Page 61 of Fighting the Odds

I don’t ask questions. All I want to do is get out of here as quickly as I can. It’s not until I step into the office downstairs and see Rico waiting do I feel any sense of relief.

As I step into the office, Rico’s eyes lock onto mine, and I know he sees the change in my demeanor. My rigid body, the way I wrap my arms around my chest, caving in on myself. He doesn’t say anything. He shakes Principal Jensen’s hand before heading my way, just as the bell rings, signaling the end of class.

He places his hand on the small of my back and guides me out of the office. Not a word is spoken. All eyes are on me as we move down the hallway.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see everyone in the halls, leaning in whispering to each other. This is just adding fuel to the fire. Everyone knows I don’t have a dad, so I can only guess who they think Rico is.

My pimp or sugar daddy, most likely. Especially if they listen to Wesley.

Rico doesn’t say a word the entire time we’re walking, but as soon as we get in the car, he stares at the students leaving the school out the front windshield, and the questions fly.

“Why do you have that scared look on your face, Sierra?”

“I don’t.” Of course I play dumb.

“Don’t. I’ve watched you grow up from a distance, so I’ve learned every face you make. Then when you came to work at the club, I got to know you better. Something happened. Who the fuck am I killing?”

I blow out a breath of air. Not wanting to say anything, but knowing he won’t give up.

“It’s nothing, I’m just tired, first day back and all. There was a lot to catch up on and then there’s the typical catty girl mentality going on. That’s it. No one to kill.” Really, I’d love for him to kill all the people in there, starting with Savannah. But it’s just a dream, nothing I want to act on.

He grips the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turn white before he turns his eyes to me. “Don’t lie. I’m not stupid. A part of that may be true, but the rest is bullshit.”

“Rico, please. I’m just tired and the rest is typical high school crap. Can we please go home? I’m hungry and tired.”

I turn my head, gazing out the window. Just a few years ago, my life was so different. What I’d give to go back in time. Not because Wesley and I would still be friends, but I would have my mom and Sam with me. I wouldn’t feel this emptiness in my heart.

The engine comes to life, rumbling underneath me, vibrating. Rico and his muscle cars; you’d think he was trying out to be in that movie about the group of people who do all kinds of crazy things as they run from the law. Sorry, but no way in hell am I parachuting out of the back of a plane in a car.

“I’ll drop it for now, but you’re going to give me answers, Sierra.” He shifts the car into gear and pulls away from the curb.

“Fine,” I mumble.

My biggest concern, other than Sam at the moment, is Wesley. He knows I’m Lilac and I know it’s not going to end well for me.

He’s going to use it to his advantage. But how?

“What do you want to eat? Tacos or burgers? Soup?” I glance over at Rico, smiling at him tapping his finger on the top of the steering wheel. I don’t know why, but for some reason, I wonder if my dad did that, too.

I don’t ask, though. Rico already told me he wasn’t a good man, and now that he’s dead, does it really matter?

“Sierra?”

“Oh, sorry. Tacos are fine, or whatever you want is good.”

“Tacos it is.” He smiles at me, and I give a forced one back.

We continue on in silence until he turns into the drive-through lane of El Cazador. He orders for both of us, getting a little of everything. I hope he has a big appetite because there’s no way I can even eat a quarter of what he’s ordering.

“So you and Cyrus?” he asks. “How’s that going?”

I roll my eyes. Is he seriously asking me that?

“Yes, and I don’t think you want the details, do you, Dad?” I can’t help but laugh as his whole body shudders.

“Not your dad, and of course, I’m asking. If he hurts you, I’m going to kill him.”

“You’re wanting to kill a lot of people lately. How do you plan to stay out of jail?”

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