Jaded (Jaded #1)

“You’re drunk and you know what this party is for tonight,” I hissed.

“So? I’m sure you and Bryce got it covered.” He turned his head and started nuzzling Logan’s neck again.

“Oh my god,” I snapped and hauled him off his chair.

Logan sat, dazed, and blinked at the open air.

I hauled Corrigan into a back room and shut the door. “Are you demented? Is that what this is?”

“What are you talking about?” He suddenly looked sober.

I sucked in my breath and asked, “Was that acting? Is that your plan? I don’t need you drunk and getting it on with Logan at every chance. We’re not hunting snipe tonight.”

“What’s the plan even? Just walk around and inspect every loser? See if they pull out a knife or something? We don’t know who or what we’re looking for—and I’m betting you money that the police are across the street, watching everything. You are under protection, right?”

“This is why this guy is going to come tonight. He can get close to me without the police seeing him coming. He’s coming tonight and I’m going to be ready for him. I’m tired of finding more people dead or getting notes. I’m tired of it all.”

“Sheldon,” Corrigan sighed and sat down on the bed. “This isn’t right. I mean—you threw me for a loop with Bryce leaving, I’m not exactly all clear-headed right now.”

“Because you’re drinking.”

He cried out, “I’m not drinking! I’m just looking like I am. The guy’s not stupid, whoever he is. He’s going to know something’s up when he comes and everyone’s surprisingly sober!”

“Logan is drunk.”

“So? Logan can drink. She’s not a part of this.”

“You want your girlfriend to be inebriated when some killer shows up, looking for an easy target?” I spat out. “That’s who I’d go for if I was him. She’s close to our circle and she’ll be vulnerable. And probably passed out by the time he gets here—where she’ll be alone because you’ll be hanging out with me, waiting for him to show up.”

Corrigan hissed and shook his head, “You’re a little too good at this game, Sheldon.”

“It’s not a game. It’s my life and it’s others’ lives. I’m tired of this guy pushing me around. I’m pushing back now.”

“… he’s trying to scare you and I’m thinking the more you scare, the more mad you are, and the more ruthless you’ll get. That’s what you need to survive this nightmare, Sheldon.”

I remembered Officer Sheila’s words and felt nothing.

“I’m ready for him,” I only said and left the room.

Tatum stopped me just as I walked out of the room and informed me as he glanced at Corrigan, “Yerling just showed up with his buddies. They’re outside. Chet and Holster won’t let them inside.”

“Where’s Bryce?”

Corrigan asked.

Tatum shrugged, “I don’t know. I thought he was down here with you guys.”

I found him upstairs in a back room, in my dad’s office.

“What are you doing in here?”

Bryce didn’t turn around, but opened some cupboards and exposed four video screens.

“What are those?”

“Video output. I wanted it installed because your last alarm system was useless.”

“Why? I mean…” Okay. I got why. I just didn’t…the why didn’t help keep the shivers away. Huskily, I murmured, “Bryce, I don’t like video cameras.”

“Don’t worry. There’s nothing that’ll break privacy or anything. I just had the guys install them on your doors, like—here’s the front doorway, there’s the back doorway, here’s the other door, and…” He studied the screen closer and asked, “Is that Yerling?”

I moved closer and peered at the screen to add, “And look—Mena’s come to join them.”

“If her brother shows up…” Bryce let the threat hang open.

“It wouldn’t be at my invitation. Trust me. Unless he’s the stalker, then he can come.”

Bryce grinned and asked, ruefully, “Did you just hear yourself?”

I shrugged.

Bryce chuckled and switched the screens for the last doorway. It was rarely used and it led into the garage from the street. In fact, I normally leaned tables against it from inside the garage, but I gasped as it came onto the screen. The door had been left open and I saw that no tables blocked it anymore.

“What?” Bryce looked at me.

“It’s never open. I…tables were there, the lawnmower’s in there—that door isn’t used because we can’t use it.”

“Would you have mowed the lawn today?”

It only took one incredulous look for Bryce to realize the moronic value of his question.

“Just saying…,” he finished haplessly, but he refocused. “I don’t get it. Anyone can walk in here through the front door, why use that door?”

“Like someone who doesn’t want to be seen here?” I suggested, rolling my eyes.

“So…oh hell,” Bryce swore. “The guy’s already inside…what now?”