The Forbidden Note (Redwood Kings Book 4)

The door opens and I look up expectantly, but it’s not Grey walking into my hospital room.

Dutch scowls when he notices my disappointment. “Nice to see you too, man.”

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“You really think one text can keep us away?”

I scowl in his direction.

Dammit.

I know I shouldn’t be around my brothers right now. Grey’s fearful look when her mother walked into the room is imprinted in my brain. Not being able to protect her, to reassure her, is grating on my nerves.

I can’t stand the thought that I’m stuck in this hospital bed with a dud wrist, while she tackles a hard conversation alone.

Marian saw us together. There’s a possibility she put the puzzle pieces in place and figured out what’s going on between me and Grey. Since it concerns both of us, I don’t like that Grey is handling it by herself.

I’ve decided she’s mine.

Whether she likes it or not.

That means protecting her, not hiding behind her.

Finn walks into the room and Sol follows. I’m grateful my best friend doesn’t offer any smart-aleck responses as he takes the seat Grey occupied.

“How are you feeling?” Sol asks.

“Like someone bashed the back of my head in with a cement block,” I mutter. “You?”

“Like I got jumped by three thugs.”

“Where’s Miss Jamieson?” Finn asks, glancing over his shoulder.

“Did she finally see the light and leave your crazy butt?” Dutch mumbles, sitting on the edge of my bed.

I kick him off.

He goes flying and whirls around to glare at me with glowering amber eyes.

I know if I keep looking at him, I’ll break my other wrist trying to win a fight one-armed.

“Where did you put those extra boxes?” I grunt.

“They’re at home,” Finn says.

“Are you sure that’s the safest place? Martina might clean up and see them.”

Finn’s expression remains blank. “In my room, they’re safe.”

I don’t ask what he means by that. I just believe him. Finn might have a whole damn cellar in there and I wouldn’t be surprised.

“Freaking hell,” Dutch whispers.

We all glance up.

“Check your phones.”

“What’s going on?” I ask nervously.

My twin passes his phone to me. “We got a problem.”

Dutch has the school app open and there’s a bright red banner at the top of the screen.

Masquerade Ball Burglars Wanted

Beneath it is a write-up of our misdeeds last night—everything from the fireworks to the sprinklers to the way we blazed the basement. I feel a stab of fear when I see a smeary picture of me and Sol running in the hallway.

Finn looks up from his phone, a muscle in his jaw clenched. It’s the tiniest of nods to his true feelings. “They’re offering a reward.”

“Money?” I snort. “Harris thinks anyone at Redwood needs—”

“He’s offering bonus points.”

I shut up.

“And money.” Finn thumbs his fingers over the screen. “It’s a double deal. Skin in the game for everyone. People are going to be all over this.”

I squeeze the phone tightly in my hands, nearly crushing it to bits.

Dutch slips it away from me. “Cadey sent it. She’s worried.”

“This picture is too grainy. Plus we’re wearing masks. There’s no way he can tell it’s us,” I point out.

Sol crosses his arms over his chest. “It’s still evidence, and if Harris gets enough students to point us out…”

An unsettling silence falls on the room.

Grey’s case makes this threat feel bigger than any we’ve faced before. Whether or not we can wiggle out of trouble is one thing. Unravelling all of Grey’s progress by getting caught is another.

I promised her that I’d exact her revenge.

I meant it.

That means making different moves. This is too grave, too important to act impulsively. Chasing death was fine when it was just me. Now, I can’t shatter before giving her what she wants.

For a moment, I close my eyes and breathe.

When I open them again, I’m looking straight at Finn. “Did Jinx say anything?”

He shakes his head slowly. “Nothing yet.”

“What does that mean?” Sol wonders out loud. “That she’s not interested?”

“No.” Finn shrugs. “It means she’s probably gathering evidence.”

My heart sinks, dragging my mood with it.

Sol starts to fidget. His eyes dart between me and Dutch. “If Jinx starts getting involved, she’s going to be a problem.”

“What do you want us to do, Sol?” I snap. “Kidnap Jinx? Kill her?”

Finn flinches.

Dutch growls at both of us. “Jinx isn’t our problem right now. Principal Harris is.”

I open my mouth, but someone at the door catches my attention.

Dutch picks up on my subtle chin-nod and goes quiet.

Finn turns to face the entrance.

Sol sits up straight.

We all stare uneasily at the police officer who rams his knuckles on the door and steps in. He’s accompanied by another cop, a stockier guy with beady eyes and a bad haircut.

“Sorry to interrupt. I’m Detective Bradley.”

No one answers.

The air turns chilly.

Bradley’s gaze snaps between me and Dutch. “I’m looking for a Zane Cross.”

My fingers dig into the bedsheets as I try to keep my cool. “And why are you looking for him?”

“I have a few questions.”

Dutch steps around my bed and stands in front of me. Finn stretches like a cat waking from sleep and moves over to my side too.

Sol remains by the chair, but he’s watching everything with a narrowed gaze.

I push Dutch to the side. Whether this is about Hall or about Principal Harris, it doesn’t matter. I won’t let anyone take the rap for me.

“I’m Zane,” I say.

Dutch flashes me an angry look.

Finn just stays right where he is, arms loose at his side and yet tense, like a panther waiting to spring.

“Ah.” Bradley taps his pen against his book. He glances at Dutch. “I need to speak with him in private.”

“Is he a person of interest in a case?” Finn asks.

Bradley’s eyebrows jump. When he looks at Finn again, it’s with a hint of wariness. “No.”

“Then we’re staying,” Dutch declares. “He just got out of surgery and we can’t leave him alone.”

“Very well.” Bradley clears his throat and fastens dark brown eyes on me. I stare right back into them, making calculations of my own.

He’s got a hardened face, the kind you’d expect to see on a jaded police officer. His hair is silver along the edges and his mouth is a sharp, slashing line above his chin. There’s a no-nonsense air to him, but if he’s someone in Hall or Harris’s pocket, I wouldn’t be able to tell just by looking anyway.

“Zane, were you at the Redwood dance last night?”

“Yes, so were half the kids in this city.”

“And where were you around the hours of eight-forty to nine thirty-two?”

Behind me, Sol holds his breath.

“Me? I was under my girlfriend’s skirt, giving her the time of her life.” I’m irritated but my tone doesn’t show it. A crap-eating smile tugs at the corner of my lips, disguising my true feelings. “She was being pretty damn loud too. Almost got us caught.”

Bradley blinks slowly, staring at my face like he can tell I’m full of crap.

But I don’t break a sweat. I’m really freaking good at acting like nothing bothers me.

“You were with your girlfriend at that exact time? Are you sure?”

“I wasn’t looking at my watch, but yeah. I’m pretty sure.”

He nods to his partner who opens up a book. “Can your girlfriend verify this?”

“She can,” I say confidently. Dutch’s shoulders start tensing. I stare the officer right in the eyes and add, “But before I drag her into this, what exactly are you questioning me for?”

He snaps the book closed. “You’re aware of the fire that was set at Redwood Prep yesterday?”

“Yeah, I’d say we all got doused.” I lift my wrist. “It was a crappy ending to a crappy night.”

“Crappy night? Weren’t you enjoying your time with your girlfriend?”

“I said I was doing her, but she never got a chance to return the favor. As a feminist, I believe in equal opportunity.” I finish the statement with a sly grin.

Bradley’s face pinches. He jots something in his book and glances at Dutch instead. “And you are?”

“Out of patience,” Dutch growls. “If you’re done asking your questions, you need to leave.”

Bradley stares long and hard at Dutch, taking note of his aggressive stance.

“And where were you yesterday around the time of the fire?”

“I didn’t go to the dance,” Dutch says.

Bradley’s forehead bunches and a suspicious look enters his eyes. “I see. Can anyone verify that?”

“My brother.”

“Zane?”

“Him.” Dutch juts his chin in Finn’s direction.

Bradley looks at Finn, looks back at me and Dutch and then eyeballs Finn again.

The stocky one with him snorts. “You three are brothers?”

I hear the sneer in his voice and I nearly swing my legs out of the bed to launch at him. “You have a freaking problem with that?”

Bradley grabs his partner’s shoulders. “Thank you for answering our questions.”

No one moves until Bradley is gone from the room.

Just as he leaves, Grey enters.

I sit at attention, noticing the way her eyes are red and puffy.

Was she crying?

The panic I feel looking into her face and seeing her upset cuts right through me. This woman is so freaking deep in my head, in my skin, in my soul that I feel her pain like it’s my own.

“What was that?” Grey whispers shakily. “Why was the police in your room?”

“Whatever it is, it’s nothing good,” Sol grunts.

“Harris must already suspect us,” Dutch says. “Why else would he send an officer to sniff around?”

Finn nods. “I think Harris already knows who set that fire. He’s just looking for the evidence to take us down.”

Grey lets out a shuddering breath. Her eyes glint with unease. “Well then… we better open those boxes and take him down first.”