Page 52 of Signed for You

"Just tell me whatever it is. I haven't got time for this,” I tell him nervously.

"Where was Crow when he left you?" he asks mischievously.

"Have you been watching us?" If I didn't believe Crow and Gray before, I certainly do now.

"I have eyes and ears everywhere. Where was he?" he asks again.

"With Dad. So we're not even pretending you're the good guy now?" I ask hesitantly. He doesn't seem to be attempting to cover the evil emitting from himself.

"You didn't answer my calls or texts. It's not hard to figure out why. Someone told you."

"So it's true? You were in on it?" I ask, knowing that he knows what I mean. The kidnapping.

“Yes, and I'd do it again in an instant. Now back to Crow, what was he doing with your dad?"

"Why? What's the point of this?" I ask curtly, not wanting to waste anymore time than needed on his line of questioning.

"He may have done some research into me, at least I'm assuming it's him that figured it out, but I've got my own information about him. He's an O'Banian. I suspect he's one of the sons." I recognise the name but have no idea why or where from.

"What's an O'Banian?" I ask, hating that I don't already know.

"I thought you'd be all caught up on this. The O'Banians are the Irish Mafia. They dabble within the police and the FBI. They're more tainted and potent than the rest of us put together. They send informants, undercovers to whoever they're interested at taking over or merging with. I have proof that he's one of them." I don't know what to say. He can't be right. That is ridiculous. Crow has told me about his family, his brothers. He wouldn't hide something like that from me. I am sure of it, and yet the niggling suspicion in the back of my mind doubts my own certainty.

"You're lying,” I quip.

"Pay attention, little girl. He is an O'Banian. Plain and simple. Take of that what you will, but don't assume I'm the only liar around here."

"Are you the one that put the mark on me?" I ask, changing the subject. I’m not sure about Crow being an O’Banian, but I do know he is keeping things from me, that much is for sure.

I trust him endlessly. I trust him with my life, but that doesn't mean that I trust him not to lie or keep things from me. I know there is more to him, something he is hiding. That's when the reminder of the number on my phone and code words entered my mind. They aren't the Cobras, whoever he is talking to, but who is it? I need to find out.

Liam sighs, seemingly unsure of how to answer my question.

"I didn’t, but I suspect I know who did. Be careful, girl. I might be a bad guy, but there are worse than me in the world. I would have looked after you well if I'd had you as a girl." The pleasure I can hear in his voice makes me want to be sick. He would have looked after me? I dread to think what that even means.

“Goodbye, Liam." I hang up, reeling from the conversation.

I immediately find the contact that Crow had added and informed me to ring if I needed them. My finger hovers over the name, wondering what would happen if I did call them.

Kenny. Down Viper Spring.I remind myself.

I press the call button and wait.

Two rings before it's answered by a man's breathy low tone.

"Tell me the code and what the problem is,” he tells me. My stomach flips anxiously.

"Down Viper Spring. It's Charlie,” I tell the stranger.

"I know who it is. What's wrong?" he asks.

"Who are you?" I ask lamely, knowing that this isn't how it works.

There's silence at the end of the line.

"You're only to call if it's an emergency."

"Please, I need to know,” I beg.

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