Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Freya
A fter hastily throwing one last T-shirt into my bag, I make sure to zip it up securely before grabbing my phone and purse. Checking the time, I curse. I’ve only got ten minutes until the bus leaves. I take one final glance around my room to ensure I haven’t left anything behind.
On the way past Alec’s room, I grab one of his favorite jumpers and slip it over my head, the soft fabric settling against my skin. His musky scent engulfs me, making it hard to hold back the tears welling in my eyes. I’m going to Bexley, to find my brother and bring him home. We’ll clean up this mess together, then leave. I’ve searched everywhere except for that place because of the puzzling message that threw me off. It claimed he wasn’t at college, but still here. It’s my last option, and if he isn’t there... fuck, I don’t want to think about it.
Mom’s asleep on the couch, her soft snores filling the room. I pull up the blanket that’s fallen to the ground, bringing it up to her chin, and press a gentle kiss against her forehead. While she may not excel at motherhood, the absence of Gavin and the disappearance of her supply has allowed her to rediscover her true self. I’ve been avoiding her when she’s coming down because it’s not a pretty sight. I have no idea how long it will last this time, but I hope it does.
As I shut the front door behind me, a refreshing breeze caresses my cheeks, leaving them chilled. With my bag securely on my back, I pull the hood over my head and begin my stroll through the park. My feet crunch on the dirt as I power walk to the end of the road. Waiting at the bus stop, I lean back against the pole and listen to the distant sounds of traffic.
Up ahead, a car’s headlights beam brightly, forcing me to shield my eyes. Tires screech loudly as it halts in front of me. The moment I withdraw my hand, a stunning black Bentley Mulliner Batur with heavily tinted windows materializes before me. No fucking way.
Gage jumps out of the driver’s side and leans against the hood. He runs his fingers through his wet, curly black hair, shaking off droplets of water. He looks all fresh and showered, like he just drove here.
“Get in the fucking car, LeClair,” he demands, and I shake my head.
“Not happening. I’ve got shit to do today that doesn’t involve you.”
“I know, and we’re taking you.”
“How the hell do you know? Can you suddenly mind read?” I snap.
“Look, we don’t have time for your little games. We’re going looking for your brother in Bexley and you’re coming with us.”
The window of the passenger side slides down, and Lucas pokes his head out.
“Get in the car, little thorn. We’re going on a road trip, and look,” he says with a grin. He pulls up bags of candy and chips. “We got snacks.”
I fight back the urge to smile. “What if I refuse?” I ask, gripping the straps of my backpack.
“I’ll force you inside and I won’t be gentle,” Gage says before sliding back into the car, and I groan. They won’t leave and I can’t be bothered fighting them further. I may have better luck finding Alec if they are with me—they may not have any authority in Bexley but their reputation will.
The back door opens, and I slide inside. I put my bag on the seat between Hazen and myself. His mouth curls into a lopsided grin before he returns his gaze to the window.
Gage speeds off just as the bus approaches and pulls into the stop.
Lucas turns around and waves his phone at me from the passenger seat.
“I made us a playlist on the way here. Any requests?”
I shake my head. “Whatever will drown out Gage, I’m all ears.”
Lucas starts laughing and Gage floors it, launching us onto the motorway. As I lean back against the headrest, I can already feel the strain in my neck—this drive is going to be a long one.
After four hours, we finally exit the motorway and enter Bexley. The taste of sweetness still lingers on my tongue, but my stomach protests with a dull ache after devouring all the candies Lucas gave me.
As I sit up straighter, I fix my gaze out the window, where I watch the houses whiz by in a blur. Bexley is significantly larger than Daring, more than twice or even three times its size. It’s where you escape to if you want an education or just to get out of Daring. Just like we planned. Not many make it here without The Brotherhood’s approval. I’m desperately holding onto the hope that my brother is hiding somewhere in this place, so we can finally reunite and leave this chaos behind.
Out the front of a massive building that resembles something out of the eighteenth century, we park our car in the parking lot. The gothic building casts a shadow over the front quad, with people scattered everywhere, chatting, soaking up the sun, and appearing to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. Jealousy churns in the depths of my stomach.
Alec has been insisting that I join him here to study something, but I’ve never known what. While he has a scholarship to play ball, I don’t have any opportunities. My plan all along was simple: work now, worry about the details later. This move was always for Alec—he deserves the chance at a better life—and for Mom. It doesn’t matter what I want to do. Alec’s dream coming true and Mom getting sober are the only things that matter.
Once the car engine turns off, I snatch my bag and practically spring out. Stretching my hands over my head, I can feel the tension in my muscles after being in the car for so long.
“Freya, wait,” Lucas says, slamming his door shut.
“Thanks for the ride, but I’ve got it from here,” I reply, throwing my backpack on, and I start walking through the quad.
As a hand wraps around mine, I instinctively try to pull away, but Lucas firmly intertwines his fingers with mine, making it impossible to break free. I’m torn between pushing him away and not wanting to. Having him here—and even them —makes this easier. More bearable. Where the hell are you, Alec? I glance around the quad, but there are people everywhere .
Gage and Hazen join us. “Let’s start with the head office and go from there,” Gage says, walking off in front.
As we move toward the building, I can feel the weight of people’s gazes on us. As the whispers begin, my eyes dart around, desperately searching for any sign of his whereabouts. Or any glimpse of his black hair. Just show yourself already, Alec. Please. With my phone in hand, I dial Alec’s number, only to be greeted by his voicemail, just like every other time.
“Alec, we are at Bexley. If you are here, please come see me,” I say, leaving the message for him.
“We’ll find him,” Lucas says, his voice filled with determination, and I bite my lip, silently praying for his words to come true. If Alec isn’t here, then I have no clue where he could be. This is the last possible place I could think of to search. Gage leads the way up the stairs, the stone steps echoing our footfalls throughout a grand foyer.
At the top of the first landing, my eyes are immediately drawn to an old wooden desk that stretches across the vast expanse, and I inhale sharply. A towering bookshelf stretches out behind it, packed with an endless array of books. Wow. It’s beautiful. Past the desk and bookshelf, stairs ascend to a higher level.
“Can I help you?” a young woman with black-rimmed glasses asks from behind the desk. Her brown hair is sitting on top of her head in a tight bun.
Gage tries to speak, but I quickly step forward, releasing my hand from Lucas’s grasp. I hate to admit I immediately miss its warmth. “Are you able to check your records to see if Alec LeClair is here?” I ask, resting my elbows on the desk.
“We can’t look up records without that person’s consent. Is he a friend or relative?” she asks .
I reach into my back pocket and pull out my card holder, giving her my ID. “He’s my brother.”
She takes it and types away on her computer, pausing intermittently to push her glasses up her nose.
“Oh, yes, you’re down as his emergency contact. He’s registered to start this term, but he hasn’t signed in according to our records,” she says, and my stomach does a flip-flop, threatening to expel the piece of toast I ate for breakfast.
“Are you sure?” I push, praying she’s made a mistake.
“Yes, sorry. Is there anything else I can help you with?” she asks.
If he’s not here, then he must be somewhere else—but where? Maybe she’ll know the guy that he’s going to rent the room from. What’s his name? I try to rack my brain to remember. Was it Jeremy? Anthony? I rub my fingers into my temples. Levi, it’s Levi.
“Do you know?—”
“Gage Ledger. What the fuck are you doing here?” a deep voice asks from somewhere behind us, and I catch the girl behind the desk rolling her eyes before she continues typing away on the computer.
My heart races as I spin around, only to be confronted by three guys closing in on us from all sides.