Chapter Twenty-Eight
Marella's first day of school had been a little nerve-wracking but with Kelley and Mason showing their acceptance, everybody else did too. They took on the role of big brothers and Marella seemed like she'd always gone to Public. She was easily accepted at Public, easier than Kelley had been. They waited two weeks after Marella had healed before they struck. A month had passed and Kelley only had another two weeks to go before he’d start rehab with his wrist.
They'd fallen back into their routines, work, school and football. Carey's house was always full and Lee ate dinner with them most nights. He always seemed reluctant to go home but he never made a move on Marella. He rarely touched her and never held her hand apart from that first day at school. Kelley and Mason had bets going on how long it would take Lee to claim her.
The three of them met behind an empty warehouse not far from where they worked on a Friday night. The warehouse had been empty for ten years and the abandoned building met their needs. It was dark and quiet and nobody would come looking for them. They were deep in discussion on what they would do and each of their roles. They were just getting ready to leave when they heard a car door and they shrunk into the shadows of the darkness inside the building.
“I’m telling you they’re here.”
“You’re obviously wrong, idiot.”
Lee sighed next to Kelley and Mason shot him a look. The voices belonged to Blaire and Blain Munroe, Lee’s twin cousins. “What the hell are you two doing here?”
Blaire and Blain visibly jumped at Lee’s voice and then grinned as the three teens stepped out of the shadows. “Man, I nearly peed my pants!”
“Did you follow me?” Lee’s gaze was uninterested and stoic.
“We tracked your phone because we want in.” Blaire looked proud of his statement.
“In on what?” Mason crossed his arms over his chest. They didn't know the twins that well and he was reluctant to trust them.
“On whatever you’re planning for Hanson Chadney …”
“How the hell do you know about that?” Lee was now angry.
“We hacked your phone.”
“You hacked Lee’s phone?” Kelley looked impressed and Mason just shook his head.
“We have skills, we can help! Like I said earlier, we want in.”
“Yeah, we can be your watchers.”
Blaire and Blain both grinned as Lee closed his eyes briefly. “Stop grinning like idiots.”
Lee, Mason and Kelley turned their backs on the twins and spoke in low voices. “We can use their skills.”
Lee grimaced. “They’re idiots.”
“They tracked your ass here. Just hear me out okay? They can hack the Elite’s social calendar, parties, and texts, and if they’re really good they can bounce our phone signals to the next town over. Then we won't need Jesse as an alibi.”
“Kelley has a point, they can sit at home and work their magic while we do the dirty work.”
Lee took a deep breath and relented. “Fine.”
The twins smiled victoriously when they turned around and Kelley nodded his head at them. “Yes!”
“There’s nothing for you to do tonight, go home and we’ll talk tomorrow.” Lee gave the twins a look until they conceded and they all walked outside and got in their separate cars.
“Wait!”
“What, Blaire?” Lee was irritated now.
“Don’t ever ask me where we got this but we’ve got equipment at home that you can use to clone Hanson’s phone, that way you’ll be privy to whatever he’s sent and he sends out.”
“You can do that?” Mason looked at him in disbelief.
“We’ve got skills … so, do you want it or not?”
“Yes, we want it.” Kelley stepped closer to Blair.
An hour later Mason, Kelley and Lee headed to the suburbs after the twins had shown them how to clone the phone. They would have to adjust their plan, but it would still work. They parked Mason’s black truck at the back of the Chadney property lines that bordered the National Forest.
It was still early, early enough for Hanson to still be at home. They scaled the wall and quietly made their way to the pool house. They heard two voices coming from inside. Kelley glanced through the window quickly.
“Tonight’s going to be epic,” Marcus said as he sat on one couch.
“Uh huh, I heard Marella’s gone over to Public,” Kirk added.
“Hanson seriously lost his shit that night.”
Marcus narrowed his eyes as he looked at Kirk. "That bitch needs to pay."
Lee’s fists clenched and Kelley nodded. Mason and Lee pulled black ski masks over their heads and before Marcus or Kirk could react they had grabbed the boys, pushed them down on the floor and tied their hands behind their backs. Kelley walked in last and taped their mouths shut.
Hanson was clearly in the shower and they could hear the water running. Mason nodded his head and took off to the bedroom for Hanson’s phone. Kelley placed his foot on Marcus’s neck and the boy whimpered.
“What’s so epic about tonight?”
Kelley loosened one part of the tape and Marcus glared at him. “Screw you, Kelley, you won’t get away with this.”
Kelley gave Marcus a half smile and turned towards Kirk. “Are you feeling talkative Kirk? Maybe Marcus will want to talk if you bleed a little.”
Marcus widened his eyes and Kirk shot Marcus a look. “They’re planning on taking Marella back tonight.”
“From where?”
“Mason James’s house. Hanson had someone follow you guys home for a few days. We know you live there now.” Lee's guttural growl made Kirk flinch and Kelley almost smiled.
“Why does Hanson want Marella?”
“Because she always said no to him.”
Lee’s fist came down on Marcus’s face and Kirk struggled against his bonds. “Tell Hanson to quit while he’s ahead. If he touches Marella he’ll regret it.”
Kirk nodded as Lee whispered those words in his ear and Mason returned and looked at an unconscious Marcus. “I'm not even going to ask. Let’s get out of here.”
