Page 100 of Risking it All

“No. I would have forced Lyra to give me the keys, and I would have been here regardless.”

Dad took my face in his hands and forced me to look him straight in the eyes. “I brought you here. You didn’t know what was happening. I interfered, not you. That’s what I just called and told Lyra to tell Eric. That’s the story Eric will believe. I have to leave town now. You and I both know there’s now a price on my head.”

I hated my father. Hated him with every ounce of my being. So why did my eyes burn? Why did my windpipe feel like it was closing up on me?

“Take care of Camila,” Dad said. “You’re a better father to her than I have ever been.”

“You don’t need to go,” I said, trying desperately to think of a way out of this. “Maybe we can spin the story.”

“Eric’s too big for you to run from,” Dad continued, as if I hadn’t said anything. “But he’ll work with you. Stay away from the drugs. Take the opportunities with the stolen cars. There’s still risk and danger, but you’re smart enough to keep yourself alive. Don’t trust anyone. Listen to your instincts. Squirrel all the money you can away so you can one day run from this life.”

But there was no running. There was only dying.

Dad hugged me, both of his arms around me tight. “Stay smart. Stay alive.” Before I could hug him back, he let me go and jogged across the street. He slipped between two houses, and I watched in shocked silence as he hopped the fence and disappeared from my life.

Back alleys and out of sight. My dad was the one who taught me that. He was the one who taught me how to stay alive. Stay smart. Stay alive. What could I do now? Regardless of how this all played out, Eric was still my battle, and I didn’t want Macie anywhere near this war.

I watched as her family hugged her, watched as all those adults gathered round and gave her support. She’d be okay now. She’d be safe and protected, and all I could offer her was hurt.

For the first time, I understood Dad. At least understood why he left. He saw an opportunity to protect me even though his decision hurt him. Could I be strong enough to make the same choice for Macie?

My chest felt like it was being ripped in half as I pulled my phone out and gave her my raw truth:I love you. I’m glad you’re safe. I can’t stay. My time is up. Don’t come looking for me. My world’s no longer safe for you to be around. Do great things, Mazie Hutchinson. You deserve the universe.With one final look in her direction, I forced myself to walk away.

Chapter fifty

Macie

Mom couldn’t stop hugging me and Dad hadn’t stopped staring at me, like he was scared if he took his eyes off of me, I might disappear and then he’d never find me again.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Mom asked for the umpteenth time.

“I swear I’m okay. We should probably talk to Relic’s dad though. He was the one who pushed me out of the way when Brayden shot at me. The bullet grazed his arm.”

My mind hiccupped and I looked in Brayden’s direction again. He had been looking at me then forced his gaze away. Anger, shock, betrayal. Part of me wanted to go over and kick the crap out of him like I did Lev’s dad. Actually, all of me wanted to do exactly that, and as I took a step toward him, Dad gently snagged my wrist. “I have the same thought, Macie, but we have to let the police handle this.”

I met Dad’s eyes, saw the unadulterated rage there that matched my own.

“He shot me.” I shocked myself with the vile way I said these words.

“I know,” Dad said, “And we’ll make sure he spends a long time in prison for it.”

“He acted like he was my friend.” Each word dripped with antagonism.

“He’ll get what’s coming to him,” Dad said. Maybe, but it wouldn’t come fast enough.

I scanned the area, searching for Relic, for his dad, and a sense of panic arose when I scanned the area again and neither of them were anywhere to be found. “Relic’s gone.”

“I’m sure he’s here somewhere,” Mom said, and Dad called Abby over, asking her if she’d seen where Relic went.

Already feeling edgy, panic surged in my veins, and I took out my phone to call him. My forehead furrowed at his text, and then grief overwhelmed me. “No, no, no, no, no.”

Mom slipped to stand in front of me. “Macie, what’s wrong?”

“He’s gone.” The gang. Relic went to join the gang. But that couldn’t happen. It couldn’t.

Dad. My head jerked up. I needed Dad. I pushed past Mom, practically shoved Abby out of the way, and frantically grabbed hold of my father. “You need to help Relic.”

“Okay, Macie,” Dad said slowly. “Calm down. Tell me what’s wrong.”

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