Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Savannah turns to look at me, worry etching lines into her face. But it’s not for Raven. It’s for Falcon and the potential danger he’s in. A knot forms in my stomach. I don’t want my sister involved in any of this. Raven either.
Falcon runs a hand through his hair. “Raven, you don’t understand—”
“No, you don’t understand!” she shoots back, standing again. “I’m not your responsibility anymore. I won’t let you treat me like a fragile piece of glass.”
Hawk sighs. “You’re right, Raven. And we’re sorry.”
Falcon opens his mouth but Hawk holds up a hand.
“You saved her life,” Hawk continues. “But we can’t keep treating her like she’s weak. She can handle herself. We need to trust her.”
Eagle, who’s been silent until now, rubs his face and nods. “She’s here now. Thanks, Ray.”
Raven sits down, this time next to Eagle, and grabs his hand.
They’re close, maybe closer than Raven is to either Hawk or Falcon. Something’s eating at Eagle, and I’m pretty sure it’s why we’re all here.
“You’re right,” Falcon finally says. “I just worry about you, Raven.”
Raven gives a small smile. “And that’s why I love you, big bro. But it’s time for me to step up.”
Savannah is next to me now, her body trembling slightly as she wraps her arms around herself. She’s scared, but she’s also relieved. I nod to her, hoping it eases whatever’s got her frightened.
“All right,” Savannah finally says after a moment of silence. “Now that we have that out of the way, I think it’s time we get down to business.”
She looks to me, her eyes pleading. Of all the people in this room, she knows I’m the one most versed in the dangerous games our families play.
“Vinnie,” she starts, her voice shaky, “Falcon is mixed up in something.”
My mind races with possibilities. Drugs, arms dealing, mafia ties? I can deal with that. “What is it?”
Falcon doesn’t answer right away. He pours another two fingers of bourbon and downs it in one go before he finally breaks the silence.
“I’m an innocent man,” he says.
“I’ve always known that, Fal,” Raven says. “You went to prison to protect someone. I know who, but Vinnie doesn’t.”
Falcon pours himself another drink, but Savannah walks over to him and pulls the glass away. “Just tell us, babe. Please. You’ve already done your time, and you protected who you felt you needed to protect. What’s going on now? Isn’t this finished?”
Hawk draws in a breath. “Unfortunately, no it’s not.”
I down my drink the way Falcon just downed his. “Maybe you’d better start at the beginning.”
“No!” Eagle shouts. “No starting at the beginning. We just need you to get rid of a body, okay? No need to know the details.”
Savannah and Raven both gasp in unison, and Raven trembles, still holding onto Eagle.
“See?” Falcon shakes his head. “This is why I didn’t want you involved, Ray. This is too much for you.”
But Raven looks at her brother, and already I know she’s made of sterner stuff. Her body may be weak, but mentally, she’s fortitude personified.
Beauty personified as well.
I clear my throat. “I’ll hear you out. And I’ll help you if I can. But before I do anything—especially getting rid of a body—I want the whole story. You’d best start at the beginning.”
9
RAVEN
A new baby.
I’m excited!
I remember a little bit about when Hawk was born, but the memory isn’t super clear.
But Mommy and Daddy just left for the hospital. They told me it’s going to be another boy.
At first I was disappointed. Robbie already prefers playing with our older brother over me. I like to stay inside and help Mommy in the kitchen, play dress-up with the many princess outfits she’s bought me, and hosting pretend tea parties with my stuffed animals. Robbie likes to roughhouse with Fal. Hawk is a little too young right now, but I can tell by how he watches them play that he can’t wait until he’s big enough to join them. I was hoping Mommy would have another daughter so that I might not be the only girly one.
But after a while, I got excited about having another baby brother. Even if he ends up joining the boys when he’s older, for a while he’ll be too small. And he’ll be mine.
Our nanny got the call this morning. Mommy had the baby late last night. Daddy is already there, of course, but we’re on our way to the hospital to see the baby.
Hawk doesn’t really understand why we’re going to the hospital. He’s too young. And Falcon and Robbie are too busy playing rock-paper-scissors in the car ride over to care.
But I’m sitting there patiently, swinging my little legs over the backseat of our big family car. I picked out my favorite dress to wear today. Pink—of course—with little yellow stars and moons on it. Mommy calls it my princess dress, but the stars and moons make me think of Mickey Mouse in the Sorcerer’s Apprentice cartoon.