Troubled With Tattoos

Chapter Thirty-Two

The Leader

Slowly but surely, Cam and I walked side by side back to Cherry's house. I invited Cam to stay for dinner since third-wheeling my aunt didn't exactly sound like a grand old time. Although I'm not going to lie, I want to know the guy who seems to be taking all my aunt Cherry's time. 

But no matter how hard I tried to distract myself, the anxiety from these past few months has been eating me alive. I'm not the same person I was when I left that house. 

"Who is this he that wants me?" I finally asked the question burning inside my mind. I'm a fragile girl with spaghetti arms and lost hopes. It was obvious they knew every second I was alone.

"We don't know," He hesitated to say as we turned down the street of Cherry's neighborhood. Austin's car was parked outside his house next to Luke's truck. Cam abruptly stopped our walking, holding out his arm so I can't pass.

"What happened with your parents Vi?" He asked. I was at a loss for words. Did he know my secret? How long have the boys known?

"I will tell you after dinner." I saw an unfamiliar black Volkswagon parked in the driveway. I was about to enter the house when Cam pulled me aside. 

"Vi, pinky promise?" He said like a child holding out his pinky that was doubled the size of mine. I rolled my eyes playfully wrapping my small pinky around his. Then he kissed it. 

      "What are we five?" I whisper-yelled but couldn't help but slightly laugh. 

      "Shut up and kiss it." He chuckled pressing it to my lips. I smiled as I kissed his stupid finger. What a child. His hazel eyes burned into mine with so many emotions I couldn't help but stare back. I pushed my thoughts aside remembering that I had to be supportive of Cherry.

       "Come on let's go meet this guy. I have to see if he's husband material." I laughed opening the door to see the man himself. I found the man who had stolen the heart of Aunt Cherry. He wore a black dress shirt that was tucked into his pants and shiny black shoes. I guessed that the black leather jacket hanging on the coat rack was also his. 

       He had dark hair that was cut so short he almost looked bald. His features were so defined I could cut a watermelon with his jaw. Overall he looked like a clean-cut guy. I looked at Cam to see his opinion but instead, I found his mouth slightly opened as he looked in disbelief. 

      "What's wrong?" I whispered before they noticed we were there. 

      "Definitely not husband material." He sighed running his hands over his face like it physically pained it. Does he know him? Is it Cam's dad? All these options I was trying to come up with only got cut off when Aunt Cherry finally noticed us. 

      "Oh yay, Hun, Violet is here. Come I want you two to meet." She screeched grasping my hand. The smile on her face was irreplaceable, she was genuinely happy and I didn't want to ruin that for her. But who was this stranger that Cam seemed to recognize? Well, I guess I was about to find out.

      "Violet, I've heard so much about you, I'm Ramiro." He said so smoothly my ears probably melted. Something about his voice was so mesmerizing and I don't mean romantically. He screamed powerful like you'd want to listen to every word he'd say. 

      His piercing blue eyes looked into my soul. I stuttered over my words, something about him was just off. His Spanish accent was almost too familiar. Cam tensed beside me just watching him draw close to me. This isn't going to be good.

      "And I have heard a lot about you... Ramiro ." I awkwardly said back glancing between him and Cherry. Except for his name, of course, she never once told me his name. Cherry nodded her head towards Cam as if I should introduce him, but from what I understand they already knew each other. 

     "Ramiro, this is my friend Camden," I said watching Cams face never change. He just had a blank expression, almost like he was highly irritated. Like how he was at the pet salon just an hour ago. 

    "Camden, nice to meet you. Do you prefer Cam or...?" Ramiro said politely holding out his hand. Camden stared into his eyes as he gave him a firm handshake. Maybe Camden thought he was someone different, Ramiro clearly doesn't recognize him. 

   "Camden is fine." He muttered. Ramiro nodded his head in approval as Cherry called us to sit at the dinner table. Ramiro sat next to Cherry who sat across from Cam and me. She had prepared a steak dinner with mashed potatoes and just about every vegetable you could think of. Even Ollie was eating good tonight. 

   "So Violet, do you attend Bristol County High?" Ramiro asked mid-dinner as he cut into his steak. I had a mouth full of potatoes so I nodded instead. Cam was eating but barely, his eyes were glued to every move Ramiro made. Ramiro didn't share the same reaction though, either he didn't know Cam or he was a really good actor. 

   "Great, my son just transferred there, maybe you would be kind enough to show him around. His name is Carlos Cortez." He smiled. Ah, that explains it. Carlos got the job at the salon because Cherry is dating his father. 

   Cam didn't like Carlos either and they are related. So who is this Ramiro Cortez guy? And why was he taking such a liking in my sweet aunt? I guess this unresolved mystery called my life just keeps rolling. 

   "What a great kid, Violet you must've met him at the salon today. I wanted you to train him personally." Cherry said taking a sip of the red wine she had out for the 'adults only'. I think I could use some alcohol with all this tense drama.  

   "I did, it went well," I smiled politely as I set down my fork. If there was one thing my parents taught me, it was good manners. I lost my appetite trying to piece together this mess. Cherry stood up to pick up the dishes and Ramiro excused himself to help. 

   "Hey, you alright?" I asked Cam quietly as I took his hand and squeezed it. 

   "Violet you have no idea who that man is and what he is capable of." He said just as quietly. He genuinely looked worried. If Cam was worried, I should be worried too. Nothing ever worries Cam. 

    "Who is he?" I was almost too scared to ask. I waiting impatiently for his answer. 

    "That man is the second-highest leader of Windrose. I've only ever seen him once," He hesitated to say. My jaw dropped down to the floor. That's why he is with Cherry, isn't it? They know where I live, who I'm friends with, everything about me. I was fucked.

    The boys and I are defenseless, five against a whole gang. We have no idea what they know and have planned. This was all just one big set up. Every day it's like we find a new piece to the puzzle. Fear rose inside me like it did that day at home. 

      I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. I didn't know what to say or think. If this was second in command it was also Kara's father? My mind was racing a mile a minute. One minute we're having a peaceful dinner and the next it turns out that guy wants me dead. 

    They dragged poor Aunt Cherry into this and she has absolutely no idea. Well, Camden was right, he definitely isn't husband material. Ramiro appeared back in the room followed by a smiling Cherry. 

    "I hate to leave so soon but I have some things to take care of, it was a pleasure meeting you Violet...and Camden," Ramiro said his goodbyes to Cherry as he grabbed his jacket and left. This is a disaster. 

      We sat on the couch watching a movie when suddenly the phone rang. Aunt Cherry got up to get it and Cam and I were alone again. 

     "So that's why you don't like Carlos," I stated. Camden nodded taking out his phone, he already notified the boys and they are trying to come up with a safe plan for me. I hate to admit it but the gang was winning. Cherry came storming into the room like a madwoman her eyes locked on me. Uh oh. 

    "Violet. Why did the school just call me to tell me you got suspended." She looked furious. Shoot, I totally forgot about that. Well hey look at the bright side at least I don't have to wake up early. 

    "Okay it really wasn't my fault Cherry it was Lizzie-," I began but she cut me off mid-sentence. 

    "I know what it was about, I just spoke to the principal." She sighed and then groaned when the doorbell rang. Aunt Cherry sauntered her way to the door only to be face to face with two policeman. 

    "Good evening Sharon, we have a warrant to search your house for a missing teenage girl by the name of Violet Morris." One said as he made way past Cherry into the kitchen followed by two other cops. My heart raced as I leaped off the couch. Camden's eyes bugged out of his head probably by the words 'missing girl'. 

    "We need to leave now," I whispered taking his hand as I ran out towards the back door. 

    "They probably have cops outside, let me go first and we can go to Austins," Camden said not asking any questions. I nodded my nerves growing up my stomach fast as I could hear the cops approaching. 

    They were so close to me, I could be caught so easily. We snuck out the back door just in time. Camden raced over to the edge of the house to see if there were any policeman outside. He gave me the signal that the coast was clear and then we ran to Austin's house next door. 

    Luckily Camden had a key and he used it to get in. We stepped inside his dark house quietly making a run for his room. My heart was still racing. You could see the blue and red lights flashing outside the windows in his house. There were three police cars outside.

    "You know this doesn't let you off the hook right?" Cam whispered as we headed up the stairs. Austins house was the same layout as mine, along with every other house in this neighborhood. 

   "What do you mean?" I whispered back. He turned around to look at me although you couldn't see much since it was dark.

    "Even though you weren't there, your stuff is which is a dead sign that you have been there and if you are reported missing Cherry could get arrested." He stated as he knocked quietly on Austin's door. 

    My face dropped at the thought of Cherry getting arrested for protecting me. Maybe it would be better if I had just turned myself in. Why was my father willing to go through such measures to find me?

    We opened the door to find the boys all sitting in a circle on the floor. It kind of resembled duck duck goose if you asked me. 

   "Violet, why are the cops outside your house," Declan asked looking slightly worried. 

   "Yeah about that..." I drifted off into fake laughter. The boys just stared at me with absolutely no expression. I sighed and fell back onto the comfy bed. 

   "This time, I have something to tell you guys." I hesitated.