“Addie, can we talk?”
I jolted as if I’d been stung by electricity. Talk to me? Was it a ruse to lock me up? I took a step back to the front door. I wasn’t trying to get away from him I knew the neighbors would be coming out soon to witness the scene. The last thing I needed was my legs on display.
“Maybe another time Axel.” I said through gritted teeth.
I should have grabbed Matthias along with me. It looked like these two were going to dual.
“Did I interrupt you and Hadley here? Moved on so quickly? Or is this how you’re paying him back for getting your ass out of jail?” Axel spat.
“Hey! You’re jumping to conclusions.” I said.
“Let him think what he wants Adele. It wouldn’t be the first time I rammed you senseless.”
“Oh Matthias…” I ran a hand down my flaming face. Was that really necessary?
Axel stared at Angry Betty’s house. I saw the curtains sway.
“You never told me Angry Betty was your aunt!” I blasted. Both men stared at me.
“Her name’s Beatrice Beaumont. I didn’t think you needed to know.” He folded his arms over his navy blue shirt. “Just like your boyfriend here didn’t think you needed to know that she’s his father’s sister.”
My eyes went wide. “You and Matthias are related! Beatrice is your aunt too?! But you and Axel are related.”
Matthias grabbed my arm and ushered me toward the door. “Okay, maybe we should go inside.”
“So, you avoid answering my questions?”
“No, so the neighbors don’t see you naked.” He grumbled.
I shrugged him off. “You both knew this entire time?”
They looked at each other. Of course they did. I scrawled then realization hit me.
“That means you know about the raiders too.”
Matthias ceased me again. “Enough, inside.”
I couldn’t protest this time he wrapped his arms around my waist and carried me in. Kicking and screaming didn’t work. Axel closed the door behind us. Matthias tossed me on the couch and warned me to stay down with his eyes. Just to show him I wasn’t having his crap I stood, although I wasn’t reaching his eyes I tried to cast an equally intimidating glare, but he smirked instead.
Ugh.
“Well! You knew about the raiders and didn’t think they framed me?” I yelled at Axel.
He shrugged, “I had to investigate Adele. The evidence against you was pretty damning.”
I bore my eyes into both of them. Bunch of liars. Now it comes as no surprise they’re cut from the same cloth.
“I can’t believe this! I can’t believe you.” I shoved Matthias’s chest.
“What?”
“Didn’t you just say there were no secrets between us?”
He scratched the back of his head. Oh, he was so screwed.
“This isn’t technically a secret. I didn’t know right away who he was either. He didn’t grow up here. His mother was a distant cousin.”
I flopped on the couch and rubbed my forehead. “Still…. You knew about the raiders. The heirlooms…”
Axel nodded slowly. “I do.”
“Then you know Swine’s working with them!”
“What Swine?” Axel grimaced.
“Yes! He’s working extra hard to lock me up. He even asked me to marry him.”
Matthias grumbled, “I’m not surprised. Now that you know Adele’s innocent will you stop pursuing her as a suspect?”
“My hands are tied. I’m off the case. Swine’s in charge now.”
“I’m so screwed.”
***
The guys spoke some more about the raiders and a strategy which amounted to nothing. Matthias said they’d have a meeting with the other keepers. I didn’t understand half of what they said. I was too busy having a silent melt down. Swine? I’d rather hand myself to the raiders than marry him.
I hadn’t realized Matthias left the room to answer the phone. Leaving Axel and I alone. Why’d he do that?
We looked at each other. Awkward.
“I should be leaving.” He said.
“Yeah… was this wanted to talk about?”
“I wanted to talk about us Addie, but I guess I got my answer.”
“Well… I— We’re not together… not exactly.”
“For now. I wanted to apologize, I shouldn’t have treated you that way. I messed things up for us.”
“It’s alright Axel.”
Matthias came back in, still shirtless. He placed his hand on my shoulder, marking his territory. He squeezed my shoulder, his eyes on Axel. I sighed. When Axel left I got ready for the day. Mom told us she was going to speak to the lawyer Axel recommended.
“Plans for today?” Matthias asked.
He walked into my room, invading my personal space. I inhaled his sweet cologne. It was stuck to his clothes. I placed my hand on his chest, caressing his white shirt. I dipped my head back to look at him.
“I have plans to see Rebel.”
“Why don’t we stay in today?” He whispered.
“That would be nice… but I have to check up on her.”
His lips hovered over my ear. “I didn’t hear you object to spending the day in bed with me.”
I swatted him. “You didn’t say that.”
He chuckled. “I implied it.”
I groaned, “Drive me to Rebel Ways. You’re not getting back in that easily.”
“I’m good as long as there’s a chance.” He smirked.
I rolled my eyes, but my heart swelled. So many fears of what we would be, how we would end up. Maybe we would be fine. Matthias ordered a coffee before he left. He said he needed to talk to his mother about the raiders. He kissed my cheek in front of a dozen gossipers.
Great, now I was going to be running in the gossip tabloids for the next few weeks.
“I can’t believe it! I’m so excited!” Rebel squealed.
“Rebel… we’re taking things slow.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Why don’t you get back together with Holden then! You guys seem to be taking things slow.”
She blushed, “I can’t… not with you know who still lurking around.”
“Oh right. Where is he? Scratch that why did you come in?”
She looked around, making sure no one was eavesdropping. “I came to tell him I want to buy him out. The bastard didn’t show up today.”
“That’s a great idea. If I had a dim, I’d have given it to you.”
“I doubt he’ll agree Addie.”
“I still think he needs to go to jail.”
She sighed and whipped down on the counter. “Does Holden know?”
She shook her head. “He won’t look at me the same.”
My brows dipped. This guy was a scumbag. I wanted more than anything for Rebel to have her freedom. I stayed with her until she closed up Rodger didn’t even show up much to our delight, but it left me wondering what he was plotting.
“Sure you don’t need a ride home?” Rebel asked.
“No, I’ll be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I waved goodbye and began the walk home. I rubbed my arms it wasn’t that chilly, but the air did bite. The streets were quiet when I looked around there was only one man walking behind me. A man in dark hoodie.
“Shit.” I quickened my pace.
I should have gone with Rebel. The footsteps behind me got louder. He knew I was on to him. I pulled out my phone, intent on calling Matthias. I didn’t even get to dial when the phone was yanked out of my hands and tossed across the street.
“No!”
“Quiet!” He screamed.
He grabbed both my arms and pinned me against his chest. My chest rose and fell rapidly, the scent of alcohol and cigarettes hitting me in the face.
“What do you want?”