Razor: A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance(21)

Pausing mid pen-stroke, she looked up at me, and caught me staring. She flashed me a pretty smile, unaware of the deep pile of shit that I just dragged her into.

I gave her my most charming grin that belied the sticky predicament we were now in.

“Sorry, Carly,” I whispered as she went back to writing even faster than before, “but shit’s about to get real.”





Chapter 8





Mason




“What’s going on?” Carly asked, glancing over at me with concern as I drove her Ford Focus down the highway toward James University.

I kept my eyes on the road. “What do you mean?”

“That call you made — you found out something, didn’t you? Something bad.” She was staring at me intently, accusation in her eyes.

“Nothing that I didn’t already know,” I lied.

Carly scowled at me with suspicion. “Don’t insult me, Mason. I’m not stupid. I know you. You’re trying to act all cool and collected, but something’s wrong.”

I swallowed. “Just that some detectives interviewed dad.”

Even over the hum of the motor, I heard the sharp intake of her breath. “And?”

“And nothing. My source didn’t know what came of it. He definitely doesn’t know anything about me, and you said he didn’t know where you’re living. But I have a feeling if he knew where I was, he’d give me up in a heartbeat.”

“Brian wouldn’t do that.”

I snorted. “You have no idea what he’s capable of.”

“I know he has a temper, but I don’t think he’d ever give up his own son.” Carly stared at me. “Who is your source?” she asked, changing the subject. She obviously was uncomfortable with the way I was talking about my dad. “And how does he know?”

“Someone who walks in the shadows.”

Carly scowled. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“His code name is Shadow.”

“And does Shadow have a real name?”

“We don’t use real names in that world, Carly.” A large truck whizzed by in the next lane over, rattling the car. “Besides, if I told you his real name, would it change anything? You don’t know him.”

“Ugh, no it wouldn’t . . . but you don’t have to be such an ass about it.” Carly averted her eyes and looked out of her window. We were coming up on an intersection change. “I just don’t want to be kept in the dark about anything, given the situation we are in.”

I switched lanes. An impatient driver was tailgating us and I didn’t feel like speeding anymore than I already was. “I’m sorry,” I said, softening my tone. “I’m just really on edge about all of this. I really think . . .” I couldn’t get the words out.

Carly turned her gaze back on me, studying me intently. “You think what?”

Fuck it. Might as well admit it. Carly deserved that much at least.

I set my jaw. “I think I made a huge mistake involving you in this.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because of everything — you could be charged for helping me. And then there’s whoever that is behind the coverup . . . whether it’s the mayor himself or someone else. To top it off, there’s Anonymous . . .”

And Maddy.

I saw no reason to tell Carly about the crazy bitch and further confuse her, though. I could only hope that Shadow did his part.

Carly’s forehead creased into a frown. “Anonymous? Is that who you were talking about who has eyes everywhere and are watching you?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that from the get-go?”

“Because I didn’t want to scare you.”

“And let me guess, you’re still a part of this group?”

“Not anymore.”

After glaring at me for several moments, Carly shook her head angrily and let out a frustrated sigh.

“I just don’t want to see you hurt,” I told her, quick to deflect her anger. “I’ll never forgive myself if something happens to you.”

Carly’s features softened, surprising me. “Don’t worry about me. To tell the truth, I feel safe with you around, always have.” She lowered her head a little, as if embarrassed to have admitted it.

“Shut up,” I said jokingly, unsure if she was just f*cking with me. “I always thought you were annoyed for having to put up with me.”

“Seriously. I never told you but,” Carly continued as if she couldn’t help herself, “the day you pulled me out of that pond? Something changed that day.”

Warmth flowed through my chest at Carly’s words. Though I always tried to be the best stepbrother I could, I never knew if Carly liked me or hated me at times because of her bitchy demeanor.

“I remember that day,” I said softly, the image of holding her in my arms flashing in front of me. Carly had been so vulnerable that day, splashing around in the water so helplessly. Yet, when I pulled her out of the muddy water, all dirty and slimy, I thought I’d never seen anything so beautiful in life. “I don’t know what you were thinking.”

“Well, what did you expect? I wanted so badly to get you back.”