Page 75 of Reading Between the Lines
Loyal’s confidence eclipsed Londyn’s meekness. One absorbed the light, while the other hid in shadow.
Diem, a force unto himself, put his six and a half feet of height to use as he approached the pair. His cantankerous attitude, set to a snarling level ten, worried me. If we ended up arrested for harassing teenagers, I would not be happy.
“Oh, Captain, my captain. You’re back.” Loyal’s syrupy tone rankled. “I hear you’ve been hassling my friends.”
Diem didn’t flinch. “I hear you’ve been running a secret murder club where the goal is to puzzle out the perfect crime so you don’t get caught.”
Loyal’s smile never wavered. “Busted. Atlas told me you two had a little chat and that I should expect a rendezvous. Unfortunately, Captain, it seems the details have gotten muddled. You see, our goal is towritethe perfect crime, not enact it. So far as I understand, it’s not a felony to create stories, no matter how dark and true to life.”
“And what would your English teacher think of that?”
“I think he’d be quite proud of the thoroughness and thoughtfulness that goes into the process. Writing is art, youknow. Not everyone is successful. Not everyone possesses the skill.”
I watched Londyn as Loyal spoke. Her darting eyes wouldn’t focus on anything for more than a beat. She carried a sheepish demeanor, shoulders rolled forward, making her look smaller.
Diem spoke. “So you don’t deny you run an after-hours murder club?”
“I run an after-hourswritingclubcalledthe Murder Club.” Loyal chuckled. “Of course I don’t deny it. It’s my pride and joy. There’s no sense in making it sound sinister. We’re dedicated to our craft, and ambition is one of the characteristics universities look for when choosing who to accept. We’re overachievers, really. No harm in that.”
“I’m not a very good writer,” Londyn said, apropos nothing.
Loyal didn’t miss a beat and slung an arm around his sister, drawing her against his side and pecking a kiss on her temple. “You’re an excellent writer. Don’t talk bad about yourself. It pisses me off.”
I glanced at Diem to judge his response to the unusual sibling familiarity and found a line indenting his brow.
Loyal kept his arm around his sister, and I couldn’t decide if it was protective or disciplinary. I could have jumped in and asked my own questions, but Diem had a lot more sway when it came to intimidation. Not that Loyal looked the least bit on edge.
“So, who’s in this secret club?” Diem asked.
Loyal zipped his lips. “I can’t tell you that, or it wouldn’t be a secret club.”
“Where do you meet?”
“In asecretlocation.” Loyal winked.
The kid was a cheeky asshole, and if Diem decided to deck him, not only would he deserve it, but I wouldn’t feel sad.
But he didn’t, and I silently applauded his self-restraint. Diem crossed his arms over his barrel chest and announced. “Howabout a cabin in the woods near the trail where your buddyaccidentallyfell into the river.”
Londyn’s eyes widened, and Loyal must have squeezed her shoulder because she winced and flinched away from his touch.
Although Loyal didn’t lose his cocky smile, it shifted to a less authentic version. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Bullshit. It’s on your property, isn’t it? If not yours, then maybe a neighboring property.”
Londyn whispered her brother’s name, but he ignored her, keeping his chin high like he didn’t have a fuck to give.
Diem glanced at the sister and aimed his next statement at her. “Or maybe that’s not where you hold your secret club meetings, but I bet your sister used it for other purposes.”
Loyal’s smile vanished, shadows darkening his eyes. His sister turned an awful shade of gray.
A sinister grin took over Diem’s face. It was ugly and terrifying. Even I squirmed under its assault. “Bingo. Didn’t tell your brother about your secret rendezvouses with your boyfriend, did you? Did Weston take your virginity out there? Did you get on your knees for him? Suck his cock? Make him squirt?”
“Don’t fucking talk to my sister like that, asshole.”
“Uh-oh.” Diem’s menacing smirk persisted. “Did I just get you in trouble?”
“Don’t say anything,” Loyal snapped at his sister. “What are you suggesting, Captain?”
