Page 78 of The Pact

I nod. “Yeah, um… I don’t have a ride. How far away is the shop?”

“It’s not far, but I’m parked over here if you need one.” He doesn’t appear untrustworthy, plus Cole knows him. I should question it more, however, I don’t have the energy. I just want my truck back so that I don’t have to traipse all over town trying to find a ride.

He’s right, the shop isn’t far at all and after our initial meeting, Danny seems like a nice enough guy. He tells me that Cole has already taken care of the payment. Another thing to add to the list.

I throw the bag into the bed of the truck and turn the engine over. There’s something comforting about the familiarity of having it back. Yet as I look over, I see the crumpled piece of paper. The one that was stuck in my air vent by Gavin weeks ago.

Thankfully, he seems to have gotten the message after Damian’s warning, whatever that might have been. But that little scrap of paper is a reminder of the slow downhill trajectory my life has taken since that night. There are things to be grateful for, however, those feel overshadowed by all the bad. It can’t get any worse than the flood. I believe this thought, nothing else can top that, I’m sure of it.

I head off towards Cole’s house feeling like an absolute mess.

COLE

“I said I was sorry. I don’t know how many more times I can say it.” Sutton means it, but it does nothing to dampen the annoyance I’ve been feeling this week after he admitted that they got carried away at the bookstore.

Running my hands over my face, I take a deep breath in and release it. “Okay. It’s okay.” It’s not, however, I can’t hold a grudge forever. I glance up and see my three brothers staring at me. “I’m fine.”

They know me better than anyone. I can tell they don’t believe me.

I’ve been on edge for weeks. Thea’s presence is the only thing that seems to relax me. Speaking of Thea. All of our phones buzzed at the same time. The group chat. I’m sure of it. She’s reaching out and none of us are answering her. It makes my nerves jolt to life.

“You’re not fine. Is there something going on that we don’t know about?” Damian questions.

We’re all sitting in the living room, having a family meeting. Usually, they’re pretty uneventful. We go over anything important that might be coming up, settle any issues between us, and go over finances.

I shake my head, looking down at my hands. “No, just been stressed lately is all.” I rub the black stain on my fingertip to distract me from his question.

“Yeah, we’ve noticed,” Wesley huffs. I shoot him a glare that tells him not to start. He’s the last one that should judge anyone for being in a mood. He’s been even more distant and pissy since she started coming around—it only got worse after the carnival.

“That’s enough,” Damian orders. “Let’s go over the businesses and finances.” He looks to Sutton first. “The bookstore is breaking just above even. We can’t rely on the same people to come into the store. We need to attract new business. Have you thought of hosting an event? Maybe poetry night or a writer meet up?”

I want to laugh a little, but I hold back. The whole reason Sutton loves his bookstore is because almost no one shops there. He can read his books all day without being bothered. That doesn’t matter, though. The businesses need to bring in a profit.

Damian may have been kind enough to help us all get started, but he isn’t going to let us take advantage.

“Yeah, not a problem. I’ll get something going,” Sutton says casually, although I can see the tenseness that’s pulling at his eyes and mouth. He’s an introvert, so this is his worst nightmare.

“Wes, you doubled your profits last month. Great job. Keep it up.” Wesley gives a wide, gloating grin.

“That’s how you do it, boys.”

I roll my eyes. “Three months ago you were in the red. Don’t get cocky.”

It’s hard to deny that Damian’s business brings in the most money, by a lot. He never lets us know it though. He might be a controlling bastard, but flaunting money isn’t his thing. Thankfully, the bakery does pretty well and I stay under the radar—for the most part.

I wait for Damian to gloss over my business so we can wrap things up. I want to make sure Thea’s alright. My brother squints at the folder in his hands.

“Cole… This report from the accountant is off.” He hands it to me and my eyes roam the sheet. It’s familiar. We get a report on each of our businesses every month, showing profits and losses. Bank statements are attached as well as the documentation that helps validate the bakery’s expenses and income.

I shrug. “What do you mean?”

“Look at the employee payout sheet.” I flip to the page in the report that lists all of my employees and their monthly wages. “Natalie is making almost twice as much as any other employee you have. You have it listed that she’s a cashier.” My eyes move down the list of names and I see what he’s talking about.

“Yeah, you’re right. That’s strange. I bet I fat fingered something and threw off the numbers. I’m surprised she didn’t say anything when her deposit went in. Sorry about that man, I’ll be more careful next time.”

He nods. “See if you can find out why Natalie didn’t say anything about her paycheck. A couple hundred bucks I might be able to dismiss, but a thousand? That’s not something she wouldn’t have noticed.”

I twist the wolf ring on my finger, glancing back at the dining room table where our phones sit.

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