Page 6 of Branches of Betrayal

“I was so angry and frustrated and worried… I just let it all out at once. But yes, I love her. I’m not ashamed of that, even if it does make me terrified.”

Piper smiled, taking Hadina’s hand in hers and squeezing softly. “Stop letting fear rule your life. If you love her, you’ll do anything to get her back. And Hadi, nobody loves as fiercely as you. It doesn’t matter what version of Peyton we get back—you’ll be the one to help her heal.”

Hadina felt the tears roll down her face as she looked at her little sister. She looked so much like their mother that sometimes it took Hadina’s breath away. But it also meant that she always had a reminder of herMamiwhenever she needed it.

“God, I missMami. She always knew exactly what to do or what to say.”

“No, she didn’t. You and Zellie think that she was a Saint, but she was human. And yes, she was the absolute best person, but don’t put her up on a pedestal like that. Our humanity and mistakes is what makes us strong. Our flaws and our faults are what we learn from.Mamilearned from hers so that she could teach us to be better. So that her daughters knew family mattered most.”

“You’re so smart, Piper.”

Piper rolled her eyes and smacked Hadina with the pillow she was holding. “Yes, I am. You should listen to me more often.”

Hadina smiled. “I think I can manage that.”

“We’ll find her, Hadi. But we’ll do it as a family. Just likeMamiwould have wanted.”

Chapter 4

Peyton

Peyton hadno idea how long it had been since she’d been taken but she figured it must’ve been days at the least. Her head throbbed and she struggled to open her eyes against the low light of the room. Her right eye was almost completely swollen shut and she winced as the movement disturbed the wounds on her face.

Wounds courtesy of the woman who had given her life.

Her entire body was in burning agony every time she breathed. Peyton was almost positive that Old Smokey and his crony had broken a few of her ribs when they decided to practice kickboxing on her already tortured body. Demi had started with simply beating her, berating her as she did so. But then she invited her dutiful employees to take their best shot and, well…they hit bullseye more than once.

The tears she’d cried to begin with were now long gone, dried up at the same time she realized she would have to shut her heart off if she wanted to survive.

And shewouldsurvive. She would make her way back to Hadina and curse the woman for ever letting her leave.

God, she missed her. She was so angry at Hadina for not following her that night. Her anger was misplaced, she knew, but it was easier to be angry than to face any of the other emotions she was feeling. Her heart hurt more than the physical pain she was in, and she didn’t have enough energy to analyze that.

“You know, it’s really a shame that you appeared back in my life. I’d happily torture anyone who was useful, but it’s extra rewarding for me that I can kill two birds with one stone: hurt Hadina Adis, and get rid of you at the same time. If only I could kill you quickly and get it over with.”

Peyton let out a low groan through her dry, cracked lips as Demi walked into the room and took a seat in front of her. She was brandishing a knife, holding it up in front of her face for the blade to catch the light. Peyton swallowed thickly as she took in the serrated edge, knowing the weapon was about to tear up her skin.

“What, you don’t have anything to say? Don’t wanna beg me to stop hurting you?”

“I don’t beg,” Peyton croaked out, her voice hoarse from screaming, “especially not for scum like you.”

Demi smiled and tapped the knife against her pursed lips. “Oh, keep talking like that. It gives me some extra fuel for what I’m about to do to you.”

“You know, it’s hard for me to believe that anyone was ever capable of putting up with you long enough to even get you pregnant. Did you convince Isaac that you were an angel or something?”

Peyton noted the way Demi’s eyes darkened at the mention of her former lover. She was absolutely sure that Demi had feltsomethingfor him, but Peyton highly doubted it was anything resembling love.

“Isaac was a means to an end. He got what he wanted out of our little dalliance.”

“Hediedbecause of you.”

“Lots of people have died at my hand or because of something I did. Isaac knew who I was and he continued to make the decisions he did. I’m not going to feel guilty because of the choices he made.”

“You’re a heartless bitch,” Peyton hissed, flinching when her lip burst open again.

“Oh darling, you have no idea. Remember how I said I was going to break you?” Peyton stared ahead as Demi continued talking, not waiting for a response. “Let me tell you something that I know will help get this process along.”

Demi crossed her legs, flipping the handle of the knife between her fingers. Peyton watched her, a loud pounding in her head as she waited for whatever fucked up revelation Demi was about to drop.

---