Unwritten Rules (Rules 1)

“Wait. There’s a reason he didn’t do anything to you until now. They’re keeping you safe for when he’s ready. I have an idea to lure them in here. When they come, I’ll knock them out and find my leather jacket. They took it to make sure I didn’t have any weapons.”

“Your jacket? Why?” I frown, praying he’s not seriously worried about fashion in a moment like this.

“There’s a mic hidden in it. It’s connected to the East Side. All I have to do is let them know where we are.”

I can tell from the way he purposefully avoids my eyes that he’s not telling me everything.

“Haze, what is it?”

He sighs. “I don’t know what happened to them. They were supposed to come and help me handle Tanner, but they never showed. Someone else did. The bastard got me from behind. I could’ve sworn…”

Fear crumples my heart.

“Sworn what?”

He seems hesitant. “Never mind. It’s not important.”

“Do you think they’re okay?”

“Don’t worry, these pricks can defend themselves. We wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place if Kendrick was easy to get rid of.” His eyes meet mine. “Now, are you ready to get out of here?”

I nod in determination. “I’ve never been more ready in my life.”

“HELP. SHE’S DYING,” HAZE CRIES FOR the second time in a row as I lie on the stone-cold floor with my eyes closed. “Don’t pretend like you don’t hear me. She’s not moving. I think she fainted.”

The wooden floor above our heads squeaks and distant voices reach our ears.

“Damn it, go check it out.”

“You go check it out,” Owen argues.

“What? Why me?”

“Because you’re a scared little bitch who doesn’t want to have to tell Tanner that the girl’s dead. That’s why.”

“Fine,” Man Number Two scolds. “But next time’s on you.”

Seconds before the door opens and lights invade the dark basement, Haze retreats to the darkest spot in the room and gets on the floor, bringing his fists and feet together. If we’re lucky, he won’t have time to notice the absence of zip ties on his skin. We’re relieved when we don’t hear Owen lock the door on the other side. They’re obviously not worried.

Well, they should be.

Man Number Two glares at Haze, irritated. “What the hell is your problem?”

“She fainted and she’s not waking up. I’m pretty sure you don’t want her dying before my crazy pants of a brother says so.”

With my back facing the opposite direction, I can’t see how close Man Number Two is to me—and to getting his skull kicked in—but I can feel one thing: his fear.

“If you try anything, I’ll kill you right here, right now. With my bare hands and without hesitation, am I clear?” he tells Haze but I know he doesn’t mean it. He seems like the nice one to me. The guy who got swept in his friends’ messes and can’t back down anymore.

“Oh for God’s sake, sure, whatever you say. Just help her.”

The man hovers over me, leaning in to place a trembling hand on my shoulde

r. Just as he’s about to shake me awake, Haze makes it his pleasure to catch him by surprise and introduce him to his fist. He puts up a fight but doesn’t last long. Haze wasn’t lying when he said he’s been around a long time. He knew exactly where and how to hit him to silence him. The unprepared guy drops unconscious.

“It’s now or never. Come on.” Haze motions for me to follow him, leading the way toward the stairs.

Every step we take feels like the last one. Constantly looking over our shoulders at the inanimate body on the ground, we slowly go up the stairs until we reach the door. It’s honestly a miracle Owen didn’t hear the creaking of the staircase.