Slow burn PART 2

Chapter 68

         We were about an hour into our trip now. Rylee had promised me safety from both the mob and prison time if I left Renzo and went with him. He hasn't told me what he has against them at all in regard to this 'evidence'. Rylee-Steven is only confident that he can bring Renzo down.

Towards the beginning of our trip we hadn't talked very much because I was emotional and extremely nervous. Once I got my wits about me I asked Rylee some questions, but he wasn't always so inclined to answer them. 

"You asked that I trust you, and I have. At least answer me this...why Renzo? Why so keen on him?" I watched Rylee glance between me and the road a few times. We were on a long stretch of highway right now. Going where? I don't even know. 

        "A few years back I lost someone very important to me. It's taken me this long, but I've been following leads and canceling out dead ends ever since my friend was murdered. Finally, this year...I think I may have found the real lead I've been looking for. I think your boyfriend killed my friend" he told me. 

I wish I could see his eyes when he spoke but he was driving. I noticed his hands tightening on the steering wheel. I heard the hurt in his voice.

         Whenever I hear Renzo and murder in the same sentence it gives me the chills. It's a topic I don't like to venture down. "Rylee, I'm so sorry" I turned slightly and placed my hand on his shoulder since his arm was outstretched to drive. That made him take a double glance at me.

"Were you childhood friends?" I asked him. His nostrils flared, but he pushed through it. "Yes. They were family friends, so I considered him like my cousin. When we grew up we got a lot closer. Riley was a great guy. Genuine, smart, charming" he started listing off. 

"Wait? Rylee?" I noted that he took on the name of his killed friend when going undercover. He gave me the 'yah' look when I realized.

        "You make him sound lovely" I pressed a sad smile. "He was. He was..." Steven trailed off, unable to find the words he was looking for. When I saw the mist in his eyes and the love in his expression I realized something. "Were you lovers?" I found myself asking. 

Stevens' head snapped my way and he looked angry. "No! I'm not gay" he spat. My eyes widened, but I motioned for him to calm down. "I apologize. You just spoke with such genuine love, I thought.." I couldn't continue. He was upset by my words. 

"Well, we aren't. Weren't." He corrected himself. I've clearly walked into something here. He wouldn't have been so upset unless it were true. Or he's a homophobic man. I'm thinking it's the first one.

        I was about to open my mouth again when there was a sudden POP. The car jolted slightly and almost swerved, but Steven had a good hold on the wheel. "What was that?" I gasped, looking behind me. "Oh crap" he spat, slowly pulling over with the clicking of his blinker. 

We're on a highway. We were in the middle lane, but pulled all the way over to the right hand where we stopped in front of a guard rail. Steven pressed the hazard lights and looked at me. 

"I think it's a popped tire. Stay here" he let me know. Once he exited the car I stayed watching him from the side mirror. The flat tire was on my side of the car. Back tire.

        I hated the way my heart has been pumping this whole time. Since the minute Rylee, or Steven, whoever he is, ambushed me outside of my pottery class. He filled my mind with such terrifying things. Prison, being a prison girlfriend that's pimped out, losing my family, losing all the Revello's who will also be rotting in prison. 

He painted a brutal picture of how things would go. He told me I had to make a choice and I did. I had to. Breathe, Kat.

        When Steven popped the trunk I saw him remove a spare tire. I glanced at the highway which wasn't full of traffic just yet. It will be soon, but not yet. My foot was tapping so much I hadn't realized until I felt the strain in my muscle.