was taken care of?”
“I haven’t really talked to him about it.”
Cooper arched a brow. “Oh? I thought you boys were tight?”
“I hear he’s been partying pretty hard.” I swallowed. “I’m guessing it scared the hell out of him. You know. His hand in it and all.”
Cooper nodded, then leaned forward, steepling his fingers in front of him. He hesitated for a long moment, his narrowed eyes assessing me. “I need to ask you something. And I need to be sure it’s in absolute confidence.”
“Of course.”
“Have you noticed anything strange going on when I send you two out?”
My forehead creased.
“I mean with Remy. Like him taking off alone with no explanation. Or him making deals with the deadbeats.”
My eyes jumped away, my mind working to recall what I’d seen. On a good night, Remy was fucked in the head. It’d be impossible to guess why he did anything he did. But I’d heard him trying to make a deal at the house, before the gun jammed into my head. I just thought he was pleading for his life.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
My eyes flew back to Cooper. “I swear. I have no clue what he’s been up to. I don’t ask and he doesn’t tell me.” I tunneled my fingers through my hair, hoping Cooper didn’t mistake my nervousness for guilt. “Is it bad?”
Cooper nodded once.
“Fucking Remy,” I mumbled. “As stupid as he can be, he’s saved my ass more than once. And now he killed to protect me. You gotta know I owe him my life.”
Cooper leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms again. A long moment passed between us where his eyes never left mine. He considered his words carefully. A man like him always did. “Would it help to know while Remy may have killed that man to protect you, he killed his friend because he was trying to cover his own ass?”
My brows furrowed. “The guy had a gun to Remy’s head.”
“I know. But Remy knew him. Knew he was gonna rat him out.”
Huh?
“Remy went there with the sole purpose of killing him.”
My head retracted. “I don’t understand. The guy came to the door with the gun already drawn.”
“He’d already ratted Remy out. So he knew he’d retaliate.”
I dropped my head back, wondering what else I didn’t know.
“It seems Remy’s been embezzling money from me for a while now. Every time you two collect, it’s short.”
What the fuck, Remy?
“Of course he always has excuses. Usually trying to convince me that getting something from these guys is better than nothing. But it wasn’t adding up.”
I closed my eyes, pushing my palms into them.
“I’ve known him since he was a kid, since you were both kids. So before taking matters into my own hands, I needed to determine your involvement. It’s obvious he’s working alone.”
I nodded, thankful for his trust.
“With that being said, we’re not finished.”
ALEX
Hayden and I sat beside one another in the crowded dining hall. To an outsider, things between us looked fine. But since telling me he loved me two days ago, Hayden hadn’t been the same.
I didn’t expect roses and chocolates, but he’d been distant. Disappearing without explanation. Quieter than usual. And all displays of affection had ceased to exist.
I found myself asking questions, which only garnered a nod, shake of his head, or shrug. Even when I asked a question requiring more than yes, no, or I don’t know.
I wondered if it was my fault. I mean, my reaction, or lack thereof, to his confession was appalling. Truthfully, it knocked the breath right out of me. And even though he’d been drinking, he’d said it. He’d actually said those words. And liquid courage or not, coming from Hayden, it was a monumental step—and completely insane.
Two months ago, we didn’t even know each other. How had our feelings developed so strongly? So quickly? How had our lives become so intertwined? Maybe our misfortune in losing our parents had bonded us. Or maybe the way he kept saving me had cinched our connection.
I looked out over the dining hall envious of the smiling girls whose biggest concerns were what to do Friday night. I stabbed at my salad, trying to process Hayden’s behavior. Trying to determine my next move.
“What do we have here?”
Before my eyes even lifted from my food, I knew who the deep voice belonged to.
Hayden’s head shot up from his burger as Remy slid into the seat across from us. His jeans and faded black band T-shirt hung off his