Page 30 of Don't Look Away

Well.

Lying back on the bed, I wonder what Roman could be hiding. Honesty, what I really need is a Private Investigator, someone who could dig around and ask questions. My account is pretty flush right now, so why not use it to help find Bree, while also looking into the Rush family?

Pulling my computer onto my lap, I literally just Google, “Best Private Investigators near me.” A bunch of results pop up, and I comb through the anonymous reviews until I find an investigation firm I like. I quickly book a consultation online, giving them my phone number, so someone can call me back.

With that done, I get up off the bed and slip my shoes on. One thing I’mnotgoing to do is just wait around for Roman to waltz through that door. I’m going to keep myself busy.

Just as I’m grabbing my purse, my phone pings. It’s a text from Roman.

Forgot to mention, you have an appointment tomorrow at 1 pm to see my family doctor. You’re going this time. I’ll send my mom’s driver to pick you up.

Ugh. I’ve been putting the doctor’s appointment off for the last couple of weeks because, honestly, I’m so behind in my classes, I haven’t had time. But, yeah, I need to rip the bandage off and just get it over with.

I lock my phone without replying to Roman’s text because I don’t want it to look like I’m just pouncing on his every text. I’m not usually this hyper-focused on this type of stuff, but Roman is such a damn enigma that his weirdness has me constantly questioning myself.

Shoving my phone into my back pocket, I head downstairs. I need to get out of here. The more I sit around, the faster I spiral into the dark void of grief. I need a distraction. I need to be around people.

Downstairs, several circle members are milling around, which is usually the case. Rarely, if ever, is this house empty. There are always people here, always something going on.

I walk into the living room and see several guys sitting around smoking pot with several barely-clothed Debs on their laps. Music plays in the background, and a couple of the guys are playing video games on the huge television, while everyone else watches.

Across the room, I spot Nathan racking up some balls on the pool table and get the flash of an idea. He was the one who came to the gate earlier and told Roman he had a phone call. Maybe he has information about what’s going on? All Roman said was that his brother was taken to medical.

“Hey, Nathan.” I grab a cue stick. I’ve only played a few times, but I know enough to be competitive.

“Hey,” he says with a smile. “You gonna play?”

I shrug. “Yeah.”

Nathan chalks up his stick, looking at me from the side of his eye, like he’s afraid to look at me head-on. “How are you doing? Holding up?”

He’s talking about what happened with Bree. “I’m okay,” I say, hoping he doesn’t delve any deeper into the topic. I’m constantly on the brink of tears, and honestly, the simplest question could break the paper-thin damn I’ve built to hold them back.

He flashes me a tight smile, bending to line up the break shot. “Good, I’m glad you’re okay. I’ve been thinking about you.”

I swallow and nod once. He takes his first shot, then studies the pool table to see where all the balls land.

Leaning down to line up my own shot, I glance up at him through my lashes. “So, um, crazy about Roman’s brother, right?”

Nathan stiffens, and his gaze quickly darts away from me. My change of topic makes him uneasy. Perfect. That means there’s more to this whole brother thing than I know. Otherwise, why would Nathan be uncomfortable talking about it?

“Yeah,” he says, if only to fill the lingering silence. “Crazy.”

I take a shot that misses. Straightening, I flash a smile, and try to look casual, like I’m just making small talk. “Roman called me earlier. I guess his brother is okay.”

“Yeah, that’s what I heard, too,” Nathan says, lining up his next shot.

“So what happened?” I ask. “Roman told me, but he was in the car, and he was breaking up, so I didn’t really get the full story.”

Nathan seems to be considering filling me in, but it looks like he’s weighing the risks of sharing Burning Crown business. But it’s me. Queen bee. Why wouldn’t he be able to tell me? I guess he comes to the same conclusion because, after a few seconds, his features relax. “Well, apparently he was found in his cell, bleeding, and taken to medical.”

I blink at him. No wonder Roman ran off in a panic. “Bleeding? What happened? Was he attacked?”

Nathan’s jaw is set, and his broad shoulders look tight. “Apparently there was a note found with him.”

Shit.Nathan doesn’t say it explicitly, but a note means that whatever wounds Roman’s brother suffered were likely self-inflicted. That’s heavy, and my chest immediately aches for Roman. What he must be going through right now…

Ugh, now I feel bad for prying. But, let’s be real, that’s not going to stop me from digging further. Nathan is obviously feeling chatty, and who knows if I’ll ever get this opportunity again?

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