Page 116 of The Broken Note

I keep eating, but the food turns to ash when I think about Jarod’s text.

He demanded evidence. What evidence? How can I bring evidence of something Dutchisn’tdoing.

A sigh tears past my lips. I don’t think Dutch is the person Jarod believes he is, but I seriously doubt he’ll accept the excuse of ‘after playing a game of truth or strip, I verified your son is not a drug dealer’.

Does it matter what I bring him? I’m not that interested in being Jarod’s spy anyway. I’m only doing all this to sniff out his secrets for Jinx.

Viola starts laughing across the table.

I glance up at her. “What’s so funny?”

“It’s so weird. Martina said she made food ‘high in vitamins, protein and calcium.”

“Yeah, so?” I spear a strawberry with my fork.

“We’re learning about reproduction in biology right now,” she says, her mouth full. Using her fork, she points to the food. “Fish, turkey, eggs, beans, oatmeal…”

“What about it?”

“They’re all foods that help with a baby’s brain and heart development.”

“A baby?” Shock traces like lightning strikes against my skin.

“This breakfast would be perfect if you were pregnant.”

My fork drops out of my hand and clatters to the plate.

Vi frowns. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I murmur.

But a sick, twisted fear rises to life in my stomach. I made a mistake by not using protection last night but, as my eyes sweep over the feast Martina brought, I wonder if all I did in that treehouse was play right into the monster’s hands.

* * *

Jinx: Don’t bother calling this number, New Girl. No voices. Text only.

Cadence: I’m going to end this. Tomorrow. You better be more specific about the dirt you want on Jarod Cross because after tomorrow, I won’t have anything to do with either of you.

Jinx: I’ll send you something to leave in his office.

Cadence: How will you send it to me?

Jinx: It’s a secret.

CHAPTERTHIRTY

CADENCE

The bike Jarod Cross gave me purrs between my legs. With my helmet and leather jacket, I blend into the night, sweeping past street lamps like a shadow.

I didn’t think I’d have use for this machine. Though I assured Lucien that I learned how to ride for my brief stint as an errand girl at a tech company, it’s been a long time since I rode a motorcycle. I was nervous to get on a machine this powerful.

But tonight, I have a reason to conquer my fears and tear through the streets, my sights on Dutch Cross’s truck.

I’ve decided to follow him until I get answers.

Not because of Jinx.

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