Page 10 of Claiming Becca

I glance at her Volkswagen since she hasn’t driven off yet. My phone vibrates in my hand.

Shortcake: What kind of question is that? How would I know?

Smiling down at my phone.Me: I was just wondering if I needed to spread them apart.

Shortcake: Big Man! You are such a dork.

Me: I made you laugh, though, didn’t I?

Shortcake: You always make me laugh.

Her car pulls onto the street. She waves her fingers at me as she passes by with a big smile. I return the smile and wave back.

“You like her,” Julian says.

My attention returns to him. “She’s one of my best friends,” I tell him.

His eyes narrow. “That’s all?”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, that’s all.” He tilts his head, but I ignore it.

“So, how long are you in town for?” I ask him. He paces back and forth on the sidewalk, running his hand through his hair.

“Tonight. We need to get back to follow the guy we found.” Brooks walks up as Julian finishes talking.

“Tomorrow is my day to trail him. We’ll get this bastard before he can kill this girl,” Brooks states.

“He got another girl?” I ask. They both nod.

“A nineteen-year-old girl. She’s a little older than what he normally goes for. He normally goes for girls around sixteen or seventeen,” Brooks replies.

I don’t like the sound of that. When I first met Becca, she was seventeen. That easily could have been her. Meeting her changed my life, and she doesn’t even know it. The night Bass and I were moving, I knew I needed to do something. But meeting Becca helped me form a plan to do what I was born to do. She’s helped encourage me and come up with ideas. To think I was going to leave this town. I’ve always wanted to do something big, and now I feel like I’m doing it. A stillness envelopes those who are walking up and down the sidewalks. It’s like there is a collective gasp and uneasiness.

My eyes sweep the area, landing on Donovan’s Mercedes, driving down the street. I share a look with Julian. He and Brooks step to the sidewalk’s edge and watch with me. All three of us are ready. Someone steps up beside me, and I glance over. My muscles tighten even more at the sight of Victor.

He frowns slightly. “He must be here to vote as well,” Victor says.

My eyes narrow. “He’s here to do more than that,” I tell him.

Victor studies me. “What do you mean?” he asks.

“How is it that you’re best friends with that man, and you don’t know anything he does in this town?” I retort.

He tilts his head, crossing his arms. “I’m not best friends with him,” he says.

I arch an eyebrow. Everyone knows Donovan and Victor are best friends. They are always seen eating together. Victor is the only other person allowed around Donovan’s daughter. Rumor is since Donovan’s wife died, he hasn’t let his daughter out of the house. She was home-schooled. She has to be about my age now. I wonder if she’s allowed out of the house now.

Turning my attention back to Victor, I raise an eyebrow. “What do you mean he’s not your best friend?” I watch him closely for any signs of him lying.

His lips press into a tight smile as he looks down. “Exactly what I said,” he replies.

When he doesn’t explain further, I shake my head and glance at Julian. “Give it a rest,” he mumbles.

I suck in a breath before turning toward Victor. “Well, tell your not-best friend to go in, vote, and leave.” I turn around and walk away. If I stay near him much longer, I’ll do something I’ll regret.

CHAPTER FIVE

BECCA

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