Tortured Souls (Rebels of Sandland 2)

“Where is he?” I didn’t feel the need to explain who he was. I was antsy, impatient, and I wanted to get this visit over with. The longer I stayed on the Lockwoods’ territory, the more agitated I became.

Her eyes widened as she took me in, looking me up and down like I’d come from the fucking zoo. Harper’s grip on my arm tightened. She’d noticed it too. What was this woman’s deal?

“Erm, Jensen or Chase?” She bit her lip and started stalling for time. “Jensen went out a few hours ago.” She peered behind her. “I think Chase is in his room-”

“We aren’t here for a social visit,” I snapped back. “Where’s your husband?” I was losing it fast.

Just as I said that, Chase sauntered down the staircase behind her and scoffed like a little bitch when he saw us. I’ve got to admit, I was surprised to see him. I thought he’d have been back at the gym after watching his brother get his ass handed to him. Obviously he hadn’t gone to watch. Maybe he was worried he’d be next, so he’d ducked out of that one. Fucking coward.

“What the fuck do you want?” He scowled. Little shit was ballsy when he had Mummy at his side to defend him.

“Language!” his mum barked at him and we all chuckled.

That’s right, little bitch. Do as Mummy says.

“They’re here to start trouble, Mum. I couldn’t give a rat’s ass what language I use.” He tried to sound hard, but the blush on his cheeks showed him for the pussy he was.

Ma Lockwood turned to look at us and then gestured to where Harper stood.

“I don’t think Harper is here to cause trouble. She couldn’t upset anyone, even if she tried.” She gave Harper a kind smile, which I’m guessing Harper returned. I don’t know, I didn’t look. I was too busy staring Lockwood mark two down and imagining what it’d feel like to smash my fists into his face.

“We don’t want any trouble, Mrs Lockwood,” Harper said with a kindness I knew would be wasted on people like this.

“It’s Karen, dear. You know that,” Mrs Lockwood replied, beckoning Harper into the house.

She stepped forward and we all followed. But I made sure to stay by her side. I wasn’t letting my guard down any time soon. She might have been kind, but I wasn’t. I was there for one thing and one thing only. To show these people that no one fucked with us.

“Thanks, Karen. Is Don around? We need to ask him about a few things.” I let Harper take over. She’d already got us access into the house, so I figured she was best placed to get us an audience with the main man. Use the angel to lure out the devil.

“He’s in his study. I’ll take you through.” Karen went to walk away, but she stopped suddenly and turned to face me. “Do I know you? You look awfully familiar.”

Yeah, like I mixed in the same circles she did.

“I came here a few weeks ago.” I shrugged. Woman obviously had a shit memory.

“Yes, I remember that, but I mean I recognised you from before then too. What’s your last name? Maybe I know your mother.”

I highly doubted that Mrs Lockwood knew my mother. If she did, she wouldn’t want anyone to know about it. It wasn’t the type of acquaintance you’d brag about.

“Mathers. My name is Brandon Mathers.”

She frowned as much as her botoxed face would let her and tried to recall the name, but came up empty.

“No. I don’t know anyone by that name.” She laughed to herself. “Maybe it’s my age. You all look a bit familiar.” She grinned down at Harper, then said, “Of course, I know you. I always loved it when you came round here with Brodie. I’d always hoped you and Jensen might hit it off one day.” She winked then swallowed, looking embarrassed at what she’d said.

I gritted my teeth and held back the scathing words I desperately wanted to unleash on her for insinuating anything could ever happen between Harper and him. Harper just held my arm proudly and stated, “I’m with Brandon.”

“Yes, I can see that now.” Karen gave a fake chuckle. I was starting to see how well she fitted in with her husband and sons. They were all as phony as each other. “How are your mum and dad? Give them my love, won’t you? I know how rough it’s been for them lately. Well, for all of you, after Brodie, and …” she cut herself off and started to walk away. Her incessant chatter followed by her clamming up showed she was nervous. Either that, or she’d remembered how disrespectful her family had been to Harper and the Yates’.

We followed, assuming she was taking us to see her husband. Chase tagged along too, despite me eyeballing him. Fucker always did have balls of steel when it came to pissing me off.

When we came to a pair of oak panelled doors, she stopped and asked us to wait outside, then snuck in through the door, no doubt to warn the occupant inside of the firing squad that’d come to pay him a visit. Or were we the suicide squad? I always did relate more to The Joker than any of the other superheroes.

“I thought you had a fight tonight?” Chase piped up. “Did he beat you that fast? Or did you run away again like a little pussy?” He crossed his arms over his puffed-out chest and rocked back on his feet. I balled my fists at my sides as Harper gave me another reassuring squeeze.

“I knocked your brother the fuck out. Didn’t see the point in staying around to watch the clean-up operation.” Chase’s eyes flickered like he was surprised to hear what I’d said. Did he really think I’d left, or that his brother had beaten me? I didn’t have a scratch on me save for the bruising on my knuckles. And to think the Lockwoods were supposed to be smart. Obviously astute observation and powers of deduction weren’t their strong point. “I’m surprised you didn’t come to watch. What’s up with that? Afraid you’d get your ass kicked too?”

Chase flared his nostrils, but he didn’t get to say anything else. The door flung open and Karen walked out looking paler than she had when she went in.