Maz glances at Birdie.
“Yeah,” Birdie says. “I set things in motion, I guess.”
“Not this,” I say. “This has nothing to do with what happened to you, Birdie. And Archer told me things were settled over Darby. The Detro family… it was all okay.”
“That was the same night you were kidnapped,” Maz says. “It looked really bad.”
“Did Archer go after the Detro family?” I ask.
“He wanted to,” Birdie says. “I think Cullen talked him down. Which was obviously smart.”
“Wait a second though,” Maz says. “This guy.Seth. He’s…”
I nod. “Yeah. He was the first guy I ever loved. All the firsts.”
“And he took you?” Maz asks. “Why?”
“That part I don’t know. I managed to escape his house. He was waiting for me. And he brought me here.”
“Maybe it’s about money,” Birdie says. “You’re anHeirhere. You’re protected by Cullen Doyle and Archer Amatti.”
“Seth is a scumbag,” I say. “But all this for money? I don’t think he’d want to be here. He could have written a letter or something.”
“True,” Birdie says. She takes her glasses off and pinches the bridge of her nose. “This is just too much. Way too much.”
“Tell me about it,” I say.
“Tell you?” Maz asks. “We’ve been pacing. Feeling sick. Forcing each other to eat. Watching Cullen and Archer run around like brokenhearted crazy guys. You better go see them. Really soon.”
“Leave Seth here,” Birdie says.
“I would never do that to you,” I say. “He’s trouble. And I can see the look in your eyes, Birdie. You like that kind of trouble.”
“Handcuff me to the bed?” Birdie whispers with a giggle.
“It’s not funny,” Maz says. “He kidnapped Jaci. He could have hurt her. He could have killed her.”
“He didn’t do that though,” I say. “I better get going. At least I know Cullen and Archer will be together.”
The bedroom door swings open and Seth stands there.
“Eavesdropping,” I say. “Shocker.”
He offered me his right hand. “Come on, Jaci.”
“Where to now?” I ask.
“I want to meet the two guys that are fucking the woman I love.”
Chapter 11
Istep outside and feel the cold air hit my face.
It smells like snow outside.
Seth grabs for my hand and I pull away without thinking.
He lets out a laugh.