Page 90 of Twisted Lies

Astrid keeps up with every challenge we hurl at her, and that’s a feat at Stonehaven. I’ve watched her stake her claim by excelling at sports, which was a clever move. She’s taking over Stonehaven with no fucks given, showing off her physical strength and grace. But above all else: tenacity.

Watching her, I now know what I want: I want someone who’s an equal that will challenge me. With her, there wouldn’t be a single boring day.

“We could share her,” Justin whispers.

I shoot out of my thoughts with a start. “What?”

“You’ll get bored, Bryce. You always do, but you won’t if you always have competition.”

I stare at Justin as if he’s really lost it this time. He’s always trying to up the weird ante. But this is too much. I close my eyes and block him out as an unpleasant thought creeps into my mind. Is Astrid with Wyatt tonight?

No. I relax back into the seat. Wyatt was pissed at her because of Justin.

Pierce lowers the tinted divider, telling the driver to ignore the GPS and to turn there. I pretend I’m not here with them as the limo passes by a row of derelict buildings on a street that’s poorly lit.

“What the fuck?” Pierce’s loud mouth rouses me. “Why is the place dark?”

I open my eyes and look at the old warehouse at the end of the empty parking lot. It looks like what it is—an abandoned, rundown brick building in a blighted town. I sit up and peer out the window, looking for signs of activity, but there aren’t any. Tonight’s Saturday, and the lot should be packed with cars. It always is.

“What’s going on?” I ask Pierce.

He glares at me like I should know, but I’m asking him.

“So this is a fun night out?” scoffs Ted. “A tour of the bad side of town? If I wanted to see this, I’d start campaigning early for reelection.”

“Shut up, Ted,” Pierce bites out the command. The balls on this kid, telling the governor to shut up. He pulls his phone out of his pocket and starts dialing. “No one is picking up. Where’s Grinder?”

A lone figure walks through the parking lot toward the front door. A girl wobbles on her heels in a short skirt and fuzzy cheap jacket. Pierce shoves the driver’s shoulder. “Drive over to the door.”

Silently, the driver takes the car out of park and glides along, following the girl, who’s checking her phone. She looks up and peers into the car as it comes to a stop beside her. Ted lets down his window to ogle the girl, but Pierce is faster. He leaps out his door and approaches the smiling girl, who has no sense of self-preservation.

“Hey, you know what’s happening tonight?” Pierce asks her, laying on his charm.

She holds the phone up so he can read the screen. “They moved the location to downtown.” She sighs. “I should’ve checked my phone before I came down here.” The girl’s gaze falls on the limo as she hugs herself in her light jacket. “Are you going there?” she asks Pierce. “I could use a ride.”

He nods. “Sure, come with us.” Pierce grabs the girl by her upper arm, guiding her toward the open car door. She giggles as she scrambles inside out of the cold. She smiles when she sees Justin and giggles again when she sees me.

But she ends up next to Ted. And suddenly she looks hesitant as Ted leers at her chest.

Pierce slides in next to her, and she moves closer to him.

“347 Commerce Street,” Pierce calls out to the driver, “put it in your GPS.”

“Thanks for the ride,” the girl says as the car pulls away.

Ted reaches behind the girl, wrapping his arm over her shoulder. “You look cold, sweetie,” he laughs, and she giggles. “What’s your name?”

“Kendra,” her voice rises and falls.

“And how old are you?”

“Nineteen,” she says.

“That’s a perfect age.” Ted’s other hand rests on her knee.

She shifts her legs toward Pierce, but he’s busy checking his phone, trying to figure out what is going on. I should care too, but I don’t. In fact, I feel a little bit relieved that I won’t be going into that place. I won’t have to lie to Astrid about being here.

Pierce shoves my leg. “What’s the matter with you? Don’t you give a fuck about what’s happening?”

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