Page 13 of Deadly Little Hearts

Five years old

A loud bang startles me awake, the bed dips, and I open my eyes.My brother, Alec, is hovering over me, shaking my shoulders.

“It’s your birthday, it’s your birthday!”he screams, then wraps his arms around me, crashing his head against my chest.I giggle, cuddling him back.

“Come see what the birthday dragon left you.”Alec rolls over me and takes my hand, pulling me off the bed.Excitement builds inside my tummy.I can’t believe this day has finally arrived.For as long as I can remember, Alec and Mommy have always read stories about the birthday dragon who comes every year, delivering presents and treats.Every birthday, we spend together as a family.It’s my favorite day of the year.Not because of the presents, even though they are amazing, but because we get to do fun stuff—just the three of us.

My fingers wrap around my brother’s.He tugs me through my bedroom into the hallway.

“Close your eyes,” Alec says, and I do.He doesn’t let go of my hand, pulling me through the house.There’s the sound of a door opening, then a gust of wind kisses my cheeks.Shivers tickle my bare arms, and I have no idea why he’s taking me outside, but I trust him.

We stop, and Alec’s hand disappears out of my grip.

“Open your eyes, princess,” Mommy says, and I do.

I scream and jump up and down.Mommy and Alec are sitting on a large blanket in the middle of our backyard, with all my favorite foods and treats on it.I run up, crashing into Mom.She falls back, wrapping her arms around me.

“Happy birthday, my little princess,” she says, tickling me, and I can’t stop laughing.

This is the best birthday yet.

A loud horn pierces through the memories.I flip off the Volvo driver before speeding away, letting the wind take the memories with it.My birthdays used to be the best time of the year—until they weren’t.Until we were kicked out, and Mom poured all the love she used to have for us into drugs.

I wonder if this year will be different.Will she be able to last until my birthday in a month?But it won’t be the same without Alec here.Everything is different now, and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the hole he’s left.

Spotting Lucas’s car in the parking lot near the crossing, I slow down and come to a stop next to it.I peer inside, hoping that I’ll find him, but he’s not here.The bike hums beneath me.A couple of guards from Daringville start walking toward me, but I’m off before they get to me, heading straight through the checkpoint and over the tracks.What if he’s decided to take things into his own hands with Daringhood?Fuck.I need to find him.

I spend several hours searching Daringhood for Lucas, but it’s useless.He’s not here or doesn’t want to be found.If I did find him, what would I even say?Sorry that you walked in on us having a three-way, and I’m sorry I fucked up and killed your mother, leaving you without any parents?Fuck.

After easing Hazen’s bike to a stop outside our trailer, I cut the motor and remove my helmet.I slide my leg over and land on two feet.My legs wobble slightly and pain shoots up my thighs.

“’Bout time you showed up here.Heard you’ve been here all week but didn’t bother to come see me?”

I whirl around as Kai struts over, pushing his black hood back slightly, and his short brown hair fans out from underneath it.He pulls me in for a quick hug before stepping back.

“Sorry, been dealing with Mom.”

“So I heard.She okay?”he asks and I shrug.

“What’s up?”I ask, dropping the helmet onto the table next to our front door.

“Ran into your boy today,” he says, and my gaze snaps to his.

“What’d you do?”

He scoffs.“Nothing—just had a nice little chat.Told him I wouldn’t touch him cause he’s yours, but fuck, Freya, when are you going to come to your senses and drop them?You don’t need them anymore.You’ve got your answers about your brother.It’s over.Fuck them.”

I run my fingers through my hair, brushing out the knots, mulling over Kai’s words.Part of me wants to walk away from them, but I can’t.I’m in too deep now.Somewhere along the way, they’ve taken pieces of my heart, and I don’t want them back.

“It’s more than that, Kai.”

He curses under his breath.“We’ve been best friends for how long?”

“Too long.”I laugh.

“I’m not going to make you choose between me and them, because that’s fucked up, but this is a bad idea, Freya.”He shakes his head.“You do what you got to, but when we’re together, don’t talk about them and don’t tell them shit about me.There’s a war coming, kid, and I don’t want you stuck in the middle of it.I’d do anything to protect you, but when it comes to them, all bets are off.”

The door to our trailer squeals open and Mom steps outside, wearing an apron.She shields her eyes from the setting sun.“Kai, darling boy.You staying for dinner?”

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