Page 95 of Unbelonging
"So what do you want us to do?" Lawton said.
I glanced toward the car. "You sure they're okay?"
The two guys exchanged a glance.
"Yeah," Lawton said.
I looked at him a long time. "Don't lie to me."
"Alright," Lawton said, "yeah, they're banged up a little, but they'll be fine in a couple weeks. Maybe sooner."
"How can you be sure?" I said.
"Romeo fights for a living," Bishop said. "Remember?"
"Usedto fight for a living," Lawton corrected.
"Yeah, whatever," Bishop said, sparing him a half glance before turning his gaze to me. "But it seems to me that you wouldn't be losing sleep over these guys. You worried about them?"
"No," I said. "Of course not. It's just that –" I shrugged. "I dunno. I don't want 'em dead or anything."
"About the police," Lawton said. "It's your decision. Yes or no?"
I bit my lip. I knew what Ishoulddo, but the whole thing was a no-win for everyone involved. And in a weird twist of fate, that included the guys who attacked me. I had no doubt who put them up to this. Maybe their ass-beating was the perfect end to this crappy story. Doubtful they'd trythatagain.
But did they make a habit of this sort of thing? If I didn't report them, and another girl was attacked, I'd never forgive myself.
"I don't want them doing this to anyone else," I said.
Bishop spoke up. "We'll encourage them not to."
"How?" I asked.
"Better if you don't know," Bishop said.
"You're not gonna hurt 'em?" I said.
"Baby," Lawton said, "want us to take care of it? Say the word, and you don't need to think about this ever again."
I felt myself nod. They weren't strangers, not exactly. If I needed to, I'd be able to find out who they were. Once I got a little perspective, I could always change my mind. Report them, threaten to report them, whatever. Later, when my head cleared, I'd know what to do. Now, I had no idea.
I'd also need to tell Lawton about the guys' connection to Brittney, but not in front of his brother. Bishop would get way too much satisfaction from the whole sordid tale, and I wasn't about to listen to his bullshit any more than I had to.
Lawton turned to Bishop. "You take care of them. I'll get her inside." With his arm around me, he turned to lead us toward the Parkers' front door. I followed his lead for a couple of paces, and then stopped as a horrible thought occurred to me.
I hadn't yet cleaned up from the birthday party. When I'd walked Erika to her car, I'd left everything out on the table. The cake, the poster, the sex tape. Oh my God. Lawton couldn't see any of this. And if he walked into that house tonight, there was no way he'd miss it.
Chapter 54
I stood silent on the sidewalk, eyeing the house with a dread that had nothing to do with the guys who attacked me.
"What's wrong?" Lawton asked.
"Nothing." I struggled for inspiration and found none. "It's just that you don't need to come in with me."
His eyebrows furrowed. He glanced toward the house. "At least let me check the place out, make sure everything's alright."
I shook my head. "No. Really, I'm sure it's fine."
