Foul Play (Barlow Sisters Book 3) Page 14
“I’m not in love with a loser,” I clarify. “And I’m not pregnant. I’m still a…” I frown at Dad, too embarrassed to say the word virgin in front of him.
He gives me an apologetic smile, which I’m about to wipe clean off his face.
I look down and start tracing the swirling pattern on the bed cover. “Something did happen to me though. Um…” I swallow. “You know how a while back, the police got that anonymous call about a woman being attacked on Fort Street?”
Mom gasps while Dad sits up, alert with an intensity that’s kind of intimidating.
“W-well, I was coming out of the church and these two guys grabbed me and dragged me into this alley.” My voice starts to quiver.
Dad’s death glare is so not helping. I know it’s not directed at me, but it’s still hard to talk around it.
“They were going to rape me, but then Vincent Mancini showed up and he saved me. He beat those guys and they scampered. He was really nice and kind, and he drove me home and made sure I was safe. I think he was the one who called in the anonymous tip to the police.”
Mom hasn’t made a sound since her gasp. Her skin goes sickly pale as she closes her eyes and whispers, “Thank God you’re all right.”
“Why didn’t you tell us this before?” Dad’s voice is thick with emotion.
I glance at him then back down at the covers. “Because they didn’t hurt me. They never got a chance…thanks to Vincent. And then I heard you talking to Mom and the two guys got caught, and even though it was for drug possession…they weren’t a threat anymore. I was worried if I told you that you’d never let me see Rahn again…or even let me out of the house. The night it happened, I couldn’t handle the thought of some kind of interrogation. You can be scary sometimes, Dad. Especially when you’re upset.”
Dad looks pained, scrubbing a hand down his face and huffing. “I know I come across as hard sometimes, but the thought of you girls getting hurt terrifies me.”
“So you hide it behind this gruff mask.” I smile.
His expression softens for a moment.
“You’re not the only one who does that.” I give him a pointed look. “Things aren’t always what they seem. I thought Vincent was this intimidating bad boy, but he was really sweet and protective. He saved me.”
“Okay.” Mom clasps her hands together and totally misses my point. “So you haven’t been back to St. Michael’s again, have you?”
“No,” I grumble. “You wouldn’t let me after that first guy was caught. You were worried.”
“And rightly so!”
“Yes.” I nod. “But just because one bad thing happens doesn’t mean I should hide away from the world.”
“Is that why you’re telling us this now? Because you and Rahn have some humanitarian trip planned? You want to head to some war-torn country and risk your lives, don’t you!”
“Mom.” I hold up my hand to calm her. “I’m telling you because I don’t want to lose your trust. I’m telling you because I want you to realize that I was saved by someone everyone assumes is bad.”
Dad huffs and crosses his arms. “Well, I am grateful that Vincent stepped up, but that still doesn’t mean I want you hanging out with him…or spending any more time in that part of town.”
“He’s not a bad person. There are a lot of good people who live out that way.”
“Even so, there are a lot of bad people who live out there too. The Mancini family is dangerous, and if you were hanging out with that boy, it’d make you vulnerable. I’m sorry if you don’t like that answer, but I don’t care if that kid has a heart of gold. You are not to become friends with him.”
“And you’re not going back to that church,” Mom adds with her don’t even try to argue with me look.
I don’t bother hiding my disappointment. My plan is totally backfiring. I thought if they heard what Vincent did for me, they’d soften up a little.
Dad’s scowl catches my eye as he leans in to study my expression. “You haven’t been hanging out with him already, have you? Where were you tonight?”
Taking on Mom and Dad together was a bad idea.
I look between them, knowing the truth will decimate the rest of my year. Now is not the right time to tell them that I’m falling in love with a Mancini.
A thrill skitters through, memories of Vincent’s soft confession warning me to protect what we have.
Looking Dad straight in the eye, I lie. “I was with Rahn, and we may have talked about some ideas for the future, but at this stage I’m not planning a trip to some war-torn country.” Mom snickers as I rise from the bed and walk to the door. “Again, I’m sorry for being late. I won’t lose track of time again.”
“Good night, sweetie. We love you.” Mom blows me a kiss.
“Love you too,” I murmur before slipping out the door and hightailing it to my room.
I seriously don’t know if I’ve done more damage or good tonight. Mom and Dad will no doubt stay up for another hour dissecting and processing the fact that their daughter was nearly raped, and completely ignoring the fact that I was saved by a warrior. A good human being.
As I get into my pajamas, I relive the conversation, wondering how I could have played it differently, trying to find ways that I could turn this around. Maybe it’s going to be a case of dropping little nuggets of gold as the weeks roll by.
Vincent did this. Vincent did that.
He’s a hero. He likes to help people the way I do. I’m getting to know him and we have more in common than you think. We’ve spent hours writing each other notes and talking about stuff. He’s a gentleman. He has a kind heart.
He thinks I make him a better person, but he has no idea how brave I’ve become. How strong I want to be, for him.
Yes, he may be a Mancini, but he’s not dangerous to hang out with.
His brother’s innocent, and even though his uncle and cousin are jerks, he won’t be under their thumbs forever.
Slumping onto my bed, I brush my finger over my lips. The thought of Vincent’s kisses makes my body buzz. Being wrapped in his arms is a feeling I’m not willing to give up. I need to fight for this guy.
I need to figure out a way to convince my parents that being by Vincent’s side is the safest place in the world.
28
The Danger Zone
VINCENT
I think about Chloe the whole way home, reliving our conversations and kisses…the way she said she thinks she loves me.
I’ve never felt this way before—overpowered by this emotion that’s all-consuming, energizing…inspiring.
I hope one day she finds the courage to talk to her parents about me. And that I find the courage to face whatever that might mean. She’s a girl worth fighting for, I know that much.
My lips twitch with a smile that stays in place as I pull up to the house and get out. For some weird reason I feel like humming. What the hell is wrong with me?
I snicker and shake my head, twirling my keys around my index finger as I lope up the front steps and into the house.
Much to my annoyance, Enzo is still up. He’s in his lounger, staring at the TV while he sucks on a cigarette and nurses a bottle of vodka.
His glassy eyes and languid body tell me everything I need to know.
The bastard’s drunk.
I hate it when he gets like this. He’s impossible to reason with, and his violent tendencies really shine through.
Without acknowledging him, I creep past, hoping he won’t even notice me.
But of course I’m not that lucky.
Of course Diego has to stride into the house after me with this cocky grin and a dark, dangerous look in his eye.
I frown, instinct telling me to put my game face on.
Swiping a finger under his nose, Diego swaggers over to me. His triumph is unnerving and I wish he’d just say it already. What the hell has he got on me?
Diego waits until he’s an inch from my face and can stare me right in the eye.
“Thought you said she was no one.” His voice is low and gravelly.
Shit.
I swallow, but keep my eyes locked on his. “What are you talking about?”
“The blonde, the girl you just drove home.”
“What?” Enzo spins in his chair.
Fuck!
I shrug, hiding my unrest behind a confused frown. “What girl?”
“Don’t lie to me.” Diego points in my face. “I watched you drive her home. I followed you.”
How did I not see that?
Am I frickin’ blind?
“Diego, back up.” Enzo gets out of his chair and staggers over to us.
I’m aware that it’s two on one with a pissed-off cousin and a drunken uncle. This could hurt, but there’s no way in hell I’m telling them anything about Chloe.
“What girl?” Enzo slurs.
I shake my head. “I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
Diego fists my shirt and slams me back against the wall. “Do you think I’m fucking blind? I just followed you to her house, man! It’s the girl from the fair. The one you said you didn’t know. The one you’ve been lying to us about. Now, who the hell is she?”
I wrestle him off me, pushing him back with a sense of urgency that’s making me stronger. “Why do you even care? So I took some lost girl home. Big deal.”
“You lied about her. She must be a big deal.”
“So?” I push Diego back when he comes at me again.
“So, we want to know who she is.” Enzo’s glassy eyes narrow. “She your girlfriend?”
“What difference does it make? Why do you even care?”
“I care because you lied about her. Who is she?”
I shake my head and look to the floor. Like I can admit she’s the daughter of Chief Barlow. Like I can tell them that I’m falling for her.
“Okay, fine.” Diego crosses his arms, his smirk back in place. “You don’t want to tell us, I’ll just pick her up and ask her myself. I’m sure I can think of some ways to get that pretty little thing talking.”
Molten fire spurts through my core. Anger blasts in my chest as shaky breaths start to spurt from my nose.
“Hey, maybe I can convince her that she’s hanging with the wrong Mancini. I can show her what a real man looks like.” Diego licks his lip. “I wouldn’t mind a taste of that honey. I bet she’s extra sweet, isn’t she?”
And the rumbling volcano erupts.
With a thundering roar, I launch myself at Diego and let my fists fly.
His eyes bulge as he falls back, and I get a few decent punches in before he gets over his surprise and starts hitting back. I don’t let up, even when Enzo gets in on the action.
I’ll be black, blue and aching by the morning, but I don’t give a shit.
They are not touching my Chloe.
29
A Night to Remember
CHLOE
Vincent hasn’t been at school for the last few days. I’m really worried about him. I want to catch the bus back to Fort Street, or use the car to go check on him, but I know showing up at his door is a really bad move.
I wish I could tell Dad the truth and get him to go and check that Vincent’s okay, but then he’ll know how much I care about him and I’m trying to avoid permanent grounding right now.
After the last few days, Dad’s practically feral with anger.
Uncle Conrad stole our stuff and took off without a goodbye. Max kind of alluded to the fact that he had some gambling debts, but it was a whispered conversation out of Dad’s earshot and I didn’t get too many details before Max skittered back to her room.
The tension in our house is unbearable.
Mom’s pissed off with Dad for letting Uncle Conrad stay so long and going on about how she knew something like this would happen. Dad’s pissed off with his brother for betraying us so badly. Max is hurting that her favorite relative has skipped out, plus she’s…
I glance at my older sister, sitting on the bench with this hard, tormented look on her face.
We’re currently at the last game of our season, the one that will decide if we get into the playoffs or not. It’s a big deal. Dad’s brought a scout over from Ohio University for the sole purpose of watching Max and recruiting her.
There’s just one monumental problem: Max doesn’t want to be here.
Her heart and mind are with Velocity and the Summer Rock Festival audition they’re supposed to be doing right now.
She needs to be there with them, but instead she’s stuck here with us.
Coach tells her she’s up next and she moves like a robot, putting on her helmet and grabbing the bat. She’s been edgy all day, but since the last inning she’s seemed to shift into a new zone. This weird kind of emotionless autopilot.
Crap, she really shouldn’t be here.
“Okay, good play. Good play!” Coach shouts and applauds Kingston’s bunt while Max shuffles to home plate.
“Yeah, Maximus!” Dad shouts from the stands. He’s working overtime to impress the scout. I’ve never seen him so friendly and jovial.
Max taps her bat on home plate, and my stomach jitters with nerves.
“Strike one!” the umpire shouts.
Maddie hisses beside me, as anxious as I am.
“Come on, Maximus!” Dad claps his hands. “You can do better than that!”
I frown at Dad, wishing he’d shut up. Like Max needs that added pressure right now.
“Strike two!”
“Ouch,” Maddie murmurs, standing up as Max slumps her shoulders. “She really needs to get her head in this.”
“How can she when her heart’s somewhere else?”
Maddie glances down at me, her expression pained. I think it’s kind of hurting her that Max wants to give up on baseball. She’s always loved how kickass her twin is, but maybe Max is kickass at playing guitar too. Velocity wouldn’t have asked her to join if she wasn’t. We can’t make Max feel bad that she’s passionate about something other than baseball. Just because she’s amazing doesn’t mean she should have to do it for the rest of her life.
The pitcher winds up and I hold my breath until I hear that sweet thwack of the bat smashing the ball. Letting out a surprised laugh, I smile as the ball arcs through the air—a sweet homer.
“Yeah!” Maddie raises her arms, laughing when Holden jumps over and lifts her off the ground in a hug.
“That’s it, Max!” Holden hollers and claps with the rest of the team.
I study my sister closely as she runs around the bases. She’s concentrating, determined, but as she hits home plate, I can tell by the look on her face that she’s not into it. She hit the homer for Dad… not her.
Her lips are drawn in a tight line as she storms off the field, ignoring all the congratulatory pats on the back.
As soon as she’s behind Coach’s back, she throws her helmet off and starts shedding her gear.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
She glances over her shoulder to make sure Coach isn’t watching.
“I’ve got to go.”
“What?” Holden steps up, having heard her soft comment.
She winces at him. “I shouldn’t be here, and I should have been honest about that a long time ago.”
“But you’re so good,” he whispers.
“My heart’s not in it.” She blinks, her voice thickening with emotion.
I share a quick look with Maddie, who hides her disappointment behind a kind smile. Gliding her arm about Max’s shoulders, she gives her a little squeeze and then sets her free. “It’s okay, sis. We’ve got you covered. Just go.”
“Yeah.” I grin. “Go for it.”
“Thank you.” She practically sobs the words before kissing Maddie’s cheek, then mine.
I giggle and shunt her behind me, putting on an innocent smile when Coach turns around to see what we’re doing.
“Max just needs the
bathroom.” I point over my shoulder at my retreating sister, who is full-on running after her heart and a completely new dream.
Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever been so proud of her.
The amount of courage that must take. She’s defying Papa Bear right now. There are going to be big repercussions.
It makes me think of Vincent and how I shied away from the entire truth the other night when I told my parents about what a good guy he is.
I wonder if I’ll ever find the strength to really lay it out straight.
I’m in love with Vincent Mancini, so deal with it.
The idea makes a shaky laugh escape me.
“I know.” Maddie nods, totally oblivious to what I’m really thinking. “The aftermath for this thing is going to be huge.”
“We’re going to get yelled at,” I murmur.
“Oh yeah, that vein in his forehead is going to bulge big-time!” She raises her eyebrows and all I can do is let out another jittery giggle.
Maddie was right. I’ve never seen Dad’s vein pop out that far. He is fuming, and since he shoved us in the car, demanding we take him to Max’s location, he hasn’t uttered a word.
I can’t decide which is scarier—Dad’s bellowing outside the locker rooms once we admitted that Max had taken off to Brazenwood to play guitar with her boyfriend Cairo Hale, or his stony silence since.
In an eerily calm voice, he instructed Mom to take our yellow Camry home and then ordered us into the back of his car. I don’t know why our Camry was still in the parking lot. I figured Max would take it to get to the club, but maybe she hitched a ride with a friend or something.
My confusion has been overrun by nerves. I can ask her when we get to the club…if Dad will let me.
I glance at Maddie and we cringe at each other.
I didn’t expect Dad to drag us along too, but I guess we’re partly responsible. We lied to get Max out of the game, and we even tried to lie when Dad first found us, saying Max was sick. It took him two seconds to see through Maddie’s lame attempt and before I could even speak, she was confessing everything in this fast, nervous clip.