The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

“I know,” Jace replied.

“Did you kill Brian? Did you?!” I screamed, but I stayed put.

Jace ignored that and replied, “You were supposed to have a better life. I gave you that life. Why couldn’t you just take it?”

“Because when people I love die or vanish, I don’t just give up and leave them. What were you going to do with Grayley? He’s never hurt you!”

“Oh him,” Galverson sniggered, “he was poking around my place. Kinda like you, little birdie. Asking all sorts of questions.”

“You’re going to die,” I repeated Tray’s prediction. I just didn’t know who would kill him, me or Tray, but one of us would take him down before we did. I’d personally grab his ankle and drag him to hell with me, if I had to.

“Yes, yes. I’ve had lots of people tell me I’m going to die. Funny how no one seems to follow through.” He chuckled, but he stepped forward. I saw the gun raise slightly and braced myself for the inevitable.

I looked up and stared boldly at Galverson, waiting.

Pop!

The world slowed; I felt the world literally drop onto my chest, like a suffocating weight in the atmosphere as I looked around.

It took a second for me to comprehend it, but I was still standing. Tray was still standing. But Galverson, he had fallen with red-velvet blood that poured out of his wound. Shock had been cemented in his eyes as he’d realized what had happened. And who had shot him.

Jace.

Jace stood above his form and he emptied his clip into Galverson’s body.

“Jace?” I gasped as I staggered back a bit.

He looked up and met my eyes.

“Jace?” I asked again.

Just then three more shots rained out and the three security guards all dropped to the ground.

Jace nodded behind us. “Your brother, Chance, is out that way. If you go with him, he’ll get you out safely.”

Tray lingered a moment, his eyes on Galverson’s body before he nodded.

“Jace?” I asked again.

“Take her with you. And Grayley.” Jace ignored me.

I shook off Tray’s hand and stepped forward. I grabbed Jace’s arm instead and whirled him to face me. “You asshole!” I seethed and slapped him.

“Taryn, go,” he said quietly, “go.”

“What was this? What? I don’t understand.”

I wasn’t going anywhere. Tray and Jace both knew it, so he sighed and said quickly, “I’ve been working with the DEA for six years. Tray’s brother was my agent. I tried to keep you out of this, that’s why I set up your adoption. Brian found out and I tried to keep him from telling you, that’s when Grayley got suspicious. I think Brian told him what was going on. They didn’t know I had anything to do with you leaving, but I couldn’t protect Grayley. I’m sorry. I planted his phone where I knew you’d find it and I made sure that the videos got Tray’s brother. I needed you guys in here sooner than later so that this could all come to an end. But I had nothing to do with Brian’s death. You have to know that, Taryn!”

“The DEA?” I echoed, baffled.

“Get her out now!” Jace briskly ordered. “I can’t guarantee her safety for that much longer if they find her here. Right now they’ll think me and Galverson had a disagreement. I’ll take over Galverson’s business, they won’t even look for you guys. But that’s only if you’re not seen. Get out!”

Tray nodded and grabbed my arm. He dragged me and carried Grayley out towards the tunnel’s opening.

I floundered backwards, but gazed at Jace. He stood above Galverson’s body, his gun in his hand, and he watched me right back.

I felt like my world had just been splintered, with little pieces amassing the ground I walked on.