Page 63 of Slayer

I've made my decision, giving her a quick and instant end with a single shot from my Glock.

“That isn't how I expected you to go.” Dad speaks in a blunt matter-of-fact tone.

“The instant death? Dragging death out is fine when it's not on my carpet.”

“I wasn't sure you'd kill her at all.”

It's not how I would have taken this last week, but I need to show everyone that I'm still tough after letting Porter and Tiffany both go.

“Brandy?” I question, stepping over the body. This room is a crime scene now, so I strip my shoes and jacket off at the door. I have a new suit in a narrow wardrobe at the door, which ensures I take nothing through into the house. Dad keeps a suit here too, so we both change together. This room will be bleached and sterilised by my special cleaners, and the furniture replaced. I try to avoid conducting business in my home, but sometimes bad things need to be done to keep the peace with my father.

forty-three

Porter

Annieisn'tathome.Of course she isn't, whether he let her go or not, why would she come here. This isn't her house anymore; all her stuff is at her apartment. She only comes here when she needs money or needs to run. Besides, she would be stupid to come back, Knox wanted her out of his territory. I thought she needed money, but now I know she was running. She was running from Knox and she led him here to me. I have to wonder if that was her plan all along. She couldn't seduce him to dig her way out of this, so she came to me. She set me up and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. But that doesn't mean it was wrong. Heading into the lounge reminds me how clean and fresh Knox's house was. This feels cold and empty, which it is, but it’s different than before. It's a relief knowing Mum isn't in her room upstairs; it means I don't have to creep around while I tidy up. I'm not even sure why I'm tidying up. I hate this place. I grab the lamp nearest me and throw it into the wall. Then whatever else I can find to try and fix what feels broken. I've been home fifteen minutes and I miss Knox already. I'm not sure my future happiness was part of my sister's plan, I think I've done everything she expected from me. The perfect scapegoat. She's free and gone now while I'm stuck trying to figure out the mess she left as usual. But she wouldn't expect me to stay with him or for him to want me too. She would expect me to stay here and look after Mum just like before. But I don't want that. I knew that before I even left his house, but I needed to be here to say goodbye to the place I was raised. And I need to gather the money I've been stashing under the bed. I smirk to myself, thankful that I never told Annie about it.

It wouldn't be terrible to go back to him would it?

No reason I don't deserve everything he is offering right?

Who would miss me anyway? Well, Vince might.

I should tell him I won't be dancing at the club anymore.

Yes. That's what I'm going to do. Pack my things and go to the club. I'll tell Vince that I quit and then get a cab back to Knox's house. Forget waiting for him to come to me.

My bag is half packed before I realise I don't know where he lives, but I have the phone, I'll just call him for a lift.

Before I know it, I'm walking to work for the last time. Knowing that puts a spring in my step.

As the club comes into sight, my world closes in. Nope. This is a bad idea.

I'm not second guessing my new life with Knox. I'm questioning why I would go into the club while it's closed and tell that man, who can’t take a hint that he'll never see me again. Being alone with Vince doesn't feel very sensible at all. It suddenly feels more like a telephone conversation type of thing for when I'm safely tucked up in Knox's house.

“Porter?” Vince's voice sends a chill through my bones. “Where the fuck have you and your sister been?”

“Uh…?” My sister? Why is he asking about Annie? I didn't know they knew each other. Just like I didn't know Annie knew who to hand bricks of coke to. Shit, it’s all coming together now.

My hand stalls in my pocket, mid grabbing the phone. I want to call Knox more than ever right now.

I am very skilled at butt-dialling people, and I’m sure Knox wouldn’t have put too many numbers in this phone. Hopefully my skills don't let me down now.

“I'm sorry I didn't call. Mum got sick and I had to get her into a rehab centre. I've popped round to the club now to explain.” Telling him about Knox would only give him a way to find me when I leave, and the way he's closing in on me screams not to tell him about my new life.

“Annie went with you?” He cocked his head to the side as he waited for my answer.

“Uh yeah.” I stammered out. I'm running out of space to back away into. “I'd just got home from work, she was there. It was three am, no way I was dealing with that alone.”

“Where is Annie now?” Vince takes another step towards me. His face twisted into a creepy grin.

“I'm… I'm... not sure. She left before me.” The penny drops, and it lands with a hard thud. Crap. The only reason he would be more interested in Annie right now is if he was her dealer. “I'm sure she'll pop round soon. She could be having a shower first. Have you checked her apartment?”

“Well let's go inside and call her.”

“Why don't we stay outside and call her?” I counter his suggestion. “She has to go get the drugs first.”

That is a cry for help, if I've butt dialled Knox, and if he answered, he needs to know. If he even cares after the way I acted before I left. I acted like an entitled brat after just a weekend exposed to money. I risked everything for my sister, and she was one step ahead of me. Again. Every bloody moment of my life. She may have defended me from the bullies when we were kids, but it was usually her fault they noticed me in the first place. I was so stupid.

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