Series: Like Us Series by Krista Ritchie
Total pages in book: 241
Estimated words: 236417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1182(@200wpm)___ 946(@250wpm)___ 788(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1182(@200wpm)___ 946(@250wpm)___ 788(@300wpm)
“Why Xander?” I ask him.
“He’s the most famous Hale kid, right? Outside of the oldest one who married your friend. Teens lose their shit over Xander Hale. Can’t scroll two damn pages on social media without seeing a promoted ‘news’ article about what he’s wearing or caught doing. That goes for most of those families though. He’s just the one the shady journalist wanted pictures of. Well, him and Lily Calloway.”
I grimace.
He sweeps me, almost compassionately. “You sure you don’t want a pint?”
I’m on-duty. “Just wanna smoke.” I take another drag. “Did this journalist ask for a certain kind of picture or did they just get creative and decide to beat the shit outta a woman?” Venom seeps into my bloodstream.
He wipes the condensation off the pint glass. “They’re pieces of shit. No denying that. And…from what Roark could tell me, the journalist prompted them to make it good. Specifically, they wanted photos of him nearly naked.”
My stomach roils. “Nearly naked?”
“That’s what Roark said.” He raises his hands. “They were gonna strip Xander down to his underwear, take some pics, and leave him on the side of the road.”
I stiffen. “Why didn’t they do that to Luna? Why kidnap her instead?”
“The plan was to leave all the other Hales in the car alone, untouched. The journalist wasn’t gonna pay shit for their photos. They were clear about that. Just Xander. Just Lily.” He lowers his voice to a whisper. “They fuckin’ panicked. They didn’t wanna leave her there, so they just took her. They had no plan when it came to your girlfriend—you saw it that night. They were fucking idiots.” He brings his cigarette to his mouth. “Now look at ‘em. Fifty years.”
I lean back more, chair creaking underneath me. I try to picture that alternate timeline. It’s different but the same. Just adding someone else into a boatload of trauma my family inflicts on the people I love.
But this was it.
This was the information I’ve been tasked to obtain from my dad. There should be confetti cannons and celebratory applause in my head—but it’s just quiet. Too quiet.
“They should’ve dragged the journalist down with ‘em.”
“No kidding.” He blows smoke upward, thinking. “Guy never gave his real name. Roark said he only accepted physical photos at a drop off. Nothing over the internet or text. As far as they know, they were contacting him through a burner phone. He’s untraceable, but he paid up so they didn’t give a shit.”
“There’s nothing else known about him? Not even a description?”
“Nah, nothing.” He picks up his pint. “Donnellys are at the bottom of the food chain, son. Whoever that guy was, he’s more in the middle. He had connections to that big media firm…Rochester Industries. He’s not gonna go down.”
Rochester Industries. I let out a sigh. Shoulda known the Roaches have their hands somewhere in this moldy cookie jar. It’s not completely unexpected either. The first news stations to broadcast photos of Lily that night—they’re owned by Rochester Industries.
“Looks like he’s here,” my dad says, and I snap my gaze behind me. Twisting fully around, I stand as Loren Hale strides into the secluded corner with a wet umbrella. He lifts black Ray Bans to the top of his head, his narrowed gaze could cut glass. But that’s also a normal expression for Lo.
He’s dressed down in jeans and a plain red T-shirt, and my dad is on his feet, already extending a hand to greet him.
“Sean Donnelly,” he says lightly.
Lo’s eyes briefly flicker to me, as though checking to see if I’m in one piece. I’m smoking. I’m waiting for a basket of hand-cut chips my dad ordered for the table. Just need this to hurry up. I have about forty-five minutes before Xander might notice I’m gone.
I’m picturing him opening the door and seeing Greer. He’s gonna be confused and hurt and all the trust he has in me will obliterate before I can even explain myself.
I can’t let that happen.
Lo shakes his hand and forces a dry smile. “You get stuck in the rain?”
“Me? Nah, I just walked here.” He returns to his seat, glancing over at Lo’s bodyguard from Security Force Alpha. Bruno Bandoni stays posted about ten feet away. His back to us. Eyes on the pub. “You know that guy?” He’s asking me.
“Sure do,” I say. “Even know he’s allergic to shellfish and will put down a whole bottle of warm sake.”
Bruno turns his head slightly, and I see his smile.
“Huh,” my dad says in thought.
We’re all sitting now, and my dad has trained his attention on Lo, who’s cutting through him with an intrusive stare.
But my dad’s not cowering or shrinking back. “You want a beer?” He’s about to flag down the server.
“I’m an alcoholic,” Lo states dryly.
“Ah, so you put ‘em back better than the rest?” He smiles at the joke.