Cruel Infatuation (Underground Kings 3)

I’m a goner. I’m going to jail. I had a good run, right? I deserve this. I’ll do my time, and then in twenty or so years I’ll figure out a way to live life again. I stop walking suddenly, the soles of my shoes skidding along the asphalt.

A high squeal of his brakes tell me the car has come to a stop. Metal squawks as the cruiser door closes. I inhale a breath and wait as the officer approaches. “Where you headed, miss? Maybe I can help you. I’m Officer Howard, a deputy here in Trinidad. You’re safe here.”

Yeah, that’s what all the men say.

Until I’m not.

I’ve only survived Trevor and what happened in Kentucky with luck. That’s it. I’m not skilled. I’m not trained. Fear guided me.

“Do you need to go down to the station and tell me who did this to you? You can trust me. I’m not going to hurt you. If you’re worried about that, you don’t need to be.”

The rain is coming down harder now. My hair sticks to my face, and water flows down my lips. I lick them, gathering the liquid to swallow. It might be raining, but I’m thirsty. No matter the flood that comes, the drought inside me will last forever because of the things I’ve done to get here.

“Do you know Isaac Gray?” I ask him through the cacophony of the storm.

“Isaac Gray?” He shakes his head, and the rain gathered in the brim of his hat fans out. “No, afraid not. We can go down to the station and do a name search. I know everyone in this town. I’ve never heard of him.”

That doesn’t make sense. Surely, Isaac wouldn’t lead me on like that. I mean, I know I’m not perfect, but I’ve been real with who I am besides my age and where I’m going. Did he lie about his name? Does he even live in Trinidad? “He said he lived in the Cliff House,” I say to the officer.

Officer Howard smiles, nodding. “I know the place. Gray…You must be talking about Grayson Campbell. I can take you to him if you like.”

Oh, shit. This is it. This is the moment of truth. Am I going to get in the car?

Where else do I have to go? I’ve killed people to get here. I can’t go back. I’ve made my bed, and now I have to lie in it.

“That would be great. Thank you,” I say, wiping the water out of my face, which is pointless since it’s raining so hard.

Officer Howard smiles kindly and runs around the front of the police cruiser to open the door to the passenger side. “Here you go. It’s about a twenty minute drive. It’s warm in the car. You’ll be alright in there.”

I sit in the warm seat, and he shuts the door with a soft thud. The heat is blaring, but it hasn’t done anything to sooth my shivering skin. I didn’t realize how cold I was.

He hops in and rubs his hands together for a second before putting the car in drive. He turns the wheel in a sharp angle and makes a U-turn. “So how do you know Grayson? I didn’t think he had many friends.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Well, all the boys that live there have a pretty sketchy past. Didn’t he tell you?” Officer Howard lifts a brow. For a cop, he’s a good-looking guy, but Isaac—Grayson, whoever he is, all I imagine is the picture he sent me.

Wide back, big shoulders, but lean all at the same time. He isn’t bulky, and the profile of his face left me wanting more. It looked like he had a sharp jawline, straight nose, and thick lips, but pictures can be deceiving.

I should know.

“Yeah, he did, but I didn’t think that would stop someone from making friends.” Grayson hasn’t told me anything about his past, but the last thing I want this cop to do is get suspicious.

“You’re right. They are good guys. They helped me crack a case not too long ago, had to in order to save Sebastian’s wife. She had a crazy man after her, wanting to sacrifice her to a cult; can you believe that?”

“Wow, he didn’t tell me that.”

“Oh, yeah. Great group of guys, dangerous, but loyal and protective. Can’t ask for a better bunch. I’m the law, but I’m glad I’m on their good side. I have no doubts I’d end up with a bullet in my head if I wronged them in some way.” Officer Howard casually turns on the blinker and takes a right, leaving me with a sour taste in my mouth.

Who is Grayson Campbell? Have I left one monster for another?

“You know, if you tell them who did that to your face, they would find him, and you wouldn’t have to worry about him again.”

“I just want to get there. I’ve had a long journey. I’d rather not talk about it anymore.”

“Sure, sure. I understand. Here…” He reaches into his pocket, and I eye the gun on his hip. It’s much bigger than mine. A nine-millimeter probably. Trevor had a few of those laying around the house, and I know a lot of cops carry them. “I want you to take this card. If you ever need anything, my number is on it.”

I slowly reach for the card and slip it from his fingers. It’s plain white cardstock with his name, station address, and phone number on it.