Page 82 of Next Level
“What? No, he promised he’d leave her alone,” Jared retorts.
“Has your dad, George, called or visited you?” I add to the fire.
“No.”
“Did you know he’s been in contact with Garrett?”
“No.”
“Why did you try to jack the load at the port?”
Silence.
I don’t know who’s in the room, but I guarantee he’s freaking out because he’s being tested.
He responds in a low voice. “Garrett and one of George’s men wanted us to fuck with your business.”
Wilkerson takes this opportunity to jump in, trying to get his own intel, which I knew would happen, but this is the test for the boy. “What business is that?” he asks. Will he give us up? Either way, I’m getting the intel I need.
“I don’t know. I ran off. I didn’t want to be there anyway. I got my ass reprimanded for leaving,” Jared explained, not giving away what they were actually there for, which was drugs.
I keep firing off questions, keeping him on edge. “What do they plan to do with Garrett’s money? How do they plan to hurt us?”
Again silence.
“Jared?” Wilkerson tries to egg him on.
I know the kid is stressing out. He’s being manipulated by the law and the Bastards. Who is he more scared of?
“Jared?” Sam’s voice rings over the silence. I snap my head up to look and see my girl standing next to the desk, looking sad.
There’s an audible gasp from the other side. “Sammie? Oh God. Are you okay?” Hearing his voice etched with worry has me speechless. He really does care for her.
I shake my head. Fuck that he took her.
“I’m okay. Are you okay?” she says, moving closer to the phone.
“Ray?” Wilkerson’s voice comes through the phone.
Looking at my baby girl in the eyes, I sigh. “Sorry, Wilkerson. She heard his voice and came in.”
Hearing Sam must have done something because Jared spills everything. “They plan to hit the ports. They want to hurt Ray. Garrett hates his family. I know he’s going to change his last name back to our mother’s. He’s going to use his money to get even with everyone who has wronged him. George wants revenge on the Amatos. They didn’t tell me anything about going after Sam again. I was supposed to just lure her in and keep her for a night. Then George said he’d get a place for the three of us, and we would be a family. He said my mother loved us so much, but JR took her from us. I just want my life back.”
“Jared, it’s okay. I don’t blame you.” Sam’s voice rings strong and confident.
I don’t know what to do.
Jared talks even more defiantly. “I told you, Sammie, they used me. And now your dad said George and Garrett are workingtogether, it just proves I was right. You would think that since I’m George’s real son, he would have come to see me. I’ve never even met him yet. I’ve only spoken to him on the phone.”
Christ.Hearing his story makes me feel sorry for the kid.
“I guess he doesn’t want to meet me now.” Jared’s voice is filled with emotion, like he’s crying.
Sam places her fist on the desk. “Jared. When you get transferred, I’ll come see you.”
“The hell you will,” I growl, standing up.
Jared instantly replies, “No, Sammie. Don’t come see me. I can’t handle it.”
