Page 5 of Tempting Devil

As I drove through the city, cozy residential neighborhoods eventually gave way to dilapidated buildings with boarded-up windows and graffiti-covered walls. I hated that this was all Jonah had ever known. I could only hope my program did for him what a similar one did for me.

Despite his circumstances, Jonah was a bright kid. Demonstrated a keen mind, especially when it came to computers, which was why Henry, one of my foster brothers and a computer genius, took him under his wing, as well. Hopefully, between the two of us in his corner, he could break the cycle.

After navigating a few more blocks of rundown buildings, I pulled into the parking lot where Jonah dropped the pin, verifying I was in the right place. I had no idea why he was here. In the past, whenever he ran into trouble, he’d hide out in a church. But tonight, he was somewhere in an old shopping plaza, the buildings looking like they’d been vacated long ago.

I parked in the empty lot near the building and scanned the area for Jonah, not immediately seeing any sign of life.

Fishing my cell out of my pocket, I fired off a quick text.

Me:

Here.

Within a few moments, a hooded figure emerged from the side of the building and made his way toward me, a gun clutched in his hand. I didn’t even want to ask how Jonah came to own a gun, considering he was under eighteen and couldn’t buy one legally in the state yet. Considering where he lived and his current situation, I couldn’t blame him for wanting one to be on the safe side.

As he grew close, I unlocked the car, continually scanning my surroundings. A chill trickled down my spine, something unsettling filling me with an odd sense of premonition. The sooner I got Jonah out of here, the better.

With quick motions, he opened the passenger door and slid into the car, not removing his hoodie.

Nor did he lower his gun.

In fact, he raised it, pointing it at me, its black metal glinting in the moonlight.

My pulse raced as I tried to comprehend what was happening. “Jonah, what are?—”

I stopped short when he finally looked up.

Only it wasn’t Jonah.

The piercing gaze that met mine belonged to my best friend.

“What are you doing, Liam? Where’s Jonah?” Panic raced through me as I stole a glance toward the glove box where I’d stashed my gun.

A sly smirk crept across Liam’s mouth, revealing a side of my friend I’d never seen before. “Don’t worry. He’ll be well taken care of.”

Before I had a chance to react, a loud bang reverberated in the car as a searing pain tore through my body. I slumped against the seat, my world going dark.

Chapter Two

Imogene

Present Day

My chest constricted, a weight suffocating me, freezing me in place. Nothing made sense. Not after hearing that name… Samuel Tate.

It echoed in my head, a never-ending nightmare I couldn’t wake up from, no matter how hard I’d tried.

I thought moving to California would give me the fresh start I desperately needed, an escape from the overwhelming grief of Samuel’s death.

But now, after five years, a glass with his fingerprints was found at Alton’s cabin?

How was I supposed to process that information? What could it mean?

A part of me had always held on to a tiny glimmer of hope he might still be alive. Without a body, that was all it was.

Over the past few weeks, however, I let go of the idea. Let go of him.Moved on from the constant pain of losing Samuel.

Now this revelation had shattered everything. Could it be possible? Could Samuel still be alive?

---