Redemption Hills: The Complete Collection
38. Aster
64%
THIRTY-EIGHT
ASTER
My phone buzzed on the island. I all but skipped over to where I’d left it. I got a full body buzz whenever I thought of Logan, which was basically every second of every day.
So, what if I was happy.
I deserved it.
We deserved it.
Was I terrified? Of course. We had so much to overcome. But we would do it.
Together.
We had to.
There was no other option.
After my conversation with my father two days ago, it’d been cemented. Courage had weaved its way into my fiber, knitting me into a ferocity that I’d never felt before.
The smile I wore completely shifted when I saw it wasn’t Logan texting me from the office but rather my sister returning mine from yesterday.
One that’d simply said, Miss you , which I’d sent with an undercurrent of a message that she needed to get somewhere private so we could talk.
Taylor
Hi. Are you good?
Me
Yes, are you? Call?
Taylor
Can’t. Hidden in a closet at the end of the hall. All stealth like.
Affection sprang into my chest. No doubt, she was thrilled by the scandalous mission.
Taylor
How are you?
I hesitated, warring with what to say, wishing we were normal and we could sit cross-legged on my bed and gossip about boys.
One day.
So I settled on simplicity.
Me
Safe.
Taylor
And well-fucked, I hope?
She had no idea.
Me
Taylor.
I filled as much of a reprimand as I could into her name.
Taylor
Aster.
I could almost see her pouty face as she tossed it right back.
A giggle slipped free, so I gave her a little more.
Me
I’m happy. Really happy.
Her response came in quickly behind.
Taylor
Mmhmm…nothing like some of that good D to make a girl happy.
She capped it with a winky face.
Me
You are ridiculous.
Taylor
Ridiculous and right. Admit it. I can feel your afterglow all the way down in Los Angeles.
Me
Fine.
That was as good as she was going to get.
Taylor
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I knew it!
Light laughter floated out, and I glanced around at the silent apartment. I didn’t know why it felt like this conversation had to be covert. I guessed it felt like an extension of what Taylor was going through. The truth that she was taking a risk by trying to help me. I’d put her in a bad spot, but I needed her help.
I hesitated, then let my fingers fly across the screen.
Me
Do you know anything about Papa having connections in Russia?
It took a second for her to respond. My heart thudded in my chest while I waited. Nerves rattling. I could feel it, we were right there.
Taylor
No fucking way. He wouldn’t. You know that. His pride is too big for that.
Me
Jarek went at least four times this last summer.
Taylor
SHUT. UP.
Me
That’s what we’ve learned, at least.
Taylor
And you need to know why.
I could see her brain spinning.
Me
Yeah.
Taylor
And you think the why is in that bag.
She didn’t even phrase it as a question. Her mind was already adding it up and coming to the quick conclusion.
Me
I have to believe something is in there.
Taylor
Don’t worry because I think I figured out how to get inside.
Antsy anticipation slipped beneath my skin.
Me
How?
Taylor
I’m going to seduce the biker.
My heart nearly popped out of my chest when she sent a picture of the scariest guy I’d ever seen. He was outside the house I’d lived at for the last seven years, leaning against the wall with a cigarette dangling from his mouth and his motorcycle boot kicked back on the brick. Dark hair, covered in ink, the patch on his cut claiming Demon’s Day .
Taylor was right. He looked like kicking kittens was his favorite hobby.
Me
Are you insane? You cannot seduce the biker.
Anxiety clawed through my senses. I couldn’t exchange the safety of one of us for the downfall of the other. It was insanity.
A second later, her response buzzed through.
Taylor
Why can’t I have sexy times with an uber hot biker if you get to?
Me
Logan is not a biker.
Taylor
Oh, please, that boy may wear a suit, but he has biker blood all the way down in his soul. Piss him off and see what happens.
Okay, fine, she was right, but that didn’t change things.
Me
I refuse to put you in danger, Taylor. I only asked for this favor if Dominic could slip in unnoticed, not for you to go on a suicide mission.
Taylor
Death by orgasm. Sign me up.
I tried to hold back a screech of frustration.
Me
Please don’t do something stupid.
Taylor
It’s not stupid if it’s for you.
I could feel the tone of her voice soften.
Taylor
Besides, Dom’s out. This mission is on me. And this guy looks like a challenge.
I blew out a sigh, warring, unsure of what to do. She responded before I got the chance to.
Taylor
Trust me, Aster. Please.
The affection that pulled tight across my chest almost felt like pain.
Me
Just be careful. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.
Taylor
I love you, too.
Me
You know I do.
Me
And delete this thread before Papa sees it, and he locks you away forever.
Taylor
Done, big sister. Don’t worry yourself. I have it handled. I’ll be in touch soon. Stay safe.
She finished it off with a row of blowing-kiss faces.
While I stood there terrified of what I’d gotten her into.