Page 67 of Being Us (Next Generation 4)

I bit back a huff and followed him. I was getting sick and tired of being told what to do. It wasn’t like I was a child. All I wanted to do was call my friends and chat about nothing at all. Or maybe I would grab a coffee and curl up with a book outside. Or maybe I would leave and go home. But as I followed Uncle Greyson down into the basement, I knew.

I would not be going home anytime soon.

Bee

WHEN UNCLE GREYSON ANDI neared the room that Tanner was staying in, I was half-expecting for him to knock. But instead, he barged into the room.

Tanner was sitting on the bed. “Good morning.” He gently placed a book he was reading on the bed beside him before looking our way. “Problem?”

I wanted to laugh at how casual he was acting and didn’t have my uncle ready to rip his head off.

“Yeah, I got a big fucking problem.” In a quick move, Uncle Greyson stepped behind me and shoved me forward.

“What are you doing?” I cried, trying to push away from him.

“Tell her,” Uncle Greyson demanded, keeping a firm grip on the back of my neck.

“Tell her what exactly?” Even though Tanner’s voice came out calm and even, I briefly saw his hand shake before he clenched it into a fist.

“My niece just got a phone call. Tell her who was on the phone.” Uncle Greyson loosened his grip. “I’m sorry, Bee,” he murmured.

“How would I know who just called her?” Tanner picked the book back up. “If you’re done, I’d like to finish this story. I’m getting to a good part.”

“Tanner,” Uncle Greyson boomed.

I jumped.

“Tell her, who thefuckwas on the phone,” Uncle Greyson repeated, slower that time.

Tanner slammed the book on the nightstand. “He wasn’t supposed to call her.” He glanced at me. “He wasn’t supposed to call you,” he repeated, his voice softer. “I promise you.”

“Who was he?” I asked before Uncle Greyson ripped every inch of Tanner apart.

“Tommy West.”

I looked up at Uncle Greyson. “I don’t know who that is.”

“He’s the president of Devil’s Rejects,” Tanner answered. “He’s the reason I disappeared. He’s also the reason I’ve come here, asking for your help.”

“Bee, leave us.” Uncle Greyson stepped around me, looking down at me over his shoulder. “Now.”

I went to the door, glancing back at Tanner one last time before shutting the door behind me. Uncle Greyson had become gentler and kinder over the years but if that was the case, then why did I feel like I just shut Tanner in with the devil himself?

***

(Tanner)

Greyson leaned against the door with his arms crossed under his chest. “What does Tommy want and how did he get my niece’s phone number?”

“He knows people.” I scrubbed a hand down my face. “I don’t know what he wants though.”

“Tanner.”

“What?” My head snapped up then. “I don’t know. I swear to fuck I don’t know. He wanted my club. He got that. He wanted Sunny’s old lady. And he got her. I don’t know what else he could want besides…”

“You being dead. That’s what the price on your head is for. Is it not?”

“Yes, but I don’t know if he set it up. I don’t know anything.”

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