Page 95 of Tricked By Jack

“You’re embarrassing me, boy,” Willy growls before slapping the back of Junior’s head. “No one cares about the woman.”

Junior winces. “But you should… she’s the one in fucking charge. She’s the one who told Caleb to bring a knife to a fistfight. He took out Jimmy.”

“Who’s the woman?” I ask. I look at Ned out of my peripheral, my gut tightening, and I get this weird sense of foreboding. Like the one you get when you know something is about to… not just change, but fucking shatter your perception.

“Her name is Shelby something. Didn’t catch a last name.”

“You fucking liar!” Ned roars, darting to his feet and pulling his gun. “My sister would never betray me.”

“I’m not lying,” Junior insists, holding his hands up in the air. “Look, I can show you.”

He pulls his phone out, and taps the screen a few times before turning it so Ned and I can see the picture of Shelby and Caleb in a tight embrace. I lean closer and tap the info symbol which confirms the picture is from yesterday.

“This proves nothing,” Ned growls. “He could have received the picture yesterday. Or taken a picture of a picture.”

“He could have,” I agree. “This only proves that Shelby and Caleb know each other and nothing more.” I meet Junior’s gaze, making sure he can see the anger and violence in mine.

Gulping, he pulls up his Memo App and plays a voice clip.

“… I only wish I could see the stupid look on the Knights’ faces,” Shelby says.

“Patience, baby,” a man croons.

She scoffs. “I want them to know I’m the one who crossed them. They think they’re so high and fucking mighty. But the Knights aren’t worth shit.”

“Keep going. You’re so hot when you talk like that,” the guy groans.

“Oh, yeah?” There’s a beat of silence followed by fabric tearing. “I want you inside me,” she moans.

My eyes dart to Ned who looks visibly disturbed, and I can’t say I fucking blame him one bit. Especially not when the sound of skin slapping against skin grows louder.

“I want them to know what it’s like to lose everything.” She moans again. “Oh, yes. Harder, Caleb.”

“Do we really have to fucking listen to this?” Ned barks.

“It’s time someone teaches them a lesson.” Shelby’s tone is growing higher and higher with each syllable. “Fuck, yes. Pinch my clit harder.”

“And you’re that someone, aren’t you, baby?” Caleb asks.

I can barely hear the rest over the roar in my ears. But I force myself to stay focused while the rest of the memo plays out. There’s mention of the fire, that it’s nothing more than a decoy. A ploy to get me away from Eve.

Shelby knew that Nick would send me, and that I’d be reluctant to take Eve with me. Fuck me, that’s why she was at Eve’s apartment. She was making sure I’d go alone.

“Fuck,” I spit.

“I don’t fucking believe it,” Ned roars as he lunges for Junior.

When I look at Willy, he just shrugs, already aware of what I want to know. “My allegiance is to you, Jack. Do what you must.”

“Are you more than an errand boy?” I ask Junior, my tone cold. “Do you know where they are or what they’re planning?”

He splutters his innocence, not knowing he’s signing his own death warrant. If he knows nothing, he’s a loose end. Nodding to Ned, I wordlessly give him permission to do whatever the fuck he wants.

“Jack—”

“No,” I interrupt, not letting Ned say what I know he’s about to. “I know you’re loyal. I’ve never questioned you, and I’m sure as fuck not starting now. Just hurry up.”

Then I walk outside, my phone already in hand as I call Nick. This just officially became a Knight problem.