Page 58 of Betraying Bexley

Mateo held up his hand, waving off Alé. “I’ve got this.”

Alé took Bex’s hand. “Then we’ll be on our way.” He started for the purple Impala sitting out front of the school while fishing his keys out of his pocket.

“I-I...” Bex tightened her hold on Alé’s hand. “Mr. Aquino.”

“Yeah. Cool as hell, right?” He chuckled. “Who knew he was a badass.”

“I-I d-did.”

“Oh?” He cocked a brow, opening the passenger door for Bex. “You can’t stop there.”

She fiddled with the hem of her skirt as he came around the hood of the car to get in beside her. Sometimes talking to Bex was like pulling teeth. Her stutter stunted her ability to carry on like a normal kid. She tried her best, but when flustered, her impediment became worse. He wished for one day she could let go. He wanted to hear her voice without any obstruction.

“H-He’s married. His h-husband’s n-name is N-Noah.”

Surprise filled Alé. He’d been under the impression the whole time she didn’t know any of them. “Oh yeah? What’s he like?”

She rolled her shoulder. “I-Intimidating. I-I saw h-him once. A-At s-school.”

“Wow. What does he do?” He had to be careful here. He couldn’t blow his cover. Getting Bex to open up to him was the plan from the beginning, but the direction they were heading in could compromise the mission. Although, they were having a conversation longer than three words and fuck if he would stop her from talking to him.

She shrugged again. “M-Military. I-I think. O-Or s-something.”

Holy fuck. Alé licked his bottom lip. “Cool. Must have made an impression on you.”

She shrugged again. “T-They s-saved m-me. Once.”

“Oh?” His curiosity was piqued. “Who saved you?”

“S-Scotty an-an-and AJ.” She hummed in approval. “T-They’re n-nice. I-I wish I c-could see them a-again.”

Fuck. He stared at the road as he put more distance between them and the schoolhouse. She knew them. She’d been around R.O.O.T.. What would happen if he decided to say fuck it and bring her to the base? How much trouble would he be in? Would she try to bolt if he did? Was the decision up to him? It put everyone at risk if he didn’t take a consensus of it all.Damn it.He pulled into the diner not far from the high school and found a spot close to the door for Bex.

“I know you said you ate, but I’m starving.” He glanced at her. “Cool?”

She nodded while her stomach growled in anticipation. “Y-Yes.”

“Good.” He got out of the car and waited for Bex to join him. As they walked into the establishment, he kept his hand on the small of her back. “So, what’s your favorite breakfast food, Bex?”

She shrugged. “D-Don’t have one.”

“Serious?” He tilted his head. “I think we should fix that.”

After seating themselves, Alé held up his finger while digging his phone out of his pocket.Speak of the devil.A group chat from everyone waited for him. He opened the message then began typing back.

Alé: She knows everything.

Bronx: EVERYTHING?! Ah hell, we’re screwed.

Alex: Dramatic much? What is everything?

Eito: Better yet, where are you?

Jacolbi: I saw Mateo in the office with Kenner.

Alé: No one told us she knows about Noah!

Bronx: Shit. No fucking way.

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