Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
JAX
All my uncles listen to Kinsley tell them the same story about the girl and the hospital.
Every now and then, her eyes will flick over to my Uncle Ronan, who is doing his best to not scare the fuck out of her.
His presence alone can be intimidating. He and my older brother Eros both tend to have that effect on people.
You worry that at any moment they could strike.
“We need to find out who this girl is,” War says. He’s leaning up against my dad’s desk, his legs kicked out in front of him. We’re in his office.
“Because there have been whispers about a new drug floating around. One that we haven’t been able to get our finger on the pulse of yet,” my dad adds.
“I don’t know her name. My mom didn’t say it. I mean, she wouldn’t. She takes her job very seriously. All those privacy rules and stuff.” That hospital is her life.
“We know,” my dad responds. Kinsley tenses slightly. I should have asked my mom to come in so there would be at least one female in here. That might have helped. Not sure that Naomi’s presence would have helped.
“Right.” Kinsley gives an awkward laugh.
“We check into everyone,” Ronan tells her.
"Let's not freak her out," I cut in. She doesn't need to know everything at once. We can slowly let her see how crazy we all are. I’m sure my dad has an entire dossier on Kinsley already.
“I’m okay.” Kinsley runs her palms down her thighs, back and forth. I reach over, taking her hand. The need to put her at ease rides me hard. This is my family, and sometimes I find myself being intimidated by them. I need to reassure her that I won’t let anything happen to her.
“Are you?” War asks her, cocking his head. “Dead girl in one of our warehouses, now one at a party.” He watches her. “It’s a growing story, one that you might not be able to ever speak about.”
Kinsley sits up straighter. “I get what you’re saying.
You’re worried I’ll run my mouth. I mean, it is kind of my thing.
” She shrugs. I give her hand a squeeze.
Kinsley is handling herself well. I’ll step in if I need to, but I think all of us are getting a feel for how she will handle things all around.
We need to know this because she will become a part of this family. In my eyes, she already is.
"Well?" War encourages her to keep going.
"This is bigger than a story. Like you said, two dead girls and one guy in the hospital.
I care more about stopping whatever this is.
The point of reporting the news is to keep people informed.
If the drug is stopped, then it doesn't need to be reported, but if it's not, then the public needs to be aware so people are mindful of the drugs they are taking. "
“Agreed.” War’s lip inches up on one side. He’s pleased with her answer. So am I.
“Plus, people think I killed that girl. It might be nice to clear my name.”
“Not always,” Ronan tells her. “A little fear can go a long way when it’s clocked to your name.”
"I think you all have that covered." She gives a small laugh.
“So?” Dad smirks, his attention coming to me. “If we don’t have a name, how do we get it?”
“Medical records are harder to get,” I answer. They take longer. That would take a few days. “But there has to be a police report, right? The Lexus girl killed a few people. Might even be in jail already.”
“Right.” Dad gives a nod of approval, rolling his chair closer to his desk. “Let me see what I can find.” He clicks away.
I’m not the worst with technology, but I’m nowhere near the level of my dad, Marks, or my cousin. They can read code like it’s nothing. It takes me more time. I’m best with numbers, and my dad swears I’m good at reading people.
War moves around the desk to stand behind my dad and watch. He's worse than any of us with computers. His wife, Tova, might even be better than him.
"You're not finding anything."
"Oh, I found something." Dad glances over to Kinsley. "The full story isn't checking out. There was an accident, but it shows a hit-and-run. No girl."
"Holy crap," Kinsley whispers. "So the police are, like, in on it?" Now her eyes are wider than I've ever seen them.
"That means the chief of police would have to be involved." War adds.
"Are you fucking serious?" I ask. This makes it a whole lot bigger than we realized. Who knows how extensive whoever's reach is that is producing this drug?
"This might sound crazy," Kinsley says, "and I could be way off base, but I'm going to guess you're friends with the chief in some way."
"Some," War half agrees.
"And if you don't know about this, and then there is a dead girl in your warehouse—"
"Exactly." Ronan nods. "I also don't like that this scene is around high schoolers. It could mean nothing. Just an easy way to start selling the drugs. Kids have money, or—"
"Another target pointed to us," War finishes.
"But what would that do? They're going to raid our homes and arrest us?" I shake my head. That doesn't make sense, or fuck, maybe it does.
"They would do that? I didn't think—" Kinsley doesn't finish. Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip.
The Marinos, in most eyes, are untouchable, but no one truly is. When you start to believe that, that is when people will strike. You always have to keep your guard up.
“No one is untouchable,” War says. “We need to get up to speed on this and ahead of it. Figure out who the fuck is behind all of it.”
“I might have an idea to find out the girl's name.” Everyone's attention swings over to Kinsley. “Faster, I mean.”
“Whatcha got, Bunny?” I ask her.
“My mom. When things interest her, she scribbles them down in these notebooks she keeps. I bet she has notes on the girl.”
“And you think you can get those notes?” War asks. “Steal them from your own mother?”
“I wouldn't steal them. I’d look and take a few pictures.” War’s eyes flick between the two of us. Now all my uncles and Dad are nodding.
“All right, let’s see who can find the girl first,” I say, standing, pulling my bunny up with me.
“Really?” Kinsley bounces on her heels, more than up for this.
“Let’s see what you guys got.” Dad’s words are directed at me.
This is a job or task. Not the first he’s sent me or my brothers on, and it won’t be the last.
Yeah, this is a whole lot bigger than we thought. Kinsley is going to see what a life with me would be like, and I’m going to find out how she handles it.