Page 31 of Savage Scream

“A person. An asset of theirs that’s helping them.”

“When do you drive this… asset?”

I shrug. “When they need the asset to do a job.”

Garrett narrows his eyes. “What sort of job?”

I shake my head. I can’t tell him the truth. Griffin won’t hesitate to kill me or my parents if he finds out I’ve been blabbing.

“I have no idea, man. I just drive the car.”

Tilting his head, Garrett’s brown curls tumble over one eye as he studies me.

“Any chance these so-called jobs happen right before another murder is announced on the news?”

I shrug. “Don’t know. I don’t really pay that much attention.”

Garrett stares at me for a few beats, and I can tell he doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t press any further about that particular subject.

“How did you crash the car? You’re a good driver, man. I don’t for a minute think it was an accident.”

For fuck’s sake. Why does he have to be so fucking… caring?

“I was being reckless,” I admit. “Had a bit of a screaming match with Dee. Well, I mean, I was the one screaming. She just stayed fucking quiet, as usual. But the car wreck was totally my fault. I was out of my mind with anger.”

“Why?” Garrett asks and I shrug.

“I think it all just got too much. The thing with Mike West. My brother dying and my olds checking out.” I look down at my lap. “You guys always busy with your girlfriend.” I shake my head. “And Dee. I just wanted her to speak. To trust me enough to share that with me.”

I glance back up at my mate, and his face is contorted in pain.

“We’ve been shitty friends.”

I shake my head. “It’s not all on you guys. I’ve been a shitty person in general. Hell, the way I’ve pushed Dee, I’m surprised she didn’t leave me to die in that car.”

Garrett chuckles. “I’m surprised about that, too.”

We fall into a comfortable silence, both of us stuck in our own heads, and when dancers start filing from the building, I check my phone to see that Dee’s dance class is over.

“I gotta get back in there,” I state, and Garrett nods.

“Do me a favour and be fucking careful with the Marx family. And call me if you get into any trouble.”

I nod, wondering if I should have rang him the night Travis and I were involved in killing that druggo, Pike.

No. I could never have dragged him or any of my mates into that.

Without warning, Garrett leans across the console and gives me a man hug. He’s the last person you’d think would do something like that, yet here we are.

10

DEE

My last target for tonight is Tim Ovens. He’s a middle-aged, rather round fella that likes to wear a skin tight tiger suit and expose his junk to unsuspecting preteen girls on the internet.

He was also a member of the Vixen’s Lodge sex club that my foster sister, Rhys, used to attend as Kitten. All the research I’ve been given on him screams creepy fucker.

I’ve already slaughtered three others tonight, not bothering to wait until most neighbourhoods were asleep. That’s too predictable, and since so many on this list seem to also be Carnal Unicorn members, I know there’s a possibility of another ambush.

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