Page 171 of Poison Aches

“Oh wow, thank you,” I say as I unbuckle, open the door, and get out.

After closing the door, the window rolls down and I hear, more than see, Vaughn.

“Keep that… for when you need me.”

“Huh?”

“Seeing as these next five days will make you wish you never even stepped foot in New York, I’m sure you’ll need someone,” he says simply. “I went to Columbia Law, so I can help you get acclimated with the school.”

I stare at him, hardly blinking, and he laughs.

“You’re wondering how I know you’ll be going to Columbia’s Med School?” he says with a smile, then he waves his phone where I can vaguely see a document with a picture of me on it. “I literally just found out.”

“You had me researched?”

“Of course,” he says. “You’re very intelligent and quiet. We will definitely be friends.”

“How presumptuous of you,” I say, laughing. “Who says we’ll be friends?”

“I do, as well as the invite I just sent you.”

“What invite?”

“There’s a fundraiser dinner tomorrow night. You can come, bring a plus-one if you want, but I’ll introduce you to some notable people in academia if you’d like.”

“You even got my number?”

“Yes, all data is out there, available for those who are adept at finding it, don’t you agree?”

“Well… I’ll think about it.”

“While you consider my harmless invitation, also think about the imminent danger you are in,” he stays. “Stay away from my cousin. He’s more vicious and more brutal than you think.”

And with that, he’s gone, but maybe I should’ve told him that I know firsthand how dangerous Emmett is.

After all, he was the reason why my brother and I had no home for four years.

If only I had kept my mind and memories locked in oblivion.

CHAPTER 23

Ivy

Ivy, 13; Emmett, 16

ache

/e?k/

noun

a continuous or prolonged dull pain in a part of one's body.

verb

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