Page 50

“Let me out of this house.” I hold her gaze angrily as she strolls in and places my cup down on a coaster.
The glass coffee table in front of me is curvy and sleek. Some new upgrades to this house I don’t quite remember from the last time I was here.
Mara doesn’t work… and a cop can make decent money… but this?
The house is a shithole on the outside. Crumbling shingles and a paintjob from yesteryear. But in here? It’s the Plaza Hotel. Everything about this set up is weird.
Something stinks.
“Quinn, I don’t get involved with Ferry’s affairs.” Mara shrugs. “I just know he’s trying to keep his best friend’s daughter safe. Maybe there’s someone dangerous out there targeting people your father knows. Best to stay here.”
“Why? Because no one would ever think to break into a cop’s house?Hah.” I have a mind to toss the hot tea in this ignorant woman’s face. Auntie M. Never again will I consider these people my family. I’m battered and bruised because of them.
“We can protect you better here,” she says sadly.
“I’m not sitting on house arrest. Where are the charges?” I show the bruises forming on my wrists.
Her lips fold in.
“Yeah, someprotection.”
“It’s tough love, hunnie. Ferry needs things a certain way so he can work.” She pats the seat beside her on her cushy new couch.
I’m boiling at this woman. I always thought her a little dull and submissive, though pleasant. Now that we’re at odds? This is some Midsommar bullshit.
“We’re done here. You can go fuck off, Mara.” I hold her gaze some more, daring her to say something else, then turn to Reggie. “Hey,you. How do you feel about what you’ve done? Huh?”
I’m ready to test him again. Screw it.
He stiffens, ready for me to push him.
“What’s the matter? Scared that docile woman is going to rat on you toFerry?” I challenge him, teeth bared.
He shakes his head.
“Probies always scared,” I say, referencing the new recruits to the PD. They’re always worried they’ll be placed on graveyard shifts as punishment, or in ghetto areas. That’s why they’re so easy to mold. “Where’s your integrity? Did you get on the force to help innocent people? Or are you just a dumb jock waiting for orders?”
“Both, Quinn. Now please, sit down,” he finally says.
The exhaustion in his voice is disarming. He didn’t want to do what he felt he had to, and certainly doesn’t want to be babysitting me. Too bad for him I’ll be escaping this prison the first chance I get. Right now seems a good enough time.
Dad’s safe.
My phone is at my house.
Silver is probably wondering where the hell I went.Oh God, if he thinks I fled to the police, he might harm Dad.
No, he wouldn’t. He knows how thankful I am. In all honesty, he didn’t have to do any of what he did. He’s good in his heart. I know it.
These people around me, however… Struck with fear and riddled with complacency. My gut tells me to jump out the window and make a run for it. Would they really call the cops and claim me as a missing person? A perp, even?
That would be bad for Silver. Best to calm down and figure out the best way out of here.
“You want me to back off?” I say.
“Don’t want any trouble, Ms. Dall.” He puts his hands up.
“Acting all innocent all of a sudden. Okay. Go send someone to get my work laptop.”