Razor: A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance (9 page)

A loud crack sounded above my head and Aubrey let go of my wrist, letting out a pained cry.

“Fuck! You just broke my nose!”

Not wasting any time, Aubrey was still holding the sharp knife, and I scrambled away to safety on my hands and knees as a couple girls let out panicked cries.

I jumped to my feet and turned, just in time to see Mason rushing the stunned Aubrey. Mason collided with him with a grunt, and they went careening against a bookcase, knocking it over with a resounding crash, sending books flying everywhere.

Screams filled the room, yet I noticed several guys watching the commotion as if it was Monday Night RAW. The bastards.

Mason began laying into Aubrey, landing rapid punches to his bloodied face until the blonde dropped the knife he was holding. Aubrey tried to fight back, landing a few punches on Mason, but he was no match for the furious barrage.

At that moment, one of the librarians came running out from behind the desk with a walkie-talkie in her hand.

“Young man, stop!” she commanded the enraged Mason, gesturing at him frantically. “Get off of him!”

Mason ignored her, continuing to land blows on the guy who now had stopped fighting back, looking dazed, bloody, and confused.

“We need security!” she yelled into her transceiver, her face white with fear. “He’s going to kill this poor guy!”

“Mason stop!” I cried. “We’ve got to get out of here.”

Mason ignored me, intent on strangling the life out of the bastard.

“God damn it, Mason, listen to me!”

“We gotta go,” I repeated. “Before the cops get here.”

Slowly, Mason’s mask of anger faded away and he released Aubrey, who slumped across the pile of books, moaning and groaning.

Damn, his face looks like road kill.

“Fuck,” Mason muttered, seeming to come aware of his surroundings for the first time since he began pummeling the dude. “Let’s go.”

He jumped to his feet, grabbed my hand and began guiding me toward the exit.

“Where do you think you’re going?” The lady shouted at us. “Stop them!”

“You can’t leave until the campus police gets here,” A guy with a couple bystanders said, crossing his arms and planting his feet.

“Get the fuck out of my way, man,” Mason growled. He looked like he was ready to tear apart whoever or whatever the fuck stood in his way. “This has nothing to do with you.” He nodded at where Aubrey was moaning and groaning. “That guy over there threatened my girlfriend’s life. He deserved it.”

Though we were in a dire situation, warmth flowed through me. Mason had referred to me as his girlfriend. It felt good, even if it was fake.

The student looked unsure, glancing over at Aubrey, who was trying to rise unsteadily to his feet, and then at me.

“Is that true?” He asked me.

I nodded and sniffed, playing the victim. “The guy’s crazy. He had a knife — it should be lying around here somewhere. He threatened to gut me like a fish if I didn’t go with him quietly.” I let out a half sob and shook my head. “If it weren’t for my boyfriend showing up, who knows what would’ve happened.”

He stared at me for a moment, as if assessing my credibility, and then turned to mutter something to his friends. After a few glances and furtive whispers, they stepped out of our way.

Mason nodded as I sighed with relief and grabbed me by the arm and we ran for the exit.

As we reached the exit, I spared one last glance behind me. Aubrey had managed to climb unsteadily to his feet and was staring at us with hate through his bloody mask.

“You’re fucking dead, Razor!” He yelled as we fled through the door. “You hear me? Fucking dead!”

“
I
got him on camera
!” Andre announced triumphantly.

My heart pounded like a battering ram, and I jumped up from the couch, knocked my laptop onto the floor and nearly broke my neck to reach Andre. “Where?”

“Here.” He pointed at his screen. “I hacked into a CCTV feed on James campus. He has a hoodie on and is trying to hide his face, but it’s him.”

I stared at the footage. In it, Razor was walking with his head down, holding some girl’s hand. “Who is that?” I demanded. I must say that it enraged me to see him with another girl, a pretty one at that. And he looked protective of her in a way that he never looked with me.

Andre shook his head. “I don’t know. But obviously it’s someone he knows.” Andre scratched at his chin thoughtfully.

I seethed with jealousy at the image. Who was this chick that Razor would trust his freedom with and why her of all people?

A beep came from inside Andre’s pocket.

“Someone’s calling me, someone from Anonymous I think.”

“Well answer it!” I snapped.

“Chill, Maddy. Chill.” Andre reached into his pocket and took his cell out.

Aubrey said he caught Razor on James campus and they got into a fight. Razor broke his nose and ran off with that chick before he could stop them.

“Did he say who that girl was, at least?”

Andre shook his head. “He said he wasn’t sure. One thing he was certain of was that Razor seemed to care about her.”

Red blurred my vision. He loved another. I couldn’t take it. He had to die. If I couldn’t have him, no one would.

“I want you to find out who she is and everything about her,” I growled. “Now.”

“How am I supposed to do that?” Andre asked. “And why does it matter anyway? We’re after Razor, not her.”

I gritted my teeth to keep from erupting. “Because she’s helping him, that’s why. And since he obviously cares about her, she might be the key to catching him.”

“Hmm you might be right,” Andre said thoughtfully.

I scowled. “Ya think?”

Fucking moron.

Andre smartly ignored my sarcasm and turned to his computer. “I’ll run her image through the DMV database to see what her—”

I placed a hand on his shoulder, interrupting him. I suddenly had an idea, a plan that would finally bring Razor to me.

“Stop.”

“Huh?”

I grinned, giddy with excitement. If my plan worked, Razor would be all mine. “Get Brian Keller on the line. Tell him I have information concerning his son.”

“
W
hat the fuck was that
!” I demanded as we sped down the highway. Luckily, we’d escaped the library and evaded the campus police. Now we had to hope that we’d make it back to the cabin without being pulled over. Meanwhile, I was shaking all over, still in shock at how close I’d come to being dead. “You almost killed that guy!”

Mason glanced over at me as he switched lanes. “I told you not to talk to anyone.”

Anger clenched my stomach. So he thought all of that was my fault?

“You could have killed him, Mason,” I repeated. “Murder.”

As if you needed anymore trouble.

Mason set his jaw. “He wouldn’t have thought twice about killing you.”

I shook my head, shuddering at how close I came to being taken by someone who at first seemed so innocent. I still wasn’t sure if he would’ve truly harmed me, but I’m glad I didn’t get to find out. “That doesn’t make it right.” I sighed. “And I didn’t mean to talk to the guy. He came up to me and started chatting. I just thought it would be rude to just ignore him. He looked harmless, like your average student.”

“I told you, Carly, Anonymous has eyes everywhere, especially where anti-government sentiment is popular.”

“I’m sorry,” I said simply.

“Don’t be.” Mason’s voice softened. “You just don’t understand who you’re dealing with, that’s all. And it’s mostly my fault for pulling you into this mess.”

“I told you once and I’ll tell you again, you’re doing the right thing—”

“I lost control. When he threatened your life, I blacked out. I was filled with rage.”

I felt cold all over. Mason just admitted he came close to murdering someone . . . for me. As sick as it was, I almost felt special. Almost.

“I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you and it caused me to panic.” Mason’s voice was thick with emotion and I was taken off guard by his intensity.

Wow, maybe he really does care about me, after all.

After Mason had walked out on us, I’d convinced myself that he didn’t care about anyone but himself. But now hearing the anguish in his voice, I was beginning to change my mind.

“I’m just glad you came along when you did,” I said softly.

“I am too. Had I been a minute longer, he’d have probably gotten you through that door. Then who knows what would’ve happened.”

A cold chill went down my spine and the hum of the motor and the buzz of passing cars filled the silence for the next several moments.

“Were you friends with that guy or something?” I asked, finally breaking the silence. “He knew your hacker name and everything.”

Mason grunted. “Unfortunately.”

“Who was he?”

“Aubrey Locke — a douchebag hacker that never could pull his own weight. We were just in high school when he got me into Anonymous. I don’t know how he got in to be honest, he’s more of a brute. I’m sure he thought he could elevate his status by bringing me in. Not sure what he was doing at the library right then, though, probably a stroke of luck, but then again, maybe not. The worst part about all of this is now they know you’re with me.”

A feeling of dread settled on my chest. Suddenly, I remembered why we’d come to the library in the first place “Did you get the video on my site?” I asked. To me that was more important than anything else at the moment or this would’ve all been for nothing.

Mason nodded. “The only thing that went right today. After I got it set up, I forwarded the link to the video to all the major news and media outlets. By the time we get back to the cabin, the mayor should have been exposed for the scumbag he is.”

Despite the dark pall that hung over us, I was filled with sudden giddiness. Shortly, my name would be known in all of the news circles and then . . .

Jesus Christ, get a hold of yourself!

I was irritated by my need to be validated by my peers and my hunger for recognition. There was much more going on here than just my career. Mason was a wanted man, and now I was possibly just as wanted by the hackers that were after him.

“Mason,” I said as he pulled off the freeway, “we’re going to need to start planning how we’re going to clear your name and make these Anonymous people leave us alone—”

A vibration in the pocket of my skirt interrupted me. I frowned. It was my cell. I thought I’d turned it off, but now was a good time to do it. It would be only a matter of time before it would be vibrating off the hook.

I slipped a hand in my pocket and pulled it out. Mason reached over to stop me before I could press the power button.

“Who is it?”

Funny, I hadn’t even bothered to look at the screen. When I did, my mouth went dry and I looked over at Mason with trepidation.

“It’s your father,” I replied.

“
A
nswer it
,” Mason ordered as he pulled onto the winding road that would take us to my cabin.

I stared at him with surprise as the phone thrummed in my hands. “Are you sure? I thought you didn’t want me talking to anyone?”

“I don’t, but I think he suspects something. We need to find out what he knows.” He nodded at my cell. “Answer it.”

“And act normal.”

I stared at him for a moment then I took a deep breath, my mouth as dry as a desert as I pressed the answer button.

“Hello?” I tried to sound as innocent and as cheery as possible.

“Hey pumpkin!” Brian greeted cheerfully, using his favorite old nickname for me. How’s my favorite girl doing?” There was static in the transmission and I had to turn up the volume to hear him over the motor. He didn’t sound angry or pissed, so that was good at least. Maybe this was just his routine welfare check up.

“I’m fine,” I replied, relaxing a little and keeping my voice even. “How are you?”

Brian chuckled. “Good, good. How’s your mother?”

“You know what? That reminds me. I haven’t talked to her in a while. I so need to call her. But the last time we talked, she was doing just fine, complaining and carrying on . . . you know how she does sometimes.”

“I sure do,” Brian laughed dryly. “Good, God, I do.”

I flashed an easy smile at Mason, letting him know the call was going well.

“Everything alright with your new gig at that newspaper you said you were working for?”

I cringed. Not wanting any sympathy, I lied to Brian about what I was doing employment-wise. He’d paid for my college tuition and I didn’t want any more handouts.

“It’s going real smooth,” I lied. “Really good. In fact, I’m getting a promotion next month.”

Shit, I’m such a terrible liar.

“Really?” he asked, sounding surprised. “Well I’m very happy for you!”

I grimaced. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without the support of such kick ass parents.”

Mason stuck his finger in his mouth and made a gagging sound. I slapped him on the arm.

“I always knew you would succeed, Carly,” Brian was saying. “You always worked your ass off, getting good grades, raising the bar with each achievement . . . and at least you didn’t waste my hard-earned money like someone else we know,” he muttered.

An awkward silence settled over the phone. I didn’t know if he was trying to bait me into talking about Mason or not. I did know for a fact he was bitter over Mason, so it wasn’t hard to believe he was just being genuine.

Surprisingly, I found myself coming to Mason’s defense. “Well, uh, you know, maybe he was going through something and couldn’t handle all the pressure—”

“Oh please!” Brian snarled. “The boy was spoiled, that was his problem! I gave him everything he wanted growing up when I should have been harder! Had I done my job, maybe he wouldn’t have gotten into those damn drugs.”

“Mason’s not on drugs.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Fuck.

Mason noticed my slip and looked over at me. He started making a cutting motion at his throat, signaling me to end the call.

Suspicion laced Brian’s voice. “How would you know that?

I motioned sharply at him to quit his antics. I couldn’t just hang up on him and invite more suspicion. Besides, he’d probably just call right back.

“Uh, because it doesn’t seem like him. He never was the type. He was all about keeping his body in perfect condition.”

“Not what I heard.” Brian crackled. “Your brother’s a damn crackhead!”

I twisted my lips. There was no use in arguing and casting further suspicion on myself. He was probably talking in anger anyway, still bitter after all this time. “If you say so.”

There was a slight pause. “Have you seen him?”

I tried to play stupid. “Huh?”

“Have you seen Mason?”

“No, why would I?” I tried to sound as convincing as possible. “I haven’t heard from him since that day he walked out.”

There was a very long pause this time and I began to sweat beneath my palms.

When Brian spoke next, his voice was calmer. “Some detectives came by here looking for him. You know he’s in trouble, right?”

I let out an exaggerated gasp of surprise, my eyes going wide. “You’re shitting me!”

Suddenly, Mason started laughing and I looked at him with alarm, slapping him on the arm. Thankfully, it was a silent laugh, the type that you have to hold in but your whole body shakes from it. Mason’s shoulders rocked as his face turned red. He literally looked like he was gasping for breath, his hands barely holding onto the wheel.

He was so distracted that he drifted slightly into the other lane just as a red pickup came speeding around the corner. At the last possible moment, he swerved back into our lane, narrowly avoiding a collision.

“Jesus Christ!” I yelled, my heart pounding within my chest.

The pickup blazed past us, honking at us, the driver flipping Mason the bird.

“Watch where you’re going asshole!” He yelled out of his window.

“What was that?” Brian asked, sounding concerned.

I gave Mason my most venomous glare. “Uh, nothing. I just accidentally knocked my latte into my lap and ruined my skirt.”

“Oh, you scared me for a second. Are you on a highway?”

I paused, glancing at Mason who was just now getting over his giggles. I didn’t want to lie. Brian could probably tell I was in the car anyway, you usually can. “Heading to a friend’s place, actually.”

“All right. Where are you staying at these days? I’d love to come visit.”

Mason, who now seemed almost recovered from his fit, shook his head violently. Apparently, he heard what his father asked.

“You know what? Let me call you back later. I’ve got to stop by a gas station and change my clothes. I don’t want to show up at my friends smelling like a mocha latte. Love ya!”

Brian began to protest. “Carly wait. I really need to speak with you. It’s important—”

I tapped the hang-up button and then powered my phone off, giving Mason my most venomous scowl. “Keep your eyes on the road! You almost ran us smack into that truck.”

Mason was still chuckling. “I’m sorry, Carly. You’re just such a terrible liar and I couldn’t help it.”

Mason’s expression suddenly became serious. “He knows you’re with me.”

I stared. “You think so?”

Mason pulled us off the main road and onto a back road that would take us straight to the cabin. “Trust me — he either knows you’re with me, or suspects that you’re with me. Either way, it’s not good, because if he knows, everyone knows. It’s only natural that I try to make contact with the person I care about the most.” A strange look came over his face after those words left his mouth, as if he was surprised that he said it.

I cleared my throat uncomfortably. “Still, what does it matter even if he does? He has no clue where we are.”

“And do you really think you can trust this landlord of yours?” Mason asked skeptically.

I nodded. “I do. He’s been a huge help to me.”

“We’ll see about that after they plaster your name on the news along with mine.”

“All we have to do now is lay low and wait. It’s only a matter of time before the video spreads like wildfire.”

“If Anonymous or Dad doesn’t have me killed first,” Mason muttered darkly.

I turned on him with a disbelieving stare. “What the hell are you talking about? Brian may still be angry at you, but why would you think he’d want you dead?”

Mason snorted. “I don’t think. I know.”

We came up on the dirt road that served as a driveway to the cabin and the neat little structure came into view. I don’t think I’d ever been so happy to see it, but I suppose almost being killed will do that to you.

I continued to stare at Mason. I was starting to think being in the shadows so long caused him to be a paranoid schizophrenic.

I shook my head. “You’re crazy.”

“You don’t know him like I do.”

“I think I lived under his roof for long enough that I know that he wouldn’t do something like that.”

Mason set his jaw, stubborn to the bone. “You might be right, but I don’t doubt that he’d love to see me rot in a jail cell.”

Mason drove my Ford up the driveway and rolled to a stop in front of the cabin, shutting the engine off.

I was glad to get out and stretch and go inside. After the harrowing events of the day, I was ready to relax and watch the fruits of our labor unfold.

Mason opened his door, jumped out, and slammed it, walking off to the cabin and leaving me to wonder what the hell he was angry about. Everything didn’t go as planned, but we accomplished what we set out to do.