Part 9 (1/2)

I felt rather than saw Jade move behind me. I didn't even turn around. ”Jade, get in my car.”

”Caleb...”

I turned and gripping her with my hands, so large now on her shoulders. I said in the most earnest voice I'd ever used, ”Please baby, get in there and lock the doors.”

Her eyes searched mine, standing water swimming in them. ”Don't fight them, Caleb... please,” she swiped at a tear. I shook my head. ”Nah, we're just gonna talk, k?”

She nodded, looking like she didn't believe me but went off in the direction of my car.

My attention swiveled back to the three that stood in front of me.

So clearly my enemies.

Except one. I didn't know what Brett was anymore. But he wasn't quite fittin' in that neat little category anymore. Placement unknown.

But he was still hanging with the a.s.s clowns. Mixed loyalties at best.

I sighed. ”Yeah, I gotta talk to you.” I looked at Diego and Carson, Brody sidling up behind them.

”Alone,” my eyes flicked to the others.

”Did ya get a vacation, Hart?” Carson asked with a laugh.

I didn't even try to be coy, I was tired. ”Yeah.”

”No s.h.i.+t, nice!” Diego said. ”How long?”

Brett glared at him, ”Hey listen, go jack off somewhere for a sec, Hart's got somethin' on his mind, huh?”

Diego scowled. ”Fine, b.u.t.t-hump him for all I care. He's a d.i.c.k hole, you know that.”

”Just go,” Brett said and Carson looked at him. ”Don't get your loyalties screwed, Mason. Remember who calls the shots.”

Brett and Carson stared at each other for a swollen moment then Carson jerked his chin to a spot not far off, a strangled grouping of trees outcropping from an island of cement. The shade cast reaching fingers as they walked underneath its broken canopy of light.

Brett waited until they were out of ear shot.

Now that it was time to ask I felt like an idiot. I forged ahead.

For Jade.

”Listen, that G.o.dd.a.m.ned tool...”

”Frazier,” Brett clipped out.

I nodded. ”I got a vacation, maybe a week, I'm guessing.” My eyes met his and he nodded like, go on. ”Anyways, she only has about three weeks until she's done there, and he's gunning for her...” I ran a frustrated hand through my hair, wanting to tear it out.

Brett was quiet. h.e.l.l, he was going to make me spell it out. I was betting on some level, he was enjoying the h.e.l.l out it all.

Our gazes locked. ”I think he's gonna try for Jade. I need you to... watch over her.”

He folded his muscular arms over his chest, the ghost of a smile taking up residence on his face. ”You want me to protect Jade while you're not in school? Is that it, Hart?”

I nodded miserably.

He c.o.c.ked his head to the side. ”Why me?”

”You know why, Mason,” I said, p.i.s.sed.

”Cause I've got a piece of her and she's got one of me?” He spread his hands out.

I hated this. ”Yeah,” I ground out.

”Happy to,” he said and grinned.

”I mean it. It's not an effing joke. Don't let your stupid friends jack her around.”

Brett strode to me, meeting me where I stood, our chests so close we could have kissed. He was a couple of inches shorter but built to last, I could tell he lifted, he had that look to him.

I bet his dear old pop wasn't beating up on him anymore. He'd find out first hand when his prodigy wiped the floor with his face.

”Let me handle them. I know what to do.”

We took the measure of each other.

He was the one that would feel when Jade was in danger, scared or... whatever. It was the best choice and the worst.

”Ya know I'd never let anyone hurt Jade, right? You gotta know that.” he said, desperate for me to know he would protect her. He'd be my watchdog on a chain barking at all comers.

I looked at him, my heartbeat pulsing thick and steady at my temple.

”That's not what I'm worried about.”

I swung around on my heel and walked away.

I didn't look back.

CHAPTER 6.

Jade gave me luminous green eyes when I slid behind the wheel of the Camaro.

Frightened.

I'd have given anything in that moment to rea.s.sure her, to stop what our lives always seem to come back to: violence and protection.