Tartlet (Turf Wars #4) Read online

He frowns. “Why would bring someone that far and then turn off their phone?”

  “Maybe they didn’t realize she had a phone on her, or didn’t click to turn it off.”

  “They never found the phone?”

  I shake my head.

  “Interesting.”

  “Someone out there knows something, but I don’t know who.”

  “I’ll ask around, see what I can find out. Know a lot of people in the darkest parts of these streets. If there has been talk of it, they’ll know.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  “How did your ball go?” Remy asks, placing the pizza in the oven. “Dance with a bunch of rich men?”

  I laugh. “God no.” He hands me a beer. “I hate being there, and I’m fairly certain it was written all over my face because nobody approached me.”

  “Resting bitch face, eh?”

  “Something like that. I think most people were shocked to see me there. Half of them didn’t know I existed.”

  “That good, huh?”

  He sits down on the sofa, and I walk over, sitting beside him. “Well, my father doesn’t exactly tell the world about me. I’m not the favorite.”

  “That’s because you’re not a suck ass.”

  I nod. “You’re right on there. I never fit into that family. I swear I’m adopted, but I know if I was, he wouldn’t keep me around. So, I guess I have to accept it.”

  “What about your mom?”

  “She died, but she was no better. She was as spoiled as they came, and Becky was her favorite.”

  “Sounds like you had a rough go of it.”

  I shrug. “I’m not suffering, I can’t complain. I have a shit family but I have everything I could ever want. I was never told no. I think that made me more determined to go out on my own, but now I’m stuck there.”

  “Why are you stuck there?”

  “Because after I got into trouble with Reggie a few years back, I found myself with nothing. My father let me stay, but now I’m kind of stuck there because I can’t afford to go anywhere else, which means I have to do everything he asks otherwise he’ll kick me out. I’m glad I have a job now, as soon as I have saved enough, I’m out of there.”

  “Why don’t you just rent a room off someone?”

  “I have some debt I have to pay off first, I really can’t afford it. A few fines, actually.”

  “What did you get fined for?”

  I give him a nervous grin. “I don’t think you want to know.”

  He chuckles. “I’m sure I probably don’t.”

  “Anyway, that’s enough about the spoiled little rich girl. Tell me about you. What’s your family like?”

  “Only child, both parents died a few years back. Up until then, I was close to them. Nothin’ bad to report here. I have a good life, when I joined the club it got better.”

  “So you didn’t join the club because of some dark twisted road that forced you into their hands?”

  He grunts, grinning. “Fuck no. I wanted to join. I love motorbikes, I love cars, and I had no family. I got all three when I joined.”

  “Awww, how sweet.”

  He gives me a look.

  “Well, I can see why you like them. They’re pretty cool.”

  “Yeah.”

  “What about kids? There are no kids hiding out there with your last name are there?”

  He shudders. “Fuck no, I’m always careful. I keep to myself. Don’t get tangled up.”

  “I hear you. It’s easier without the tangles.”

  He laughs. “Yeah, you could say that.”

  “So you’ve never had a serious relationship?”

  “Nope.”

  “Wow, you and I are scarily alike.”

  He looks at me. “What about Reggie, he looked pretty serious?”

  “It wasn’t serious,” I say, scrunching up my nose. “It was toxic, a lot of sex, but not serious. He was far more into me than I was him. I was in a messed up place and he made me feel better, that’s about it.”

  “He’s a bad boy, makes sense.”

  “What’s that got to do with anything?”

  He rolls his eyes. “You girls love the fuckin’ bad boys.”

  “You’re right, we do.”

  He smirks.

  “Well, is that pizza ready because I’m starving, and I’m also super tired.”

  He stands and goes into the kitchen, coming back a few minutes later with a freshly cooked pizza. He places it on the table, hands me a plate, and we dig in. After the first bite, I must say I’m impressed. “God damn, this is good,” I say when I’ve swallowed it.

  “I do a good pizza,” he murmurs, leaning back, pizza in his hand.

  We eat in silence and only then do I get up, wash up after myself, and then gather all my things. I need some rest—tomorrow is my day off and I want to catch up with Rhett, I also want to sleep in. Like, for half a day.

  “Well, thanks for the invite, even if you did ruin my dress.”

  We both look at my dress, which now has a very big rip in it where Remy got frustrated and tore it so he could get it off.

  Very hot.

  “Welcome,” he murmurs, putting his hand up on the door frame and watching me as I stand on his porch.

  God damn.

  Why does he have to look so good?

  I want to kiss him, probably more than I’ve wanted to kiss anyone in my life.

  I take the chance.

  The risk.

  I step forward, push up to my tiptoes, and I press my lips against his. He smells incredible, he feels incredible and my god, he tastes incredible. I curl my hand into his hair and I hold my mouth against his for a minute before stepping back.

  He stares at me.

  I stare at him.

  “Night,” I murmur, and then I turn.

  Well. Shit.

  Look what I’ve gone and done.

  I’ve cracked my own heart wide open.

  11

  “FOUND OUT SOMETHIN’ interesting about your girl,” Remy tells me on Monday when I arrive at the garage for work.

  I haven’t heard from him since I kissed him the other night, which is telling me what I need to know, and it kind of hurts, if I’m being honest. But it’s probably for the best—I can’t afford to feel anything for anyone right now.

  “Oh?” I say, placing my bag down.

  “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”

  I narrow my eyes. “Pardon me?”

  “I got word the main suspect right now, is your father. Care to tell me why you failed to mention that?”

  I swallow. Hearing it, out loud, only makes my fears more real.

  “What?” I ask, my voice shaky.

  He studies me. “You tellin’ me you didn’t know about that?”

  “I didn’t know about that. I mean, I wondered if he had something to do with it because of some things he’s said, but I had no idea the police were looking at him.”

  Remy exhales. “Sit down, kid. Let’s talk.”

  We go over to a customer waiting bench and sit down.

  “Heard that someone tipped the police off that your father was the one to pick up Constance that night. I’m not sure if it was a sighting or if they just know he was with her at some point, but either way, it led them to him. The last cell phone ping was near enough to your house for the cops to believe it. They questioned him, and as far as I know, they’re going to do a search of your house.”

  “On what grounds?” I ask, shaking my head in confusion.

  “I don’t know, all I know is someone tipped them off. Obviously, someone who knows enough for them to believe it.”

  I close my eyes for a minute. Makes sense, and Dad was accusing Brad, but it wouldn’t have been Brad who told them because he has too much to lose. So who the hell told them?

  “Do you believe it’s him?” Remy asks me.

  “I have my suspicions,” I say, quietly.

  “Well, you’re no doubt goin’ to get answers so
on because there is an investigation goin’ on and they’re going to come for him.”

  I take a deep breath in.

  Not if the club goes down for it.

  That’s exactly why he wants me to plant something here, because he knows that if I do, the club will go down and he’ll get away with it.

  Whatever he gives me, I have to be very careful with it.

  One thing is for sure, though. I won’t say a word until I’ve got that package in my hands. Because that’s what will determine the fate of everyone.

  “Thanks, for finding out,” I say, distracted.

  “We can help you,” Remy tells me. “The club can help if there’s more you’re not tellin’ me. You don’t have to be involved in this.”

  I look to him. “I’m not involved. Whatever my father has done, it’s on him. I just want to know what that is.”

  “We can help you find out.”

  I nod, standing. “I need a minute.”

  I go into the female bathroom and close the door, closing my eyes and focusing for just a second when I get in there. I need to think. The club can help me, and if I’m not careful, I could get tangled up in this. I don’t want to get tangled up in it. I just want to know what happened to that poor girl.

  I’ll find out.

  I just have to be very careful how I go about it.

  I wonder if I could talk to her family, her parents, find out something ... but then anything they’ve shared has no doubt been shared with the police, too. If they had solid evidence, they would have arrested my father.

  There must be something.

  Someone has to know something.

  I make a note to myself, tonight, when I go home I’m going to see what I can find out.

  I’m going to ask my father what he knows.

  I’m going to see if he’ll tell me the truth, or if he’ll sell me another lie.

  I’m tired of the lies.

  It’s my time to shine.

  I’M NERVOUS WHEN I walk into my father’s office ready to confront him. I’m not going to come right out and say it—I’m not stupid, but I’m going to play the stupid card here. As in, I’m going to act all dumb about it to see his reaction. I want to see his face when I ask if he knows about Constance, I want to see if it takes him off guard, if he gives anything at all away.

  I’m getting to the bottom of this; no matter what, I’ll find out.

  “What do you need, Gabriella?” he asks, looking up from his desk. “You’ve been standing at that door for a few minutes, staring at nothing. Can I help you?”

  “When I was out tonight, I heard something, and I wanted to ask you about it ...”

  He shakes his head, as if to say well get on with it. “Well?”

  “Some people at the party I went to confronted me about a girl, I forget her name, it started with a C ... Candice? No. Constance? Yeah, that’s it. They asked me if I knew about her and if I knew my family had something to do with it.”

  He pauses, and his eyes narrow. “What are you talking about, Gabriella?”

  “I don’t know.” I shrug. “It’s just weird, right? These two guys were asking me all these questions ...”

  “What sort of questions?” he demands, his voice firm. “How old were they? What did you tell them?”

  I act confused. “I didn’t tell them anything, because I don’t know anything. I didn’t even know what they were talking about.”

  “How much older were they?” he barks.

  “I don’t know, Dad. Maybe middle aged.”

  “Two middle-aged men start asking you questions like that at a party, and you’re not suspicious?”

  I cross my arms. “Why would I be? Am I missing something here? Do you know something about that girl?”

  “I’ve never heard of her,” he growls. “I don’t appreciate you speaking outside of this house.”

  “I told you,” I grind out, “I wasn’t speaking outside of this house. All I said was I had no idea what they were talking about. They told me that you did, and I should ask you.”

  “I’m going to find out who they were, they were probably fucking cops.”

  “Why would cops be asking me questions if you had nothing to do with it?” I dare ask.

  My father stands, storming toward me and leaning in close. I don’t flinch, even though he does look terrifying when he behaves like this. “You listen and you listen good, you don’t say a motherfucking word to anybody, about anything. You do not want to cross me.”

  “How the fuck did this go from me asking a question, to you threatening me?” I snap.

  “Don’t play with me. You might be my child but I’m not against putting you back in your place.”

  God.

  What a dick.

  I shake my head. “I’m done here. For someone who has never heard that name, you’re sure as hell acting guilty as fuck. It wouldn’t surprise me if you had something to do with it, considering how grand you treat your daughter.”

  He raises his hand and slaps me. He slaps me so hard my head whips to the side. I’m shocked. For a moment, I can’t say anything. I can’t do anything. I stand there, completely frozen. I reach up and touch my already heated cheek and stare at him in horror. “What the hell?” I whisper.

  “You get out of here, right fucking now, and if you ever dare to speak to me like that again, you’ll see the wrong side to me.”

  “Go fuck yourself,” I yell, turning and rushing out.

  I run to my room, grab some clothes for the night, and then I call Remy.

  I’d call Rhett, but he isn’t home, and I don’t know who else to turn to.

  All I know is I need to get out of this house.

  Right now.

  Remy agrees to come and get me, and I go and wait outside. I’m standing on the driveway when my father walks out, something tucked in his hand. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  I turn and glance at him. “Anywhere but here.”

  “I have a job for you.”

  “Are you fucking serious?” I snap. “You want me to do a job?”

  “If you want to live under this roof, Gabriella, you will do as I ask.”

  I shake my head, horrified.

  “You’ll take this and you’ll go and place it at the clubhouse. Tonight. We don’t have any more time to waste. You take it, you drop it there, and you say nothing. If you don’t, you’ll wish you were never born.”

  My mouth drops open. “What sort of monster are you?”

  “One who is protecting his family. I’ll do whatever it takes, no matter the cost.”

  “Lucky for you I’m not family,” I whisper.

  “No, but you’ll do as I ask. Once you’ve done this, you can go about your business.”

  I stare at the package. I don’t want to take it, but I do at the same time. I’m not going to plant it anywhere, what I am going to do is see what’s inside, and figure out what the hell it is he thinks he’s going to pin on the club. I won’t let him get away with this. I’m not family, he said it himself, which means I have nothing to lose when it comes to him.

  I reach my hands out, and he passes me the package, which is wrapped in something black and bound so tightly, it will take a damned knife to get into it. I tuck it under my arm. “Anything else?”

  “Call me when you’ve planted it.”

  With that, he turns. Before he reaches the gate, he looks back at me. “Oh, and Gabriella? You’ll be wise not to mess with me.”

  With that, he’s gone.

  Mess with him? I’m going to fucking destroy him.

  Just watch me.

  12

  “YOUR FATHER HIT YOU?” Remy asks when we arrive back at his place. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine. Look, I know we’re not a thing, but I had nowhere else to go tonight. I’ll be out of your way tomorrow.”

  He shrugs. “It’s fine, babe. I don’t give a fuck. I do, however, care that your father is layin’ hands on you.”

  “I
confronted him about Constance. I played dumb, but he lost his shit. That tells me all I need to know. There’s something else ...”

  A knock at the door has me turning my head and glancing at it. I’ve been here for less than five minutes, who the hell is at the door? I look to Remy, and his eyes are narrowed. He walks over and opens it and standing there are two police officers. I’m confused, did we speed? Is that what they’re here for?

  “Is Gabriella Cutter here?”

  Something tightens in my stomach.

  “What do you want with her?” Remy demands.

  “Sir, if you’ll move, we need to see her,” the officer orders.

  Remy steps to the side, and I walk closer, staring at the two of them. I shake my head as I ask, “What is the problem?”

  “Gabriella Cutter?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re under arrest for the murder of Constance Hayes.”

  Everything in my world stops.

  Like literally stops.

  For a minute, I can’t breathe, I certainly can’t think. There is no way that what they’re saying is real. No way in the world. I can’t have heard them right, there must be some mistake. They just said I was under arrest for the murder of Constance Hayes.

  I’ve never even met Constance Hayes.

  As they move toward me, reading me my rights as they cuff me, my mind spins, and I can’t think of anything. I can’t even breathe. The package I was holding drops to the ground, and the officer picks it up along with my purse. That package contains evidence, my father gave it to me ... my father ...

  He did this.

  I look frantically at Remy. “Remy,” I whisper.

  His face is masked with shock. “It’s okay,” he tells me, his voice calm. “We’ll fix this.”

  “I didn’t do anything,” I croak as the officers, still talking to me, turn and walk me out of the house.

  “I didn’t do anything!” I scream, jerking. “This is a set up.”

  “Ma’am, we need you to remain calm. Once you’re at the station, you may call a lawyer. Until then, you need to settle down or we’ll use force.”

  “Gabby,” Remy yells, “do as they say. I’m coming. It’s going to be okay.”

  Tears burst forth and roll down my cheeks as I’m shoved into the car, the officer’s big hand on the top of my head. I get in and they slam the door. I haven’t cried in a long time, a good long time, but the tears are flowing. They’re pouring out and my heart feels like it’s going to explode. My father is a monster, a true to god monster.