Speak No Evil: Brotherhood Trilogy, #2

By Jordan Ford

She's eighteen, pregnant and terrified. He's injured, alone and dying on the ice. Can two strangers protect each other from the dangers that are coming for them?

 

Kade is supposed to be having a good time, partying and living it up. Sick of playing bodyguard to his best friend's runaway girlfriend, he leaves the mountainside town they've been hiding in, knowing the stakes are high. If he gets caught, he puts his brothers in danger.

But he doesn't count on getting mugged and left for dead. And he definitely doesn't count on being rescued by a girl with secrets of her own…

As Julienne, a down-on-her-luck runaway hiding from an abusive ex-boyfriend, nurses Kade back to health, an uneasy bond forms between them. They need each other, even if they don't realize it, and even if they have a hard time accepting it. Because danger is coming at them from both sides, and they must figure out if they can trust each other... before it's too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jordan Ford
• Release date: Mar 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781991150028

Jordan Ford

Jordan Ford is a teen and young-adult romance author. She loves to write romance novels filled with angst, mystery, danger and first love. If you're looking for heartfelt romance, loyal friendships, thrilling drama and characters you can fall in love with, then you're in the right place. "Writing romance brings me the greatest joy. My heart bubbles, my insides zing, and I am at my happiest when immersed in a great scene with characters who have become real to me."   Jordan Ford is a Forever Love Publishing author. You can download their Starter Library (3 books for FREE) here: http://bit.ly/FLP_Library CONTACT INFORMATION: Website: www.jordanfordbooks.com Email: [e-mail]

Book preview

1

LITTLE PINK LINES

JULIENNE

It’s Valentine’s Day and I’ve just been given the worst gift of my life.

The white plastic shakes in my hand as I stare at my impending doom.

Two little pink lines.

Tears fill my eyes. I should be waking up to a bunch of roses on my doorstep, and looking forward to a romantic dinner.

But no.

I’m perched on the lid of a toilet, in a bathroom the size of a matchbox…trying not to drop a pregnancy test.

Two pink lines.

The test clatters onto the floor. I cover my mouth, holding in the sobs jerking my belly.

Fisting my T-shirt, I push my knuckles into my stomach and lean over. I’m going to throw up, or maybe faint. I’m not sure.

My head is spinning. Little pink lines are whirling in front of me. I can hear their faint laughter in the back of my mind.

You’ve sealed your fate now, Julienne.

This can’t be happening. I’m eighteen years old. I’m supposed to have my whole life ahead of me. A future filled with choices.

My choices.

I have an escape plan—a chance to start over.

I even dropped out of school last year to get a job and start saving.

I need to get out of Carson City.

My grades weren’t good enough for any kind of college scholarship, and it’s not like my dad’s going to shell out. I figured what’s the point of getting my high school diploma when I could be earning money towards a plan.

My plan.

An escape.

So, work and save. That’s been my mantra. Work and save. My only goal for the last ten months.

I’ve been lying to my dad about how much I earn. He doesn’t know when I hand over my weekly wages that I’m actually hiding a portion of them so that one day soon I’ll be able to split and find a new start somewhere else.

How the hell am I supposed to do that with a baby on the way?

A baby. I choke out the words like I’ve just swallowed a vial of poison.

I swore I wouldn’t let myself get locked in like Mom. She got pregnant with me and married Dad without even thinking about it. Three kids later and she spends every night with an asshole who could lose it at any moment.

I know just what he’ll say when he finds out about me.

What the hell is wrong with you? His voice will boom in my ear. He’ll grab my shirt and lean over me, his spittle hitting my skin as he lets his anger loose. Mom will cry while Dad shouts abuse and accuses me of being a thoughtless slut.

He’ll save his fists for Mom. She’ll get a slap before bed for being an incompetent parent.

Shit, I whisper. I can’t be the reason she gets beaten.

I’ve begged her to leave him so many times but she won’t. Apparently he’s a good man underneath it all and she loves him.

I don’t feel the same way.

I sniff and close my eyes. The tears I’m fighting break free, rolling down my cheeks—two pitiful trails of self-loathing.

Haven’t I gone and done just what my mother did? Fallen for a guy who doesn’t care about anyone but himself.

Antonio Mossa—twenty years old and so damn hot. He strutted into the diner like he owned it.

When he first approached me with his dark brown eyes and smooth smile, I’d been nothing but workable putty. I rang up his bill, charging him too little because my shaky fingers hit all the wrong buttons on the register.

Frank gave me an earful later. Took the mistake from my wages. At the time, I thought it’d been worth it because when I left work that night, Antonio had been outside waiting for me. There was a strength about him I couldn’t resist. When he asked me out, I didn’t even think to say no. There’d been no room for refusal. That’s just the way he was. I would have done anything for him…and I did.

Hey, Jules, you all right in there? Frank raps on the door. I jolt and nearly slip off the toilet.

Jerking up straight, I slash the tears off my face. Yeah, I’m good.

Okay. Well, can you hurry it up? We’ve got tables filling out here.

I’ll just be one more minute. My voice shakes as I scramble to hide the evidence of my life-shattering discovery.

Snatching the test, I look at it again, hoping the lines have somehow magically disappeared.

They haven’t.

This life that I’m so desperately trying to escape doesn’t play fair.

Burying the test in the bottom of the trashcan, I wash my trembling hands and gaze at my reflection.

Antonio’s fingers were so soft and alluring when they brushed down my cheek, coaxing me out of my shell…my clothes.

We’d been secretly dating for three months. I thought it was romantic. I thought our clandestine dates might one day lead to something more. He could rescue me, whisk me away to a better life.

But there’d be no whisking.

Antonio dumped me two weeks ago. He’s stopped by for a couple of late-night rendezvous since, but we’re no longer officially together. Both times I’ve given in to him…like a desperate idiot. I think he might change his mind, but he doesn’t.

He’s obviously still scared of his father finding out about us.

If he knew I was dating a Jap, he’d flip out, Antonio told me, the night he broke it off.

I’m only half Japanese, I dared to argue back. My mother was born and raised here. She doesn’t even speak Japanese anymore.

He shrugged. That won’t matter. It’s family tradition to hate all Japs.

Why?

Because you bombed the shit out of Pearl Harbor. You basically killed an entire generation of Mossa men.

That was years ago! I obviously had nothing to do with that.

Antonio brushed a finger under his nose, like breaking my heart was no big deal. Hey, I don’t hate you, okay? I just can’t date you anymore.

And he’d walked away…just like that. Leaving me with nothing but a healthy sperm.

A breathy sob escapes before I can press my lips together and hold it in.

I wonder what he’ll say next time he comes back for a booty call. I won’t give in this time. What’s the point? The second he finds out I’m pregnant, he’ll never speak to me again.

Pinching my nose, I will myself not to lose it. I still have four hours before my shift ends. I have money to earn. I’ll need it more than ever now.

Swinging the bathroom door open, I smooth down my apron and force a smile.

Took your time, Frank mumbles as I brush past him.

I pretend not to hear his little quip. Grabbing a pad and pen, I scan my section of the diner, hating the red balloons Frank made me inflate this morning and the stupid paper hearts Sonia stuck to the windows.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Not for everyone.

I close my eyes and draw in a breath, then head to Table 19. A group of older men are all staring up at the TV.

It’s been two months since the disappearance of the Eton Prep teens, and police are still at a loss as to where the boys might be. I glance at the screen. Three pictures are on display. Three handsome faces—boys who’ve known wealth their whole lives. Not my type of people.

Hey, guys, can I⁠—?

Shh. The man cuts me off, waving a finger at me. These rich schools aren’t all they’re cut out to be, he mutters to his friends.

The news report continues. "Authorities insist they are still looking into the boys’ disappearance, but sources close to the investigation admit there is no new evidence, and no new leads on the boys’ whereabouts.

Questions are being raised over the security of the school, with parents concerned by why the administration could not keep better track of its students. Two of the most affluent families in the school have withdrawn their sons in their senior year. Mr. Vanderbelt stated that he does not wish for his son to attend a school that is run by a group of incompetents. Eton Prep has not responded to these comments and refuses to make any kind of statement about the other student who attended for less than a semester. Chris Lorden was withdrawn from the school the same day as Ivan Vanderbelt, but speculation that these two voluntary departures are linked has been denied. Mr. and Mrs. Lorden have declined to comment. The biggest question still remains: What has happened to the three Eton Prep runaways?

Bet them rich boys did something illegal and are hiding out until it blows over. The guy to my right humphs.

The school’s in the middle of nowhere. What trouble could they possibly get up to? his friend counters.

I gaze up at the screen again, studying those handsome young faces, wondering where they are and why they ran away in the first place.

They don’t look like trouble.

But looks can be deceiving.

I thought Antonio Mossa would be my knight in shining armor.

Glancing down at my stomach, a sick sense of dread surges up my throat as I realize how futile my pipe dream was.

There is no knight.

There will be no rescue.

I’m on my own…with less than a thousand bucks hidden under my bed…and a tiny life growing in my belly.

2

GOTTA SPLIT

KADE

Who knew Valentine’s Day could be so painful.

I press my head back into the couch cushions and glare up at the ceiling. Trey and Ana are up to something in their bedroom. I cringe every time she giggles, and I’m so close to smashing my fist into the wall.

Trey gets to lie down next to a pretty girl every night of the week. I don’t know how much they get up to, but if it were me, I’d be getting some.

Two months.

Two freaking months in these isolated mountains and I’m going crazy.

All we’ve been doing is fixing up this run-down cabin. We don’t know shit about shit, so we have to research everything and problem-solve our way through.

Water is running in the bathroom again. It’s no longer the color of poo, but the pressure still sucks. Showers have to be fast because Riley gets stressed that the tank supply will run out. Every hole in the exterior has been patched. The cabin is no longer an icebox. We’re comfortable. Sort of.

I have my own room, but the springs in my bed creak every time I roll over.

I’m bored.

I shouldn’t be. We’re busy as hell. Working every damn day—mending, cleaning, sorting. Trying to make this place more and more livable.

But I didn’t sign up for this.

We should be prepping for college. We had a plan! And I loved the plan!

But now we’re hiding in the middle of nowhere. And I don’t like it.

People aren’t supposed to depend on each other this much. It’s dangerous.

There’s safety in numbers, you know?

I loved being Kade, Trey and Riley when we were surrounded by a bunch of other people. Everyone else provided a safety net that could save me if Riley and Trey suddenly got sick of having me around.

A harsh childhood memory scrapes the back of my brain and I lurch up straight, fisting my hand and banging it on my knee.

I’d do anything for Trey—he’s my brother—but this is too much.

I need to see other people, make out with girls, get a little drunk.

I want to party again. It’s always the safest bet—crowds, girls I’ll never see again, shallow conversations. Excitement. An adrenaline rush. I need that again.

The most exciting thing we’ve done since Christmas is explore the area. We hiked up into the hills and nearly got attacked by a mountain lion.

It was a rush…the only one I’ve had since getting here.

I’m a city boy. I don’t know shit about the woods and how to live up here! I want a grocery store with fifty different types of cereal. I want to stand in the chip aisle trying to figure out if I want BBQ or Plain.

Trey’s loving it. Sawing, hammering, carrying heavy shit around. Figuring out how to do a bunch of manly stuff. Who knew the guy was such a caveman?

Ana’s into it, that’s for sure. Those hungry eyes of hers are damn sexy.

It’s time I had some hungry eyes on me.

The two of them have fallen in love, acting like a married couple as they set up a life here, forgetting the fact that we’re fugitives.

Well, not fugitives. We haven’t broken any laws, except maybe stealing that truck.

But we’re in hiding like a bunch of felons.

Gunshots pepper the back of my mind.

Bullet holes in the windshield.

Trey’s cry as Ana slumps against him.

Her father killed the guy who accidentally shot her. He was actually aiming for Trey but she jumped in the way. True love, I guess.

I scoff and shake my head.

They almost make it look appealing, but I know better.

Love only gets you burned.

Part of me wants to warn Trey, but I just don’t have the heart. It’s not like he can just abandon Ana now.

But I can.

Shit, that makes me sound like such an asshole. It’s not like that, I just…

I need light and fun again. Everything up here is too intense.

I want that natural high with no adverse consequences.

When we were at Eton, we’d get weekend passes into town. We’d have a good time. I’d take off for a casual hookup with one of the girls from Williams or Schuster. I just needed that moment—that one blinding moment—when all that mattered was how good our bodies felt.

The guys understood. We’d head into town and I’d split for an hour or so. No big deal.

But I can’t split here.

I’m stuck in this chick-less wasteland.

Oh man, I need to find me some honeys.

I’ve got to have that rush again. The one that makes me forget.

Moans slip through the cracks in the wood. I cover my ears, shooting off the couch and heading outside.

Pressing my hands against the railing, I stare out across the vast mountain ranges. I have to admit they’re kind of breathtaking, but I don’t want to dampen my unrest. I want to fuel it.

I need to get out of this place.

The motorcycle I’ve been working on is ready to go. All that’s left is to tell my brothers I’m leaving.

Trey will be pissed.

Riley will be disappointed, but that’s not a big change. The guy’s been moody since moving up here. It’s obviously bringing back memories from his childhood. The cabin belongs to his uncle. We have no idea what happened to the guy. Riley hasn’t returned to the middle of freaking nowhere since his parents died.

His uncle’s body is probably somewhere in the forest. He was a hermit and no doubt died in a hunting accident or something, but there was no one around to look for him.

People are looking for us, though.

Riley figured out how to get us online through some private, untraceable VPN, IP, something-or-other. I don’t know what it’s called. When he starts talking in technical terms, I tune out.

We’ve been tracking the news. Looks like the search for us is simmering down.

So it’s time for me to go.

I haven’t been more than three miles from the house since getting here.

Riley’s been lucky enough to head into town. It was a risk we discussed for two whole days before finally relenting. We needed supplies.

Out of the three of us, Riley looked the most different with his stubble. He’s usually so young and clean-cut, but the blond chin fluff really changes him. Ana cut his hair, then brushed back his floppy bangs. He slipped on a pair of old glasses we found in his Uncle Rafe’s room. It was enough.

His first trip down to Legacy was the longest ninety minutes of my life. Trey and I paced trenches in the snow waiting for him to return.

When I heard the sound of the old car grinding up the hill, I started running. Riley was gunning it up the steep slope with a grin on his face.

Success.

He’s always been the man who can get us what we need, and yet again, he delivered.

We celebrated with chips and beer for dinner. It was pretty triumphant.

Since then, Riley (aka Ryan Jones) has wrapped a solid backstory around himself and so far, no one has visited the cabin or bothered to check him out. Weird for such a small town. From what I’ve read in books and seen in movies, small towns like Legacy are notorious for knowing each other’s business.

Maybe Legacy is different…or maybe we’re just unaware of eyes in the hills.

I swallow, doubts tickling the back of my throat.

But then Trey’s door clicks open. I glance back as he struts out of the room with this goofy smile on his face. He’s had the rush. Lucky bastard.

I’ve got to get out of here.

Trey spots my expression and frowns. What’s up, man?

Stepping onto the porch, he slides the door shut behind him and crosses his arms. That’s his battle-ready pose.

I don’t know what the hell my face is doing, but it obviously isn’t hiding much.

With a heavy sigh, I lean against the railing and get it over with. I gotta leave, man. I can’t do it anymore.

Trey’s dark eyebrows dip. Do what?

Be here in this little love nest, in the middle of frickin’ nowhere.

Trey’s head jolts back, his eyebrows popping high. Where the hell is this coming from?

Oh come on. You’re just too wrapped up with Ana to notice anything. Riley’s miserable. I throw my arms wide. And I’m going out of my mind! I can’t keep hiding up here with you guys.

It’s not safe yet, Trey grits out. They’re still looking for us. We’ve got to lay low.

They’ve stopped the search.

They haven’t closed the case yet! And the police aren’t our only threat, you know that!

I huff—a loud disgusted one. This isn’t my problem.

What!

I shake my head, turning my back on his instant wrath. He looks like a wolf ready to attack. I’m not afraid; I’m just annoyed this isn’t easier. "She’s not my girlfriend. Why should I have to stay and protect her?"

Because we’re family! Trey grabs my shoulder and spins me around. We’re all she’s got right now. If her father or uncle figure out she’s alive… His voice cuts off and he has to swallow to keep going. If they find her, she’s dead. Do you get that?

Yeah, I get it. And I don’t want anything bad to happen to her, but when we came up here to hide, I figured it would be a few weeks. It’s been two months, Trey. I hold up my fingers, my voice now booming. Two months! We should be finishing high school, applying to colleges right now. We had a plan!

Yeah, and that plan changed. Fate brought⁠—

Oh, would you shut up about fate. I spit out the last word, hoping to cut off his standard speech about how life doesn’t make sense but there’s no such thing as a coincidence.

An icy tension slices between us. Trey’s nostrils flare while my eyes narrow into thin slits.

A car rumbles up the hill behind me and I spin to see Riley pull up next to the motorcycle. He jumps out, about to give his standard smile before unloading the trunk, but it disappears before it can even form.

What’s wrong with you guys?

Kade wants to split, Trey growls, thumping down the stairs and going to unload the car.

Riley doesn’t move. He just keeps staring at me, a mixture of hurt and confusion.

I close my eyes with a sigh. Don’t look at me that way, man.

His boots crunch through the snow and when I open my eyes again, he’s standing just beneath me. Whipping off his glasses, he drills me with a firm look. How do you want me to look at you?

I want you to understand where I’m coming from. There’s nothing to do here except wait and hide.

There’s plenty to do here, Trey retorts. If you’d only help out.

I do help out! I’m hollering again and I don’t care. I’ve fixed up this place, I’ve worked my butt off for you guys, and I deserve… I huff. I’ve got to get off these mountains, find me some girls and go have a little fun. Come on, Ry, tell me you don’t want that too.

He just shrugs.

Jerk.

It’s not safe yet. Ana’s uncle was acquitted two weeks ago. He’ll be fired up. A look of disgust washes over his expression.

He’s still pissed Ana never testified.

Trey didn’t want her to, and she was really unsure which way to play it. She wants justice but she’s scared. Getting shot like that…

Riley and them argued for hours over it. In the end Trey won. Because Trey always wins.

But not this time.

Thumping back up the stairs with two bags of groceries, he curls his lip at me before opening the door and stepping inside. I spot Ana hovering in the kitchen. I catch her eye and