Page 89 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

WhenIgotthecall from West, my whole world fell apart. I didn’t understand what he was saying. I’d been in Vegas three hours. I’d been to four different hospitals looking for Drake because Alicia wasn’t answering her phone, and the text she was supposed to send me with the details never arrived.

Storming into Drake’s hotel room, I find him lying on the bed laughing with Alicia and another random woman. There is a photo of the random woman sucking his cock on the massive TV screen. What the fuck?

“What the hell have you done?” I screamed.

“She got what she deserved!” Alicia shouts back.

“What? Why? Why did she deserve to see this?”

“Because she always gets what she wants. Well, they all do. That business should have been mine. But oh no, West gets to be in control of everything. Well, here’s the thing, Zed. I will do whatever I can to make every one of their lives miserable, and if it takes every last penny I have, it’ll be worth it.”

“I don’t believe what I’m hearing. This is all over some stupid control thing?”

Drake stands and walks toward me. “Don’t yell at her like that.”

“Why? What are you going to do? You’re a fucking weak, spineless drunk.”

That’s when Drake throws a punch and misses.

I’ve had as much as I can take. I take one more look at the picture at the man who East thinks is me, and a red mist settles over my eyes. My arm swings and connects with Drake’s jaw. I see him fall, but I just can’t stop. I grab him, pull him back up, and hit him again. I can hear the women screaming, but that doesn’t stop me. There is breaking glass and more screams. I can’t make out what they’re saying, but when I am pulled off my brother, I see what I’ve done.

There is blood everywhere. What I don’t understand is where all the broken vases came from, and the glass table has been tipped over and smashed. What the fuck did I do?

I feel the handcuffs go on tightly, and I’m escorted through the casino with everyone looking at me in disgust. Well, I have just beaten the crap out of their fucking rock star idol. If only they knew the truth.

The cell stinks, and the guy asleep opposite me is so hammered, he’s clearly pissed himself. How the fuck did I end up here?

A familiar voice calls my name through the bars, and when I look up, Mateo smiles.

“Well, I didn’t think I would ever see you on that side of the bars.” He chuckles.

“Yeah, you and me both. How do I get out of here?” I ask.

“You don’t. Not yet, anyway. We are currently processing all your charges, and we need your brother to regain consciousness to see what else you’ll be facing.”

“What do you mean charges? as in plural? I only beat the shit out of my brother.”

“Is that all?” He smirks. “So, it was The Hulk that came and smashed up the room, was it?”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t smash anything apart from his skull.”

“Are you sure about that. The room is trashed, Zed. I mean, completely smashed to pieces.”

“I swear, I didn’t do anything else other than hit my brother. I didn’t get the chance. I was only in there a couple of minutes before your guys turned up.”

“Really? Alicia Rose claims you were there for at least twenty minutes smashing everything up. Then, when Drake tried to stop you, that’s when you attacked him.”

“I want a lawyer. This whole thing is a massive pile of shit, but can you also call my wife and tell her what happened? She might not take your call at first but keep trying. She’s had a bit of a shock today.”

A good while later, Mateo returns.

“I’ve spoken to your wife. She’s upset, as you would imagine, and her brother has agreed to post bail. As long as your brother doesn’t press charges and you pay for the damage to the hotel room, I think you should be okay, but if he does decide to make you pay, then you could be in for a little time behind bars.”

Fuck. What the hell was Drake thinking? Why did he go along with Alicia’s crazy revenge plan?

“I’d try to get some sleep. You’ll be here for a while longer yet.” He gives me a slight smile and walks away, leaving me wondering what the hell have I done. Why now? Why now when I just thought I could maybe have a piece of the pie for myself?

But that’s right. I’m not destined to be happy or settled. My life is supposed to be a struggle, a constant fight against some unknown enemy. Why did I ever think that I could have something good?Someonegood?

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