Chapter 43

FORTY-THREE

W e eventually make it out of the library, and my neck still has a bruise from his teeth. It shouldn't make me happy, but it does. After checking on Alice and making sure she is in class, Evan skips his and we take the short drive to Clarissa Wright's address. We linger in the car, staring at the normal two-story house, wondering what answers we'll find. Evan was right—I need a purpose. I need to do something.

"Do not growl or glare, and don't scare her. We need her help," Evan reminds me.

"I do not growl." I frown, but he just arches his eyebrow. I slide into my seat, sulking. "Fine, I'll be quiet."

"Good boy. If you behave, I'll play with you later." He pats my thigh and gets out. Jumping out, I grab his hand and walk with him. He rings the doorbell as we stand on the welcome mat on the porch.

"Coming, one second!" a distinctively female voice calls. Two minutes later, a harried, smiling woman opens the door. Her smile fades, and she tilts her head as she looks at us. She's a few years older than us, with frizzy brown hair, pretty eyes, and a nice smile. She's small and seems to shrink before us, clearly anxious .

"Clarissa Wright?" Evan asks kindly, offering her a dazzling smile that makes her blink as she stares at him.

She looks between us in confusion. "Yes, who are you? I wasn't expecting visitors."

"We go to Pine Valley." All color drains from her face, and she goes to shut the door, but I wedge my foot in it.

"Please, just talk to us," Evan pleads as she continues to struggle to shut the door.

"I have nothing to say." She uses all her weight to try and close it.

"There have been two more murders," I tell her bluntly.

She freezes, her wide, shocked eyes landing on me.

"If you haven't seen anything yet, you will soon. They are saying it's suicide, but we know it isn't, and you know it too. We need to talk."

"I can't, please go," she begs, tears forming in her eyes. "If it's happening again—" She shakes her head, terror etched into her features.

"Clarissa, please," Evan implores, giving her his best sad puppy eyes. "Someone we care about is in danger, please."

She looks from me to him.

There's a gurgling noise in the background, and her head jerks around for a moment before she looks us over, her eyes lingering on Evan as if she's scared to look at me. She purses her lips.

"We aren't taking no for an answer," I tell her as kindly as I can.

Sighing, she glances over her shoulder again. "Don't worry, Dad, it's just some friends," she calls and opens the door. "Fine, come in." She wraps her arms around herself, and we step into the warm hallway. There are family pictures on every wall, and it's clear it's a house full of love. To the right is a living room with a man in a bed facing a TV. He has an oxygen mask on his face, and he's skin and bones.

That same gurgling noise comes again, his eyes widening on us as he hits the remote for the TV.

"Don't worry, everything is fine," she tells him, forcing a smile and turning to us as he makes another noise, hitting the remote again .

"Come in here. I don't want to disturb my father. He's sick as it is. He doesn't need this."

She jerks her head, and we follow her down the hall, away from the living room and into a tiny kitchen with a ramp in it. She leans back against the counter, looking out of the sliding back door to a small, rear garden.

"I guess I knew this would happen." She sighs and looks at us then nods at the small round table. "Sit."

We do, our hands interlaced under the table.

"Do you want drinks?" she asks kindly.

"No, thank you, Clarissa. I'm sorry. I know it was a long time ago—" Evan starts.

"Not long enough. No number of years could make me forget what happened at Pine Valley," she says as she sits opposite us, her shoulders rounded.

"Clarissa, what happened?" Evan asks softly. "Why did you leave Pine Valley? Why did you say you didn't feel safe?"

"Because I didn't." She looks at her hands. "I left for that same reason. I knew if I stayed, I would have ended up dead." She sits back heavily, her eyes on us. "You said there were some deaths? Guys, right? Made to look like suicide?"

We share a look and nod.

"Then it's happening again. I guess I hoped it was over when I left. I should have known better." She laughs bitterly, rubbing her face.

"What's happening?" I ask.

She eyes me. "Your girlfriend?"

"Sister," I reply.

"Cute? Shy? Introvert without many friends?" We both nod, and she laughs. "Seems he still has a type. They were probably murdered for being near her."

"They attacked her."

"That will do it, but anyone who's close to her, a threat to him, will end up the same way. Don't rely on the cops. They won't do anything. They didn't for me." She purses her lips. "It wasn't about them. It's about your sister. At least that's how it was for me. The ones who were killed when I was there were my ex and someone I went on a date with. It didn't take me long to get the picture. I was terrified. Flowers would turn up with notes, and then it started to escalate. Someone broke into my dorm and slept in my bed, and one night, I swore someone watched me sleep, and then I started to feel them watching me all the time. It got really bad, and I was scared. I went to the police, and they listened to me at first and offered protection . . ."

"But?" I prompt.

"But he had money and connections and made it all go away. The murders were covered up as suicides, and even the police said I was making things up." Evan reaches over, covering her hand on the table, and she looks at him, her expression softening.

"My father . . . he doesn't know. No one believed me. No one wanted to after it was covered up. I was called a liar, a troublemaker. I ended up dropping out. I didn't feel safe or welcome."

"You are saying this person was obsessed with you, stalking you, and killing anyone who got too close to you, and no one did anything?" I snap.

"You don't understand," she hisses. "He's untouchable. He's like a god, comes from money and power. He's not someone you mess with if you want to live, and I wanted to live so I disappeared where he couldn't find me. I thought that would be the end. I'm so sorry. If it's him and he's taken an interest in your sister, then you don't stand a chance. Get her out of there fast. He won't stop, not until he has her."

"Who?" I ask. "Give me his name."

"No, I won't. I won't even speak it. If I do and you go after him, I'm dead. Don't you understand? He left me alone because I've been silent and his family made him, but if I speak, not only is my father dead, but so am I. His dad is covering my father's bills. It's hush money. I have no other choice. I can't. I wish I could, believe me, but he won't stop. He's only gotten meaner and older. He isn't afraid to kill someone to get what he wants. He knows he can't be touched, knows not even the police can stand in his way. Take your sister and leave before it's too late. "

"And what about those who come after her? What about the ones he killed? We just let him?" I ask incredulously.

"You can't stop him." She stands. "Nobody can, not two boys from nowhere. It's better to run. You need to leave before he finds out you're here, please."

"Clarissa—" Evan starts.

"Please leave, now." We share a look and rise, but at the door, Evan looks back at her.

"Was it worth it? Running and hiding? You've lost your entire life. Don't you wish you fought?"

"I'm not strong enough. No one is," she admits. "No, it's better to lose everything. At least I'm still alive."

She shuts the door after us, and I grind my teeth. "We need that name. If she's right, he won't stop, and the police won't do anything. Maybe we should go?" I hate the idea, but if it's the only way to keep Alice safe, then I'll do it.

"I'm tired of running," Evan murmurs as he looks at me. "Besides, it won't stop, not even if we leave."

"I won't force you or her to give up your future, not for one wacko." I wrap my arms around him as we head to the car and get in, our eyes on her house. "We need to find who it was. We can look into who is paying for her father's care and talk to her old classmates. We'll find him before he finds us. I'll keep you both safe."

"You aren't alone in this," Evan says as I look at him, memorizing his beautiful face.

"I know. Thank you, pretty boy," I murmur as I kiss his hand, "for giving me something to do."

"Alice is my family now too," he says. "Besides, I want this idiot caught as much as you do. He got me detained, remember?"

"True, only I can put you in handcuffs."

"Exactly. Princess, you are getting bold, but I like your thinking." His smile fades. "If she is right, though, then we need more than just the two of us. We need to beat him at his own game. No one is untouchable."

"You have an idea?" Something in his eyes makes me frown .

"I do, but you aren't going to like it."

"You what?" I ask, gaping at him. "You are in a secret society, like for real, that isn't some movie bullshit?"

We are at my house, since he said we needed privacy, but this wasn't what I was expecting.

"It's a secret. I couldn't tell you." He sighs. "It's like a club. It's also how I met Bones. Each member is powerful, from important families, and we can use their help. We vowed to help each other, so if I ask, they will. They might be able to get us the information and force the police to do something."

"And what if they say no?" I snap.

"I don't think they will. I also think . . . I think he was a member. Autumn's brother was, and she mentioned one of them was blamed five years ago. I think it was the same guy and it was covered up, but they all suspected. It will narrow it down, and if we are going after a member of the Silent Rose, then we'll need all the help we can get. Clarissa is right. He was in this society for a reason. They are untouchable." He covers my hand. "Don't be mad, please. I couldn't tell you, plus when I was inducted, I didn't even really know you."

"Fine," I grumble. "At least tell me if it's just rich pricks sitting around?"

"Pretty much." He laughs. "It's mostly a brotherhood, a party, but they are actually really nice. That's why Bones got me out. They'll help."

He's so sure of it, I can't help but tug him closer. "Okay then, we will work with them. Will you get into trouble for telling me?"

"Maybe, but I don't care." He sighs, snuggling into my side. "What time do we need to go back for Alice? I could go and meet them?—"

"She texted me saying she's coming home with Tommy and Lally later," I tell him. "I tried to tell her I would pick her up, but she insisted. "

"She knows what she's doing. She isn't stupid, Alek." He sighs. "Plus, it's for the best. We were late getting back because of traffic. How about you cook for me, and I'll suck your dick?"

I almost fall from the couch, turning my head rapidly. "Jesus, Evan!"

"What?" he asks, fluttering his lashes innocently. "It's a good trade, right? I can't cook, but I can suck cock."

I just stare before jumping to my feet. "Deal." His laughter chases me into the kitchen.