Page 128 of Hate So Deep

I don’t know but he sure as shit isn’t going to admit it to me.

“What do I get in return?” he asks, raising a brow. “You’re already skating on thin ice, Evans. I don’t make deals just to break ‘em.”

“I know. It’s not ideal but it’s the only way. I have something you can use,” I say, and he cocks his head.

When he waves his hand, I pull the key from my pocket and drop it on the desk. It rolls across the surface before Hate picks it up and says, “What’s this?”

“It’s twenty years of shit my father compiled on every dick in this town. It’s his bankroll and it could be yours…”

Yes, I told my father we had a deal and I’m keeping to my end. I’m not revealing what he knows about the governor’s daughter. Nope, instead, I’m giving the power to someone else who may be an asshole but at least he’s honest about it.

My father stands behind his holier than thou attitude. Hate doesn’t fucking care.

“All this for Stark?” Hate mutters. “Little weasel.”

“Yes…”

“On one condition,” he says.

“Anything. I’ll do anything,” I say, and he smiles.

Chapter 47

NOW

Lauren

True to their words, Colt and Finn were waiting when I came home.

I haven’t heard from Dirk since I confronted my mother and although I’m disappointed, I’m not surprised.

He made his point and now I have to swallow it, even if it chokes me all the way down.

With nothing but time on my hands, I’ve come to the realization that there will be no peace for me as long as I allow my mother to have control.

I deserve to know what happened that night and this is what propels me down the stairs and out the door while Celia and my dad are away from the house.

Of course, the mere thought of confronting my mom has me sweating the entire drive and I’m still clenching my teeth when I pull up to my house and stare at the spot where my mom’s car should be.

She’s not here but she will be eventually.

Am I ready to confront her? What do I have to lose?

Her sole focus has always been on Buck, which ultimately turned him into a little monster.

Now people are dead, and she’s still going to sit on her high horse and look down at me?

I don’t fucking think so.

Resolved, I step through the front door but as soon as I enter, I shiver at the chill.

Why isn’t the heat on?

The living room is empty, and I pass down the hall to her room, but I suspect she hasn’t been sleeping in here since she tore it apart.

“Mom?” I say, despite knowing she’s not here before I enter her room.

The aftermath of her tantrum still litters the floor and after checking the closet, I push open the bathroom but it’s equally empty.

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