“We’re going to meet him at this place called Crossing,” Hunter explains once I’m standing. He doesn’t let go of my hand right away, threading his fingers through mine instead.

Jax more than notes this, his gaze straying to our interlocked fingers, and the corners of his lips tug downward. I almost feel like I should pull my hand away, but that seems like a rude thing to do to Hunter.

Le sigh. I wish I wasn’t so clueless when it comes to guys.

To add to the confusion, when Jax notices me noticing him staring at mine and Hunter’s interlocked fingers, he forces a smile onto his face.

Um … what in the heck is going on?

I could ask, but there’s no way I’m going to, so I instead ask Hunter, “Crossing? Where’s that?”

“It’s this old bar located at the edge of town, near the railroad tracks where no one ever really goes,” he explains as he tows me past Jax and toward the front door. “A lot of people go there to buy and sell drugs and alcohol because the cops never go there. Jax’s dad actually owns the land the bar’s on.” He collects a set of keys from an end table that’s near the door. Then he lets go of my hand, but only to put on his boots.

I grab my own boots then twist around to glance at Jax. “Just how much of this town do your fathers own?”

“A lot, which is part of the reason they’re so dangerous,” he explains as he digs his phone out of his pocket.

“Well, that and the fact that they have most of the cops in their pockets.” Hunter finishes slipping on his boots then stands up. “Speaking of which, has anyone checked in on your uncle to see what he’s up to? And what about Raven’s house? Have we checked on the security footage?”

“I don’t think anyone has.” Jax swipes his finger across the screen. “But I will now. Hold on.” He taps the screen a few times then pauses. “Um …”

“What’s up?” I ask as I bend down to put my boots on. When he says nothing, I stand up straight, leaving the laces of my boots undone. “Dude, what’s going on?”

“Um … Well … unless your uncle dyed his hair bright red, I think your aunt may be having an affair,” Jax explains as he shows me his phone screen.

A video is playing on it. On it, my aunt is making out with some guy in the hallway of the house.

A guy who’s not my uncle.

6

RAVEN

For a moment, I just stand there, watching the video in shock. Then I realize that I’m watching a video of my aunt getting groped and slobbered on by some rando and yank my eyes off the screen.

“Dude, I think I just went blind,” I mumble, rubbing my eyes with the heels of my hands.

“So, I’m taking that as a that’s-for-sure-not-your-uncle, then,” Jax states, pocketing his phone.