Page 88 of My Forever Sin

What?

Think, Jordan. Think.

24

Kain

Ash: Where are you?

Ash: Things at the warehouse are moving quick

Ash: I don’t mean to be a dick but when this is finished it’ll have ‘solely built by blake and asher, cause kain was mia’

Blake: We came by the castle but some prick at the door wouldn’t let us in. Did you get more security?

Ash: Do we need to climb through the window?

Ash: Serenade you?

Ash: Kain, kain, let down your haaaaaair

Blake: K?

My fingers are itching to reply.

But I can’t be sure my phone isn’t being tracked. We’ve been caged like two wild animals and can’t get out. Security everywhere—on the outskirts of the town, in the castle, on castle grounds. They’re following me everywhere. Not to mention they’ve completely leashed Jordie. If I can keep at least two people out of this, it’ll be Asher and Blake.

Jordie’s been holed up in her room the last two days. I never found out what they wanted from her, and I can’t text her because she doesn’t have a phone. That’s next on my list. I’ve only caught a glimpse of her when she puts her empty plate out in front of her door for the staff to take. Because, apparently, even our food intake is being controlled now.

I trail Heath’s car to the town centre, where autumn decorations scatter in colourful bunting, pumpkins, and bales of hay as my car hits the cobble pathing. Heath pulls in just before the market stalls begin and Jordie is out of his car before I can turn off my engine. That straight, burgundy, midi dress looks ridiculous on her as it flows around her shins. Her black hair is pulled into a neat braid, and her face is devoid of the makeup that makes her her.

Heath struggles out of the car and just then, Jordie cuts her furious gaze to me. The corners of my mouth ping up which makes her roll her eyes. Heath says something to her, and she follows him without a word.

My teeth clench before I get out, the noise of the town fair prominent.

Cassie spots her and rushes over, her face twisting in confusion when she takes in Jordie’s appearance. Cassie’s wearing a trench coat that’s about three sizes too big—probably to hide her belly. Meaning that she still hasn’t told her parents, and I still haven’t been able to figure out who’s child she’s carrying. I have a feeling Jordie knows. Of course she does, that’s her best friend and there’s no way those two don’t tell each other everything. And up until the Halloween party, I thought Cassie was single.

I do worry for her though because when her parents eventually do find out, it will be Hell in Blackcastle.

“And he’s been really—” Cassie cuts off her sentence as I approach. “Hi, Kain.” She immediately folds her arms just above her protruding stomach.

Jordie takes a protective stance in front of her, the sleeves of her dress tilting up her arms as she folds them across herself. She looks like she’s wearing clothes of someone much shorter than her, and paired with that thunderous expression, it’s a perfect situation for a laugh to catch in my chest.

“Leave,” she simply says.

I tut, tilting my head. “Consider me your bodyguard for the day.”

Her cheeks hollow out as she catches flesh between her molars. “I have plenty of them, if you haven’t noticed.”

I snort.

“He’s fine, Jord,” Cassie chimes in sweetly, smiling at me.

Jordie’s mouth opens and closes a few times, but she doesn't say anything and I notice the way her chest drops on a defeated exhale. Rigidly, she turns away from me, there’s a stiffness to her that wasn’t there before. Something is wrong. Only a few days ago we took a step forward, and now it feels like we’ve gone three steps back.

Something is wrong.

Her and Cassie leave me standing in the shade of the brassy toned leaves of the tree as they meander their way through the crowds of people mingling. Pumpkins of various colours decorate each stall, the smell of hot chocolate and warm drinks drifting through the small high street. I follow, making sure I don’t lose sight of them.