Page 17

And it is. In high school, we frequently slipped away from school without ever getting caught. As the bus lurches into motion, taking us toward the south side, I realize how much I’ve missed hanging out with McKenna.

“I’m sorry about Pee Wee,” I say, suddenly serious.

Kenny’s smile falters. “Yeah, well. Better to find out now, right?”

I nod, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “His loss.”

“Damn straight,” she agrees, leaning her head against mine. “There’s plenty of fish in the sea, right?”

“Right.”

The bus winds through the city, passing from the nicer neighborhoods into the more run-down areas. As we get closer to our old building, anxiety starts to creep back in. What if my dad’s not there?

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” I murmur as we step off the bus.

“It’s fine,” Kenny assures me. “We’ll pop our head in and if he’s not there, we’ll go.”

I nod when she links her arm through mine. She’s right. I’m sure it’s fine.

When we reach my apartment, I’m surprised to see the makeshift repair job on the door. Boards have been nailed across the damaged area. It’s secure but it looks even shittier than it did before.

Pulling out my key, I shove it in the lock and turn. I sigh in relief when the bolt clicks, signaling it still works. I shove the door open and McKenna follows me inside.

“It’s not as bad as I thought it’d be,” McKenna says, taking in the damage.

The apartment is still a mess, though someone, probably the prospects Klutch sent over here to fix the door, made an attempt to clean it up.

“It was worse,” I admit, suddenly feeling guilty for ditching Rookie.

“Dad?” I call out, shoving the thoughts aside, and moving further into the apartment. “Dad, are you here?”

Silence answers me.

I walk past Kenny and head down the hall. I check his bedroom, the bathroom, and the kitchen. There’s no sign of him, but his clothes are still in the closet, and there are dirty dishes in the sink. He’s at least been here recently.

“Look at this,” Kenny says, pointing to a calendar hanging on the wall.

I move closer. There’s a circle around tomorrow’s date with the word “MEET” scrawled in my father’s messy handwriting.

“Meet who?” I wonder aloud.

Kenny shrugs. “Frankie, maybe?”

I swallow the lump that forms in my throat. If my dad is planning to meet Frankie without the money...

“I need to find him,” I say urgently.

“We will,” Kenny promises. “But first, let’s grab you some more clothes while we’re here.”

I nod, heading to my room. As I stuff clothes into a duffel bag, I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen. The circle on the calendar, my dad’s disappearance, the trashed apartment—it all adds up to trouble.

“Ready?” Kenny asks from the doorway.

“Yeah,” I sigh, zipping up the bag. “Let’s go.”

As we’re about to head out, my phone vibrates in my pocket. It’s a text from Klutch.

Klutch: Where the fuck are you?

I wince. Rookie must have ratted us out.

“Busted?” Kenny asks, peering over my shoulder.

“Big time,” I confirm, showing her the text.

She grimaces. “Oops.”

Another text comes through.

Klutch: Answer me right fucking now.

I quickly type out a reply.

Demi: I’m fine. With Kenny. Be back soon.

His response is immediate.

Klutch: That’s not what I fucking asked. WHERE. ARE. YOU?

I look at Kenny, who shrugs helplessly.

“Might as well tell him the truth,” she suggests. “He’s going to find out anyway.”

I groan. She’s right. I type out my reply and hit send.

Demi: At my apartment. Looking for my dad. We’re leaving now.

Klutch: Don’t fucking move

Flashing the screen at McKenna I worry my lip. He’s never spoken to me like this before.

“Shit, Dems. I think he’s really mad.”

I’m just about to agree with her when the front door opens and in steps none other than Frankie Fish himself followed closely by one of his goons.

I grab Kenny’s hand and pull her with me as I step back.

Frankie eyes the both of us up and down. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t Bobby’s little whore daughter and oh looky. A bonus treat.” He licks his lips suggestively and my stomach turns.

“If you’re looking for my dad, he’s not here. But I–”

“Shut the fuck up, bitch,” he snarls, cutting me off before I can tell him that I have most of the money my dad owes him.

My mouth snaps shut as fear courses through my veins.

Frankie Fish is exactly as terrifying as one would imagine. Slicked-back hair, expensive suit that can’t quite hide his heavyset frame, and cold, dead eyes that remind me of a shark.

His goon, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, closes the door behind them. I grip Kenny’s hand tighter as we take another step back.

“You know, your daddy made a lot of promises,” Frankie says, moving further into the apartment. “Always ‘next week, Frankie’ or ‘I just need a little more time.’ My patience has run out.”

“I have the money,” I blurt out, desperation making my voice crack. “Almost all of it. Nine and a half thousand. It’s in my purse.” I point to my bag on the floor.

Frankie pauses, tilting his head as if considering my offer. Then his lips spread into a sinister smile that sends ice through my veins.

“That’s cute, sweetheart. But your daddy’s deadline was yesterday. And now...” He looks me up and down again in a way that makes me feel physically ill. “Now I’m thinking there are other ways to satisfy his debt.”

Kenny steps forward, placing herself in front of me. “Back off, asshole. She said she has your money.”

“Johnny,” Frankie nods at his goon. “Shut that one up.”

It happens so fast. Johnny lunges, grabbing for Kenny while I’m shoved backward, stumbling over the coffee table. Fight or flight kicks in and Kenny reacts violently, her nails raking across Johnny’s face as she screams.

“Get your hands off her!” I yell, scrambling to my feet and launching myself at Johnny’s back.

He grunts when my body slams into him. I tighten my arms around his neck and squeeze. He grunts, throwing an elbow back and catching me in the ribs.

“Ah!” I cry out, dropping to the floor as pain explodes in my side.

Kenny keeps fighting like a wildcat, kicking and scratching at Johnny who’s trying to restrain her. “Let me go, you piece of?—”

Suddenly McKenna goes quiet and her body drops to the floor.

“No!” I scream, eyes stuck on Frankie standing over her with a pistol in his hand.

I get to my feet and stagger towards her. Johnny’s hand shoots out, latching onto my arm before I can get to her.

“He’ll kill you!,” I yell, twisting and kicking, my foot connecting with something hard. “He’ll kill you both!”

Johnny swears when my foot lands a solid kick against his shin. “You bitch.” His meaty hand is coming at my face before I can dodge it.

BAM.

Fire licks across my cheek and stars explode in my vision. I swipe my tongue over my lip, tasting blood.

“I was hoping you’d be more cooperative,” Frankie sighs, stepping over Kenny’s motionless form. “But this works too.”

Johnny yanks me against his chest, his breath hot and rancid. I struggle harder. “No!”

“I love when they scream.” Johnny’s eyes are void of any emotion as he grabs hold of the collar of my shirt and yanks. The fabric rips, exposing my shoulder and part of my bra.

“No,” I beg. “Don’t do this.” Tears spill down my cheeks. This can’t be happening. Klutch tried to warn me it wasn’t safe and I didn’t listen.

Frankie laughs. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. It won’t hurt… Much.”

Johnny’s hand starts to move up my stomach toward my chest, and I feel bile rise in my throat. I kick back wildly, somehow connecting with his groin. His grip loosens enough for me to wrench away.

I crash to the floor, scrambling backward on my hands and knees.

“You’ll pay for that.” Johnny’s face is twisted with rage. He moves lighting fast and grabs me by my shirt, lifts his fist, and lets it fly.

Pain like I’ve never felt before explodes in my head.

I'm so stunned by the strike to my temple that I don’t notice the sound of the front door opening or the energy in the room shifting to something dark and murderous.