Page 20 of Hell's Claim

“Thalia, don’t. I did say that, and I meant it. You are little better than a con artist,” Polly said. “We’re Winchesters. We should be setting examples.”

“I ain’t no Winchester. That’s not a claim I’d ever make. I want no part of our father’s name or family. It doesn’t matter how many times you’re told, you do not hear. Honestly, I’m starting to wonder if you’re dense, stupid, or wilfully deaf,” I hissed.

“Don’t you dare talk to me like that!” Polly exclaimed.

“Why not? You don’t care about upsetting or insulting me. Why should I worry about your feelings,” I retorted.

Clio’s eyes were huge. “Maybe if you just admit to faking—”

“Shut the fuck up. My team doesn’t fake anything. Funny how you’re willing to believe in Aurora from Rage, but what we investigate is bull. I don’t see us resolving these issues. Honestly, I can tolerate you and Thalia, but I really dislike Polly.”

Polly’s eyes went wide. “You don’t mean that,” she exclaimed, shocked.

“Yes, I do. Why wouldn’t I? You take every opportunity to demean me and my career. You ridicule and say spiteful things. Why on earth would I like you or want to be around you? Hell, I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve called me a liar!”

“I’ve never called you that!” Polly shrieked.

“Every time you ask me how I fake the footage or ask if I really expect people to believe me, you call me a liar. And I’velost count of how many times I’ve told you we don’t fake the footage or make crap up, but no… you still call my integrity into question,” I replied.

“I’m not…” Polly bit her lip as she sought her words.

“And you two support her. With your stupid little teases about what I film can’t possibly be real. What, just because it doesn’t fit into your narrow ideas of the world, it’s false? Grow up. I’ve sat here for an hour listening to the three of you being patronising bitches. Rain is the only one who’s praised me for how much I’ve grown in confidence and how well I have done.”

“That’s not true…” Thalia began, and I cut her off.

“Then tell me one positive thing you’ve said around my career.”

I watched as Clio and Thalia struggled to find something to say. I let them sit uncomfortably for a minute before speaking again.

“Exactly. Now, again, I can tolerate you two, but I really don’t like Polly. To be honest, none of you, in the few years we’ve known each other, have bonded with me. I am the odd one out, and I’m fine with that. But stop the bullshit requests to join you for family events. Because as far as I’m concerned, we may share blood, but we’re not family,” I said.

Clio looked stricken, and Thalia horrified. Polly was expressionless, her go-to face when she was deeply distressed. It was weird how I understood them so well, but they didn’t know me. I rose to my feet.

“After tonight, can we just agree to stay out of each other’s way? Especially me and you, Polly, we’ve nothing in common. If I’m local, I’ll let you know, but stop calling and inviting me to events I won’t attend. My life is at odds with yours. I think that’s pretty obvious.”

“When’s your next event?” Polly asked me suddenly.

“Two weeks today.”

“Can I come? Maybe if I experience what you do, I’ll understand,” Polly suggested.

Well, damn if that didn’t shock me. Polly had actually rendered me mute.

“Callie?” Polly pushed after I failed to reply.

“Okay. But you sign on for two. And they are both weeklong investigations,” I replied.

“Fine. I will ensure my team knows, and I’ll come with you. I’ve not had a break since I opened the dojo,” Polly said.

Suspicious, I nodded.

Clio beamed at us. “That’s a great start.”

“There’s one condition. You keep your doubts to yourself. My team doesn’t need to know you think they’re all liars,” I stated. The team already knew that, but Polly wasn’t aware of that.

???

I watched as Sunny stood talking to Bunny before he caught my gaze on him. He sent me a warm smile, but there was nothing intimate in it. That puzzled me. Was Sunny going to pretend last night did not happen?

---