Page 80 of Ready Or Not

Rachel bites her lip. “Promise you won’t get mad.”

“What did you do?” My words come out a growl.

“Riley doesn’t trust you.” Rachel looks at me like she expects me to jump down on her. She’s as far back as the chain will allow. “And she’ll never love you if she doesn’t trust you.”

This is ridiculous. Riley has every reason to trust me. I’ve done everything for her. I turn to go up the stairs.

“Wait! Think about this.”

Rachel looks startled when I snap my gaze to hers. “I have thought about it. It’s all I ever think about.”

“Then give her space,” she pleads. “Whatever Riley’s doing, you can track it, right?”

“That depends on what she’s doing.” I clench my teeth so hard they grind together. I might have to chain both of them up, depending on what Riley’s doing.

“I think she’s making a call. I don’t know, though!”

I pat my back pocket. Sure enough, my phone is missing.

“Wait!” Rachel takes a step toward me as I take one up the steps. “You have to get Riley to trust you.”

“How?” I whirl on Rachel. This arrangement is stupid. So far, all I’ve seen is Rachel getting in the way of my plans.

Rachel swallows. “Youhave to trusther.” Her voice drops. “Stop controlling every little piece of her life.”

Anger washes through me in a hot wave. Not control her? My control is the only thing that’s kept Riley safe, out of prison, and with a roof over her head. I’ll control every last breath she takes, and she’ll thank me for it.

I storm the rest of the way up the steps.

43

EAT SPIT! (feat. Royal & The Serpent) - Slush Puppy

I didn’t tell Manson about Noel’s friends. I knew what would happen if I did. He’d want to fight my battles for me. He’d want to kill all of them, and they’remine. Manson already has Noel. If he hasn’t done something to him yet, he will. But those three? They’re mine, and I’m the only one who decides how this ends.

But, there is a slight problem. I still don’t exactly know who the others were. I have no clue what their last names were. I spent last night racking my brain for their names, but they’re still fuzzy memories in my mind. Memories that I don’t want to remember.

I wanted to call Noel and ask him, but the more I think about it, the more I know he’ll laugh in my face. I could get Manson to stick his prison thugs on him, but that would require Manson knowing what I’m talking to Noel about. And that won’t do.

Opening Manson’s phone, I realize it’s locked. I try a few combinations before trying my birthday. It works.

I go to social media. I had a scam account that was friends with my mom before she died. I was planning on acting like theperfect man and then dumping her, but she was slow to take the bait, and she died before I could finish.

Because, of course, she did.

But I was friends with her and had access to all of her posts, even the private ones from a long time ago.

My hands shake as I scroll. Surely, I can find something on this account. I just don’t know how long it’s going to take. I don’t know if Rachel can buy me that kind of time.

As I’m thinking that, I hear Manson coming up the steps. Fuck. Fuck fuck! I just need this. I need their names. If I can just get their names and a little bit of freedom, maybe the burning, endless rage in my chest will quiet.

Maybe I’ll stop remembering.

I clear the apps and toss the phone on the couch as Manson storms into the kitchen. His eyes are livid, and his movements are jerky.

He’s out of control.

Despite my frustration, that makes me smile. “Who pissed in your cheerios?”