1. River

River

I ’m restlessly tapping my finger against the steering wheel as I drive down a road that weaves away from the castle-like academy and dips into the shadows of northside. Finn and I have been quiet during the drive; Finn is staring at the window while I’ve been fixated on how to deal with this Drew situation. I plan on paying off Maddy’s debt, but I’m worried how the deal will go down. More than likely, Drew will know I come from money, and he may demand more if I’m not careful.

“You’re restless,” Finn notes the obvious. “Which means you’re freaking out but trying not to show it.”

“I’m fine.” It’s a lie, and he knows it.

“Bro,” he says with a shake of his head. “You can’t bullshit me. I’m your other half.”

“I’m not trying to bullshit you.” Listening to the GPS, I slow down to turn onto a dark road lined with boarded-up buildings. “I’m trying to figure out the best way to approach the deal I have to make with Drew.”

Finn knows enough about the situation that I don’t have to explain more details.

“You think he’ll try to negotiate for too much money?” he asks, dragging his hand through his hair.

I nod. “You race down here enough to know how stuff can get on this side of town. Maddy has said it a dozen times—people from here like to hustle.”

He lowers his hand. “Well, I think you’ll just have to play it out. There’s probably a way around negotiations.” He wavers. “I still can’t believe the shit Noah got himself into. He’s such a dumbass.”

Instinctively, I open my mouth to agree, but then I close it. Maddy’s words replay in my mind. She told me I should get Noah’s full story and also said that perhaps there’s more to what’s going on than I understand. She could be right. The Noah I used to know would never do something like this.

“What?” Finn asks as his gaze dissects me through the dark.

I lift a shoulder. “Maddy told me to hear Noah’s story before I judge.”

He rubs his lips together. “And after everything he’s done, you’re going to?”

I shrug again. “I’m considering it.”

He studies me. “You like her a lot.”

“Maddy?” I play dumb.

He gives me a look that shows he thinks I’m an idiot. “Yes, Maddy. Who else would I be talking about? You’ve liked one girl.”

“Only because I wasn’t supposed to like anyone except for my betrothed,” I mumble as I check the address on the GPS. It’s showing we’re about a mile away.

“And yet, even after all that trying not to fall for someone, you couldn’t stop yourself from having feelings for Maddy.”

“What’s your point?”

“There must be something about her that you can’t resist.”

My mind wanders to when I started to fall for Maddy. If I’m being real, it was the moment I laid eyes on her. That was the first time I felt like someone else knew what it was like to constantly feel as if they were falling into an abyss.

Then I got to know her, and I was a goner. There’s no going back from Maddison Averly. I want her so badly it aches inside my soul. It’s something I haven’t ever felt before.

But I haven’t talked to Maddy about my feelings for her. Technically, we’re only fake dating, and she seemed uncomfortable when paparazzi was taking photos of us. Even if I asked her to date me, would she even want to? Especially when I can’t promise her anything long-term?

Unless I can find a way out of my arranged marriage.

“You’re about to miss the turn,” Finn announces, yanking me back to the present.

I blink and then brake, the tires squealing against the asphalt. I turn right into the parking lot of a building.

“This is the place?” Finn dubiously eyes the building as I park the car close to the front entrance, beside a truck with tinted windows.

A few lights are on inside the building, but many of the windows reveal that darkness blankets most of the interior. It makes me wary to get out, but conclusively, I do.

I close the door and lock the car. I’m not a fan of leaving it out here, but there’s no other option. Also, I’m not exchanging cash for Maddy’s freedom. I’ll use a transfer app, because bringing cash here is way too risky—they could jump us and not follow through on their end of the deal. I mean, they could, anyway, but it’s a risk I have to take.

“Just so you know,” Finn whispers under his breath, “I brought a knife with me.”

I resist a sigh as I lift my hand to knock on the door. “From what Maddy’s told me, I have a feeling these guys aren’t knife sort of people.”

“I know, but I had to bring something.” He stuffs his hands into the back pockets of his jeans.

A light bulb beside the door shines through the night, and it’s bright enough that my retinas sting. But I refuse to look away, keeping my eyes on the door as it opens.

Standing on the other side is a bulky guy with dark hair. He’s wearing worn jeans, a black T-shirt, and a shit-eating grin on his face. He looks familiar, and a moment later, it clicks. Drew. I saw a glimpse of him that day in the city when Finn and I helped Maddy escape him.

I remain composed as he measures Finn and me up. Then he crosses his arms and slants against the doorframe. “So, you two are the idiots willing to buy Maddy from us?”

“We’re buying off her father’s debt in exchange for her freedom,” I correct him. “We’re not really into the business of buying people.”

He rolls his eyes. “Bet Daddy is, though. Most of you rich fucks are.”

Annoyance trickles through me. “Can we just get this done with? And where the hell is Noah?”

“He’s inside.” Another guy steps up beside Drew. He’s tall and thin with light hair, sporting a hoodie with a stain on it. “Once the transaction is made, I’ll let him go.”

“We need to see that he’s okay first,” Finn intervenes, shifting his weight.

The guy’s eyes shift to Finn then back to me. “Which one of you is River? Because that’s the only person I’m dealing with.”

“I am,” I state. “This is my brother, and I’m not about to do this without someone else present. I’m not stupid.” Although, I almost was.

He considers this with wariness, his lips tugging downward.

“It’s nonnegotiable,” I add, trying to keep my composure. Inside, I’m panicking because I’ve noticed this guy has a gun sticking out of the waistband of his pants. Sure, I speculated they’d have them, but seeing it is scary as hell.

“Fine,” he agrees, stepping back and nodding for Drew to do the same. “Come in. I’ll take you to your brother.” He motions for us to come in. “I’m Aiden, by the way.”

I was guessing he was, but I am glad he clarified it. What I’m not happy about, though, is having to go inside this place.

With a subtle inhale and exhale, I step over the threshold with Finn following at my heels.

The air smells like rust and sweat, and like the outside, the walls are made of metal. The carpet floors are stained, and only one of the lights is working. To my right is a shaggy orange sofa, and to my left is a door. Straight ahead is a doorway, and this is where Aiden and Drew lead Finn and me.

The instant I step inside, I spot Noah sitting on a park-like table with his feet propped up on the bench. His arms are resting on his knees, and he’s bouncing his foot up and down. When we get closer, I notice the right side of his face is puffy, and I wonder if someone punched him. Other than that, he appears to be fine.

Relief washes over me. To be honest, I was worried they’d beat the hell out of him.

When his gaze drifts in our direction, he startles—clearly, he thought Maddy was coming.

Relief washes over his features, but tension returns as Aiden and Drew stop in front of him.

“Looks like someone showed up for you after all.” Aiden smirks at him. “As much as this will financially benefit me, I’m a little bummed I didn’t get to see Maddy’s hot ass. Maybe I could’ve worked her into my deal.”

I start to step toward him to do who knows what, but Finn grabs my arm and shakes his head, giving me a what-the-hell-are-you-doing look.

I rein in the rage roaring through me. “Can we get this done?”

“Aw, does the little rich boy need to get home?” Drew mocks with a stupid grin on his face.

He props his foot up on the bench beside where Noah’s feet are and crosses his arms, trying to appear tough.

“Sure,” I reply flatly, refusing to react to his taunt.

He rolls his eyes but lowers his foot from the bench and steps toward me. “Fine. I want fifty thousand dollars in exchange for Maddy’s freedom.”

“Are you fucking stupid?” Finn intervenes, gaping at him. “That’s way too much.”

Drew rubs his scruffy jawline. “You must not like her that much, then.”

Finn trades a look with me. I get what he’s implying: just because we can afford it, doesn’t mean we should give this asshole that much money.

“Twenty-five is all I can do,” I lie, remaining composed.

If Maddy knew I was offering this much, she’d get so angry. I’ll have to keep it a secret. I hate that I’ll have to, but what else am I supposed to do?

Drew considers my offer as if it’s offensive. “Thirty-five,” he counters. “I could whore her out for a year and make that much.”

I’ve never wanted to slam my fit into someone’s face more than I do his. But I tell myself to stay calm. That reacting won’t help.

“Fine,” I agree, causing Finn to throw me an incredulous look.

All I want is to get this over with, especially after Drew mentioned whoring Maddy out.

Besides, this isn’t over yet. I will ruin both of these guys’ lives so Maddy will never have to worry about them again. Just like I’ll protect her from the society, no matter what it takes.

I may have a doomed future, but at least I can make sure hers turns out okay.

Drew sticks his hand out to shake on it. I’m losing my patience, but I shake his hand, anyway. But then he grips my hand tightly and refuses to let go.

“Just one more thing to seal the deal. Tell Maddy this was meant for her.” Then he cranks his fist back and slams it into my side.

I hear Finn shout.

I hear a pop.

Then everything goes black.