Page 60 of Pretty Monsters

I nod. He and Shane share a glance. "We're coming with you," Ford says.

"I don't think that's necessary," Raven starts to argue.

"Good," I agree. "Look," I pause and shove my hand through my hair. Trusting outsiders is hard. From the time I should have been in kindergarten I've been learning to live in the shadows and not bring normals into our world. But, Damien has an army, and it can't just be me and Raven against them if Lucien turns on us.

I continue, "I don't want to drag any of you into this mess. It will be deadly for any of you if he finds out you know anything."

"Like the fact her name isn't Alice?" Tessa adds from the backseat.

My jaw clenches. I don't trust her. Yeah, I fucked her, but she did it to fuck over Ford. Her actions don't scream loyalty.

"Don't give me that look, Jackson," she admonishes. "If that's even your name. I know I screwed up, and while I've done some shitty things, I would never, ever do anything to risk the safety of anyone in this car."

"My name is Jackson." I can give her that at least.

"Really, because she doesn't seem to feel comfortable calling you that. Ugh, what is your name anyway?"

"Raven. And I don't call him Jackson, I usually call him Sin." she replies.

Tessa laughs. "It fits. Why Sin?"

"My name, as far as I know at least, is Jackson Sinclair. Did all of you know her name wasn't Alice?" I ask.

Most of them shrug.

Ford turns around again. "Told you she's a shit liar."

Jen leans forward, worried. "What exactly is going on? And what do you mean ‘as far as you know’ about your name?"

While I'm considering what to share, Raven answers. "My father is pretty much one of the most vile humans on the planet. If it's illegal, he traffics it, including people, like Sin. He wants to run for governor to cement his power and immunity from prosecution. The current governor has an anti-organized crime task force, and he's one of the only ones with the balls to try and take him down. In order to finance his campaign and who knows what other purposes, he planned to marry me off to a thirty something guy who's father apparently likes to torture and kill his wives."

"Yeah, fuck you guys," Tessa mumbles. "Seriously, you weren't going to trust me thinking I'd sell her out? No way I'm going to stand by and let one of us be sold like cattle so a man can obtain more power."

"Tessa is a feminist," Jen explains.

"Damn straight," she admits. "I'm in. And when you bring him down, because you have to, I'll do what I can to help the trafficking victims. I've volunteered with a group that helps people deal with trauma."

"Okay, so we feel out Raven's brother–" Shane begins.

"Lucien," Raven supplies.

"Lucien," he continues. "What's the back up plan if he doesn't respond right?”

"We hide them back up at the cabin until we can come up with something else," Ford says.

My head hangs down for a moment before coming back up. They don't belong in this world of darkness and deceit. "One problem. If he doesn't respond the way we want, everyone you know will have to hide. Lucien is a trained killer, and a capable hacker. If he finds you, he'll get the information he needs and it won't be pretty."

"Do you really think he'd go that far?" Raven's voice is sad and uncertain.

"Before you got hurt, I'd have said hell no. I need to look into his face and tell him about us. Then we'll see."

20

Confrontation

Raven

My hands shakeas we climb the stairs to our apartment. Sin is ahead of me, while Ford and Shane follow behind me. The truck is in the parking lot, so it appears Lucien hasn't left for work yet.

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