Page 42 of Forever Filthy

“Yeah?” I croak out.

“You have a call from an inmate at Rikers penitentiary.” I bolt upright in bed and cringe when Ez grumbles beside me. Alexander’s voice came through the speaker. “Alexander Denver. Do you accept the charges?”

“Yes,” I whisper as I slip out of the bed and snatch one of the guys' discarded hoodies off the floor and quietly slip out of the room just as Alex’s voice comes over the speaker again.

“Vivian.”

“Alex,” I reply, then tug the hoodie over my head and quietly go down the stairs.

“Did I wake you?”

“No. Yes, but don't worry, I had to get up anyway,” I say, then stifle a yawn.

His soft laughter brings a smile to my face as I pad through the kitchen to flick the coffee maker on, then lean against the counter.

“I’m sorry, it’s after nine so I assumed you would be awake.”

“I normally am but… I—uh?—”

“I’m aware of your visitors.”

“Are you having me watched?” I bite out.

“I told you I would keep an eye on you and I meant it.” I inhale and try to relax. “Your lawyers have been in contact. I’ll admit, I didn’t expect for them to move so fast.” Relief washes over me, I thought after my outburst last night I would have lost the support of everyone but it seems some of the members of the Saints do keep their word.

“Vance, Phil and Terry are the best at what they do. I have faith they will prove your innocence of these crimes.”

“Hope is a dangerous thing in a place like this.” I can hear the bitterness that coats his words and I find myself feeling sorry for him.

“Everything they said about you in the press, is that true?” I feel instant regret when those words tumble out of my mouth, but I would be lying if I said I haven’t been thinking about it since I first went to visit him.

“Like I said, not everything you read about me is valid. If these lines weren’t monitored, I might be inclined to tell you.”

“But?” I push.

“But that would mean we would have to trust each other and right now, I don’t think we're there yet.” That brings a smile tomy face. I go about pouring myself a cup of coffee and fight not to moan when I take my first sip.

“So, we need to be friends?”

“Believe it or not, Vivian. I already consider you a friend and because of that, you have my word that I will not rest until I discover who the traitor is in your midst.” Call me crazy but I believe him.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, I don’t deserve it. I have to go, be safe.” He ends the call.

“Bye,” I mutter as I drop my phone onto the counter and sigh. It’s nearly nine thirty in the morning and I have to go to Lividica to go over a few things with Tate, then I have a meeting with David at the high school to check on the progress of the expansion.

“Hey.” I snap my head to the side to see Nova coming in from the side door, I frown at the sight of her in a pair of runners and one of Vox’s hoodies that falls to just above her knees. Her hair is piled into a messy bun above her head, but it’s her eyes that have my chest caving in, those green eyes are filled with heartbreak.

“How are you feeling?” I ask.

She shrugs as she goes about pouring herself a cup of coffee, then rounds the counter to claim one of the stools opposite me. She nurses the mug between her hands but doesn’t take a sip, she just keeps turning it in her hands.

“I need answers,” she says softly.

“I’m trying, Nova, I swear?—”

“I know. I know everyone is trying but do you know how hard it is to have everyone tell you that your mother is dead but how can I believe that when there is no body.” My face slackens and I begin to feel sick at the thought of having to tell her the truth. “I can’t accept this without seeing… her, you know?” She lifts those broken green eyes to me and I nearly crumble under thepressure of them, but then her eyes drop and she takes in my attire. “Is that my brother’s?” she asks.

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