Page 122 of Filthy Elites

SIXTEEN

Haley

Josh’s wordsabout Viks remain on my mind well throughout my classes. Viks is a hired killer? That doesn’t surprise me, but it does make me want to know more, specifically from the man himself.

When Viks picks me up at the same spot hours later, he doesn’t make any sort of sarcastic remarks about me actually showing up. Instead, he merely gives me a soft smile and cranks the ignition, pulling away from the curb as the soft rock radio station plays between us.

The vehicle passes over the pavement as we head away from campus. “So,” I start, “I’ve got a shift at Outsider tonight.” I glance at him out of the corner of my eye.

“Okay,” he says.

I blink. “Really?” I ask. “That easily?”

“I’ll be in the office tonight,” he says, looking at me.

“Oh.” That means he’ll be there. I swallow roughly, nervousness eating at my mind.Why the fuck am I hesitating? Just fucking spit it out, Haley.

“Can I ask you a question?” I say, forcing the first words out as he steers the SUV onto the highway.

“You can ask,” he replies, but it’s said in a way that makes it clear that just asking won’t always get me an answer.

I bite down on my lip, chewing roughly as I contemplate how to put it. “How did you … erm … come to Eastpoint?”

He looks at me with raised brows. “What makes you want to know something like that?” he asks curiously.

I shrug. “Just thought about it, that’s all.” It’s only a little fib. I had actually thought about itafter.

Viks stares at me for a brief moment before turning back to face the windshield. “What’d they say to you?” he asks instead of answering.

“What?” My head jerks to the side.

“You’re asking for a reason,” he guesses. “I want to know what you heard first before I answer.”

I clench my teeth. I don’t really want to tell him what Josh said to me. My hands twist in my lap. “It was nothing,” I say. “Forget it.”

A beat passes and then Viks sighs and reaches forward, shutting off the radio. “I grew up in a shithole town just south of here,” he says. “It’s called Silverwood. There ain’t much there but drug dealers and gang bangers.”

“Really?” I lift my head once more and turn, looking at him fully. His face is a mask of no emotion. I can’t read him at all. “Why’d you come here?” I ask.

He shrugs. “There wasn’t much there for me after my parents passed,” he answers.

“But how did you … I mean you practically run Club Outsider,” I point out.

“For now,” he agrees. “It won’t be around much longer.”

I frown. “What do you mean?” I ask.

“Nicholas plans on changing the name and giving it to his son when he turns eighteen.”

“But what about you?”

Viks’ eyes cut to me and he arches a brow. “What about me?” he repeats.

“I mean, you’ve run it for years. Are you still going to if his son takes it over?” I ask.

Viks shrugs. “Dunno. Maybe, but probably not.”

“That’s not fair,” I point out.

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