Page 17 of Demon

My phone rings in my bag. I pull it out to see my friend Holly’s name on the screen. I answer it and move away from Jett.

“Hey,” Holly says. Her voice sounds off. “I’m so sorry.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask, suddenly alarmed.

“Owen said he told Richard you’re in Crown Village.”

I freeze, hardly breathing.

“He didn’t realize that Richard didn’t know. He wouldn’t have said anything otherwise.”

Richard and Owen used to be best friends. That was before Richard’s gambling got out of control.

“When did he tell him?” I ask.

“About four hours ago. Owen only just told me.”

My throat tightens. I rub at the base of my neck. What if Richard finds us again? “Did Owen tell him my address?” Not that Crown Village is big by any means.

“I think so,” her voice quietens, sadness lingering in her words.

“I need to go,” I say and hang up. This overwhelming sense of dread twists my stomach. He could be at my house at any time considering it took four hours to drive here myself.

“What’s wrong?” Jett asks, his voice rough and guarded.

I force a smile, though I’m not sure if it came across as a grimace. “I’ve got to get going,” I say through frantic breaths. “I’ll umm... catch up with you another time.”

I dash to my car, get in and race home. I think back. Maybe Richard just wants to talk to me, but what if he’s just after more money? Money I don’t have. I clench the steering wheel. I don’t want him back into our lives, disappointing Sammy again.

I peel into the driveway and park haphazardly. I see Dickhead sitting on the porch. Anger tears through me. I get out, slam the door closed, and grit my teeth. Screw him! Sammy and I deserve better.

“What are you doing here?” I hiss.

He stands and throws his hands up in the air. “You fucking left. Changed your number. Not one fucking word,” he booms.

Despite his tone, I go toe-to-toe with him. I usually try my best to calm my anger around Sammy, but she’s not here. I take a proper look at him. He’s skinnier, with hollow dark circles under his eyes. His T-shirt is crinkled, like he’s slept in it for days.

“You don’t care about us.” I put my hand on my hip. “Ooh, I get it,” I say sarcastically, “you need money. How much is it this time? It didn’t take you long to fuck up again.”

His mouth slams shut. I’m not stupid. That’s the reason he’s here.

A motorcycle rumbles in the background. I don’t need to turn around to know that it’s Jett.

Richard’s hand goes to the back of his neck. “I’m in a bind. I’m in with some serious people. Like... they are going to badly hurt me if I don’t get them the money I owe them.”

I clench my hands and feel my face redden. “I set myself on fire to keep you safe... out of trouble. Working myself into the ground so Sammy had a father, but by doing so, she missed out of more time with me. I won’t do it anymore. Helping you out is a life sentence.”

With no compassion, he says, “Two of the men are here in town with me...” His shoulders drop and he stares at the ground.

He should be ashamed of himself.

“They expect the money.”

His voice grates on my nerves. “That sounds like ayouproblem. I’m done.” I rub my hands together. “It’s about time you reap the consequences of your actions... but leave me out of it.”

He peers behind me, his eyes bulging.

Jett moves ahead of me until half his body is in front of mine. “What’s going on here?” His voice is playful, with a savage undertone.

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