Fractured Minds (Rebels of Sandland 3)

“I love you too,” I whispered down the phone to her. Then, I hung up and reluctantly I clicked onto their text message.

Do we have a deal?

Before I could type a response, I heard movement coming from behind me.

“I knew it,” Brandon hissed. “I knew there was more to this than just a convenient venue and some bullshit about them being your friends. They’re threatening you, aren’t they? The Brinton crew have something over you. Or is it your uncle who’s behind all this?”

Brandon stood in the doorway but he didn’t look mad, he looked concerned.

“How much did you hear?” I really hoped I could formulate a plan and talk myself out of this.

“All of it. You thought someone had broken into Effy’s house. Are they threatening her too? I swear to God, I will cause a fucking shit-storm if they are. I’ll fuck them up so badly they’ll wish they’d never met you. He’ll wish he’d never touched––”

I cut him off. “I can handle this.”

“Can you? Because from where I’m standing you’re not. You’re doing a really shitty job of keeping it together. You’re shaking, sweating, losing your shit, and I’m not about to stand by and watch that happen… Not again.”

I took a few deep breaths. There was no time like the present to ask him if he’d consider fighting. It wasn’t like things could get any worse for me.

“Brandon. I need a favour.”

“You need a favour? Or are they forcing you to ask me for a favour?”

“Does it matter?”

He didn’t answer and so I carried on.

“I need you to fight. At the party. I need you to fight Joe Hazel.”

Brandon bit his lip, smiling an ironic smile and shook his head.

“Un-fucking-believable. You know I can’t do that. Harper was put on bed rest earlier today. Her blood pressure is through the roof. Doctors are worried about her. I can’t do that to her.”

Fuck.

I darted my eyes left and right trying to think of another solution.

“What if we just advertised that you were fighting but changed it at the last minute?” I was starting to sound desperate. Hell, I was desperate.

“Mate, you’re not making any sense. Why would I do that?”

“Because if I can’t prove that you’re gonna fight on that night then I’m a fucking dead man.” Nothing like being brutally honest to get what you want.

“No one is going near you. I’d never let anyone hurt you.”

“You can’t be there all the time, though, can you?” I grabbed a fistful of my hair and groaned. “Ugh. I didn’t mean literally dead. I meant figuratively. My life won’t be worth living if you’re not fighting.”

I slumped down onto the floor, sitting against the wall and burying my head in my hands. This was useless. I didn’t want Brandon to fight either, and I’d never put Harper or the babies at risk. I was cornered by the wolves, and there was no way out.

“It’s fine,” I stated like I believed it. “I’ll think of something else. Forget I even said anything. Harper and the babies come first. You’re not fighting.”

“You’re desperate. I’ve never seen you like this. I’m gonna go and pay these fucking soldiers a visit. Let them know––”

“Please don’t,” I begged, cutting him off. “I know you want to help but that’ll only make it worse. Plus, you need to think about Harper and the babies. Would she want you stirring up shit with the Brinton lot?”

“No, but I don’t like feeling fucking useless.” He gritted his teeth and cracked his knuckles, giving a glare that told me he was on his last nerve. Holding back wasn’t Brandon’s strong point.

“I don’t know what to say.” My fight had turned into flight. My best option looked like leaving Sandland forever, just like Alice had told me to, but thinking about that made my heart hurt. I could never walk away from Effy.