Wretched (Never After Series)(54)

It’s such a small question. Inconsequential, really. Still, my heart flutters at the fact he’s asking.

“No,” I answer. “But I will be.”





28





NICHOLAS





S: She’s safe. At my place and asking to see you.

Relief flows through me and gratitude filters into the cracks for Seth. I’ve been a shitty partner but more than that I’ve been an awful friend, taking out my personal issues on him when out of everyone in my life he’s the only one who has my back.

He’s never done me dirty and I’m repaying him by exploding in fits of anger and going behind his back, hooking up with the one girl I promised him wasn’t a problem.

She is a problem. And that’s never been as clear as an hour ago when I walked into her father’s hotel room and saw marks on her skin.

My vision bled red, and it took everything inside of me not to cause a scene. I know she can take care of herself, but it doesn’t mean she should have to.

I turn to Zeke just as he flips the key in the ignition, the rumble of his car coming to life. We’re making a quick run to the store, grabbing some food and more cigars for Farrell.

“I need you to take me somewhere.”

He glares at me, his hand pausing on the gearshift. “Sorry?”

“It’s been a minute since I’ve checked in with my guys, so I need you to take me there,” I repeat.

His cheeks grow ruddy as he looks at me incredulously. “The fuck I am.”

Impatience wrings my muscles. “It’s not a suggestion.”

Ever since my failed attempt, the need to see Rose in person has only grown stronger. To see with my own two eyes that she’s thriving without me.

That she’s still sober.

Grabbing the phone, I call Seth who picks up on the second ring.

“Yo.”

“I’m coming over.”

“Hey, buddy. Nice to hear from you. I’m good, thanks.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Shit, sorry. I’m in a bit of a time crunch, but I need to… I need to see her.”

The line grows silent. “You sure that’s a good idea?”

“No,” I reply. “But you said to tell you if shit was getting real. Shit’s getting real and I need to talk to her.”

“Alright, man. We’ll be here.”

Nodding, I blow out a breath. “Thank you.”

Ten minutes later, I have Zeke pull into a gas station three blocks from Seth’s house. He may be working for us, but that doesn’t mean I trust him with knowledge of where a federal agent lives. “You can wait here. I’ll be quick.”

“When is this shit gonna be over?” he questions.

I had already started to get out of the car, but I sit back down, turning toward him. “When you get me the supplier.”

His face drops. “Oh, fuck off. That wasn’t the deal, and you know what? Even if I did know, I wouldn’t tell you.”

He slams his fist against the steering wheel, the horn beeping so loudly it makes my insides jump. “I feel like shit, okay? The guilt’s fuckin’ eating me alive.”

I shrug, even though I relate to his words more than I care to admit. “That sounds like a personal problem, Zeke.”

He breathes out an empty laugh. “You can pretend you don’t care. Play the part of the big federal agent coming in to put away the bad guys. But I see you.”

My heart stalls. “See what, exactly?”

“You know why Skip came to me all those years ago, wanting to team up and rebuild my father’s legacy? It wasn’t because of who I was… not fully anyway. My father was king of the jungle, not me. I never got that gene, the one where you can climb to the top and not be afraid of the fall.” He taps his fingers to his temple. “But I’m perceptive, and that shit’s valuable in this life.”

I shift in my seat.

“Turnin’ on the Westerlys?” He shakes his head, his tongue pressing against the front of his teeth. “I’ll have to live with that shit for the rest of my life. And you can say I’m doing the right thing all you want, but the truth is, it doesn’t feel right. It feels like the easy way out.” He stares at me. “And whatever it is you’re doin’? There won’t be an easy way out for you. You understand? You’re fuckin’ with the wrong woman.”

And I know without a doubt, right then, he’s talking about Eveline.

I smirk, but my insides are reeling. “Stay in the car. I won’t be long.”

“Yeah, whatever.” He focuses out the driver’s side window.

I jump up from the seat, slamming the door behind me. I don’t have time to worry about Eveline and the mistakes I’m making when it comes to her, or how things will end. Right now, I need to focus on my real life; the one that’s looking blurry, like I’m staring in a rearview mirror.

The walk is quick and before long I’m standing at the base of a hill with a steep drive, a small ranch-style home with blue shutters on the windowsill staring back at me. I make my way up the steps and Seth opens the door before I even knock, reaching out and dragging me in for a hug. “What’s good, bro?”

“Where is she?” I ask, pulling back.