The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (32)

“We’re clear.”

“Good. I’m calling a meeting. Make sure you show up, or I’ll start with someone you love.”

Just then, Four came into view, her steps hesitant and brown eyes wide from seeing me still hanging around. An image of Shane with his hands around her pretty little neck flashed through my mind, and I heard myself saying, “I’ll be there,” before ending the call.

What. The. Fuck?

This girl was more than just trouble.

She was dangerous.





I WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN that the prestigious Brynwood offered auto mechanics as an elective until I arrived and found that the entire class roster consisted of five students including myself. Still. I could walk through those doors every day knowing I’d have something to look forward to doing. The instructor seemed to know his stuff, and his grumpiness was nostalgic. It was like being in the shop again, although no one could replace Gruff. Dave—he’d insisted Mister was his father—had taken notice of my way around car parts. I told him all about Gruff and his shop back home, and he seemed excited to finally have someone with a real interest in mechanics in his shop.

My next surprise came during Track and Field, my final period. I’d been obsessed with bikes and racing since I was ten years old, so I never bothered learning what else was out there. When Coach Lloyd put us on the track, the world faded away, and it was like being on the back of a bike again. I ran until my lungs burned and my legs turned to jelly.

School had ended thirty minutes ago, and I wouldn’t put it past Ever to leave me stranded, which was why I couldn’t conceal my surprise when I spotted the Range in the deserted parking lot. Ever stood with his foot propped on the bumper as he talked on one of those cheap throwaway phones. From his scowl, I guessed the conversation was unpleasant. I was more than a little curious about the phone call when he ended it seconds after noticing my approach.

He didn’t move, and I pretended disinterest, but as I reached for the door, he issued a clipped, “No.”

Oh, I’m so not in the mood, McNamara. “Is there a problem?”

He shoved his hand into his pants’ pocket, and it was a struggle to keep my jaw from dropping when he handed me his keys. “Take my car home.”

“Without you?” I glanced at the empty parking lot. “How will you get home?”

“Don’t worry about me.” He was his usual surly self, yet somehow this felt different. Something was up.

“And Jamie?”

“He caught a ride.”

“Oh…so you were waiting for me?” A raised eyebrow was my answer. “Thanks, I guess.” I finally took the keys and ignored the heat blooming in my lower tummy when our fingers touched.

Ever walked away without looking back, and I couldn’t help but watch him go. He moved with such masculine grace and—was going into the woods?

I told myself not to follow him.

Begged myself not to follow him.

I tossed his keys into my backpack and followed him.

Fortunately, I was born and raised around nothing but trees, so it was easy for me to move through them without being heard. It was a short walk to the edge of a clearing where he stopped. I ducked behind a tree, and it was a good thing I did since Ever glanced over his shoulder before stepping into the opening. I peeked around the tree and watched him head for an open-planned shed that had seen better days. Parked underneath it was a green Crown Victoria that had also seen better days. I held my breath as I watched him open the trunk and lift a duffle from its depths. I jumped when he slammed the trunk closed, then felt foolish. Still, my reaction was the least silly thing I’d done all day. Following him in the first place was definitely at the top of that list.

He threw the duffle on the trunk and began stripping out of his uniform. My fingers dug into the bark.

I should turn away.

I knew I should.

But…I couldn’t.

With his back to me, piece by piece he bared his body: shoes, jacket, tie. I couldn’t see as he released the buttons on his dress shirt, but my breathing quickened anyway, and when he slipped the shirt from his body, my breathing shuddered to a stop.

The bold marking between Ever’s shoulder blades mocked me. It couldn’t be a coincidence. It was too bizarre. Too real. Tattooed on Ever’s back was an X, and underneath it an inscription I couldn’t make out but had a pretty good idea of what it read. I am not led.

Ever was Exiled.




I ran back to the parking lot after Ever drove off in the Crown Victoria. Nothing in the last five minutes made sense. Why would Ever, a boy who had everything, join a gang of murderers?

Inside the Range Rover, I turned the AC up as high as it would go, closed my eyes, and imagined it was the wind whipping at my face as I defied death. Suddenly, my heart was racing in a good way. My skin tingled as I chased the high. It felt better than ever before.

Because I’d finally found revenge.

A quarter mile from the school, on my way back to the palace, I spotted the Crown Vic. The tint shielded the driver, but I knew it was him. That left me with two choices. I could go home and tell Thomas what I knew or follow him and see what he was up to.

An hour later, I was trailing Ever through seedy New York neighborhoods until he turned down a street with an abandoned building at the end. There was no way I could go unseen, so I parked on the main road. It was a good thing this part of the city seemed deserted. A Range Rover wouldn’t be easy to miss. I hopped out and prayed his truck would still be there when I returned.