I have a feeling I’m not going to like this.
“Okay.” I glared as I took my seat.
“Your brother did something really, really bad.” Liam guzzled more of his beer. “He borrowed a bunch of money, and I think he skipped town because he couldn’t pay back what he took.”
“Oh my god.” I blinked in surprise.
“The guy he took it from? Robert Townsend? He’s not the kind of person you fuck over.” Liam shook his head back and forth. “Gerard and I really have to find a way to pay him back.”
“Why is that your problem?” I tilted my head to the side. “If Billy fucked the guy over, then let Billy deal with it.”
“That’s just it.” Liam sighed and grimaced. “It’s not going to matter. Robert Townsend is the kind of person who sends messages—and he’s not above hurting someone’s family to make sure the message is heard loud and clear.”
“Wait—are you telling me that I am in danger?” My mouth fell open.
“Yes.” Liam exhaled sharply and nodded. “Your father too.”
“Okay, I’m calling Billy and telling him to get his ass back here.” I pulled my phone out of my purse, stormed to my bedroom, and slammed the door behind me.
I shouldn’t have been surprised that Billy didn’t pick up the phone. I was so angry that I couldn’t see straight. It was bad enough that he used my father for years and ripped off his roommates but leaving us in danger—that was a whole new low. I stared at my phone when it went to voicemail, then left a message on his phone that was probably so laced with profanity that he wouldn’t be able to hear half of what I was trying to say. I took a deep breath once I ended the call and tapped the front of my head with my palm. I understood why Gerard and Liam were worried, but I was the one that needed to be concerned. I was the one that was in grave danger if Robert Townsend was as dangerous as Liam said he was. I needed to go to the police—I needed to warn my father. I needed to do something. I couldn’t do that by standing in my room, so I pulled the door open so hard it slammed into the wall on my way out.
“How much does Billy owe this guy?” I paused when I got to the entrance of the living room.
“Twenty-five thousand dollars.” Liam looked up at me winced as he spoke.
“Fuck!” I felt my fingers ball up into a fist. “Okay, tomorrow morning—we’re going to the cops. All of us. You guys have to know some cops, right?”
“Gerard and I know plenty of them.” Liam nodded. “But they aren’t going to be able to help us. Robert Townsend is above the law. You know those Mafia you see on television? He’s worse.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I walked over and sat down on the couch. “There has to be someone we can go to for help.”
“If there were, I wouldn’t be sitting here.” Liam lifted his head to look over at me. “Gerard and I tried to raise some money, but we just don’t have those kinds of resources.”
“I need—something. Do you want a beer?” I stood and started walking towards the kitchen.
“Yeah.” He finished the one in his hand and gave the empty bottle to me as I walked past him.
“At least my Dad is still on his trip. Maybe we can figure out something before then.” I shook my head as I walked back with the beers in my hand.
“There’s more—if this situation wasn’t already fucked up enough for you.” Liam took the beer from my hand. “Gerard knows that I kissed you…”
“How?” I blinked in surprise.
“I told him.” Liam shrugged. “It just—kind of came up earlier today.”
“How in hell does something like that come up in a conversation?” I raised my eyebrows inquisitively as I sat down.
“Gerard—well fuck.” Liam exhaled sharply. “He really feels bad about what he did to you. I think he wants another shot to make things right.”
“So, you just told him that you kissed me to try and deter him from it or something?” I narrowed my eyes at Liam.
“No—it just came out in the heat of the moment. Gerard was talking about running away with you because of this Robert Townsend situation, and I guess—I guess I didn’t like the sound of that.” Liam’s jaw tightened.
“I’m going to my room.” I grabbed my beer and hopped back to my feet. “We’ve got bigger things to worry about than that fucking kiss—and if Gerard thinks I’m just going to fall for him again after what he did before, then he’s crazier than you are.”
“Wait…” Liam leaned forward and grabbed my arm as I tried to walk by. “That kiss meant nothing to you?”
“This morning you told me the only reason you kissed me was that the beer went to your head—why should it mean something to me?” I looked down as he slowly stood to his feet.