Page 203 of Cross the Line
“JJ, let him go,” Fin whispers into his shoulder.
When he looks at her, it’s the only time he takes his eyes off Ryker—giving me an in to intervene. Because Ryker is my problem, and there is no fucking way I’m letting it affect Jayden.
“Take Fin back inside,” I tell him, nodding to the cafeteria. “Get her a drink, settle her nerves… make sure our girl is okay for me.”
“I’m not leaving you with him,” he retorts, releasing Ryker with a hard push that whooshes the air out of his lungs when he smacks into the glass balustrade with a hard thud. His arms wrap around Finley’s shoulders, drawing her into his body while he takes stock of her. “You okay, Baby?”
Finley swallows, ready to tell him what he needs to hear to disarm. “I need a water. I’m shaking so bad.”
It’s not a lie; she’s visibly trembling.
“Come on, Morrow,” Auguste coaxes him while Matheo gives him a reassuring nod. “Dyl’s here for Sylkes.”
“Eli…” He’s looking at me, begging me to go with him, but I’m not done here. This is a battle I have to fight for myself, because I’m not a coward.
As soon as Jayden turns his back, Ryker tries to edge past me—to slink away after all the shit he’s stirred. Exactly like he did all those years ago. He took me to that party under the guise of being my friend, and after it went down, he walked away like it was nothing.
While I want to never lay eyes on him again after today, he doesn’t get to leave without acknowledging his part in everything. He doesn’t get to twist the knife without getting blood on his hands.
“What?” he spits at me when I stretch my arm out, halting his escape.
“I know it’s you. The photos and story in The Chronicle, the texts… You stole Fin’s number at the bar, and it was you who posted it in the forums.”
He chuffs, “Do you? Really?”
“I don’t know why, but I know it’s your shitty game, Ryker. You’re still the same manipulative, backstabbing piece of shit you were all those years ago. Still a damn worthless liar.”
“Prove it.”
White-hot rage scalds through my bloodstream at his smirk. I don’t see red, blue, or fucking purple. I see nothing. Black.
Dylan’s hand curls around my shoulder, stopping me from launching at the cretinous fuck.
“Go near Finley again, and I will kill you. You so much as breathe near Jayden, and I will rip your fucking throat out. You’re done. We’re done. Stay the fuck away from us.”
With a shake of my shoulder, I walk away. Not another glance behind me, the way Ryker left the night he fed me to the wolves. Except this time, I’m not scared or ashamed. I’m not one bit confused as I pull my phone from my pocket and text Parker.
Eli Sylkes
Hey, Parker. If your offer is still open, I’d like to take you up on it. Thanks.
CHAPTER 55
FINLEY
Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
My heart is pounding when I turn the corner back to the building. My stomach bubbles with a mixture of nerves and excitement.
I think I did okay.
I did, I keep telling myself as I park the car and kill the engine. I want to fall back into the seat of the Ford Puma and let out a sigh of relief.
After my panic attack this morning, I wasn’t expecting to keep my cool when we hit the freeway at peak time. L.A. drivers are aggressive. Every time I get in a car, it feels like I’m taking my life in my hands, even with a seasoned instructor in the back—the best, according to Jayden’s momma.
“Okay, Miss Tomes,” the examiner croons, scribbling on his clipboard again.
I can’t help but shiver when he uses my surname, and he notices because he swivels slightly, leveling me with a sorry smile. When he exchanges a look with my instructor, I’m certain I’ve failed even though I’m pretty sure I did everything right.
