Dirty Secrets (The Heights #1)

Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

REID

“ S top worrying about her. You’re better off with her gone anyway,” Mom huffed as I paced the kitchen. Raven had been gone for hours, and the guilt from my harsh words had now turned into concern.

She could handle herself, I knew that, but bad things happened around here, and she was vulnerable alone.

“It’s Raven’s house, Mom,” I mumbled, making her snort.

“I thought you said you pay for everything? Sounds like it’s yours. Kick her out, trust me.”

Logan shot me an annoyed look, and I was probably lucky he hadn’t swung at me yet. I was one hundred percent an asshole for what I’d said to Raven, but she just frustrated me when she spoke to Mom like that.

Of course I was going to help my mom.

“It’s complicated,” I replied, and Logan scowled.

“No, it’s not. She offers to work and we tell her not to. You fucking threw that in Raven’s face? What the fuck, Reid?”

“The little bitch deserves to be told the truth. Taking advantage of my boy like that is appalling,” Mom said bitterly, and Logan turned to glare at her.

“Raven never takes advantage of anyone. You, on the other hand, are always relying on a handout. What are you even doing here still? Reid gave you money, right?” he snapped, and Mom gasped.

“How dare you. I just wanted to spend some time with my baby. I thought I could stay a while.”

My stomach twisted with discomfort as I eyed her, slowly shaking my head. “You know you can’t stay.”

“Why not? Because of Raven? This is your house too, Reid! Your mother should be allowed to visit!”

“Let me guess,” Logan said slowly, crossing his arms. “You don’t have anywhere else to go. Forgot to pay your rent again? Got kicked out?”

“I’m just between houses, that’s all,” she huffed, and I winced.

“Mom, I’m sorry, but you can’t.”

“You’re really going to kick your own mother out? After everything I’ve done for you? You’re the reason I’m living like this. You were supposed to do something with yourself and help me!” she snapped, making Logan scoff.

“How was he supposed to do something with himself when you never had any money for food, let alone a decent education?”

“He went to school!” she argued, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

“I missed half of elementary school, middle school was all over the place, and I only finished high school because the teachers allowed me extra time to do my exams. You really think a kid from the Heights with barely over the line education is going to be a CEO or something?” I asked, motioning to Logan. “Logan and Rae only passed because I made sure we had books and money to go. Logan struggled with school, so I found him a tutor. That took money from our bills, but it got him to pass. Raven didn’t want to go to school at all because she was so messed up from her brother dying, but you know what? I dragged her every damn day to make sure she passed. We all studied together, despite knowing none of us would ever go to college, but we did it to try to set us up for the future even a little more than most kids around here.”

I watched her, both loving and hating the proud look in her eye.

“That’s good. It means you’ll find a good job. We could get a house together again.”

“I love you, but I can’t live with you again,” I whispered. “Living with you means strange people in the house partying or fucking you on the couch. Drugs and alcohol scattered everywhere, and living in filth.”

“If I lived with you, then I wouldn’t have to fuck on the couch for money. Don’t you see? It would be good,” she said with a smile. “I wouldn’t have to work anymore.”

“He’s not your fucking husband. Don’t sponge off your kid,” Logan grunted, his voice not hiding his disgust. “Your job was to provide for him until he became an adult. To make sure he was clothed, fed, and educated. You were barely there, you know?”

“I had to work!”

“People do both every day! They work, raise their kids, and make sure they’re not fucking neglected!” Logan bit out. I wanted to tell him to mind his own business and leave her alone, but the words wouldn’t come out. I should’ve just let Raven send her packing in the first place, but she was my mom and I loved her. “Reid was six when he started coming here with Josh because you’d locked him out of the house. He was eight when he moved in permanently because you just didn’t come home one day. He still somehow went to school, helped cook and clean here since Raven’s parents are both deadbeats like you and had bailed by then. By nine, he was doing jobs after school every day with Josh so we had money to eat, since the neighbor who’d been feeding us moved away. By thirteen, he was holding the damn household together after Josh died, making sure Raven didn’t disappear in her grief and ensured she kept up with school.”

“You listen to me?—”

“No, Isla. You can listen to me. Reid has been a better parent to us than you ever were to him. He worked, cleaned, cooked, and looked after us way more than necessary so we could be kids for as long as possible. He handled the bills and taught us how to live, even if that meant to steal when we had no money. You know who helped Raven when she got her first period and thought she was dying? Reid. When I failed my math exam in high school, who do you think went to my teacher and begged to let me take it again? Reid. If he could do all of that as a kid, as well as make money and get an education, then you have no excuse. I don’t care that you got on your back for money, I care that any money you made went to fucking meth instead of food for your damn son.”

His phone beeped with a message, stopping his rant as he pulled it from his pocket to check, relief filling his face instantly as he wrote a reply.

“Is that Rae?” I asked hopefully.

“Lopez. He’s with her and taking her for some food.” Another message came through and he replied again before looking over at me. “I’ll let them know when your mom’s gone so they can come home.”

I hated this. I wanted to help Mom, but there was no way I was going to even humor her staying a few days. She’d never leave, and Raven wouldn’t stay here with her either.

Despite what I’d said to Raven, this was her home, and I wanted her comfortable in it.

“Reid?” Mom said sharply, getting to her feet. “Tell him I’m staying.”

I blew out a breath, shaking my head. “I can give you a little more money if it helps, but you can’t stay. I love you, but?—”

“No, you fucking don’t. I gave you life and you’re throwing me out on the street to fend for myself!”

“I think you’ll survive. Reid did,” Logan said dryly, motioning to the door. “Please, leave.”

“How much money do you have?” she asked me, and I hesitated before reaching into my pocket for my wallet. I gave her another thirty, her eyes narrowing. “That’s it?”

“I’ve given you fifty and left myself twenty,” I said weakly, not fighting it as she snatched my last twenty.

“You need to learn to respect me more. Hopefully this will be enough to find somewhere to sleep tonight,” she hissed, stalking out and slamming the door behind her.

“Fuck!” I snapped, slamming my fist down onto the table with a bang as Logan moved to lock the door to make sure she couldn’t let herself back in.

“She’s never going to change, bro,” Logan muttered, leaning back against the door to cross his arms. “A normal parent would rather starve if it meant their kid could eat. She doesn’t care about you, she only cares what you can give her.”

“You want me to just let my mom live in the gutter?” I demanded, and he didn’t even hesitate to answer.

“Yeah, dude. I do. She’s a piece of shit. My mom’s rotting in a prison cell, and I hope she never sees the light of day again. Blood doesn’t mean loyalty, and we owe our parents nothing.”

“My mom just needs help. It’s not like she tried to sell me for money or let her clients touch me like yours did,” I threw back, knowing I’d fucked up when he recoiled.

Logan didn’t talk about his mom much, she’d left him with more trauma than any kid I’d known. I was his best friend and knew better than to even bring it up like that.

“Shit, Logan—” I started, but he shook his head with a humorless laugh.

“You’re really on a roll today, aren’t you? I’m relieved your mom never sold you or let people molest you for money. I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst goddamn enemy. Just remember that while you’re protecting your junkie mom who abandoned you, you’re pushing away the only family you have that actually appreciates everything you do for them and would rather die than see you get hurt. You want to help Isla? Go on then, go get a cute little house with her and spend the rest of your life babysitting her until she ODs. By then, Raven will be married to someone who actually gives a shit about her, probably with kids, and you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.”

“No one’s going to touch Raven,” I snapped, not liking the amused smirk on his face.

“Whatever you think. Put her first or fuck off. I mean it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Raven can do what she wants, I’m not stopping her and neither is Zavier. You hurt her today. Again. And now you’re going to try and lash out at me?” I knew he was going to punch me before he even lifted his hand, the force making me stumble slightly as I rubbed my tender cheek. “We might be friends, but you have to remember that she was my friend first. If you treat her like shit, I won’t side with you. Just because your parents weren’t as bad as mine, doesn’t make them good. Your dad probably would’ve beaten you just like mine did if yours had been part of your life. Your mom’s taste in clients and men sucks. You think she’s a good parent because she didn’t let people touch you? You sat in filth for weeks on end, almost starving to death if it wasn’t for you rummaging in the fucking trash or stealing shit. She took it out on you when she was coming down from a high, just like mine did.” He was breathing harder now, standing over me and giving me a shove. “Open your fucking eyes, Reid. She only wants you around so you can make her some money for her drugs. You’re a meal ticket, nothing more. She will always love the drugs more than she could ever love you, and nothing you do will change that.” His words stung despite me knowing he was right, and I winced as he slammed his fist into my face again. “That’s for hurting Raven.”

He stormed off to his bedroom, leaving me alone, and the house suddenly felt so lonely.

Logan

Reid was way out of line. Being an asshole to Raven was already going to earn him a punch, but bringing up my mom brought out a whole different type of rage from me. He was lucky I didn’t knock his teeth down his throat.

I clenched my fists as I sat on the bed with my back against the headboard, fighting the urge to go and punch him again. I flinched at the memories of rough hands on me, squeezing my eyes shut as if to block out their voices and the pain I’d felt in those moments.

Mom never stuck to the boundaries she’d set, not when those men offered her more money.

The looking only rule hadn’t lasted long when she was offered more to let them come on me. Then that rule changed again when they wanted to touch me just to feel my skin on them.

A few months after my sixth birthday, all boundaries were gone as long as they paid.

It was a sick world we lived in when a scared six-year-old boy made more money than his willing slut of a mother.

Raven only knew because I’d snuck in her bedroom window one night when I was eight, a black eye and blood running down my thighs. That client had been a regular, I could still remember the smell he’d left on my skin.

He’d traded his time with me for heroin this time.

Mom was so fucked up on it that she didn’t even hear me screaming for her to make him stop.

Raven had begged me to tell Josh and Reid so they could help me, which was the only reason I’d told them too. I’d opened up to Zavier once when we were bonding over parent trauma, but we hadn’t spoken about it since.

Someone touched me and I shoved them back, my heartbeat hammering as I blinked to try and focus. Raven was sprawled out on the floor, rubbing her head.

“Um, ouch,” she grumbled, and I scrambled off the bed to kneel beside her.

“Shit, I didn’t know it was you. You hit your head?” My fingers explored her scalp, and she winced as I found the tender spot. “I’m sorry. I?—”

“I know better than to startle any of you when you’re lost in your thoughts,” she said like it was no big deal. I’d hurt her, so of course it was a big deal.

“What did you hit your head on?”

She hesitated, not wanting to answer me, but she finally sighed. “Bedside table. I’m okay, I promise.”

“I could’ve cracked your head open,” I scowled, parting her hair to make sure she wasn’t bleeding.

“What triggered you this time?”

“You just surprised me.”

“I meant what triggered your flashbacks. You were having a freak-out,” she said softly, slowly reaching out to cup my cheek. “Talk to me.”

I got to my feet and pulled her up with me, moving us towards the bed to sit down.

“I kind of lost it at Isla, and then Reid said some nasty shit to me. He was basically saying his mom deserves help because she’s not like my mom,” I mumbled. “She took all of his money again.”

She took my hand, giving it a squeeze. “He brought up your mom?”

“Yeah. Sounds like he wants to give his mom a medal for not letting him get molested,” I said in a hollow voice, my thumb rubbing back and forth across the back of her hand. “He gave you shit for not paying for things?”

“I’m getting a job,” she said instantly, and I nodded.

“Figured you’d say that. We’ll find something for you.”

Her face lit up at my acceptance, which made me feel like an asshole. I hadn’t meant to control her, I just hadn’t wanted her to worry about things like money.

If she really wanted a job, I couldn’t stop her.

“You’ll help?”

“Yeah, baby. Where’s Reid and Zavier?” I asked, lifting our joined hands to kiss her knuckles.

“Talking in the kitchen, I think. I walked right past Reid,” she shrugged, making me feel bad when she ran a hand through her hair and winced as she touched the sore spot.

“Come here,” I murmured, lying down and tugging her with me, wrapping my arms around her. She curled into me, and I couldn’t help it when I dropped a lazy kiss on her lips.

At first, she pulled back and shot a worried glance at the door, but then I lightly grabbed her throat to bring her closer, whispering over her lips. “I don’t even care if he walks in right this second. Kiss me.”

I waited, not wanting to push her, and she finally leaned into me to give me what I wanted. I kept my hand around her throat, loving how she shuddered against me as I pulled her ever closer with my free arm and teased her lower lip with my tongue.

She opened for me, her body arching into mine as a soft moan left her, and I struggled not to tear her pants off and rail her.

When her hand brushed my tented pants, I groaned. “We’ve got to stop.”

She huffed, rolling onto her back to stare up at the ceiling. “I hate this. Maybe we should just tell him.”

“Okay. Let’s do it right now then,” I said as I went to stand, but she grabbed my hand and pulled me back down.

“Wait. Maybe just one more day. Once it’s out, we’ll all be fighting about it for weeks,” she replied with a cringe.

“One more day and then we’ll tell him?” I asked to confirm, and she nodded. “Okay. I punched him for you, just so you know.”

“Thanks,” she said dryly, glancing up as Zavier appeared in the doorway.

“Reid’s crashing at Riley’s tonight so everyone can cool down a little. Do either of you two want to talk to him before he leaves?” he asked, giving me a knowing look when we both snorted. “Figured, but I thought I’d check. I’ll let you know when it’s safe to come out.”

He shut the door as he left again, and I waggled my eyebrows at Raven. “Want to sit on my face?”

She laughed, just like I’d hoped. “Maybe later. You okay now?”

“I’m good,” I nodded, getting to my feet to stretch. “How about you have a relaxing shower while I clean the house a little?”

She looked like she wanted to argue, but she agreed, giving me a quick kiss on her way out the door.

We all spent the rest of the day cleaning the house and catching up on laundry once Reid was gone. I’d just finished cleaning my bedroom when I heard the distinct sound of Raven getting off.

I followed the sounds to the kitchen, finding her sprawled out naked on the kitchen counter, her hands in Zavier’s hair as he ate her pussy.

“Damn, dinner time already?” I joked, walking closer to tweak her nipple. “A little rude to start without me, Lopez.”

He lifted his head and grinned, licking right along her slit as he watched me. “You got a head start on this. I’m just catching up.”

Raven jerked as he teased her clit, her fingers tightening in his hair. “Less talking, more licking.”

I snickered, my dick hardening as Zavier did as he was told and made her spine arch off the counter. “You’re such a dirty girl. Make him get you nice and wet for me.”

One of her hands blindly reached for the front of my shirt to drag me closer, and I leaned down to kiss her as I palmed one of her tits.

She moaned into my mouth, grabbing my hand and dragging it down her body to where Zavier was working his magic. He took the hint, moving lower to focus on her pussy so I could play with her clit, and we were rewarded by a curse as Raven begged for more between kisses.

Zavier’s arms banded around her thighs to stop her from escaping us, and she cried out as her orgasm tore through her, my lips trailing to her neck as I continued to slowly rub her clit.

Zavier stood, and she didn’t hesitate to grab him by the shirt and haul him practically on top of her to kiss him.

I was just starting to unbutton my jeans when gunshots sounded outside.

I grabbed Raven’s clothes off the floor and shoved them at her, leaving Zavier to help her get dressed as I stepped into the living room to peek out the window, not having the chance before it shattered and bullets whizzed past me.

“Get down!” I shouted, dropping to the floor and sliding on my stomach to the other window that was boarded up from asshole kids, peeking out the small crack in the wood. It was the same car that had been following Raven and Zavier yesterday.

More bullets hit the house before the car sped off, my heart hammering in my chest as I vaguely heard Raven scream my name.

Not knowing the enemy was worrisome. We had zero idea what they wanted, but it was obvious they were trying to at least send a message.

I slowly got to my feet and backed out of the room to the kitchen, glancing at Zavier and Raven who were getting to their feet too.

Raven tripped over her own feet as she stumbled towards me, and I caught her, pulling her against my chest to comfort her. “Hey, I’m okay. Are you hurt?”

She didn’t respond, most likely dealing with flashbacks from her brother’s murder, so I held her a little tighter so she knew I was there.

“Same car?” Zavier asked, cursing when I nodded. “What the fuck do they want?”

“Swear to me that you’re not involved in anything,” Raven demanded in a panicked tone as she turned to face him. She was trembling, her breathing rapid as she tried to fight off a panic attack.

“I promise. I’m not involved with anything,” he said in a firm voice, reaching out to take her head in his hands. She winced as he touched the tender part of her scalp, and he frowned as he gently ran his fingers over what I assumed was the bump I’d caused her earlier. “What happened here?” Her eyes flicked to mine briefly in silence, and he glared at me. “Logan?”

I blew out a breath, knowing he was going to be pissed at me. “It was an accident. Reid and I had a fight about his mom, which he then dragged my mom into the conversation. I got stuck in my own head about it and Raven startled me.”

“You fucking hit her?”

“No. I shoved her away when she touched me, not realizing it was her. She hit her head on the bedside table,” I mumbled, his face softening a fraction.

“It’s been a while since you’ve gotten lost in your head like that.” He turned to Raven again, dropping a kiss on her forehead that had her entire body relaxing a fraction. “No concussion?”

“No,” she sighed, poking her head into the living room hesitantly to assess the damage. “What now?”

“I guess we’ll board this one up too. I’ll call Cruz to update him,” Zavier muttered, eyeing the broken glass on the floor as he pulled his phone from his pocket.

“You call Reid, I’ll talk to Cruz,” I replied, noticing Raven texting someone with shaky fingers. “Who are you talking to?”

“Beckett. She’d want to know what happened too,” she answered, not looking up at me. I never thought Raven and Beckett would become friends, but I was a little thankful for it. Raven didn’t have many friends outside of us, and I knew she’d be safe with Beckett if they wanted girl time alone.

Cami was a nice girl, but she was a hot mess. Raven liked her when she was sober, but that was rare, so they weren’t exactly besties. They barely even talked unless they ran into each other at the Pit.

“Good idea,” I answered, finding Cruz’s number in my phone and calling him, not surprised when he answered after the first ring.

“What’s up?”

“Just wanted to keep you in the loop. Our stalker hit us with a drive-by,” I said dryly, hearing a door close in the background.

“Shit, everyone okay?”

“Yeah, we’re fine. Still no idea who it is?”

“Nope. They’re leaving the car somewhere out of camera view, so we don’t see them getting in or out of it. Windows are too tinted to see inside too.” The sound of computer keys started, and he sighed. “I hate to ask, but Lopez isn't involved with anything, is he?”

“Raven asked him and he said no. He got most of his jobs through Ander, who he hasn’t heard from in months.”

“So maybe it’s someone after Raven? Her dad’s a piece of shit, right? Could it be connected to him?”

“Doubtful. He hasn’t been here in nine years,” I stated, hearing Zavier trying to convince Reid to stay at Riley’s. I didn’t want to see him right now, or I’d likely throw hands at him.

I loved Reid, he’d always be my brother, but he was being a jackass lately, and the space was definitely needed before we all killed each other.

“Stone and Knox are out on a job, but Drake and I can come around. I’ll leave one of the other guys to hold the fort while we’re gone,” he offered, and as much as I hated having to ask for help, I knew we had to get to the bottom of this in order to keep everyone safe.

“Thanks, man.”

“Stay inside until we get there. That way we can have someone on lookout in case they come back,” he ordered, hanging up before I could answer him.

I turned to Raven, giving her an apologetic look. “Cruz and Drake are on the way. The rest of your orgasms will have to wait.”

“Beckett’s coming over too,” she chuckled, amusement flashing in her eyes now that the panic had subsided. “I’m not really in the mood for orgasms right now. Someone just shot at the fucking house, in case you missed it.”

“Violence makes me horny,” Zavier joked as he joined us again. “Convinced Reid to stay at Riley’s since no one was hurt.”

“Cruz, Drake, and Beckett are on the way over,” I said with a sigh as I looked towards the kitchen counter. “I guess we’d better wipe Raven’s cum off the counter before our guests arrive.”