Page 13 of Savage Scream

The turmoil of the past few weeks lightens as I get wrapped up in the addictive app, and I have no idea how much time has passed when a breaking news story interrupts Mum’s shimmying to an ABBA song.

“Detective Zimora, who has been assigned to investigate the string of murders that have occurred recently in the Timber Valley district, asks that people remain calm. He doesn’t believe the recent murders, including that of husband and wife, Holice and Belinda Crawford who were found brutally murdered in their farmhouse in the early hours of Friday morning, or the series of murders that happened across Timber Valley last night, are that of a serial killer. His team believes that the brutal deaths are linked to organised crime that has gone unnoticed in the area for many years.”

What the fuck? More murders last night?

“Sources say there is a new player moving in, and they are cleaning shop, so to speak. With the shock of recent events relating to a child pornography ring, this reporter can’t deny that I don’t hate the idea of these vigilantes taking action. If such depravity has gone unnoticed in the area for so long by local law enforcement, one has to be concerned that they aren’t doing their jobs properly. Whoever it is that is seeking justice and cleaning up our streets, I say, thank you.”

“Oh, my goodness.” My mum gasps, her hand pressed to her chest as she glares at the radio like it’s the offender. “I know news reporters aren’t meant to take sides, but I have to say I agree with that one.”

“Yeah,” I mumble, my mind racing.

Shit. Did Dee go out killing last night without me?

With my mum distracted by the news as she unloads the dishwasher, I stand and go to my bedroom, closing myself inside. My finger hovers over Dee’s number, but there’s no point in calling her. She won’t speak, so a voice call is useless.

Unless you’re in an emergency. Apparently, she’ll speak then.

Or to Griffin Marx when he threatens someone she cares about.

Fuck.

That night at the club, sitting around the table when Dee, or should I say, Hush, leaped onto the table and drew a blade was one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen.

She spoke to Griffin that night. Whispered something to him that only he could hear.

Am I jealous?

Fuck yes, I am. I want her to whisper tome, damn it.

I also want her to killwithme.

Wait, no. Not with me, but while I’m there to watch her back and drive her around.

I bring up Griffin’s number and hit call, pressing the phone to my ear.

“Crow. There’d better be a good reason why you are interrupting my Sunday afternoon with my woman.”

I roll my eyes, even though he can’t see it.

“There’d better be a good reason as to why you’re sending Hush out to work while I’m laid up.” I hiss, and Griffin curses as I hear him whisper something like,“hold that thought little elf, I’ll be right back.”

The fuck?

I hear a door close in the background before Griffin’s voice comes back through the line.

“You and your girl are getting rather fucking bossy, Crow. Best you remember who you are talking to.”

“Yeah, yeah. Fill me in…please.” I smirk as I draw out the word, and I can just imagine Griffin rolling his eyes this time.

“Look. I haven’t booked any particular jobs. She wanted to take on the list and then some before she has to leave. I’m pretty sure she would have cut my balls from my body and fed them to a dog if I didn’t give her what she wanted.”

I smirk, nodding. “Yeah. That sounds about right.”

“So you see my predicament. Besides, we’ve worked out a new arrangement. You should be happy about that.”

“What new arrangement?”

Griffin sighs. “Best you ask her about that.”

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