Page 11 of Deadly Little Hearts

I slide into my car and start her up, then pull out of the underground garage, stopping in front of my place.My gaze snaps to my rearview mirror, and there she is, running out the front door, pulling on a blazer to cover up her naked body.

“Fuck you!”I scream, slamming my fist down on the steering wheel before tearing down the driveway and out onto the road.

My hand presses down hard against the horn when I reach the gates.The security guards run toward the tower and open the door.I glance back using the rearview mirror, and she’s watching me drive away.Fucking hurry up.My hands shake, and I need something to take this pain away.

Reaching into the glove compartment, I pull out a little bag filled with white dust.Sure, I’ve been high more than sober these last few days, but anyone who’s been left an orphan—who’s had to tell their own fucking sister that their parents are dead—deserves it.I need this.After emptying the coke on the back of my hand, I bring it to my nose and inhale.It hits the back of my throat, and a smile plays on my lips.Licking my thumb, I gather the remaining powder and rub it against my gums, then throw the bag at my feet.

Shifting gears, I fly through the open gate and into the street.The midday sun shines through the windshield, blinding me.I drive through the streets of Daringville, down the main drag with designer clothing stores and cobblestone paths.There are people walking around with bags and bags of pointless shit that makes them feel better about themselves.My mother used to do the same—spend thousands of dollars every day, buying clothes that made her feel good.I want to feel good too.

I speed through the main street, and eyes watch my car suspiciously.When I pull to a stop just outside the checkpoint, my tires screeching against the road, one of the men stationed at the guard tower rushes toward my car and opens my door.I throw him my keys before walking toward the train tracks.I have no idea why I’m drawn here—or maybe I do, but I don’t want to admit it.Being on the tracks that divide our two cities brings me closer to her without being close to her.

The loud thumping of my heart bleeds through my ears.If only I could reach into my chest and pull out the stupid, good-for-nothing organ and rip it out.Then all this pain would disappear.

My feet carry me along the train tracks, stepping over every wooden panel and balancing on the crushed rocks, the numbness increasing with each step.Part of me wants her here, to hold her and never let go.But she killed your mother.She made you an orphan.

The wanting fades away until it’s nothing but a small speck.

My phone vibrates and I pull it out.

Gage: We have matters to discuss about changes in Daringville.Full board meeting tomorrow at Luciano.

Cursing, I shove my phone back into my pocket and kick a rock, watching as it bounces along the track.

A loud whistle cuts through the air, and I look over to the Daringhood side of the tracks.Kai and his two henchmen are walking straight toward me from the edge of their slummy town.Fuck.The only weapon I have is the knife strapped to my thigh.Thankfully, that will be enough to protect myself if need be.I stop and wait for them to come over.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?Lucas Fox, all alone, looking like a lost little puppy,” Bear says with a sly grin.

“Fuck off,” I growl, shoving my hands into my jeans pockets.

Bear reaches into the back pocket of his pants and pulls out a knife.He runs the blade along his finger, drawing a mere droplet of blood.He watches me with his weird-as-fuck bright-green eyes.I could run, but fuck that.I’m now the leader of The Brotherhood; they should be the ones running from me.

“You know, lost little puppies are easy to kidnap.They’re vulnerable, and one pat, one tickle behind the ear, and they are mine.”Bear grins, and I step forward over the tracks until I’m right in his face.

My chest almost touches his, and his green eyes glare at me with so much hate.His knife stands between us—one wrong move, and it’ll be in me.I hope it is.I want to feel the burn of the blade sinking into my flesh.I hope he hits my heart so I can feel relief.

“Do it,” I growl, and Bear frowns, twisting the knife between us, bringing it closer to my chest.I plead with my eyes, begging him to make it happen.

“Enough.We never strike first!”Kai booms from somewhere close, and Bear doesn’t budge for several heartbeats before he finally steps back.

“Fucking coward.”I laugh, and Bear lunges forward as I step away.He pulls back his knife, as if he’s about to plunge it toward my chest, but Kai reaches him first, shoving him to the side.

“He’s Freya’s,” Kai says to Bear, who shoves his knife back into his pocket, mumbling words under his breath.

It feels like a sucker punch to the heart—the mention of Freya, and me being hers.I want to scream that I’m not, and I fucking hate her, but the words clog in the back of my throat.

She told him about me?No, I don’t want to know.I can’t let her in again.If she loved me, she wouldn’t have killed my mother.She broke my stupid, gullible fucking heart.

“I hear congratulations are in order, leader,” Kai says, folding his arms over his chest.

I nod.“Yep.”

“You better do something to create better treatment for us and provide us with more, or there’s a war coming your way,” Kai says.

“Are you threatening The Brotherhood?”I scoff.“It’s one thing to threaten me, but The Brotherhood?That’s too far, even for you, Kai.We’ve killed people for less.”

Kai raises his hands, taking a step backward.“No threats—just words between enemies.Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”He turns around and Zion follows him.

Bear doesn’t move for several seconds before he waves.“See you around, pup.”

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