Page 65 of Beautiful Prey

“Eve…it’s time we let it go. No more talking to the police, do you hear me? Not without your lawyer.”

I hung up on him in disgust. A part of me wanted to rat out the company, reveal everything. But by now, Uncle Wes would have made sure to wipe the warehouse clean. Still, I had the files.

Maybe if I could find the missing kids who had survived, maybe I could give them the justice they truly deserved. I knew it would mean the downfall of my father’s company, but I was alright with that. The only thing keeping me from acting right away was the spotlight that was on me currently. I was also sure Uncle Wes would do whatever he could to stop me. I was going to have to talk to him again in person, tell him I was withdrawing my shares from the company, and tell him everything that I knew. For Emery’s sake, I would do something.

After I’d talked to him, my fingers itched to call the one person I didn’t want to talk to at all.

Liam.

He might have information about what was going to happen to Emery.

Now that Emery had gone into a sort of catatonic state, he wasn’t going to be taking his medicine any longer. And that meant no more St. Agnes.

It would be cruel, but it wouldn’t be surprising for them to still transfer him away. And I desperately wanted to know where.

I won out on my temptation in the end, only because I also figured by now Liam knew what I had been up to and the last thing I needed was to be interrogated by him.

So, I only talked to Jamie and on occasion Lena, who was recovering well, back home now and using a wheelchair, about to start her physical therapy.

I tried to focus on my thesis, too. But it was difficult. Interestingly, my teacher was extremely eager now to read it. I could only imagine why.

I continued to stare out into the rain, hardly giving my thesis any notice.

It can’t rain all the time, Emery whispered inside my head. My eyes stung again with the threat of tears, and I shook them off. I was already sick of crying.

My phone went off, and I picked it up to see it was Jamie texting me.

Lena wants us over tonight. She swore not to pressure you into talking. She’s feeling down though. I know it might be too much to ask…

I was about to text back when another one of his came through.

Liam might be here, too. I told him if he said one word to you, he’d never be allowed back. He swore he wouldn’t, but I get if it’s too much for you still…

I thought it over, then sent my response. As it grew darker, and the rain stopped, I kissed Sammy on the forehead before taking her off my lap and heading for my bedroom.

I wouldn’t stay long. And it was kind of a perfect opportunity. Make Liam tell me about Emery without him being able to question me back. I threw on a T-shirt and jeans, slipped on my boots and coat, said goodbye to Sammy and left.

When I got to her house, the place was packed. I didn’t know whether to be pissed or not that Jamie didn’t mention Lena feeling down meant she wanted to throw a huge block party.

I let myself in, asking for Lena. A girl pointed to the outside patio. I went out and found Lena in her chair sitting with Jamie, Ben, and a few others by a little fire pit. Liam stood beside her.

Lena saw me and waved me over, grinning.

I felt eyes on me as I walked over and caught someone lifting their phone at the corner of my eye. I definitely wasn’t going to stay long.

“I'm so glad you came,” Lena said, taking my hand. “Don’t worry. I told everyone not to talk to you about…you know…the crazy thing you did,” she whispered.

“Lena,” Jamie said in warning.

She looked flushed. “Sorry.”

I smiled. “It was crazy.”

“But fucking amazing,” Lena responded. “You are like my idol. Balls of steel. And I work with the dead. You beat me out by a mile and a half. Seriously, Eve, holy sh—”

“Lena,” Jamie snapped.

“It’s okay,” I said. “It’s cool. But I probably won’t stay long.”

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