I raised my eyebrows. I was pretty sure that was a compliment.
“But they really want you,” Amaya continued, “because of your super violent past, and they don’t like being told no, so the posters were their way of intimidating you. Will seems to be more involved than any of those half-brained idiots realized, so he was the one behind that little stunt. Drew’s had enough and is worried about them dragging Donna into it, so he came to us to spill his guts. Harlow did some digging, and it turns out Will’s dad owns all the properties where the fights have been taking place. He’s a businessman with ties to several big corporations, but he seems to be giving a lot of money to BestLyf. Which is why Harlow insisted on no phones.”
She rolled her eyes as if she thought it was preposterous that anyone would try to spy on a bunch of teenagers, and I was inclined to agree, but whatever. The phones didn’t really matter right now.
“Harlow found other documents with names and dates that match previous fight nights, along with figures we suspect are the profits. Drew seems to think they’re not going to stop trying to recruit you, and they may try to use Donna to do it because you clearly have the hots for her. She also has the hots for you, because all she could think about all afternoon was making sure you were warned and safe. Also, sorry if I was a bitch to you last night. I was just worried about my friend and didn’t know you were a decent guy.”
With a dismissive wave of her hand, she looped her arm through Harlow’s and stomped her feet against the cold, apparently done talking.
Most of us gaped at her. Donna had her hand over her eyes, her short hair obscuring half her face.
Harlow was grinning at Amaya. “Holy shit, you actually said sorry for being a bitch?”
“And she called him a decent guy!” Mena bounced on her toes.
“Out of all that, that’s what you choose to focus on?” Donna shook her head, incredulous.
Everything Amaya had blurted out—some of it shit I already knew, some of it making other things click into place—finally registered properly.
Without even thinking about it, I took a step forward and blocked Donna with my body, holding my arm out for good measure. “What do you mean they’re trying to use Donna? Is someone threatening her?” I tried hard not to speak through my teeth, but my words still came out on a growl.
Donna slapped my arm away and stepped in closer to my side. “And out of all that, that’s what you choose to focus on? You’re the one they’ve already come after.”
I huffed. “I can take care of myself.”
“What? And I can’t?” She crossed her arms.
I groaned. “That’s not what I’m saying. You’re a fierce independent woman and all that shit, but these are dangerous people who—”
“Is this some kind of foreplay for you two?” Drew cut in.
Everyone burst out laughing while Donna and I sealed our lips shut and avoided looking at each other.
“Can we focus please?” Turner sounded serious. “We need to figure out our next move. If BestLyf really is involved in this . . .” He shook his head. My friend was already convinced that company was evil—this would only be more proof for him.
“We don’t exactly have evidence they are,” Harlow hedged. “I just thought it was worth noting that Mr. Frydenberg was giving them substantial amounts of money each week.”
“How do you know what kind of money Frydenberg is giving anyone?” I asked.
“It’s better not to ask.” Mena bugged her eyes out at me.
Harlow gave a nonchalant shrug. “I’m not a pro. It’s not like I could hack into all his accounts or anything like that, so I definitely don’t have the full picture. I just got access to a few folders on his computer.”
“This is ridiculous.” I rubbed my temples. “Why are we freezing our balls off in the woods discussing this and not going to the police?”
They ran me through the obstacles, the lack of evidence, why Drew and the others were scared to come forward.
“I’ll talk to the police, man.” Drew looked at me earnestly. “I just want to make sure that when I do, it counts—that my friends will be safe, that Will and his dad can’t weasel their way out of it.”
“We need evidence.” Amaya tucked her chin into her scarf.
Everyone fell into silence, the only sounds those of animals scurrying and the flapping wings of some night bird.
I wanted so badly to just turn around, walk back home and get under the covers, pretend I didn’t know any of this. I didn’t want to get involved in this shit. But I already was, whether I wanted to be or not. And there was no way in hell I was going to sit around and risk Donna getting hurt.
An idea was forming in my mind, but the potential for trouble—exactly the kind of trouble I’d promised Aunt Hannah and myself I’d avoid—was pretty damn high.
“Are we being stupid not telling our parents about this?” Mena’s voice was low, hesitant.
“Maybe.” Donna ran her hands through her hair. “But telling Drew’s dad or Amaya’s mom?” They both cringed. “Probably do more harm than good. Telling your parents or Turner’s dad? They’d just go to the police. Telling my parents? Dad is friends with Joseph Frydenberg and would almost certainly confront him, maybe warn him unintentionally. I don’t think it’s worth the risk.”
“So, what? We do nothing?” Drew sounded frustrated. Of course he was. He’d been dealing with this exact conundrum, stuck in this impossible situation, for a year. Grudgingly, I felt for the guy. He may have gotten himself into this position, but at least he was trying to get himself out.
“Donna, is what Harlow has on Frydenberg enough to connect him to the fights, charge him?” Even if she didn’t want to be a lawyer anymore, my girl still had more legal knowledge than anyone I knew.
“On its own? No. We would need to show proof that the fights happened on his properties. Then the fact that he owns them, coupled with the documents Harlow found and Drew’s statement, would be grounds enough to dig into his affairs further, search his properties and businesses.”
“Drew, are you sure Will is involved in organizing this shit?”
“Yeah.” He huffed. “It’s all on his phone. I’ve been watching him for a while, and I’ve noticed a few texts, other things that would prove it. They make everyone surrender their phones at the doors for the fights, but Will somehow always has his.”
“If Will was at the fight when the police showed up, would that be enough reason for them to check his phone?”
“Yeah.” Donna nodded. “Anyone caught participating in illegal activity would be searched and questioned.”
I blew out a big breath. “Then we make sure Will is there when the police bust up the fight.”
“How?” Drew asked, but Donna was already shaking her head, giving me a reproachful look.
“We give them what they want.”
“Dammit, Hendrix, no.” Donna shoved me, but her hands stayed on my chest. “I’m telling you all this to keep you safe, not so you can get yourself into a dangerous-as-fuck situation.”
I smirked at her, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “How’s it feel, princess?”