Page 31 of The Boy I Loved

“They can still hear us,you idiot,” I shot back in a mocking tone. “We just can’t hear them.”

A frown tugged at the corners of his mouth as he thought aboutthat, but before he could comment any more on the subject, the door cracked open.

Vincent poked his head out, his eyes raking over the two of us before he opened the door wider to allow us entry. We stepped through, letting the door close behind us with a soft click of the lock.

Lauren was strapped down to a table, her head lolling to the side as she slept. It was one of those tables that could be readjusted—the kind you could fuck someone on without them having to move a muscle. My pulse began racing at the implication. No way was that a coincidence.

“Dominic, Mason,” Clay called out, drawing my attention to where he stood near the bar. “Come get a drink.”

I glanced over at Nicholas and Vince, who were already settled back in the matching recliners, nursing their own beverages. Mason didn’t seem to carry the same nervous edge I did, he strode forward with ease, meeting my uncle at the bar. Kurt was nestled into a chair on the other side of the room, smoking a cigar. His black hair was slicked back, though… I wasn’t sure if it was from gel or grease.

Reluctantly, I made my way toward Clay, accepting the glass of whiskey he handed me.

“You boys did good.” He smiled, looking between the four of us with appreciation.

Nausea coiled around my stomach at his praise. It used to excite me. Now, it repulsed me. He was only ever happy if we were harming others. There was something so dark and sinister about my uncle, that the reason my father distanced himself from him in the first place became very clear.

“I have to admit, though…” Clay continued, swirling the contents within his glass in a circular motion. “I didn’t expect you guys to abduct a pretty lady on the first day of school.” Amusement sparkled within his eyes, and it only made the queasy feeling inside of me grow.

“She was asking too many questions,” I responded, keeping my tone neutral and calm.

Clay arched an eyebrow, bringing the glass to his lips before taking a slow sip. “Now, why’s that?”

Tension rolled through my shoulders at the warning in his tone. In his eyes, if people were asking questions, then we probably fucked up. Maybe we did. We should have been more discreet and patient when going after Stacy.

“Lauren is Stacy’s friend,” I explained.

“I see…” he trailed off. His expression remained impassive, not giving anything away. He turned and set his whiskey on the bar. “I’m assuming Lauren knew you were the last to see her.” It wasn’t a question.

The room was thick with tension. Everyone’s eyes seemed to stick to me, sensing what I’d say next. Or maybe they were just waiting for Clay to snap. I wasn’t the one who targeted Stacy, but if there was one thing my uncle hated more than a fuck up, it was a snitch.

“Yes, Sir.”

Clay nodded, a crease forming between his brows. Subtly, he took the glass from between my hands and placed it next to his on the bar. “You realize that was reckless, don’t you?”

I gritted my teeth, trying to keep my expression stoic despite the nerves unraveling within me. “I do.”

“I taught you to be smarter than that,” he added.

Fuck.

We really fucked up.

I was bracing for the impact before his fist connected with the side of my face. Pain radiated through my jaw, copper flooding my mouth from where my teeth had scraped. My jaw throbbed incessantly, but the pain subsided soon after.

Blowing out a ragged breath, I spit the blood on the floor, not giving a shit how much it pissed him off.

Clay plucked a handkerchief from the front pocket of his work vest and wiped his hand off—like touching me was enough to give him some kind of disease. Once he was satisfied, he returned the handkerchief to his pocket and offered me my whiskey again as if nothing had happened, as if he didn’t just punch me in the face.

“Anything else I should know?” he asked calmly.

“No,” I grumbled, grabbing my whiskey glass and downing it entirely. The liquid was smooth down my throat but elicited a burn that erupted within my chest moments later.

Clay jerked a nod, his eyes flicking back to the girl who remained unconscious. “Good. No more fuck ups from here on out.”

CHAPTER NINE

HAZEL