Page 65 of Jig's Last Dance

I suspect John was toying with me, but is he responsible for my parents’ deaths? Or maybe it’s Uncle Sal. Maybe he doth protest too much?

Or it could be Jig, Bastion, Cyn. They work for McCafferty after all.

Whatever the case, John is a threat I’d rather avoid. Even if it means the truth never fully comes to light.

It’s a fucked-up truth, but I can’t imagine what I might have to experience to get it. And it’s for this that I’m willing to take the coward’s way out.

“I still don’t understand.”

He cocks his head to the side, and I shrink under his considering stare. “You’re the one who couldn’t stay away. I might as well make use of you, hm? This is your punishment for defying me. I’ll make him go through you.”

“Why would he believe that? I’m me,” I mumble.

Sal chuckles, and I bristle. “What do you think that boy is doing for McCafferty? Selling cookies? You work for me. That’s all he needs to know. Besides, you can do as they say and hang out with his daughter.”

Fucking Iris. Besides, when did I sign up to be Castinetti’s fucking soldier?

“Yeah, but—”

“This isn’t a request. You’ll do as you’re told, and since you’re there, report back to me.”

“But . . .”

I’m hoping the man comes to his senses. Don’t mobsters need trained professionals to work for them or something?

He sighs, and in that sound, I know I’ve lost. I just wish I knew the stakes because the game itself feels particularly treacherous.

Nodding, I stand, but he grabs my wrist. “Oh, and Alice?”

Bowing my head, I wait, clenching my hand into a fist. “Don’t forget about that boy. Somehow, he’s linked to this. Do be careful.”

Couched in concern, I heed the warning, but I can’t resist and pull away, noting his frown with a shiver.

“Of course.”

∞∞∞

I’m summoned by Jig the following day. I suspect it’s to dissect what I found and grill me about Iris. Their intense scrutiny of her hasn’t gone unnoticed, but with these dicks, I’m sure I’ll never hear the reason why.

The only good news is that I’ve been given free rein to come and go as I please, without Marco too. Sal even set me up with a sweet little car, but I’m cautious because I’d be stupid to assume he’s not tracking me.

On the way to school, I contemplate my choices. I either come clean or try to bluster my way through. But the fuckers don’t trust me. And they shouldn’t.

However, if Jig is working with John, it would be foolish to admit Sal’s game. While my skin crawls at the thought of Jig participating in something so reprehensible, I can’t discount Sal’s thoughts.

He knows this world far better than I do.

I’m still stuck on what to do when Shawn corners me by the front door. From the corner of my eyes, I see some dick who I presume reports to Jig speaking into his phone while looking right at me.

Subtle.

“Where have you been? You didn’t answer my calls?” she demands.

“Really?” I ask dryly. How does it feel? She flushes and gives me a sheepish grin. I bump her on the shoulder to show her no hard feelings, and we walk to class.

“Seriously though, after having me punch you in the face and then ghosting me, I was worried.”

It’s my turn to flush. With a sigh, I mutter, “I’m sorry.”

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