We approach the balcony door, and I gently pull it open, cringing at the creak inside.The soft light is enough to reveal their peaceful forms, a stark contrast to the fury simmering within me.Drawing a sharp breath, I remind myself of my purpose.
Quietly, I step into the room, and Addy follows.My heart beats louder than the whispers wrapping around my mind.I flick my gaze back to the girl—she seems so trusting, so blissfully unaware of the reality swirling around her.I can’t let her be a part of this cycle, not when she should have every opportunity to be free from it.
“Shh,” I whisper, putting a finger to my lips before motioning for Addy to stay back.
I edge closer to the mayor, the sight of him flaming the resentment lining my stomach.I reach for my phone and hit record, capturing the snoring figure as evidence of his sheltered life.
“Wait,” Addy interjects in a whisper, suddenly tense.
I look back at her, her eyes darting to the door.My heart skips a beat before sinking as I hear the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching from down the hall.Panic sets in, and I know we have mere seconds to decide our next move.
“Hide!”I hiss, directing Addy to slip behind the oversized curtains while I cling to the shadows in the corner.
My pulse quickens as the doorknob begins to turn.The door creaks open, and a man steps through—his face shadowed but somehow familiar.I can barely breathe as I recognize him—one of the mayor’s closest aides—an enabler of the corruption that has plagued our lives.This could either be our grave mistake or the very key to unraveling everything I’ve set in motion.
His gaze sweeps the room, and just as I think he might notice me, he slips out in silence, never even knowing I was here.Addy and I take the chance to slip out through the door to the balcony, quickly rushing to the fire escape and descending the rusty steps without looking back.
This isn’t over.I’ll be back tonight but I won’t be alone.This time, I’ll have the boys who broke my heart right by my side, and together, we’re going to unleash a new sense of fear on the community, and it’s going to be so fucking sweet.
* * *
LATER ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT
“It’s fucking Halloween, Fuckers,” Ash announces as he appears from down the hall, strolling into the living room, dressed in all black with a blunt in the corner of his lips and a cigarette tucked behind his ear.
I sit on the couch, zoning out, feeling more manic than usual but trying not to show it.
“There’s another race tonight,” he says cheerfully, a cute, boyish grin plastered across his face.“Who’s down?”
Dom glances at me, a serious look in his eye, before looking at Ash with an unfortunate shake of his head.“We have plans with Calista tonight,” he mumbles, anxiously picking at his already short nails, a nervous tick he’s had since he was a boy.
Killian looks up from his laptop, shooting me an intriguing stare.Ash senses the mood in the room and flicks his gaze between me and Dom, eventually taking a seat on the end of the couch.
“Okay, what would these plans be?”He lights the blunt and looks at me, waiting for me to speak.
But before I can find my voice, Dom interjects, a slight sense of irritation lacing his tone.“Oh, you know, just a little murder.”He looks at me, giving me silent permission to fill the others in on what I told him last night.
“We can go to the race first,” I tease, flipping my hair over my shoulder to keep it out of my face.
“Wait, what do you mean murder?”Killian’s focus is fully on me, and off whatever he was watching on his laptop, the screen now shut.
“Like I told Dom last night, there’s this list I have with a bunch of names on it, and the three of you are going to help me cross off every single one I have left.Just ask Ash; he’ll tell you.”I smirk, flashing Ash a wink that makes him crack a tiny smile.
“Marcus was on her list,” Ash says, maintaining his smile as he leans back, passing the blunt to Dom.
“Apparently my father is too,” Dom bites venomously, snatching the cherried blunt out of Ash’s hand, taking a huge hit.
The boys look around the room at each other, having a silent conversation with only their eyes.I can’t help but grin, knowing I’m getting to them and that my plan is coming to life.
“Don’t worry, Dom, your father’s name isn’t the only one on the list.Adam and David are on there too.”I smirk, watching all three of their jaws drop in shock, their eyes bulging with fear and unease.
“I don’t know if I have it in me to kill someone,” Killian admits.“Let alone my fucking father.”
I shrug, giving off the impression that I couldn’t give a fuck, because I don’t.“Like I told Dom, you three fucking owe me for the shit you did—for ruining my life.I didn’t just show up here because I wanted to fix shit between us,” I chuckle, getting to my feet.“I do, but nah, I came back because it’s time to pay up.You want to be redeemed in my book?Well, welcome to fucking redemption, boys.”
The atmosphere in the room thickens, the playful banter suddenly feeling dangerously real.I dart my gaze from Ash to Dom to Killian, watching the realization seep into their minds.This isn’t a joke.I have come to play.
“So what’s it going to be, gentlemen?”My tone turns serious, challenging.