For the Save (Playing for Keeps #4) (14 page)

Sawyer

I hated leaving Addie. If I had my way I’d stay with her all night. I’d hold her close while she slept. Hell, I’d enter her dreams and slay all her dragons. The truth is, I would’ve done anything for that girl. And it killed me to drop her off and leave her alone after everything she’d discovered tonight. It had all been dumped on her so quickly, and it was too much to take in. But I couldn’t stay the night. Her mom would never allow it. Neither would my parents, actually. In fact, Dad had been texting me all night to check up on me. I was sure he was picturing Addie and I tangled up in her bed. If only. That would certainly be more fun than what we’d been doing. Shaking my head, I cleared out those thoughts. I felt like an ass for even thinking that. Addie was going through one of the worst things in her life, and that’s what I needed to focus on.

I knew Kevin was lying. Nothing about his story made sense. If he and Ben were as close as Addison claimed they were, then he had to have been using drugs with him. According to Addie, they’d still been hanging out up until Ben died.

Then again, I thought about Holden and Ryan. How much they butted heads when Holden started dating Chloe. They still remained friends even though they didn’t see eye to eye. So I guess it was possible that Kevin was telling the truth.

Honestly, I think it was his words to me that bothered me the most.

Promise me you’ll keep her out of this. It’s not safe for her to keep digging around.

Those weren’t the words of someone who knew nothing.

As I slowed to a stop at the stop sign, I blinked. Where the hell was I? God, I’d been so lost in my thoughts I didn’t even pay attention to where I was driving. Swiveling my head, I read the street sign. Then I sighed. I hadn’t gone much out of my way. Only took one wrong turn. Flicking on my blinker, I turned to the right and drove down the darkened street. The cemetery came up on my left, and I wondered if that was where my subconscious was leading me to. As I passed it, I remembered all the nights I snuck off to visit Ryan’s grave. Maybe that was why my car lead me here. Because it knew the way.

A dark figure caught my attention as I was about to turn the corner. He looked familiar to me. Slowing my car, I squinted. Luckily there was no one else driving down this road, so I could slow as much as I wanted. My breath hitched in my throat when I realized it was Addison’s dad. I knew why he was there. Visiting his son, most likely. I knew I should have given him his privacy, but I couldn’t shake the image of Addison’s shocked face tonight, and the sad look that passed over her features whenever her dad was mentioned.

The guy had a lot of explaining to do.

It was a father’s job to protect his daughter; to keep her from harm. The last person I should be protecting Addie from was her dad. And yet, that’s what I was doing. Addie may not have been strong enough to talk to this man, but I sure as hell was. Someone had to fight for her.

And that someone was me.

After pulling my car over to the curb, I shut off the engine and hopped out of the car. I shoved my keys into my pocket and then hurried down the sidewalk until I reached the entrance to the cemetery. Quietly shoving open the wrought iron gate, I stepped inside. My shoes crunched on brittle grass and leaves as I walked. When I got closer to Addie’s dad, I heard him talking.

Holding my breath, I pressed my back to a nearby tree. I would approach him after he finished his visit with Ben. It was only right. I may have been here on a mission, but my mom had taught me manners, and I would use them.

“I’m so sorry, son.” His words were choppy, like he was crying.

My insides twisted. It was rare to hear a grown man cry, and it got me all tangled up inside.

“It’s all my fault. I don’t know how to get past this. I don’t know how to forgive myself,” he continued, his words becoming more and more garbled.

This was more than a father broken up over his son’s death. My suspicion was right. He did know something.

“I mean, how do I forgive myself for killing my own son?”

My heart stopped. I froze. What did he say? When I heard his footsteps nearing me, I ducked down, hiding myself. No way was I talking to him now. Not after that confession. Who knew what the guy was capable of? Especially once he realized that I’d heard what he said. I stayed hidden behind the tree until he was out of sight. Then I carefully stood up, wiping cold sweat from my brow. My pulse raced and my body shook.

I needed to tell someone what I’d heard. But who? Would the police even believe me? Probably not. It was only hearsay. It’s not like I got it on tape. Besides, Addie would kill me if I went behind her back and turned her dad in.

Addie.

My stomach lurched at the thought of her. What would this do to her when she found out? She was already so broken up over the fact that her brother committed suicide. What would happen if what her dad said was true? Wouldn’t that be worse?

As I mulled over what to do, the phone in my pocket went off. With quivering fingers, I pulled it out. When I read the text, my body went numb, all color draining from my face.
Shit. Addie was in trouble.

I had to get to her right away.

Addison

After Sawyer dropped me off I planned to go straight to my room and hit the sack. Lord knows I was exhausted. My limbs ached, my eyelids desperately wanted to close. But I couldn’t. Not yet. I was amped up from everything I’d learned tonight. And I was sure there were more clues in Ben’s room. Maybe even some answers were hidden inside. There was no way I could fall asleep with that knowledge.

So I slipped into Ben’s room and continued packing. I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone. I’d get his room packed and do some snooping. For the first half an hour I found nothing. I mean, I found stuff, but nothing exciting. Just his clothes and football posters, a couple of yearbooks. But when I thumbed through them they revealed nothing I didn’t already know. Ben was popular, Ben was a jock, Ben was liked. Old news.

I was about ready to give up when I found a box of pictures. At first nothing was out of the ordinary. There were pictures from all the homecoming dances Ben attended. He looked so handsome in his tux, his hair slicked down. Then there were a few from when he played football, a couple from summer camps. I kept thumbing through them until I found one of him and Kevin that grabbed my attention. It had been taken within the last year. Not that it was dated. I could tell by the way Ben styled his hair.

And I could tell because he was smoking out of a glass pipe. But that wasn’t what surprised me. I’d already figured out my brother used drugs. What was shocking was that Kevin was smoking with him. Hadn’t Kevin told me he didn’t use with Ben? Why would he lie to me about that?

When I flipped the picture over, there was writing on the back.

It read: “Candyman,” and then it looked like there had been a phone number, but it had since been smudged.

Candyman? What did that mean?

What I’m saying is that the guys that Ben was involved with weren’t selling candy.

Was he trying to tell me something? Dropping the picture back into the box, I hoisted myself up. Kevin knew something. I had to go over to his house and demand answers. And this time I wasn’t leaving until I got them.

There were two cars parked in front of Kevin’s house when I pulled up. One was Kevin’s, but I didn’t recognize the other one. I pulled in behind the mystery car, but after turning off the engine, I hesitated. What if he had a friend over? Or worse, what if he had a girl in there? I didn’t want to interrupt. And he had already told me to stay out of this.

But I couldn’t.

This was important. I had to know the truth. And I was convinced that Kevin knew more than he was saying. Determined, I snatched my purse off the seat and stepped out of the car. Flinging it over my shoulder, I stalked toward the front door. As I got closer to the house, I heard hollering coming from inside – loud, angry, male voices. My chest tightened. Tentatively I took a few more steps forward. When I reached the front door, the voices got louder and more intense. There was a crash, like something being broken, and I flinched.
Shit. I had to get out of here.

The front door swung open, and acting on instinct I leapt into the bushes lining the house. My heart clattered loudly in my chest, and I silently prayed that no one saw me.

“Consider that a warning!” A man spoke firmly.

“I told you that I don’t have the money,” Kevin responded. He sounded funny, almost like his mouth was swollen or something. I peered through the leaves at three figures standing on the lawn. It was hard to make them out, but Kevin was easy to spot. He was the one with blood dripping from his lip and nose. I cringed. What the hell was going on?

“Well, you better come up with it,” A man got right in his face, and my breath hitched in my throat. I knew that guy. Or at least I had met him once. It was Felix, the guy I asked Kevin about. “Or the next time I won’t be quite as forgiving.”

This was forgiving?
My stomach clenched.

The other guy reminded me of one of those bad guys in a movie, with his large frame, steely eyes, crooked teeth, scars on his face, and tats lining his arms. With quivering fingers, I reached into my purse and snatched out my cell phone. My elbow caught on one of the branches, and it rustled. Movie Guy glanced in my direction, and I froze. Holding my breath I prayed he didn’t hear me.

“I’ll be back in a couple of days,” Felix said to Kevin. “And when I do, you better have the money.”

“It’s not even my debt,” Kevin argued back.

I shook my head, wishing Kevin would shut up. It was obvious that arguing wasn’t the way to go with this crowd. Felix’s face turned red. Movie Guy stood at attention, ready to pounce if Felix said so. Biting my lip, I lowered my head. Staring down at my cell phone, I quickly shot a text off to Sawyer.

Me: I’m at Kevin’s. Something bad is happening over here.

Felix poked Kevin in the chest. “It is now.”

I blew out a sigh of relief when Kevin nodded.

“Glad we’ve finally reached an agreement,” Felix said. He snapped his fingers toward Movie Guy and then spun around. My shoulders relaxed a little. In my hand my phone vibrated. I glanced down at it.

Sawyer: R u ok?

Then before I could respond it vibrated again.

Sawyer: I’m on my way.

I typed back swiftly.

Me: No. I’m fine. I’ll call u in a minute.

“Whose car is that?” Felix’s words caused the hair on the back of my neck to stand on end. My head swiveled to Kevin. Recognition colored his face, but I knew he wouldn’t rat me out. I’d known Kevin for years. He was like an older brother to me.

“I don’t know.” Kevin shook his head.

“Liar.” Felix stormed over to him, shoving him in the chest. “You think I’m stupid or something. Did you call the cops?”

“No,” Kevin said vehemently.

“Then who did you call?”

“No one,” Kevin responded, fear etching his face. I held my breath. Bile rose in my throat.
This was so not good.

“You betrayed me. You called someone. Where are they?”

My body shook, but I ducked further under the bushes, praying he wouldn’t tell him about me.

“There’s no one here. I swear.” Kevin threw up his arms.

“That car wasn’t here when I got here.”

“Maybe it’s the neighbor’s,” Kevin said, but even I could tell he was lying.

“You think I’m stupid, don’t you? I don’t know what you’re up to, but no one messes with me and gets away with it,” Felix spoke so softly I could barely hear him. But his words caused a chill to run up my spine. It was scarier than when he was yelling. There was a finality in his words now. He snapped his fingers and called Movie Guy over. I squeezed my eyes shut when Movie Guy grabbed Kevin.

Grunting and punching filled my ears. My pulse quickened, my stomach rolled. Peeking out of one eye, I saw Kevin getting the crap beat out of him. Movie Guy held him down while Felix used him as a punching bag. His body sagged while he took hit after hit.
Oh, my god. They were going to kill him. I was sure of it.

I glanced around the quiet darkened street and wondered where everyone was. Why wasn’t anyone coming out of their house to see what was up?  When my gaze scoured the street, I saw that most of the homes were dark, shutters drawn. I guess it was pretty late. It made me wonder where Kevin’s parents were. Then I remembered how often they were gone when we were younger. That was why Ben liked hanging out here so much.

Damn it, I couldn’t stay hidden in here and let them kill him. I knew it was stupid, but I had to do something. I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t.

Leaping up, I bounded across the grass.

“Stop it! Stop it!” I screamed.

Felix’s hand drew back. His knuckles were caked in sticky, dark blood.

“Addison, get outta here,” Kevin spoke, the words coming out ragged and choppy.

“Addison, huh?” A sick smile spread across Felix’s face. “That’s right. We met before. You’re Ben’s sister.”

I sucked in a breath, my skin crawling.

“Well, Kevin, it’s your lucky day.” Felix nodded to Movie Guy. “You can release him.”

Movie Guy dropped Kevin in the grass. I winced at all the blood, at his face, which was swelling by the minute. I needed to call an ambulance. My cell was nestled in my palm, but I was afraid to use it. I stood in the middle of the lawn trying to come up with a way of escape. My gaze landed on my car. I needed to reach it.

“Looks like someone else can pay off Ben’s debt.”

Before I could register Felix’s words, Movie Guy’s arms clamped around my middle. I screamed, but he stifled it with a meaty hand. I kicked and flailed, causing my phone to fall to the ground. I yelped, staring down helplessly at it. Felix opened his black coat, revealing a gun tucked into the top of his pants.

“You’re coming with us no matter what, Addison,” he spoke in a calm, calculated tone. “It can either be difficult or easy. The choice is yours.”

Fear choked me. I wanted to keep fighting, but I knew it was futile. If Kevin couldn’t fight them, then neither could I. My body went limp in his arms as he carried me toward the awaiting car. Once inside, I knew there was no getting out. I was starting to rethink my earlier strategy. Maybe I should have fought harder, screamed louder. Something. A few months ago I’d seen an article on my Facebook page with tips on what to do if you’re attacked. The main one was to never let them take you anywhere. Never get in the car.

It sounded good in theory, but when faced with reality, it was much more difficult.

Movie Guy released his hand from my mouth as Felix started up the car. I gulped in some air quickly when fabric rubbed against my lips. Dear god, I was being gagged. I bit down on the material as my eyes were covered.

“Sorry. Can’t take any chances,” Movie Guy spoke in a gruff voice.

As if I was going to try anything.
I was locked in a car with two guys more than twice my size. And I didn’t have my phone.

An image of Kevin being pummeled repeatedly filled my mind. I wondered if he was okay. Hope sparked at the thought of him. Perhaps he knew where they were taking me. Maybe he’d even call for help. And I had texted Sawyer that I was at Kevin’s house. As the car sped forward, I silently prayed that one of them would come to my rescue.

I couldn’t tell how long we drove. It seemed like hours, but I knew it wasn’t. Internally, I cursed myself for going to Kevin’s tonight. I should have stayed home where I was safe. My mind drifted back to my house, to Sawyer, to anywhere but here. Then I forced myself to focus. Daydreaming wasn’t going to get me anywhere. I had to come up with a plan. I’d already messed this up enough.

When the car stopped, I inhaled sharply. My fists bunched at my sides. Now was my chance. Once I got out of this car I planned to make a run for it. The door to my right popped open. Meaty hands grappled at my arms and shoulders, guiding me outside. I waited for him to release my arms so I could take off my blindfold and run away. Only he never released me. In fact, he hoisted me into his arms and carried me like I was a damn doll.

No way in hell was I going to let him take me anywhere else. Now I would do what I should have done while we were at Kevin’s. With all my strength I flailed and kicked. My fist and toes connected with muscles and bone, but he didn’t let me go. He held me tighter. A low chuckle rumbled through his chest. Was he laughing at me? Angry, I hit him harder. A door opened, and fear crept up into my throat. I felt like I might puke as he stepped forward. The door slammed closed, and I was tossed onto something spongy. A mattress? No, a couch maybe. Reaching up, I tore off my blindfold and the handkerchief around my mouth. Now they hung around my neck.

I was sitting on a dingy couch in a small room. Curtains were pulled tight over the windows. In front of me was a coffee table. An ashtray, a bong, and several empty beer cans sat on top. Felix stood in front of me, arms crossed over his chest.

“Rover,” he called out to Movie Guy, and I thought to myself that maybe he should go with my nickname. Movie Guy actually sounded more intimidating than Rover. All I could think about now was that childhood game – Red Rover, Red Rover, send Addie right over. “I’m good. You can go.”

Rover slipped outside. Felix locked the door behind him and then walked toward me. I glanced around looking for another way out, but there wasn’t one. “You’re Candyman?” I asked, putting two and two together. Besides, I figured it was in my best interest to keep him talking. If Sawyer or Kevin were looking for me, it was best to stall him. Not that I had any idea what he planned to do with me, but judging by what I saw at Kevin’s, I was assuming it wasn’t good.

“The one and only.” A sick smile spread across Candyman’s face. He didn’t look like what I imagined a drug dealer looking like. In fact, when I’d met him with Ben, I’d assumed he was one of his friends. He could’ve easily been a football player. He was well built, his dark hair shorn close to his head. Even his clothes weren’t a giveaway. They were normal – jeans, a t-shirt. Sure, he had tattoos trailing his arms and a small scar above his right eye, but tats were in now, and the scar could have been a sports injury. Nothing about this guy screamed drug dealer to me.

“But I thought your name was Felix,” I muttered.