Page 6 of Bleeding Hearts (Pine Valley College #3)

CHAPTER FOUR

I ’m not in the mood to be social, but I don’t have a choice.

A meeting was called, and I don’t want to let anyone down.

I felt honored when I was brought into Silent Rose.

It’s for rich kids and the elite, something I am not.

Maybe that’s why I try so hard, offering ideas and helping all the time, as if to prove myself even though they never asked.

Slumping on the sofa next to Bones, I accept the cup and take a sip. Luckily, it’s juice and not alcohol, because I don’t think I could stand the taste or smell of it after Lally last night.

I wonder how she is. I haven’t heard from her, which isn’t surprising, but I’m worried. She’s getting more reckless. It’s like she doesn’t even care if she lives or dies anymore. I don’t know how to get through to her, but I know I need to before it’s too late.

Maybe she needs to talk about her alcohol issues and everything that happened.

“Earth to Alice,” Bones scoffs.

Blinking, I bring him back into view. “Shit, sorry, what were you saying?”

“Just that Evan can’t make it. He’s on a shoot, so I guess you’re stuck with me.” He leans back as he speaks, and I hear his phone vibrate at least five times in quick succession, but he ignores it with a roll of his eyes.

“Ah, that’s fine. He’s been doing really well with Conan.” I nod. “He was showing me some of his work the other night.”

“The show-off.” Bones grins. “But he is.”

“Why was a meeting called anyway? We met recently.” I frown at Bones, who shrugs.

“I heard it’s about that game,” Liam whispers at my side. “Everyone knows it’s coming up soon, and the school hasn’t said anything.”

“I’ve heard about it. It’s not real, right?” I ask.

“Probably not,” Bones replies. “There’s no way someone could get away with that right now. Security is so tight everywhere after . . . after everything. The school is being watched like a hawk. Hell, they are still investigating.”

“Which makes it the perfect time, because no one is expecting it,” Liam says. “I heard it’s top secret. Nobody knows when it will start or how. They only find out the day of. There is no digital footprint, all word of mouth. Scary, right?”

I nod and glance at Bones, but he’s pulling his phone out, so my brain circles back to Lally. Should I text her? Call? Would she ignore me?

“I also heard your friend is involved.” My head snaps up.

Bones is oblivious, smiling down at his cell.

My heart starts to race, my blood turns cold, and a bad feeling unfurls within me, but Liam doesn’t notice.

“That pink-haired one? Someone saw her with the poster, and when she was asked about it, she said it sounded like fun. I guess she signed up.”

“She wouldn’t,” I whisper.

Liam shrugs. “It’s just what I heard, but you know what rumors are like.”

I do, but I also know what Lally is like right now.

She’s searching for anything to cling to, even unhealthy things. An adrenaline fueled, life-threatening game is something she would do right about now.

“Alright, people, I won’t keep you long. I know we’re all very busy,” Autumn calls as she stands, holding a cup in one hand, but for once, she looks serious. We aren’t talking about futures, investments, or ways to improve the campus, like the proposed Pride takeover we have planned.

No, this is something else, and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end.

“I’m sure by now you’ve all heard the rumors about Risk,” Autumn murmurs, and my eyes widen at the topic.

“We expected them just to be rumors, but we have solid intel. It isn’t a baseless whisper—it’s true.

The game will be held in Pine Valley with students competing for money.

It’s called Risk, and it’s said to test every inch of a person.

Apparently, it was held in a different city last year, and four kids died.

We need to stop this before it’s too late.

I took my concerns to the school, but they said they will look into it, which means it’s up to us, so I’m asking for volunteers to keep your ears to the ground and report back.

More than that, I want someone on the inside if we can.

I want to know what’s happening before it occurs so we can stop anyone else from getting hurt.

This campus has faced too much violence as it is—we don’t need more. ”

The room is quiet as everyone digests the information. If they are talking about it here, then it must be true, and Lally is going to be part of it. Oh god, if they are as dangerous as they say, she could be hurt.

The idea makes me gag. I can’t lose Lally. Even when she’s cruel and pushing me away, she’s my world. She’s the center of it all, even if she doesn’t want to be.

I can’t let her walk into danger alone. If she’s in this, then so am I.

“I’ll do it.” I leap to my feet. The idea of Lally entering this game terrifies and angers me at the same time.

Why is she doing it? Is it another outlet for her like drinking?

Another reckless way to challenge death?

I don’t know, but if this game is as bad as everyone says it is, then I can’t let her do it alone. “I’ll be your inside man.”

“Alice, you have nothing to prove to us,” Autumn murmurs. “You don’t have to volunteer each time?—”

“I want to do this.” I tilt my chin up and meet her gaze. “I want to help. The others can keep a lookout, and I’ll wiggle my way inside and find out more information. Everyone loves me, remember?”

She sighs, clearly hating the idea. “I know they do. You have that fucking trustworthy face everyone falls for, making them want to protect you, but this is dangerous, Alice.”

“What isn’t nowadays? I thought I was safe at school, but I wasn’t.

I don’t want anyone else going through what we did.

” I meet Bones’s eyes as his lips purse.

“I promise just to look for information, nothing else. At the first sign of trouble, I’ll tell you and step back.

Please, let me do this. If you don’t, I’ll assume it’s because I’m not a true member of Silent Rose and you don’t trust me enough to handle it. ”

“You know that’s not true.” Autumn knows I’m manipulating her, but she can’t find a way out of it.

What she said is true: everyone loves me.

I make friends easily and always fit in, even when I was quiet.

Now that I’m bolder and pushing myself to try new things, I’m surrounded by people—all apart from the one I want.

We made a promise to each other the night we were attacked—wherever she goes, I’ll go. I plan to keep that promise, even if she forgot.

“Fine. Information gathering and that’s it, Alice. I mean it. We’ll work together on this one.”

I sit down calmly, but inside, I’m a bundle of nerves and concern.

Grabbing my phone, I type out a message.

Alice: Lally, tell me you aren’t doing it.

I read it back and then delete it. She won’t respond anyway.

She made her choice, and I made mine, but if she thinks she’s getting away from me, then she has another thing coming.

“Alek won’t like this,” Bones murmurs at my side as I put my phone away again.

“It’s not his life. It’s mine. If I get into trouble, then I’ll reach out.

I’m just going to spy and figure out who’s behind it so we can stop it.

Nothing else,” I tell him, but it’s a lie.

I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Lally safe.

Hopefully, I can talk her out of it before it happens or stop her before the first meeting, but if I have to enter the game to keep her safe, then I will.

I’ve been trying my hardest to learn everything I can about Risk.

Lally is completely avoiding me. I haven’t seen her at school to confront her, so my determination has only tripled.

There are rumors everywhere, but no one seems to know the actual truth behind the game.

I need something to go on, but it’s like grasping at straws .

. . until him. It was by total accident.

I don’t usually attend parties, but I do now, searching for Lally and information about Risk.

Leo is a computer science major I met through some friends. I slid into the conversation when his reaction drew my attention. As soon as I mentioned Risk, he shut down, and I knew I hit a nerve. I watch him for the next hour, and when he goes to the kitchen for a drink, I follow.

“What do you know about Risk?” I ask.

He chokes on his booze, his gaze swinging to me. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do,” I snap. “Risk.”

He covers my mouth, scanning the party before he leans closer. “Are you crazy? You can’t keep digging into this, Alice, or talking about it so loudly.”

I tug his hand away, my eyes narrowed. “Why not?”

“They have eyes and ears everywhere. They don’t want to be caught. This is bigger than you know, Alice. This isn’t just kids playing games, and they will stop anyone who gets in their way. They don’t want a repeat of last time.”

“When the kids died and it was shut down before the end?” I ask, repeating the bits of information I managed to gather, which isn’t a lot.

“Exactly,” he whispers. “People died, Alice. Don’t be so naive to think they won’t make you disappear or worse if you get in their way. This game has been happening all over the world for years, always moving and never getting caught, and there’s a reason.”

“I want to know who’s behind it and where it’s being held,” I demand.

“Shit, I don’t know much, okay?” he hisses as he looks around. “And if they found out I told you anything, it wouldn’t be good. I can’t lose this.”

“Lose what?” I whisper as I lean into him, dragging my hand up his chest as I plaster a fake grin on my lips. “Make it look like we’re flirting.”

His eyes widen in confusion, but he leans into me like we are flirting like everyone else.

“They approached me about doing some coding work. That’s all,” he admits.

“How? Who?” I question.

“I don’t know. It was all anonymous. I needed the money to cover my rent or I was going to be kicked out. I was desperate, and they knew it. I don’t know how. They said if I told anyone or went to the police, they would destroy my life, and I believe them.”

I frown. “Why?”

“Because they knew things, Alice, things no one else should know about me. They linked things to the dark web. Whoever is behind this has a whole lot of power and money, and I refuse to get on their bad side, not for anyone.”

“Please,” I beg, tugging him closer when he tries to pull away. “You don’t have to tell me everything. I just . . . At least tell me where the first game will be held. I need to be there. I need to be involved.”

“Why?” he snaps.

“Someone I love is in danger,” I admit.

“And you’re willing to walk into this for them even knowing what I just told you?” he asks incredulously.

“I’d do anything for her,” I reply without hesitation.

“I can’t, Alice. I’m sorry.” He goes to pull away, so I grab his neck and tug him forward, nearly pressing my lips to his like I’m going to kiss him so anyone who is watching is fooled.

“I tried being nice. I told you I would do anything for her, and I mean it. If you don’t help me, I’ll expose that you have a hand in Risk, and I’ll either let the police or the people behind it deal with you. Your choice.”

“Fuck.” He pulls away, staring at me in shock. “I heard you’re nice, but you’re fucking brutal and mean.”

“I’ll be anything I have to be to keep her safe. Do we have a deal?”

“Fine. If I find out anything, I’ll tell you?—”

“You will find something or I’ll expose you,” I reply sweetly as I pat his chest. “Can’t wait to hear from you soon.”

I whirl, my hair hitting him as I do, and walk back to my friends, making sure to talk loudly about how hot he is. I won’t risk Lally, but I have things to do, and he’s going to help me.

It’s been a week, and I’ve heard nothing.

I’m getting restless, but my life can’t stop just because of Risk.

I feel like I’m at a standstill. I need to pretend to be fine for everyone around me, especially Alek and Evan.

If they knew, they would yank me from this and lock me away.

I won’t let that happen, so I smile and join their activities, pretending everything is fine, until today.

I know who is calling before I even pick up the phone. I can feel Bones’s gaze on me, but I keep my eyes on the table when I answer. We meet every Sunday to catch up and spend time together, but even with the sun shining brightly, the day seems darker, or maybe that’s just me.

“Tonight. Don’t tell them I let you know. Nine at the abandoned beach.”

“Tonight?” I meet Bones’s confused gaze, my brother and our friends oblivious next to me. “I’ll be there.”

“It’s starting?” he asks, sparing the others a glance. I know why—this Silent Rose business. Evan knows some of it, but not all since he’s busy with work. Besides, I volunteered for this. I can do this, and Bones’s trust in me makes me feel strong.

“Yes, tonight. Don’t worry, I’ve got this, Bones,” I tell him.

This isn’t just for Silent Rose, but for Lally too.

She is in too deep. She’s been pulling away ever since .

. . well, that night, but recently, it’s like she’s gone over the deep end, and I’m worried she’s going to end up dead just like Tommy, especially after we learned what she signed up for.

“Be safe, okay? I know we asked you as a part of Silent Rose, but don’t put yourself in danger,” he implores. Bones used to terrify me, but he’s such a kind person, always caring for others. Skylar softened him, showing him it’s okay to feel and care for others.

“What are you talking about?” Evan asks curiously, and I almost jump. I’m not good at lying, but this is something I need to do alone. I know they’d help if I asked, but they have already done so much. Their lives are getting back to normal, so it’s up to me.

“Oh, nothing,” I blurt, and then I grab my phone and ask Evan about his internship to distract him. I feel Alek watching me, but I avoid his gaze, knowing he will see right through me. It’s one of the reasons I haven’t been home much recently.

“How’s Lally?” he finally asks.

I freeze, swinging my gaze to him and then Evan. “Um, she’s okay,” I mutter. I can’t tell them. They are concerned, and I know Lally and Evan are best friends, but he doesn’t seem to see how badly she’s struggling.

Nobody does but me.

I won’t lose her.

She pushed me away and tried to make me hate her, but it won’t work. I’m not the same girl I was when we met, and I want her safe and happy with me, which means only one thing—I have to lie to everyone else.

I have to enter the game.

I have to become a competitor in Risk.