Tortured Souls (Rebels of Sandland 2)

“Oh, there’s a case. And I’m gonna make damn sure it stays open. You’ve got something to hide, I know that. But I think you’re underestimating me. Brodie had the brawn, I have the brains. I’ll find out what it is, and when I do, I’m taking you down with him. Do you hear? I’ll take you, Chase, Mathers, hell I’ll take your whole fucking family down if I have to. Better warn your second cousins I’m coming for them.”

“That’s big talk from a little girl,” he snarled on a low growl.

“Wasn’t it Shakespeare who said, ‘she might be small, but she is fierce?’ He liked his tragedies, and when I’m finished, that’s what you’ll be living.” I kept my manic grin in place. I was on a roll.

“Yeah, and that quote comes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Just like your threats… all a dream. It will never happen. Leave it be or live to regret it.”

Just at that moment, Don Lockwood strolled out of his front door, giving me the stink-eye but smiling his fake smile.

“Harper. How are you?” He strode down the steps onto his driveway as if he were the Godfather, all bravado and menace. I half expected a few goons to come strolling out after him, carrying tommy guns and chewing matchsticks or whatever it was they chewed. “It’s good to see you getting out and about. How are your parents? You will send them my regards, won’t you?”

“Yeah, thanks,” I replied, coming across like a stroppy teen. I eyeballed Jensen and hissed, “This isn’t over.” And then flounced off to my car without another word.

As I slammed the door shut, Don’s face took on an evil sneer and his lip curled up as if he was threatening his sons. It should’ve made me feel sorry for them, but it didn’t. They needed a wake-up call. The people of Sandland were fed up with the bullshit, and my shit list, which was growing longer by the day, had them toying for first place.

Mathers or Lockwood?

Who would I take out first?

Once I got home, I threw that bloody white rose in the bin and then safely ensconced myself in my bedroom.

My haven.

I logged my computer on and clicked into the bereavement chatroom. I needed a bit of light-hearted banter after the day I’d had. I was done with people who thought they could walk all over me.

LadyStoneheart23 has joined the chat.

Regina_Phalange- Mate, you know it’s a fucking bad day when the dog shitting on your bed is the least of your worries.

JoeNotExotic- I hope you fed him dry food last night.

Regina_Phalange- Did I fuck. My whole house is getting fumigated. Hey lady!

JoeNotExotic- Welcome back, lady. Glad we didn’t scare you away.

HangingWithMyGnomies- Hi lady, how’s it going?

My fingers hovered over the keys, but I stayed silent.

Regina_Phalange- Anyway, enough of my… shit. Lol. How was counselling yesterday, Joe?

JoeNotExotic- Ugh. Fucking pointless. He wants me to keep a diary of every time I feel angry about my brother’s suicide. I don’t think they make notebooks big enough to write all my anger in to. Guy has no fucking idea. It’d be easier to list all the times I don’t feel angry.

Regina_Phalange- I hear you.

LadyStoneheart23- Me too.

I’d done it. Typed my first line in the group chat and it was shit. But I understood what he was saying. Anger was the norm for me these days.

EmoGirl has joined the chat.

Legion has joined the chat.

Regina_Phalange- What’s your story, Lady?

HangingWithMyGnomies- Don’t feel like you have to tell us.

JoeNotExotic- What he said. ^^^