Devil You Know(Lost Boys Book 1)(79)

Taking her away for a while was smart because the game had just changed. And I knew just where we could lay low.

I reached for my phone and called Cam. “We have a problem. There’s another player.”





The paramedics insisted I go to the hospital, but luckily I escaped the harrowing experience with only a mild concussion and lots of bruises. After being checked by a doctor, and happily numbed with pain meds, the cops escorted me to their precinct where I was questioned.

“Did you know him?” Detective Baker seemed like a nice man, someone closing in on retirement. He had a friendly face and an easy disposition. His partner, detective Locke, was a bit more uptight and suspicious.

“No. I’ve never seen him before.”

“So work it for me one more time.”

“I received a call from Mount Sinai saying my girlfriend had been brought in and since I was her emergency contact they asked me to come. I stepped outside and called my other girlfriend and she informed me Ryder was with her. That was when the man put the knife to my back.”

“And you’ve never seen him before.”

“No.”

“How does Damian Tate fit into this again?”

How did I answer that and not implicate Damian? I wasn’t a great liar. “He was coming for dinner. He heard me scream. The man didn’t want an audience I guess because he ran, but then I think anyone would have. Damian is rather intimidating.”

“Are you involved with Mr. Tate?”

“We’re friends, have been so since we were kids.” I wasn’t sure they were buying my story. I had seen in countless movies how the interrogated went on the defensive to throw the cops off their game. I decided to give that a try. “I don’t understand why you’re grilling me when whoever did this is still out there.” He wasn’t still out there. He was dead and buried wherever cleaners buried bodies. Or maybe they didn’t bury them. Maybe they put them in acid or something and got rid of them completely. It was a disgusting thought and yet a fitting end for that bastard in the alley. Fucker.

It looked as if Detective Baker wanted me to go through it all again when the door opened and a man entered with Anton just behind him. “Enough. She’s answered all your questions. She needs rest.” The man was probably Anton’s lawyer and from the look of him, a very expensive one.

Anton helped me to my feet then wrapped me protectively in his arms.

“Mr. Scalene.” Detective Baker was salivating over the idea of grilling Anton.

“I’m taking her home.”

“Leave a number where we can reach you.”

Anton didn’t acknowledge him as he led me from the room.

Damian was waiting at the door. Anton walked me right to him and did the hand off as Damian gently pulled me close, right up against his body…exactly where I wanted to be.

“Where are Kimber and Ryder?”

“One of my men drove them to your mom’s,” Damian offered.

Once we were in the car, Anton said, “We’re taking you home to pack. You won’t be going back there for a while.”

“Kimber and Ryder, my mom?”

“We’ll stop at your mom’s so you can see them before you go.” Anton said.

“I’m sorry about all of this.”

Both looked pissed. It was Anton who replied, “Don’t. This isn’t your fault.”

“Feels a bit like my fault. I was so gullible. I didn’t even question the call.”

Anton gently took my face in his hand. “Anyone would have done the same.”

“You wouldn’t have, Damian wouldn’t have. And what about Cam? Damian killed someone and you helped him cover it up. His two best friends and he’s a cop.”

“We saved him the trouble.”

Damian wasn’t wrong. I suppose that was the silver lining. Cam was a cop, but he would have hunted that man down and he wouldn’t have been as methodical because he didn’t have the training Damian had. And a cop killing someone would have been front-page news.

Anton ended the conversation when he said, “None of this is your fault, Thea. Let’s get you safe and then we’re ending this shit.”



“Be safe. Listen to Damian. Do exactly what he says.” Ryder said as she gently hugged me being mindful of my bruises.

“What she said. And try not to worry.” Kimber drew me in and held me close. “We’ll keep an eye on your apartment, get your mail.”

Mrs. Cooke didn’t know what was going on, at least not to the extent of the others, but one look at my battered face said it all. She looked older as worry creased the area between her eyes. “Please be careful, Thea, and stay close to your young man.”