Page 83 of Risking it All

“Rachel’s twin brother is married to a man. Rachel was Ethan’s best woman in the ceremony, and Isaiah married them.”

Lev fingered a hanging sweater. “I’m scared, Macie.” He released the sleeve, and it fell back into the closet. “I’m scared of what happened today. I’m scared to go home. I’m scared not to go home. I’m scared to go to Isaiah and Rachel’s. I’ve never been so scared in my life, and I’ve literally hidden under my bed to escape my father.”

I didn’t understand his life, but I understood fear. “I’m scared all the time, too.”

“The carjacking?” he pushed.

I slowly nodded as I dug deep for the courage to answer. Would it ever get easier? Talking about that night? A hive formed on my arm, and I fought through the closing of my throat to say, “I’m constantly terrified that the people who carjacked me are going to return and hurt me and my family.”

“Have you found a way to make it better?” he asked. “Being scared?”

“Meeting all of you made it better. I don’t feel so alone anymore. If you want, I can stay the night in Ariel’s room. The room you’ll be in will be across from there. We can leave the doors open and move the beds so we can see each other. It’ll be like a slumber party.”

He swallowed hard, as if fighting tears. “I’d like that.”

Feeling like crying myself, I changed the subject. “My hips are wider than yours, so I’m not sure what’ll fit.”

“I love you, but your clothes suck. You have too much of a conservative look for me.”

That made me laugh. “Gee. Thanks.”

“It’s okay. Not all of us can pull off shark suits.”

So true. “If anything, we can hit up Ariel’s closet. She has much better stuff than me, and I promise she won’t care. She’ll probably bring a whole new wardrobe home from Paris.”

“Ariel Walker?” Lev asked with a devilish glint in his good eye.

“Yup.”

“I would love to see her closet. But first, let’s visit your brother. I bet he has something I might be able to work with.”

Chapter thirty-seven

Relic

Iwoke, not having a clue where I was. The furniture beneath me too soft, my skin too cold from air conditioning, and it was too quiet for it to be my apartment. No screaming neighbors, no loud engines revving from outside, no gunshots. Macie’s. Lev…

I must have fallen asleep.

Camila.

I sat up on the couch, checked my phone—8:30 in the morning—and glanced around. Demarius was asleep on the bed, and Camila was nowhere to be found. Fuck.

I threw on my boots and headed up the stairs. The kitchen was empty, and I was about to lose my damn mind and tear this house apart for my sister, but then I heard her laughter in the backyard. I stepped to bust out the backdoor, but the door leading to the garage opened and in waltzed Macie’s dad and his tattooed friend, Isaiah. They had been sharing a laugh but went quiet when they saw me.

Not only did they go grim and quiet, but they sized me up like they themselves had walked my streets. But what did they know about my life? Nothing. Urge was to size them up in return, spout off some sarcastic shit to let them know I could handle myself just fine if they threw a punch, but I remained silent. This was Macie’s dad. He helped us out yesterday, let me and Camila stay the night, and there weren’t enough lifetimes for me to thank Isaiah for helping Lev. “Thank you. To both of you. For helping Lev. He’s a good kid and deserves better.”

“Hungry?” Macie’s dad asked.

Starving. “I’m good.”

“Sure, you are.” Isaiah opened the fridge and pulled out a carton of eggs and a package of bacon.

“I’ll get Camila.” I jacked my thumb toward the backdoor. “Then I’ll wake Demarius and we’ll split. Thank you again for Lev and for letting us crash here.” Speaking of, “How is Lev?”

“Sound asleep,” Isaiah said. “I think he’ll be out until this afternoon. He’s had a hell of a go of it. That’s Noah, by the way. He’s Macie’s dad and the man who has no problem kicking your ass if you hurt his daughter. I’m Isaiah, the guy who has no problem burying bodies.”

Message received. I should have said some nice-to-meet-you shit, but my guard was up so I gave a chin nod instead. “Relic.”

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