Page 88 of Relapse
He shrugged. “Everyone thinks they’re ready for the truth, until they get it.”
“Are you gonna give me some speech on the proper way to handle shit too?” Lou and Micha had that conversation covered. Ten times over.
“I don’t give a shit what you do, Mason. Snort all the coke and smoke all the crack you want.” The creepiest grin I’d ever seen washed across his face. “Just know that I will kill the guy who sold it to you.”
Couldn’t help but wonder if that’s what happened to Keith. I hadn’t seen him since I got out of rehab, and I was pretty sure that’s where Ryker gotten the shit I almost overdosed on. I recognized the pink label on the bag.
I brushed the thought away. “We’re not here for this.”
“Okay,” Preston let out a huff. “There’s only one way to drag the truth out of someone.”
“Care to share that secret with the rest of the class?”
He turned his head, locked eyes with mine, and said, “Break them.”
My face dropped. Really? Break them? That was his grand advice. “What the fuck do you think I’ve been trying to do?”
“Nothing. That’s my point.” Preston tipped a brow and crossed his arms. “You’re the same asshole who’s been terrifying her for years. Why the fuck would she tell you shit? That little boy she fell in love with however…”
Huh?
As much as I’d like to argue the love part of his analogy – you didn’t throw someone you loved under the bus – Preston did have a point.
“You’re saying I have to be nice?” Just saying that made me want to gag.
“Not all the time,” he explained. “But a kind word here and a tender moment there will really fuck with her head. Can’t keep a secret when you’re trying to figure out why you’re seeking comfort from the guy that makes your life hell.”
“So… I need to be her enemy, and her friend?”
He clicked his tongue and waved a finger. “Exactly.”
Yeah, I could see how that would fuck someone up. I kind of felt bad for Marnie. Poor girl had no chance.
“Okay.” I rolled my shoulders, filling them with determination. “Let’s do this.”
I had to give props to Preston. The asshole was efficient. He walked right up, kicked the door open, and strutted into the house like he owned the place. I’d barely followed him before the first scream echoed out the door. By the time I stepped inside, he was pushing two of Harper’s staff into a closet.
My brow rose as he picked up a broom and slid it through the door handle, locking them in the tiny room. “Is that necessary?”
He stopped and glanced over his shoulder at me. “I could shoot them?”
It was disturbing how casually he said that. He wouldn’t have an issue putting a bullet in everyone we came across. Hell, he’d probably skip through the house while doing it.
I waved at his makeshift lock. “Carry on.”
We were here to get Harper, not turn this place into the house of death and blood. If Ned was in town, however…
The first place I checked was Harper’s room. I thought I’d find her huddled in the corner hugging one of her stuffed rabbits, but no. She wasn’t there. The interrogation began after that. There was an upside to bringing a known psycho to a shake down. The third maid we came across happily gave up that information when Preston threatened her. Freckles was apparently holed up in the library.
When we rounded the corner, I was ready to kick the door in until a familiar face stepped through.
“Fuck me,” I grumbled as Mrs. Benson crossed her arms.
I was hoping to avoid this drill sergeant bitch.
“Mason Kessler. Why are you causing a ruckus in my house?”
I wanted to point out that technically this wasn’t her house, but she did run shit around here. Uptight prude probably knew we were here before we stepped inside.
