Page 17 of They Will Fall

With the pedal to the floor of my black Bugatti Veyron, I drive as fast as I can back to Boulder Cove. Students aren’t allowed to have vehicles but fuck the rules.

I know he’s there. Not only did he leave the notebook on my bed, while I was caught blindsided by Riley at my cabin, but I also saw him. Walking with his shoulders drawn back and his chest puffed out like he’s The President of The Society and an untouchable force. Granted, he’s the leader of all The Punishers, but he’s not untouchable. He’s as replaceable as the cellphone I’m powering on.

I press the button on the steering wheel and wait for the beep. “Call Ridge.”

I’m sure I’m the last person Ridge or Maddox want to talk to, but I need to know Riley is safe. I’ve also gotta fill him in on my plan. In the past, I’d work alone, not giving a damn who knew what I was up to. But that was then, and this is now. I feel more myself than I ever have, and the old me would have made sure my friends knew what I was about to do.

The phone rings through the speakers of the car and after the fifth ring, it goes to voicemail.

“It’s Ridge. You know what to do.”

“Hey, man. Call me as soon as possible. We need to talk.”

I end the call and bite the bottom of my lip, wondering if it’s even worthwhile to try Maddox. It’s apparent they’re ignoring me. Don’t blame ’em, really. They know I’m the one who killed Zeke and assaulted Riley. Once again, it wasn’t me. And it wasn’t even really assault. Jesus, people are so quick to assume these days. First of all, I never drugged her. I must’ve just dropped the pill I stuffed in my pocket when I decided I wasn’t going to take it. I didn’t even know she was drunk until I got her halfway to her orgasm. She got off on my fingers inside her and never once asked me to stop, so I didn’t.

If at any point in time she said ‘no’ that would have been the end of it.

I think.

Maybe not because I don’t know who that guy was who entered her room that night. But there isn’t a doubt in my mind I would’ve stopped now.

“Fuck!” I slam my hands to the steering wheel. When did all this shit get so fucking messy?

I’m snapped from my thoughts when my phone starts ringing. Ridge’s name flashes on the screen, and I immediately hit Answer.

“Where the hell are they?” he shouts before I can even say hello.

I turn the volume down a few notches, so he’s not screaming in my ear. “Where the hell is who?”

“You know exactly who I’m talking about. What did you do with Riley and Maddox?”

My hands coil around the steering wheel as my foot smashes down hard on the brakes. I skid off the road and onto the shoulder, throwing a cloud of dust in my wake. My whole body lurches forward against the seat belt as I come to a complete stop. "Riley's missing?"

“Don’t play games with me, Lev.”

“Shut the fuck up and tell me what the hell is going on right now, or so help me God…”

My heart hammers in my chest as a million possibilities cross my mind.Someone took her.What if it was my uncle? What if it was a family member of those men Ridge murdered, all because they think it was her?

“I swear on everything, Lev, if you’re fucking lying to me right now, I will hunt you down.” His voice rises with each word. “And I will slit your goddamn throat!”

Rage consumes me because this jackass is being impossible right now.

“Do it, asshole. I fucking dare you! Come find me and we’ll see who leaves with their vocal cords intact.”

“Where the hell is she?!” His screams are deafening to the point I’m forced to turn the volume down more. “Tell me!”

But I scream back just as loud because, who the fuck does this guy think he is accusing me of shit? “I don’t know!”

“I don’t believe you, Lev.” His voice lowers to a near shout. “I don't believe a damn word you say now that I know it was you. You killed Zeke and framed Cade, then you killed Cade and you’re letting her take the fucking fall for it. What a man you are.” He laughs, though the sound is empty of humor. “Nah. You’re just a fucking pussy.”

“Is that so?” I hum. “You forgot a few people there, Ridge.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“The ones I framed Riley for. All those men who were murdered. Their bodies were lit on fire and evidence was left behind that connected her to them. You all think I killed them, right?”

“I don't give a fuck about those guys. This has nothing to do with them.”

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