Page 96 of Jig's Last Dance

Jig: My house after

I don’t bother to respond and ignore the ache in my chest at his distance because this is the way it’s supposed to be. I just needed the fucking reminder.

Ben exits the house, and I duck down as he gets into his truck and drives in the opposite direction. Because I’m fucking paranoid, I wait twenty minutes before hefting the bag over my shoulder.

If my dad truly is alive, he could be around, watching me right now. And I can’t decide if that’s good news or bad. Why did he let us think he was dead? To protect us? If not, do I want to know?

I don’t bother to check the door because I’m pretty sure my brother locked it. Instead, I head for the backyard. I figure if it’s good enough for John, it’s good enough for me.

A half-hour later, the money is buried beneath a tree and behind my mom’s favorite rose bushes. The dress that was beautiful the night before is now filthy, and I’m sweaty and gross, but I feel a surge of triumph.

I have something John wants, and this may help me in the end. Or get me killed.

It’s gross, but I go to school in the stupid dress and ignore the wide-eyed stares I receive. I’m so far past this place and even graduating that I’m not sure why I keep up the pretense.

After class, I stop off in the bathroom and frown at my reflection. I look like I tussled with a bear and lost. Excellent. How to explain this away?

Maybe Jig won’t notice? Right. Now I’ve moved to full-on delusional.

With a sigh, I wash up and head to the car, my head aching like a bitch. Half sleeping in the vehicle did nothing to keep me rested, and now I’m tired and cranky. Those asshats better steer clear of me.

It’s Monday. We have five days until we go to the cabin. Five days. In that time, I have to figure out what’s going on with my dad, how it leads to John, and what Castinetti knows.

Add in Roman and “the girl,” and I’m appropriately wary.

One wrong move and I’m dead. I just wish I knew which move that might be.

Shit, I know nothing and the further into this fucked up story I get, the more I want to leave. And it hasn’t escaped my notice that Castinetti doesn’t care that I haven’t returned.

Why? Is he waiting and watching?

I assume everyone is already here when I arrive because they don’t have to go to class, and I’m not aware of any jobs between the lot of them. My suspicions are confirmed when I walk into the game room, and they all turn and look at me.

“What?” I say when no one speaks.

“Must’ve been one hell of a party,” Bastion says dryly.

I level him with a glare, but my lips twitch. “Raging.”

The corner of Bastion’s mouth curls up. I’ve never seen the big brooding bastard smile, so I’m going to call this a win.

But then I look away, the knowledge that his dad is somehow involved in this mess resting on my tongue. Bastion knows he participated because of the pictures, but does he know how deep up Castinetti’s ass he is? Or that he’s going behind his back with John?

Meanwhile, Bastion is working for McCafferty. Shit.

“Let’s roll,” Jig says icily, and I glance at him with a frown.

Either he’s still mad from the other day, or something else crawled up his ass and died. I decide I don’t care and ignore him, following Rain from the room.

When we’re near the car, I ask no one in particular, “Where are we going?”

“The cabin,” Rain says, and I pause.

“What?“

“What’s the matter? Not part of the plan?” Jig sneers.

Spinning to him, I smack him in the chest and say, “You’re a dick.”

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