Page 115 of Borden 3

I let out a disapproving groan. “Borden!”

I could hear the smirk in his voice. “Emma, you said once that I could never catch him. And you were right. I need to learn how he does it.”

“He won’t offer up that information.”

“No, I suppose not.” He hummed thoughtfully. “But everyone has a price.”

I didn’t think he was talking about money. I studied him, seeing how resolute he was in his decision. I sighed again, long and slow.

Either this plan of attack would work.

Or Borden was walking into a trap.

Chapter Forty

Emma

Past

Tonight was different.

I could feel it the second I stepped into Neverland. It was already packed with kids when I made it through the door. I heard hooting and cheers, and I was worried I’d missed the fight. But, as I pushed through the crowd, I saw that wasn’t the case. Everyone orbited Theo. He was jumping up and down on his feet, so loaded with energy. He was pumped, his hair had grown out and he had to have it tied back in a tight bun.

Some loose strands framed his face. His face was lightly bearded. His green eyes found mine immediately as I stepped through and his face broke into a large smile. “Hey, Emz.”

I frowned. For someone that hated his situation—being forced to sell drugs for a nameless gang he still hadn’t told me the details about—he seemed unusually excited.

“What did I miss?” I asked.

“The guys took some bets.”

I glanced down at the large laundry basket full of goods. Then I glanced at Theo’s opponent. My face fell. He was way too little. He looked half Theo’s body weight.

“Theo, he’s tiny,” I hissed at him, grabbing at his arm.

“He knows what he’s doing,” he assured me.

“Theo, please, look at me.”

Theo barely glanced my way, though, as he cracked jokes with the boys next to him. Terror rocked through me. I didn’t want to see this kid’s body bent in an unnatural way, or for him to wind up half-dead at a hospital tonight.

“You’re not going to fight!” I retorted.

This time, Theo’s head snapped to mine. His smile fell. “Calm down, Emma.”

“No, I won’t see you hurt another kid again. This has to stop.” We were getting attention from other kids who went quiet as they listened. “Theo, please, this doesn’t have to be you. It has to stop.”

“Like I said, I don’t have a choice,” he growled at me now, dropping his head to glare at me. “Your neck’s not on the line, Emma.”

My eyes watered. “You don’t listen to me. You never listen to me.”

“I do, nightcrawler—”

“Then don’t hurt this boy, please.”

But Theo shook his head, looking away from me now, even as I begged him again to just look at me, to snap out of whatever was feeding his ego. I couldn’t do this anymore. This wasn’t what going out was about for me.

“I won’t hurt him,” Theo simply assured me. “It’ll be quick—”

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