Page 42 of Severed Heart

“Yes, ma’am,” I state as Dom keeps planted firmly in place.

“Mr. Spellman,” she calls after Blake’s retreating back.

“Do we need to take this conversation elsewhere?

Blake waves his hand, not bothering to turn around. “All good.”

Mrs. Hill gives each of us a pointed look as she speaks. “I suggest you three get back to class before I find both a problem and a place for you all to be.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Sean says, giving her a flirtatious grin and salute before righting his vintage Batman T-shirt. It’s when Dom nods in agreement instead of popping off that I know something is definitely up.

It’s confirmed a second later when Mrs. Hill snaps her door shut, and Dom drops, retrieving and carefully cupping the prize under his boot before disposing of it in Sean’s waiting hand. A hand he promptly closes into a tight fist as Dom barks his order. “Hit the shop and get it back to me before sixth period.”

“On it.” Sean shoots me a wink before sauntering off in the direction Spellman went, calling after Blake in taunt. “Come back, snitchy. Daddy needs a word.”

“The hell?” I ask as Dom strides off, a smug smile blooming on his face at my confusion when I fall in step next to him.

“Can you borrow your mom’s van tonight?” He asks.

“Probably, yeah.”

“Good. Pick us up at midnight.”

I pause my footing. “That’s past curfew.”

“Then get grounded,” he calls back to me, “it’ll be worth it.”

Sighing, I decide it’s better for now not to ask, especially since Dom’s in a theatrical mood. Not long after the clock strikes twelve, the three of us are creeping to the other side of town in Mom’s minivan. Cam’ron’s “Killa Cam” plays in the background before I cut it off and park where Dom instructs. When the three of us sit idle for a few long seconds, blocks away from an open-gated industrial complex that houses three buildings, I finally demand my explanation.

“Speak,” I state before Dom rips his gaze from one of the buildings and turns to me.

“We’re going shopping,” he states matter-of-factly.

“For?” I ask as Dom gets out, grabbing the packed duffle he brought. Sean and I follow suit, shivering at the change in temp, as Dom bends, unzipping the bag at our collective feet.

“Love to your mom and all,” Dom starts, pulling out three ski masks.

“So much lovefor Regina,” Sean interjects, palming his heart before sliding it down to cup his junk. I waste no time thumping his ear as hard as possible. His features pinch in pain before they disappear behind his ski mask when he pulls it down, cocking his head. “Was that absolutely necessary?”

“Yes,” I state, pulling my own mask on along with the gloves Dom supplies next.

“Your mom is lava fucking hot, bro,” Sean quips as he pulls on a glove, “deal with it. God knowsI want to.”

“Like I was saying,” Dom snaps to shut Sean up, grabbing a few more masks and pairs of gloves from the open duffle before tossing it back into the van and closing the door. “Love to Mom for the loan, but I’m growing tired of the minivan.” He turns to Sean. “Got it?”

Sean produces a key from his jeans and hands it to Dom.

“That’s all I’m getting?” I ask as the three of us start to creep toward the complex, a shiver running up my spine. This fall has been unseasonably cold, with a few nights of early snowfall, some dropping below dead of winter temperatures. This proves to be an advantage for us—at least for tonight. The frigid cold no doubt responsible for the lack of life at the complex and surrounding neighborhood.

“So, this plan is sound?” I ask Dom, eyeing the extra masks and gloves in his hands.

“As it can be, though I enlisted help.”

As if aware of my question of who, a distant “ca-caw” sounds from blocks away, and Dom chuckles in response.

“Really fucking discreet,” I snap, knowing it could only be Russell. I’m proven right when, minutes later, he appears, dressed in black like the rest of us as instructed, and he’s not alone.

“The fuck is going on?” I ask, hackles rising as Russell sidles up to us with ease, with a guy who looks around our age, brown hair and eyes, average build, wearing a dopey smile.