Page 52 of Cruel Fate

Stopping at a thick metal door, she heaves it open revealing a bed and a battered dresser. The only places to sit are the bed or the floor, and I choose the ratty mattress and worn blanket.

I kick off my heels and wiggle my toes.

She sits next to me, crisscross, resting her arms on her knees.

It’s good to see her, but these past few years haven’t been easy on her. “You live here?” It’s better than sleeping on the street, but I wish she would find a real place to stay.

“It’s a roof over my head, and money in my pocket.”

“How have you been?”

Quinn reaches out and lets her fingers brush through my hair. “Not as good as you.”

I catch her hand. “You should go to school.”

She scoffs. “With what money?”

Even though Quinn qualifies for state grants and federal aid like I do, she would still need money for food and somewhere to live. Studying to be a fashion designer has always been her dream, and there are no online classes to do that.

“Besides, don’t change the subject. You and Zane Maddox?”

Her cell chimes, and I’m saved from answering her question. She scoots off the bed and slips out the door, letting it thump behind her. While I wait, I check my phone, but the only text I have is an RSVP for Zane’s party I’ll check off the list at work tomorrow. I type out a polite acknowledgement and shove my phone back into my purse. I can smell the Chinese takeout before Quinn steps into the room, and my mouth waters.

After all this time, Quinn still remembers my favorite foods.

I wish I could love her the way she loves me, and for just a second, I think it was unwise to come, but we pick up ourfriendship where we left off, poking through the boxes of rice, chicken and broccoli, and egg rolls.

I put her off for almost an hour, but eventually, the conversation drifts back to Zane. I can’t avoid her questions any longer, and I tell her about Zarah’s visit to the payroll department and kissing Zane in the elevator. Him moving me to the twenty-fifth floor.

“His parents were mixed up in some bad shit,” Quinn says, feeding me an egg roll.

My lips graze her fingers, and her eyes cloud over.

“Behave,” I warn.

“I can’t help it. You’re so fucking sexy.”

I slap her away, but I laugh, accepting the compliment. “What do you mean, bad shit? Do you mean the plane crash?”

She nods. “Kind of. Do they know what caused it?”

“Zane says the FBI and Homeland Security are still involved and the case is still open. So far, there’s no news.”

“There’s not going to be news. Do you know who runs the FBI?”

Quirking an eyebrow, I say, “The president of the United States?”

“You’re so naïve.” She nibbles on a bite of chicken, holding the chopsticks with a practiced hand. “Don’t get hurt, Stella. You’re in over your head.”

“I wish you’d tell me what you know.” Living underground, literally, and working in the counterfeiting business, Quinn could hear things that someone else would never be privy to.

“Zane’s parents were dirty, and they were doing a bunch of illegal shit. Kagan Maddox pissed off the wrong person, and they made him pay.”

That doesn’t sound like what I know of Zane’s father. “I don’t believe that. Zane never said anything.”

She speaks around a mouthful of food. “Why would he know? Trust me, that’s the word on the street. Kagan Maddox thought he could get away with double-crossing the wrong guy, and he got caught.”

“By whom?”

---