Page 37 of Grace of Spades
"I can't pick a side. If I do, I know I won't live long." I confess.
"My dad loves you he wouldn't do that." He assures me.
"What about the other three?" I ask as the realization hits him.
"Fuck. Okay. I don't want you to get hurt."
"I appreciate that." I smile.
"What are you up to tonight?" He asks.
"Nothing."
"Do you and Kennedy want to go to my friends' gig? They're playing at a pub over by Russo's." He offers. I appreciate that he's including Kennedy even if it's a front.
"Sure, that sounds fun." I smile.
"Great, I'll pick you guys up at six?" He grins lighting up his stupidly handsome face. Ugh!!! I nod and head to leave.
"Grace, can I sit with you at lunch?" He asks hesitantly.
"Of course." I smile before making a call and heading to class.
Just before lunch, I find Alek in the hall. I pass him and whisper for him to meet me in the next classroom.
"Grace." He greets stiffly. His eyes dart to the windows and door. Marking the exits, good man.
"I figured you found out that first day. Keir confirmed it." I state.
"Oh, that. I won't tell anyone. You're too valuable." He says raising his hands like I'm going to shoot him.
"That's why I'm worried. Anything can be bought or tortured out of a person." I say. "I need insurance. It's not just my life on the line."
"Wh-what insurance?" He asks looking pale. I pass him a picture. He takes it and starts to shake. It's a picture of his mom in her kitchen. I hired a guy to take a photo, that's it, but Alek doesn't have to know that. With my reputation, he's probably thinking the absolute worst of me and I'm counting on it.
"Don't speak a word," I repeat.
"I won't." He whispers not taking his eyes off the photo. I nod and leave him to his thoughts and find Keir on my way to the cafeteria.
"Alek may not like me anymore. You may want to talk to him." I say quietly. Keir nods and turns around heading to where I came from. I feel like crap having to threaten someone's family but if it's him or me I will pick me. Always. This also serves as double insurance. I can't hurt Keir if he betrays me but if I hurt Alek, it will affect Keir. As shitty as it is, it has to be done.
14
Keir
I walk away from Grace to see Alek sitting on top of a desk in an empty classroom with a piece of paper in his hand. He looks fucking rough. What did she do to him?
"Alek?" I ask.
"She's perfect for you." He mutters.
"What do you mean?" He hands me the picture. His mom. The one I had put in a safe house away from his dad.
"Her insurance so I don't talk." He informs me. Holy shit. "I haven't seen mom in five years and she finds her in what? Three hours while she's at school. Marry her."
"She doesn't want to pick sides. It's too dangerous for her." I confess while my heart clenches.
"Shit, good point. Let me think on it." He says. I nod. He's good at finding solutions. The best really, he doesn't think like normal people. It's a good trait to have as a second-in-command.
