Shattered Dynasty

The only person who ever called me or texts me off a messenger app is Erin, and I just assumed she preferred to duke it out face-to-face.

The registrar lady nods. “Forget to pay your bill?”

I never paid my bill—didn’t even know when it was due.

My sister does. No, not my sister.

Ronald.

He pays my bills.

This is the first time since he disappeared that there’s been a problem. Erin told me that while he was in jail, before his death, his lawyer took care of everything.

Trent.

The name ping-pongs inside me, rage building with it. He’s the one in charge. Maybe it’s a simple mistake. Or maybe I’m a dumbass with a penchant for underestimating assholes. Either way, I’d rather double-check with Mr. Baker to see if he can help straighten things out for me before approaching the devil himself.

I need to call Mr. Baker.

It feels like I’m floating up above myself, but the woman in front of me is still talking. Only a few words flood through my brain.

No tuition.

No class.

I can’t take classes until I settle my account. And if I don’t settle my account in time, I’ll be ineligible to complete the semester. There’s no way I’ll graduate in time if that happens.

With my shoulders hunched forward, I know where I have to go.

Home.

I have no doubt in my mind that Trent is a part of this somehow. That he’s chosen to come after me. How else would the silent calls come through and no one else’s? It sounds crazy just saying it, but there’s no other possibility.

Now that Trent’s chosen to come at me, I need to know what my options are. Will there even be anything left at the end of all this if he gets petty and steals the money? One thing’s for sure—he’s up to something.

I walk the three blocks to my house and find a tow truck in my driveway.

The car Ronnie gifted me is already halfway lifted on the back.

“What are you doing?” I scream from the street as I run toward where a man is stepping into the truck my car has been rigged to.

Shit.

“Stop!” I shout.

The door closes. The ignition turns. I’m now at the driver’s side, hitting the door.

“What are you doing?” I yell between pants. “Get my car off this thing.”

The window rolls down. “Sorry. No can do.”

“What do you mean no can do? What kind of answer is that?”

How can they take my car?

“Listen, little girl. No. Can. Do. I have one job. That job is to collect the cars at the address provided to me by my boss.”

“And then what? I don’t understand how you can take my car as if it’s yours.”

“I just take ’em.” He shrugs. “I don’t keep them for myself. I can’t tell you much, but I have to assume not paying your bill will do this.”

“But I did—”

“That’s what they all say.” He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t be here if you did.”

Before I can say anything else, he shifts the truck in drive, and I step back.

Nothing can be done.

Another bill hasn’t been paid, and I have a sinking feeling I know why.

Rearranging my bag over my shoulder, I tentatively walk toward the door.

My heart hammers in my chest as I make my approach.

There is no way that, from where I am, I can read the writing on the paper. It isn’t clear, but I already know what it will say.

I don’t need to read it. I know I’m being evicted.

And the worst part?

I now know for sure that my hunch was right. I know who is behind this.

Trent Aldridge.

He threw down the gauntlet.

I have no choice but to play the game.

Then I hear a chirp from my pocket.

Great. Now the phone is working again!

Grabbing my cell, I scroll my texts that are showing up again. Then I go to the contacts and dial her number, holding my breath to see if it even rings. It does. Again, I have this stomach-churning feeling I’m being watched. My eyes skim my surroundings and find nothing. I hunch my shoulders as if it’ll protect me from prying eyes.

Erin answers after the third ring.

“Fancy of you to call me after ignoring my hundreds of calls. What do you want? To ruin my life some more?” She scoffs. “Maybe steal something else from me?”

“Erin, you know that’s not what it’s like,” I say softly.

How can she think I did this on purpose?

“Do I? Because from where I’m standing, that’s exactly what this is. My boyfriend left you all his money. Do you know how bad that looks?”

“Erin—”

“No, don’t Erin me. After everything . . .” She pauses, letting her rage consume her. It’s so palpable, I can feel it through the line. It forces me a step back. “I gave up my life for you, and you get the money. That’s fucking bullshit, and you know it.”