Page 25 of Into the Blue

I get my bag out of my locker and rush off to find a bouncer to escort me to my car. I was supposed to be on stage at least one more time, but I’m far too rattled to hide that fact. I’ll deal with the consequences of it later.

Right now, I desperately need to get out of here.

Back at my apartment, I stand under the spray of water. I search for any semblance of calm, but I can’t find it with so many unknown variables floating around me.

How much does my half-brother know? Did my father tell him? What does he plan on doing with that information? How long am I safe here before one of them does tell Blue who I am? Should I just tell Blue myself?

When I get out of the shower, I quickly go through my routine of detangling and moisturizing my hair, skipping the blow-dry all together. I opt for just two braids, knowing that I’m not going into work tomorrow anyway.

I can’t.

Even with the bouncers there, I have no idea how many targets are currently on my back.

I do the only thing I can think of at the moment. I call my best friend. “Lee?”

“Babe, wassup?” The music dies down as she goes to my old break room. “Why aren’t you on the floor?”

Tears are already rolling down my face. “I think I fucked up.” My voice catches in my throat and I wipe my eyes. “Lee, they know who I am.”

A beat, then, “Who isthey?”

“The Fayes.”

“Fuuuck. Fuck, fuck, shit, fuck. Do I need to come get you? I can be on a plane tomorrow—”

I hear the clacking of her locker being opened as I’m sure she’s already grabbing things to come get me. “And risk you, too? No! They sent someone to confirm who I am tonight. Some sleazy cousin of mine. But they know.”

“Well, shit girl. What can you do? What can I do?” I have no idea what I can do. This is a lot. Maybe too much. I thought I could come here and get this done but maybe I shouldn’t have come by myself. I have no one to look out for me like Lee does back home.

I think I’m in over my head.

I know that Blue is not how I thought he’d be. But my blood would threaten to turn me in like I betrayed them and for what? They couldn’t possibly have proof that I had been listening to their conversations or searching through their business. It’s far too late for that. They never suspected even with countless months of gathering data before I got to Louisiana.

There’s three short knocks at my front door and I pause.

“Someone just knocked on my door,” I tell my friend.

“Don’t go see who it is. Have you ever seen a scary movie before?”

I’m already up and walking over, tying my robe at the waist securely. “This isn’t a scary movie. Just stay on the line.”

“Racquelle Owens, listen to me! Do not open—”

There is no peephole on my door, a red flag in itself. So I have to open the door a sliver to see who’s there.

When I do, I instantly know that I shouldn’t have.

“Nice place, Diamond,” he coos in that same fake sweet voice.

Chapter 9

“Think you want to see this boss…” Vert says, interrupting me mid-swing.

My hands are already covered in red as I turn from where Dejuan is tied to the chair in the middle of the main interrogation room.

I’m unhinged and at my limit after getting nowhere with this rat. He confessed to telling Jay exactly where our next drop was happening so my men could be bum rushed before they reached Louisiana state lines.

But he won’t tell me why or who has convinced him to turn on this family.