I’m starting to regret it as exhaustion seeps into my bones .
The only thing pushing me forward is the realization of how crucial this money is for us—especially for Alec. He deserves to collect his scholarship at college and get the fuck out of this place, and I know he won’t leave unless I can come with him. No one but us knows about our plan, not even my two best friends, Kai and Amirah. It’s easier that way because whenever you have something good going for you in Daringhood, there’s always someone lurking in the shadows, ready to snatch it away.
Eager to check my messages, I reach into my apron pocket and retrieve my phone, feeling its familiar weight in my hand. None of the messages I’ve sent to Alec have been read, which is quite disappointing. Where the hell is he? He’s meant to be working in the kitchen with the other cook, but he didn’t show up, which is totally out of character. He knows how much we need this.
The echoing sound of the doorbell fills the empty diner. I leave the restroom and enter the diner, ready to announce that we’re closing, but I quickly close my mouth instead. Lucas Fox confidently strolls in, giving off the impression that he is the rightful owner of the place, and chances are, he is. He’s wearing casual, loose-fitting cargo pants and a black polo shirt that strains against his muscles. Underneath his flipped-back black hat, his light-blond hair is neatly slicked back. Swallowing hard, I find my voice as I grip the mop tightly.
“We’re closing,” I say, dunking the mop in the water.
Lucas pays no attention to me as he keeps moving, finally settling into the booth that’s snugly nestled against the smudged windows, providing a view of the parking lot. With a roll of my eyes, I continue to clean the floor while deliberately avoiding eye contact with him.
I get halfway down and find myself right next to his table, within arm’s reach.
“Didn’t you get the message? We’re closing in five minutes,” I snap, completely ignoring the fact that he could get me fired with just a snap of his fingers. It’s been a long-ass day, and I don’t want to be dealing with this. All I want is for this shift to be done so I can find Alec.
His dimple becomes visible as the corner of his mouth lifts, and his eyes lock onto mine as if he can decipher every thought in my mind. Curiosity shines in his light-brown eyes, along with a mysterious glimmer I can’t decipher.
“Looks like you’ll be staying open for a little while longer for me.” He pauses, eyes fixated on my shoulder, no doubt where he can see the rose tattoo. The one Kai did for me. “Something tells me you need the money, so I wouldn’t go complaining, thorn.”
“Thorn?” I ask, frowning.
“Yeah. Rose doesn’t seem very fitting for you. You’re more of a thorn, with all the prickly edges.” He grins.
Pinching my lips together, I hold back the “fuck off” I want to scream in his face.
“Did you want something to eat or drink, or are you just here to piss me off?” I ask, leaning the mop against the end of the booth.
“Nah, nothing for me. I’m meeting a business associate who’s late as per usual,” he says, checking his phone.
“Business on this side of the tracks?” I raise an eyebrow, then laugh. “Wow, must be desperate.”
Lucas opens his mouth just as the front door chimes and my stomach drops.
Gavin enters, shoving a small, transparent bag into the pocket of his torn jeans. I grab the mop and bucket, ignoring Lucas, and continue cleaning with my back turned to Gavin. I’m really hoping he doesn’t notice me. I don’t want to handle him tonight, or ever again, for that matter. The encounter from last night was enough to last the entire week.
A hand lands on my lower back, and my knees lock. Gavin bends over, his lips close to my ear as he whispers, “Little Freya, aren’t I happy to see you here.” His bad breath lingers all around me, and I fight back the urge to knee him in the balls. If we were any place else I would, but I need this job.
I take a step forward and swiftly turn around, lowering my voice to ensure my boss doesn’t hear me from the kitchen.
“Piss off, Gavin, we’re closed,” I say between gritted teeth.
“It won’t be long until your mother is coming back to me again. And you know what that means... I’ll need to collect.” He looks salaciously at my chest, and my fists clench onto the mop so hard that it might snap. I’d rather shove this right up his ass, but he isn’t worth losing my job over.
“Gavin,” Lucas snaps, and the sleaze scurries away, meeting him at his booth.
“Two coffees, thorn.”
“Please,” I mutter, but I go fill their order and dump the pot and two mugs on the table.
“No milk? No sugar?” Lucas seems far too amused.
“No. Figured you’d want it black, like your heart,” I reply, then head back to the kitchen to rinse the mop head.
The diner is empty after I finish, and while I’m happy Gavin is gone, I can’t help but wish Lucas was still there. I have no idea why, and I don’t want to give it much thought. He’s one of them. End of story .
Oscar, my boss, shuts the cash register, leans across the counter, and hands me an envelope containing my wages for the week.
“Lucas left a nice tip for you. I put it in there. See you next week,” he says, switching off the lights.
I quickly open the envelope and find an extra fifty-dollar bill. What the fuck? I don’t need his charity. I work for my money; this is too much of a tip for just serving two coffees. Rich dick.
“Oh, did you get ahold of your brother?” he asks, and I shake my head.
“I’ll make sure he gives you a call when I run into him,” I say, and he agrees. I slide the envelope into my back pocket, remove my apron, and make my way out the front door.
Stepping out into the cool night, a light breeze brushes against my face, so I pull my hoodie over my head and tuck my hands into the front pocket. I lean back against the wall, taking in the stillness of the mostly quiet parking lot. There is no mistaking the owner of the magnificent black Bugatti La Voiture Noire that’s right in front of me. Within a matter of moments, I recognize the person leaning against the car. With a smooth motion, Lucas brings the sleek, black e-cigarette to his lips and inhales a long drag. The light above me flickers, creating creepy shadows all around.
Ignoring him, I bring my phone back to my ear, desperately trying to reach Alec again, only to be met with silence.
“I don’t know where you are, Alec, but you were supposed to drive me home. If I get rolled by a bastard in a Bugatti, it’s on you.”
After leaving the message, I feel a throbbing headache coming on and pinch the bridge of my nose. This isn’t like him. He’d never normally leave me to walk home like this. What if he’s been hurt? What if something bad has happened?
“Damn it,” I mutter, angrily typing out another text message to him. I can always count on him to be my designated driver, ensuring I get home safely. Now I’m going to have to walk.
“Who are you waiting for?” Lucas approaches and stands by my side, the scent of blueberry lingering in the air as he exhales.
“Don’t you have somewhere else better to be?” I ask instead.
“Yeah, I do, actually,” he says, a smile spreading across his face as he pushes off the wall and strides confidently toward his car. “It’s where your brother is waiting.”
He... what? Running to catch up, I stumble after him.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
He opens the passenger-side door for me. “Hop in and I’ll show you,” he says, but I shake my head, crossing my arms tightly over my chest.
“Hell no. Tell me where he is. Now,” I say, my voice growing louder with each word.
Lucas’s playful smile fades away as he shakes his head, his expression turning serious. Taking a firm hold of my arm, he squeezes, inflicting a sharp wave of pain that forces me to clench my teeth.
“Get in the fucking car. I won’t ask again,” he warns, his words tinged with a touch of menace, sending a chill down my back. Under different circumstances, I would delight in the excitement that comes with defying him, but my brother’s safety is at stake, and I can’t afford to take that risk.
I manage to break free from his firm grip, my heart racing, and quickly slide into his car. With a forceful slam, he shuts the door, and I immediately sink into the plush upholstery, the leather soft against my skin. Beads of sweat form on my palms and I anxiously rub them on my shorts.
Lucas jumps in, the engine roars to life, and we speed out of the parking lot.
“Where are we going? Just tell me.” The intense speed and sharp turn force me to hold onto the seatbelt tightly, basking in a mix of excitement and fear.
“To the masque ball in Daringville, little thorn,” he says, and the sound of my racing heartbeat drowns out everything else.
My brother is at a masquerade ball with some of the wealthiest, most dangerous people on the wrong side of the tracks?
Damn it, Alec, what the hell are you doing?