Page 54 of Oliver

“Like what? Turn in my best friend? I tried. She wouldn’t listen. That night…”

“What?” I ask, waving my hand. Just fucking spit it out.

He steps closer, and I wrinkle my nose. Jesus, when was the last time this asshole showered? “I think she was going to do something bad. Something she couldn’t take back.”

“Or—“

“That’s all I know, you want more. Ask Bone.”

With that he walks away, and I stare at his back, my mind going a thousand miles a minute.

What the hell was she planning on doing? Did she know Mr. G was a serial killer?

If I go home, I’m afraid I will do something that I can’t take back. Instead, I go to Fight Club. Maybe Bone will be there, and I can interrogate him.

Either way, I won’t be alone. Ha. Such a stupid thought. I am fucking alone. I have no friends. I left them when I fled school, such as they were.

When I pull up, I eye the crowded lot with an eagle eye. If Maeve was being honest, the last time I was here, Oliver orchestrated my assault in the parking lot via Hailey.

Why? I still don’t understand what he’s up to. Was he trying to help Dixie or stop her? And if it was the latter, stop her from what? Harming someone or finding out more than he was willing to share…?

Shit.

Pushing the swirling thoughts away, I pay my fee and enter the converted warehouse, wincing at the crashing sounds of the crowd roaring their approval while others shout over the din.

A brief scan of the masses does not reveal Bone, so I sidle up to the bar and get a drink before finding a wall to lean against.

In the ring, a beautiful beast of a guy goes at it with a dude who should be scared but merely meets every punch with a smile. Crazy fucker.

Still, I eye the beauty for a while, enjoying the lack of anything buzzing against my brain. I needed a break and I guess watching two fuckers show their might in a ring is better than nothing.

Once the show is over and Rogue, the hottie, pronounced the winner, the sound dies down to a manageable level. Idly, I glance around and when I think I spy Bone step down the hall, I follow.

There’s a line out the door for the women’s restroom which I bypass and pause at the doors leading to the back side of the building.

This is where Hailey assaulted me. Am I willing to take the risk?

A shout rings out behind me, and all hell breaks loose. People emerge from everywhere shoving into each other like a mass of panicked fucking sheep.

With nowhere to go but out, I stumble along. When I glance back, I can’t see anything but a series of stricken faces until I meet Bone’s wide-eyed stare.

“What’s going on?” I shout and he pushes me gently toward the back of the lot.

“It’s not safe here. Go!”

“Why?” I ask but it’s lost to a chorus of screams and if I’m not mistaken, the sounds of gunshots from inside.

My heart jumps into my throat and I dig for my keys. What the hell is going on in there?

I’m halfway to my car when I hear my name. Spinning, I see Oliver stalking toward me with a scowl.

With a rush of relief, I wait for him to get closer, which turns to irritation as he bellows, “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Fuck you!” I hiss before everything hits me at once and I cover my face. How much more of this shit can I take?

My life as I knew it was a lie. Everything was a fucking lie.

"Playpen?" he asks, and I just shake my head, hiding my sob behind my hands. Of course, I pick now to break down but fuck if I have control over my emotions. Add it to the list.

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