OAKLEY
Okay,there’sstupid,andthen there’s just plain moronic. Me? I’m both.
I knew this was a bad idea the second it entered my brain, yet the more I thought about it, the more it became my only option. There I was standing behind the bar, serving up beers on Monday night to a crowd full of people who had no idea what kind of bullshit I’ve been dealing with, and then BAM, the idea formed, and suddenly getting an impromptu double dicking was the furthest thing from my mind.
I should bail. Hell, I should bail and then run for the fucking hills. If Zade finds out about this, a hitman will be the least of my concerns.
This is going to end badly for me. Fuck, everything seems to be ending badly for me . . . Well, except for becoming a human cum bank in an elevator and then again during my online psychology lecture. Though that shit was long and boring, and these days I prefer long and hard.
As promised, the boys sat at Danny’s Bar throughout my shift and the minute it was over, they surprised the hell out of me and took me back to my own apartment. I could have sworn they’d pack me up, shove me in the car, and take me back to Zade’s penthouse prison, but apparently I’ve started to earn their trust.
Don’t get me wrong, the lecture I received from Zade in my living room, warning me not to put a foot out of line was one for the ages. I was given all their cell numbers and ordered to call for help if I heard even the slightest twig break outside, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I found one of them sleeping on my couch, just to keep an eye on me. To be honest, I think Zade just couldn’t be fucked driving back into the city . . . or this is some kind of test. One I’m sure to fail. Either way, if this means I can start getting some semblance of a normal life back, then I’ll seize it with both hands and never let go.
Except for right now.
Staring up at the ceiling of Zade’s Escalade, I wonder about all the different ways this could get me killed. Or worse, have to face Zade’s bullshit ranting. He’s not going to like this. None of them are, but I have to give it a try.
The minute I mentioned the doorman at the ball, I knew they would chase down that lead the first opportunity they got. So here I am, hidden in the back of Zade’s car, waiting for them to take the bait. They’re going to lead me right where I want to go. Right into the heart of Empire.
I’ve been laying here for forty-five minutes after somehow convincing them that I’m at home, tucked into bed and as safe as can be. I’ve been going back and forth a million times, trying to convince myself just how bad of an idea this is. But I need to know. I need to see it with my own two eyes. If somebody within that organization is planning on having me slaughtered like cattle, then I have the right to know why. And hell, perhaps even learn his name so I know who to haunt from the grave.
A loud yawn comes tearing out of me just as all four doors open, and I cut that shit off faster than I bingedWednesday. The guys get in, and I listen to the four heavy thuds as they pull their doors closed behind them. The engine roars to life before settling into a subtle purr, and before I know it, bailing is no longer an option.
My heart races like never before as Zade backs out of his parking space and I do what I can to keep hidden in the back. It’s nearing midnight and they don’t say a word, making the silence seem so damn loud. I mean, shit. I’ve never noticed how loud I breathe before, but it feels like every soft exhale sounds like a random neighbor’s two-stroke lawn mower screeching to life first thing on a Sunday morning.
We drive for no more than fifteen minutes before coming to a stop in the middle of nowhere. Zade cuts the engine and my brows furrow as the guys silently get out of the car. I wait a few moments before peeking up over the window and realizing we’re in an abandoned parking lot, and I watch as they walk away, into the darkness.
I’ve got to be out of my fucking mind for even considering this.
I should stay here. I’ll be safer here. But it’s also really fucking dark, and considering someone wants to play target practice with my head, perhaps I should stick with the guys. Besides, who doesn’t love a surprise every now and then?
Slipping out of the Escalade, I stick to the shadows and hurry after them, my brows furrowing as I notice them creeping closer toward an old train tunnel. Without any warning, they disappear inside.
What the hell is this?
Not wanting to lose sight of them out here in the darkness, I quickly hurry to the opening of the tunnel and peer in, seeing absolutely nothing. The only sign they’re in there is the sound of their echoing footsteps.
My hands shake, nervousness sweeping through me. If I don’t do this now, if I don’t take this risk, I’ll never get the chance again. I have to know who these people are. I have to know why they have such an interest in me. If I don’t, it’s my life on the line. I can’t trust Zade. I can’t trust that he’s always going to be there, and I sure as hell can’t trust that one day he isn’t going to grow tired of me and throw me to the wolves.
Sooner or later, Zade is going to replace his father as the leader of Empire. I can only hope when that time comes, he’ll be able to put a stop to all this bullshit. But in reality, I don’t know him. I don’t know what makes him tick, what calms him, or what makes him feel at peace. So who the hell am I to make assumptions about how he’ll lead his Empire? I could be walking right into a trap. It wouldn’t be the first time where Zade DeVil is concerned.
Sometimes all a girl has is herself. Best case scenario, the guys figure out who’s behind this and put an end to it. Worst case scenario, I’m out on my own, running for my life, hoping to God they don’t find me.
Knowing this is a bad idea, I slip inside the tunnel anyway, and a feeling of dread washes over me. Not wanting the boys to hear my footsteps on the concrete, I tiptoe after them, the tunnel getting colder the further we walk.
Goosebumps sail over my skin as the cold seeps into my bones. We walk for a few minutes before the boys stop up ahead and I pause, my heart racing erratically. It’s impossible to see what they’re doing from back here, and as the boys look around, I press myself up against the wall of the tunnel, willing myself to disappear.
There’s a heavy metal clang followed by a strange scraping, and right before my eyes the boys step into the wall, leaving me gaping after them. “What the fuck?” I mouth to myself, the darkness playing tricks on my eyes. I know those assholes didn’t just step through some type of magical portal.
Not wanting to lose track of them and end up alone in this creep-tastic tunnel, I quickly scurry along, my heart thumping in my ears. My breath comes in sharp, heavy pants as paranoia slinks up on me, certain that someone is about to jump out and drag me even further into the darkness.
I stop at the place where the boys disappeared and glance over the tunnel wall. My eyes finally begin to adjust to the dark, and I find an old door that looks as though it must be centuries old. There’s a keyhole to the side and a flare of frustration fires through me. Trying my luck, I shove my hands up against the old door and give it a hard shove, my eyes widening as it starts to move.
“Oh shit,” I breathe. The door is heavy as hell, but when I lean right up against it with all my weight, it opens just enough for me to slip through the gap.
Inside is dimly lit, and I quickly notice a narrow set of stairs carved from old stone blocks. Instinctively I walk toward it, bypassing some expensive-looking tech. Assuming it’s some kind of security system, I don’t touch a thing. I might be a whiz when it comes to stealing people’s phones and magically unlocking them, but when it comes to shit like this, I’d probably send the whole system into a meltdown.
Taking myself down the stairs, I come to an old iron gate that looks to be gold-plated. Heavy chains hang around it, but they’ve been left unlocked as though the boys are anticipating a hasty getaway. My fingers curl around the cold iron and I give it a small push, fear pounding through my body.