Monsters' Gift (Crude Hill High 2)

“Great, you start to feel better by killing your dad, and because of mine, I was sent to another country. You’ve got to love the parents, don’t you?”

“That sounds a lot like sarcasm.”

“It is.” I put my hands on my waist, wanting this conversation to be over.

He shoved away from the desk. “There you go. Her number, but I’d hurry up.”

“Do you have a cell phone?”

He handed me a cell phone, and I quickly dialed the number, not caring where he got it or what it was going to cost me.

I put the cell phone to my ear and it rang, and rang, and rang. When I thought it was about to go to voicemail, someone picked up.

“Ashley. Ashley. Please, tell me that it is you.”

No one said a word.

I clenched my hand into a fist.

“Is this you, Valentine?” I asked.

He let out a chuckle. “I am surprised.”

“You listen to me closely. Leave her alone.”

“You’re not the one to be making demands of me, little girl. I can do to Ashley whatever the hell I want.”

“No. You will leave her the fuck alone, you piece of shit. She has nothing to do with this. Nothing.”

“My cock is hard, and I think it’s only fair that I go and taste a cherry.”

“No—”

He hung up.

The line just went dead.

“No! No! No!” I went to throw the cell phone, but Drake caught it.

“I’m not going to have you do that. I take it Earl answered the phone.”

“Are you working for him?” Dread filled my stomach. What if Drake was a traitor? Would he work both sides? I couldn’t put it past him.

“No. Of course not.”

“You could be lying.”

“I swore my loyalty to your men.” He pocketed his cell phone. “I may have been a dick in high school, but if anyone had given me the time of day, they’d have realized I’m the fucking shit when it comes to getting stuff done, and I never let down the team. I’m not double-tagging. Nothing in this life comes for free.”

“What do you want?” I asked. I knew there would be a price for the phone and the number.

“Simple, fuck Caleb. Forgive Caleb. Get off your little pedestal and realize that man loves you. He wants to make it right with you, but as usual, you’re being a cunt.”

“Don’t be an ass.”

“Stop acting like you would’ve done something better.”

“I would never have used my friend to get what I wanted.”

“No? But you would’ve used me? I like to think I’m close to all four of them. Don’t assume you would’ve done something different. You’re not in their shoes. You’re in your own. Keep your opinions to yourself. They’re not warranted here.” He patted my arm. “I expect Caleb to be of sound mind and a tired dick tomorrow. I’ll be watching.”

Drake left the room, but I had a feeling he hadn’t gone far.

I didn’t want to do what he demanded, but I also didn’t want to owe him anything either.

This was my own fault, and now I had to deal with the consequences and it fucking sucked.

I left the library and went in search of Caleb. I expected him to be gone, but he sat in his office, looking over some paperwork. His head rested in his hand.

For a few seconds, I didn’t make him aware of my presence. I watched him.

He looked up, seeing me there. He put the paperwork down.

“Emily.”

I stepped into the office.

“Hey.”

I hesitated in closing the door but finally pushed it closed. I didn’t know where Drake went, but I certainly didn’t trust the bastard.

He’d proven to be way too slippery.

Caleb stood, rounding the desk. “What can I do for you?”

I licked my lips. “I wanted to apologize for everything.”

“You do?”

“Yes. I was angry. I still am. I … I’m sorry.”

He folded his arms. “What is going on?”

“I called Ashley.”

His brows went up.

“Drake, he er, he was able to find me her phone number. I used his cell phone, and yeah, Valentine was on the line.”

Caleb turned away, grabbing his cell phone and pressing a button. “Get Drake in here now.”

“What are you doing?”

“I want the number. I haven’t been in contact with Earl Valentine. He should have come to me. I would have dealt with it.”

“I’m trying to apologize.”

“Emily, you don’t have to do that.”

“No, I do. Look, I know this is going to sound awful. Drake wants me to fuck you and he did it because he got me that number, but I’m not actually here about that.”

“Wait a minute!”

“No, let me finish.”

“Drake gave you an order to fuck me? He didn’t do this willingly?”

I closed my hands together, trying to compose myself, but it was hard to do. Caleb was pissing me off, when I just wanted to apologize to him, to settle this once and for all.

“Will you stop?”