Page 31 of Deadly Little Hearts

Lucas doesn’t break eye contact with me.“It’s not—”

I bolt.

“Freya, wait!”Lucas yells down the street, but his voice floats away on the wind.

My feet hit the road, my heart burning with a thousand tiny flames.Lucas can hate me all he wants.

I keep running until I reach the dirt track that leads up to the town hall.Cars are lined up everywhere.I stop and lean back against one of the cars, an old Ford with rusted-out rims.

I pull my phone out of my back pocket and my stomach twists.Another message from the unknown number.

Unknown: Peace or war?Make sure you’re at the town hall and don’t be late.Bring your little hood rat friends.It’ll be a date.

My fingers tighten around my phone.Anger boils up from within, and I hastily type a reply.

Me: Who the fuck are you?

I’m so fucking over this stupid asshole, hiding behind a stupid screen and sending cryptic messages.I’ve got enough shit to deal with besides solving these riddles.

Three dots appear, then disappear.After a minute, I give up on waiting for a response, shoving my phone back into my pocket.

Who could be sending these messages?Who’s dumb enough to spend their time fucking with me?I have no idea.

But, as much as I hate to admit it, the sender has a point.I’ve already asked Kai to come here tonight, but what if this is a big chance for him to speak his mind—to let the boys know what he’d like to see for the Hood?

What if this is a way for Kai to see the boys are more than the arrogant assholes he takes them for?

I glance at my watch.The meeting isn’t for another ten minutes.I quickly text Hazen, letting him know I’ll be late, then I call Kai.

The line keeps ringing and ringing.

“Don’t tell me you’re calling to try and convince me to come to the hall, because that would be a waste of precious time.”He knows me too well, and the corner of my mouth lifts slightly.

“You sure you don’t wanna come?It’ll be fun.”I lean even more heavily against the Ford, the early evening air cool around my shoulders.

“Ha!Hanging around with a bunch of rich snobs who measure their dicks against one another isn’t really my idea of fun.”

I chuckle.“Met someone who knows you earlier.Some junkie told a homeless guy not to mess with me because I’m ‘Kai’s girl.’”I try to make light of it with my tone, but a needle of worry pricks at me.“Are you starting something with The Brotherhood?”

Kai sighs.“You know me, Frey.I never strike first.”

“You’re not answering the question,” I press.

“Look, maybe a lot of the Hood have been coming to me, asking questions, and I’m suggesting answers.But I’m not some leader.I’m not like your guys.”

Not yet, I think, but I don’t say it.

The line goes silent for a couple of seconds.“Got anything else on your mind, or should I hang up already?”

All humor dries up.He’s pulling away and I hate it.All I want is for everyone to come together, to put an end to this divide between our town and create equal status.As much as I want it, I know it’ll never happen.The Brotherhood won’t allow it.

“Freya, I’m here for you.You can talk to me if you need,” he says, his voice gentler now, and I can’t help it.I spend the next twenty minutes filling in my best friend on what happened with Mia and Lucas.

“My only piece of advice, coming from someone who doesn’t and never will have a girlfriend?Leave now while you can, and your heart will be safe over here.”

I take a moment to mull over his words.“It’s too late for that.”

“You’re gonna have to choose us or them—and soon.”

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