Chapter eleven

I was on my way to lunch when Veronica, who was coming the other way, grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the parking lot. I looked over at the PCher table to see Eli looking at us in confusion.

Veronica may be small, but she has a hell of a grip. " You mind telling me why you're manhandling me? "

When we got to her car she let go. " I need you to come with me to Neptune savings and loans. " She said pulling a small envelope from her pocket. " I found this in moms things. " She emptied the envelope into her hand and a key fell out.

" A safe deposit box key? Why would she have one? " I asked.

She shook her head. " I don't know but we're going to find out. Get in. "

It was probably nothing of importance but Veronica wouldn't have asked me to come if it wasn't important. I got in her Le baron and headed to the bank. It was a small hole in the wall. None of the wealthier people in Neptune would have any accounts here. Maybe that's why she chose it.

We walked up to the woman at the front desk. " Hi how can I help you? " She asked.

Veronica pulled out the key. " My mom died last year and I just found this. " She also pulled out a very good copy of a death certificate.

I know who to go to when I need something forged. The lady took a quick look and led us back to the room full of deposit boxes. She pointed out the one we were looking for and left us to look through it. Veronica unlocked the box and pulled out a huge white envelope.

Pulling its contents out I saw that it was pictures of both me and Veronica. Nothing out of the ordinary... Except there were gun targets over out faces. Pictures of us with mom downtown, at school, at lunch...

" All I need to know is who took these and why they were sending them to mom. " I said as we got back to Veronica's car.

She looked at me sadly but didn't say anything. " What? Nothing to say about pictures that clearly were sent to her in warning? "

" Just let it be Tori. I'll handle it. " She said annoyed.

She's not getting off that quick. " So what, you're the only one that can know things? You weren't the only one in those pictures Veronica. "

" I said I'll handle it! " She said angrily. " Stay away from this. "

Great now she sounds like dad. Like I was really going to just let it drop. Veronica isn't the only one who knows how to find things out. Sitting back in the seat I folded my arms and plotted my moves.

That night Veronica went to sleep early. I used my super ninja skills to creep into her room and take the pictures out of her bag. Dad was still out with Miss James and most likely wouldn't be back for another hour.

Locking the apartment up I went to my car and headed to the office. I copied every picture in the bunch on the copier and put the originals back into the envelope. Dads car wasn't in his spot when I made it back home but there was some one waiting for me.

His bike was parked in the space right next to where mine was. I totally forgot that I had blown him off earlier. He was probably pissed. Getting out I locked my car up and hesitantly looked at Eli.

" Hey. " I said.

He just stood there and stared me down.

" I didn't get a chance to talk to you before Veronica pulled me away. She needed my help. "

He rolled his eyes. " That girls needs more help than any mental case I've ever heard of. "

I laughed. " I can't dispute that. "

" So what did she need your help with? " He asked.

I so did not want to tell him about this. Knowing him he'd try to kill first and ask questions later. " Nothing really. She found a safe deposit key in my moms things and wanted me to go with her to look in it. "

He looked like he didn't know what to say to that. Like I said his mother left him too so he knows how hard these things are. " Are you okay? "

I nodded. " It has been a long day. I could really use a hug. " I admitted.

No more words were needed. He pulled me into his warmth and I felt myself immediately relax. The faint smell of motor oil and white musk filled my nose. I rubbed my nose into his neck and his grip tightened.

He kissed the side of my neck. " You know I'm always here for you right? " He whispered.

" Promise me that no matter what happens that me and you will always have each others backs. " I said pulling back.

He was going to say something but a car pulled in behind me, most likely my dad. Eli looked from his car back to me. " No matter what. I promise. " He said giving me another quick hug.

Dad got out and came over to us with a less than happy look on his face. " Eli we gotta stop meeting like this. "

" I was just leaving sheriff. " He said mounting his bike.

Dad put his arm around my shoulders. " Come on honey it's getting late. " He said leading me to the stairs.

I knew Veronica would investigate the photos the next day so she skipped the first half of school to keep a jump start. One of the pictures of just me was taken at Old Navy at one of the many mini malls downtown.

The angle from which the shot was taken was exactly at Wetzels pretzels. When I got there the person working the cash register was a little surprised by my asking about a specific date last year. When I showed her the picture that was taken she looked horrified. Promising she'd look thoroughly she went into the back.

Luckily the person paid with a credit card. The woman wished me luck and I left. Once I got into my car I finally had the nerve to look at the name. Oh my god. Buckling my seat belt I headed right for Kane software.

It took an hour but Clarence Weedman finally took his lunch break. My camera wasn't as good as Veronicas but it did the job I needed it to do. If he thinks he can take pictures of me and put a gun target over my head he has another thing coming.

After I got enough shots I pulled off and went to my last three classes. Not that I could pay any attention. A part of me wanted to show Eli the pictures. Then a part of me knew that involving him would make things worse.

I was on my way home when I got a text. Stopping at Sac and Pac I saw it was from Veronica.

' Heads up Miss James is cooking dinner tonight. I got out save yourself. '

Oh god. I cannot deal with an uncomfortable dinner after the day I've had. I dialed Eli but he didn't answer. That was odd he always answers. Why is it when I need him he isn't there and when I think I don't need him he's there?

Making a decision I headed towards Angels chop shop. If he wasn't there at least I'd have some company until I was sure Miss James was gone. Angel grinned and walked away from the car he was working on when he saw me pull up.

" Ahh Tori it's good to see you. Eli is not working today though. " He said.

It figured. He was probably doing club business. " Thanks I tried calling him but he didn't answer. " Oh well uncomfortable dinner here I come.

Angel looked behind my car when we both heard a motorcycle. " Looks like I spoke too soon eh? " He said with a hard tone.

Looking back I resisted the urge to get out and raise hell. He didn't answer my call because he was with Veronica. I knew him not answering was fishy. Even when he was on his bike he's always pull over if any one called.

I watched Angel walk over to them and go into his gringo method of acting like he didn't speak English. It looked like her boyfriends car had come through here, but Angel would never give up info Eli should have known that.

Angel went back to the car he was working on and Eli walked over to me. It looked like Veronica was taking a call.

" It's not what it looks like. "

I rolled my eyes. " I was just asking Angel a few questions about my car. " I lied. " Now I'm just waiting for you to move your bike so I can leave. "

" Querida don't be like that. " He said sighing.

Reluctantly I looked up at him. " I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get bitchy. It's just our relationship has changed and I really don't know where we stand. "

" Baby I'm all yours. If you didn't know that before now you do. " He said firmly. " I'm helping her find her boyfriends car that's it. "

Wow. We hadn't defined the relationship yet but in his head we were already together. I didn't know how to feel about that. " Okay. I trust you. Call me later? "

He bent down and stuck his head in the window and kissed my lips. " You know it. "