Tortured Souls (Rebels of Sandland 2)

What the fuck?

“I didn’t send that.”

“Like fuck you didn’t.” Ryan stared straight at me, his accusation as clear as day. I didn’t take my eyes off him once when I answered.

“I didn’t.”

We stood silently for a few seconds, looking between each other. The only sound was the drip drip of the pipes above and our heavy breathing.

“If he said he didn’t send it, I believe him,” Finn said, breaking the silence.

“Me too,” Zak added.

“Well, if he didn’t send it, who did?” Ryan pocketed his phone and gave the others a pointed stare. Something was going on and I wanted to know what it was. I hated being left out of the loop.

“Let me get this straight. You got a text message last night-”

“We all did,” Ryan butted in.

“And you think it was me? Mate, I didn’t send shit to you. Honestly. On my nan’s life. And I wouldn’t fucking swear on her life for just anyone, but I will. For you. I. Didn’t. Send it.”

“Okay.” Ryan threw his head back and let out a groan. “Looks like we’ve got more shit to deal with than we thought.”

“Why the fuck are you letting a bloody text message get to you? Block the number. It’s not hard. Who gets spooked over a text? It’s probably kids messing about. Have you lost your balls since I left as well as your street cred?”

“We haven’t lost anything, and we’re taking it fucking seriously because what we did was some serious shit. Do you have any idea who those people were that we pissed off when we exposed Winters? We’re playing with the big boys now. This isn’t a fucking joke.” Ryan always did take everything to heart. He needed the likes of me around to keep him grounded.

“If they’re that hell bent on getting to us, a text message should be the least of your worries. It’s a threat, but it’s a weak one. A coward’s way of doi

ng business.”

“Us?” Ryan scoffed. “You make it sound like you’re on our side.” Ryan crossed his arms over his chest, flexing his muscles as he did. He should know by now, that didn’t scare me.

“It could be the Lockwoods? They’re the biggest cowards around here.” Finn suggested. “Maybe they found out Zak was snooping after what you and Emily said about them dropping the case and threatening Harper.”

“Come again? They threatened her?” Heat coursed through me and I clenched my fists. My rage levels were spiking again. Even hearing her name made me feral.

“Don’t.” Ryan went back to wagging his finger at me like a high school teacher. “Leave her out of this. That girl has been through enough.”

I squared my shoulders and took a step towards him.

“If I want to talk about her, I will.”

Ryan sneered over at me.

“You can’t even say her name out loud, can you? Feeling guilty?”

Like I’d ever admit that to him. I couldn’t even admit it to myself.

“I’ve got nothing to feel guilty about.”

“You had a fight with her brother. He died. Okay, so he didn’t die solely because of your punches, but they fucking helped.” Ryan was flying a little too close to the wind on this one.

“It’s bare-knuckle boxing. What did he expect? Could happen to me one day,” I said, not giving a fuck.

Ryan shook his head in disgust at my response.

“Are you still gonna fight?” Finn asked me, steering the conversation away from Harper.