Page 53 of Betraying Bexley

What was the point?

He grabbed his phone and stepped outside, needing the fresh air. He pulled a joint from his pocket and lit it before dialing AJ’s number. How did he even explain what he found? Did they tell Bex? Did they have to? Questions swirled through his mind. One thing was for sure, before he went to anyone with the information he found, he had to talk to Jannica—if he could find her. Deep down he knew she was the key to the whole video.

Alex sent an urgent text to Bronx, she was probably on the way back with Alé, but for him to be able to explain everything, he needed her help too. His phone chimed and Bronx’s ETA appeared on the screen. Good. He went back inside to clean up his mess, no one liked a kitchen that smelled of vomit, then he found a clear still of Jannica. If anyone could find her, it was Bronx.

The door opened minutes later, and Bronx called out to him. “In the kitchen.”

Bronx saddled up next to him and frowned. “You don’t look so good.” She sniffed him. “Have you been smoking again?”

“Kind of had to,” he croaked, still sickened by what he saw. “Look, I need information on her.” He opened the laptop and showed Bronx a photo of Jannica. “Find her.”

“Alex, you’re scaring me. What did you see?” Bronx slid her gaze to the computer. “What happened while we were gone.”

He shuddered with revulsion. “It’s better if you see it only once. I need her information first. I have to talk to her then I can present everything to the team and our fearless leaders.”

Bronx nibbled on her bottom lip. “Fine. Send me the photo of her and I should have something for her within the next twenty minutes, if that long.”

“Thank you.” He blew out a breath. “I appreciate this.”

“Not a problem.” She touched his shoulder. “Why don’t you take a minute and compose yourself.”

Alex smirked. “I have been.” He held up the joint he’d been smoking. “I’ll be fine. I just need a minute.”

Bronx snorted. “Sure.” She grabbed his laptop and sent the photo to herself, then walked away. “I’ll be back.”

Alé cocked a brow. “What did you find?”

“Man, all kinds of fucked up shit. There is an embedded video within the original. I’m going to need help with that part too. But, like I told Bronx, it’s better to share it once than over and over again.” He took another hit off the joint then handed it to Alé. “Want some?”

Alé shook his head. “Nah, I’m good.”

When Bronx returned, she handed Alex the slip of paper. “I should go with you.”

“I’m fine. I’m not as high as I want to be.” He grabbed his keys. “I’ll be back in an hour.”

He stepped outside as Jacolbi and Eito pulled up. Eito stopped him, with a hand to the chest. Alex didn’t have time for Eito’s shit. Just because they fooled around a couple of times, didn’t constitute a relationship. “I gotta go. It’s important.”

“I’ll go with you.” Eito turned, heading for Alex’s supped up Honda.

“No, you’re going to stay here. You’re going to wait for me to come back then we’re going to go to the base.”

Eito stared at him. “What happened?”

“I have to do this.” Alex got into his car, making sure to keep the doors locked so Eito couldn’t follow. It was for the best. None of them needed to witness what he saw.

He glanced at the address on the paper Bronx gave him and input the information into his GPS. Surprisingly, Jannica didn’t live far from them. He pulled up to the house five minutes later and stared at it. It was nice. Simple. Reminded him of the house they were living in, only it was filled with love. He got out of the car and strode up to the door. He didn’t know what he was going to say when someone answered, but he figured he know once he saw the person. Alex pushed the doorbell then waited.

“Just a second,” a young woman’s voice called out. The door opened seconds later and there she stood, Jannica. She frowned. “Can I help you?”

Alex stared at her, trying to figure out if she was friend or foe. Did she purposefully hurt Bex or was she just a pawn in some sick twisted game? “You don’t know me. My name is Alex Shin. I have a couple of questions about a video with you and Bexley Iniguez.”

Her eyes widened with surprise or fear, he didn’t have a clue. “Uh, hold on.” She pulled the door too. “Mom, I’m going outside for a minute. I’ll be right back.” She opened the door and stepped outside. “I can’t go far, I’m pretty much grounded for the rest of my life.”

He snorted. "Not a problem. This will only take a minute of your time. Promise. Like I said, my name is Alex Shin, I'm part of a federal investigative group call the Strategic Reinforcement Team a division of a military unit." Not the exact truth, but also not a lie. Plus it sounded badass. "Anyway, it's complicated. I've never used the title before. What we're investigating is the video of you and Bexley."

“Uh...” She glanced over her shoulder. “Should I be calling my lawyer or something.”

He held up his hand. “No. You’re not in trouble. I have a few questions though, if you don’t mind.” He pulled his phone from his pocket. “Can I record us?”

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