Page 83 of Wicked Tricks

So basic, and so generic.

Words that many girls around the world could whisper to their best friends without any hesitation, because they knew that they would understand. But to me, admitting that I may have feelings for a man felt like I might as well have tattooed the words‘I AM A FUCKING IDIOT’across my forehead.

On the third day of my pity party, the day that I swore life would get back to normal, I woke to the sounds of shattering glass and faint yelling from down the hall. I recognised Bea’s voice instantly, but couldn’t make out the muffled voice with her.

I was instantly wide awake, and I retrieved the gun from under my mattress.

Opening my door slowly, I stuck my head out and scanned the hallway before quietly stepping towards the commotion.

“You better pack your shit before Rome fucking finds out,” Bea spat.

Another smash of what sounded like pottery against the tile floor.

I stuck my head around the corner, into Sierra’s bedroom.

It was absolutely trashed.

Shards of glass, clothes, and other random objects were strewn across the large room. Bea picked up a lamp, yanking the power cord free from the wall, and threw it at Sierra’s head. Sierra ducked out of the way, her face was stained with mascara like she had been crying - but no fresh tears were present.

“Before Rome finds out what?” I asked as I stepped into the room.

My attention was drawn to the two duffle bags on Sierra’s bed, both overflowing with cash.

“Are you going to tell her, or should I?” Bea snapped, picking up a crystal vase and getting ready to throw it.

I grabbed her wrist, holding it back.

“Tell me what?” I said through gritted teeth.

I wasn’t in the mood for the bullshit.

Sierra wouldn’t meet my eyes, looking anywhere in the room but my face.

“She’s the one who dobbed us in to the Santino’s,” Bea spat, twisting her wrist from my grip and hurling the vase at Sierra.

Sierra ducked again, only narrowly missing the flying object this time.

“What?” I asked, turning to Sierra and searching her face.

So, it wasn’t Antoni?

“I’m sorry,” she pursed her lips and crossed her arms, not looking sorry at all, “that lady offered me so much money. I already told Bea that I would split it with you guys. Screw Diana, man. We can finally do our own thing.”

“That’s not the fucking point,” I said, handing my gun to Bea - afraid of what I might have done.

“Have you heard from Louis?” Bea asked as she turned to me.

I was filled with dread instantly as I remembered the missed call that I had received from him days ago.

“What happened to him?”

“They beat him to a fucking pulp. Sierra not only gave us away, but she gave themhisname!”

My heart dropped into my stomach.

Why had I not bothered to ring him back when I had the chance?

Could all of this have been avoided if only I wasn’t so distracted by the silly drama with Antoni? Even though I now knew Sierra was the one to blame for the downfall of our operation, I couldn’t help but feel responsible. I let some man distract me, and because of that, people I cared about had been hurt.

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