Forever Golden: Dark High School Bully Romance (Kings of Cypress Prep Book 3) by Rachel Jonas (books like beach read txt) 📗

weeks ago and it’s been going through my mind a lot lately. It’s made me wonder if the only way to save the lives of those around me is for Vin’s to end. He’s gone off the deep end and it feels like we’re fighting a losing battle. One that now calls for us to do something drastic.

“You’re leaving?” Southside asks, peering up when I stand.

“I’ve got something to take care of, but I’ll call when it’s done.”

Concern marks her expression. “West.”

I turn when my name’s called and she’s on her feet now, stepping closer. She takes my hand and my gaze shifts there as our fingers lace together.

“Promise me you’re not about to do anything dangerous.”

I’ve never lied to this girl. Not since she’s been mine. Not since I admitted to loving her. And as easy as it would be to tell her what she wants to hear right now, dishonesty doesn’t feel like an option.

She’s trembling when I kiss her forehead, letting my hand linger on her cheek. “I’ll call.”

With that, I leave and head back toward my car, but my phone’s already in hand. I’m dialing a number that’s been in my call log more than I ever imagined it would be. A few seconds later, Ricky answers and I know exactly why my first instinct was to call him in particular.

Because if there’s anyone who’s going to match my anger, be down to fuck Vin’s shit up as much as I am, it’s Ricky Ruiz.

“What’s up?”

“We’ve got a problem. It’s about Blue.”

“The pier. Fifteen minutes.”

Chapter 44

RICKY

Typically, news of a bruised wrist isn’t enough to have me grabbing heat and storming into my uncle’s office, but it was tonight. I’ve got no clue who showed up at Blue’s job earlier, throwing around threats and shit, but I sure as hell intend to find out.

As Paul stares me down from across his desk, I don’t think I’ve ever trusted him less.

“To what do I owe the pleasure, nephew?”

“I need to know about the cargo.”

He eyes me, smirking and shit. “That so? Because when I came to you with this offer several months ago, you wanted nothing to do with it. Why the sudden change of heart?”

I shrug but give nothing away. “I wasn’t interested then, but I am now.”

He doesn’t speak right away, just gives me the same look Pop used to when he thought I was up to something.

“Okay, I’m intrigued. Are you interested in upping your game? Or just sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong? Because if you want in, that can be arranged, but you must understand there’s a process.”

“What kind of process?”

His eyes flash toward the ceiling while searching for the right words.

“Consider it a period of being vetted, if you will—proving yourself to me, my colleagues. What you’re talking about is big boy stuff,” he adds with a laugh.

I hold his gaze. “Fine. Tell me what I have to do.”

He has no clue getting deeper involved with whatever he’s dragged our family into is the last fucking thing I want. But if it’ll get him to tell me more—like where these girls are kept, or how the business is run—I’ll string him along. All I know is Vin’s gotta be stopped. I’ve never snitched in my entire life, but if feeding Roby intel is the only way to protect Blue and Scar, guess that’s what I’ll have to do.

“You’re amusing. You know that?”

He smiles after asking, but I can’t read him.

“There’s no way in hell I’d let you get your hands in this part of the business. The company you’ve kept lately makes you a liability. Why do you think I pressed to get you back home when you went to rescue that Riley girl after that video leaked?” he asks. “Because people were talking about you playing the role of Captain Save-A-Hoe while your ass should’ve been working. You made yourself look weak, like you’d put pussy before business.”

He laughs again and if he weren’t my damn uncle, I’d punch him right in his shit.

“Face it, Ricky, you’ve gotten distracted. Big time,” he adds. “And I’m not the only one who sees it.”

My jaw’s tense, but I’m focused. It’s time for a change of plans.

“Okay, since we’re talking candid, why don’t we talk about you becoming Vin’s bitch.” When that dumb-ass smirk is wiped off his face, I’m smiling myself now. “Yeah, and after doing a little research, imagine my surprise when I discovered that motherfucker’s family.”

Well, look at that. I must’ve struck a nerve, because his ass is getting real uncomfortable over there in that chair.

“I also know he got you mixed up in this trafficking shit, which we weren’t fucking with before his ass started coming around. We kept shit simple. I’m not saying we were saints, but we sure as hell had limits. And kidnapping a bunch of damn kids to sell to whatever twisted asshole has a few thousand to spare was definitely one of those limits,” I snap.

“Careful,” he warns calmly.

“Fuck being careful!” I snap. “All this bullshit with the O’Farrells, the beef with the Navarros… it’s not us. We keep our heads down and we make money. That’s it. At least that’s how it used to be. But now, Vin’s got us making enemies faster than we can learn their damn names.”

Glaring, Paul leans forward. “I understand what you think you know, but we’ve always been about making money, Ricky. Whatever industry is hot, whatever’s gonna line our pockets, that’s the family business,” he adds sternly, slamming his fist on the desk.

“And what about Hunter? I’m supposed to believe Vin didn’t have something to do with that? It’s just funny how one second I’m seeing him in meetings with the two of you, then the next he’s locked up. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m having a hard time believing it’s all a coincidence.”

As expected, he doesn’t have shit to say.

“Who really killed Robyn? Was it Vin?” I ask, keeping my stare trained on