Stupid fucking bitch will pay for this.
Gnawing guilt claws at my insides at the thought of my friend suffering for my sins.
I will fucking kill Parker Brooks and throw her into the pit in Prestwick Forest until her bones rot alongside the others already lining the muddy floor.
“Who did this?” I ask the vice principal, because I need confirmation before starting a new war.
“We don’t know, but there will be a full investigation,” she says. Her eyes narrow as she looks behind me at the sound of approaching footfall.
The fine hairs on my arms prickle, and I know Galen called in the cavalry.
“We’ve got it from here, Mrs. P,” Saint says, snaking his arm around my shoulders and pulling me into his body. “You can go now.”
She opens her mouth to reprimand him but obviously thinks better of it. Tossing a poisonous glare in Saint’s direction, she walks off without a word.
“This was Parker and Finn’s doing,” Saint says.
“You know for sure?”
He nods. “There was a witness. She contacted us, and we left class immediately. We’ve just come from talking with her. She told us everything,” Theo replies.
“Which is?” I ask, anger mushrooming inside me.
“Parker paid this freshman to keep watch in the hallway while her, Beth McCoy, and a few others cornered Sariah,” Caz confirms.
“She fought back,” Saint says. “But those aren’t good odds.”
“How long was she lying unconscious for?”
Saint squeezes my shoulder. “It happened at the end of lunch, just before the next period.”
“Where the fuck is that freshman?” I seethe, my hands balling into fists. “That little bitch knew my best friend was lying beaten and bloody on the floor, and she waited hours to contact you? I’m going to make her wish she’d never been born.”
“As much as that turns me the fuck on, we’ll handle her punishment,” Saint says.
“It’s delicate,” Theo explains. “Our rule is still fresh. People need to feel comfortable coming to us with stuff, so we have to tread carefully.”
“Beating her bloody would not send the right message,” Caz agrees.
“And we need to keep her away from the authorities until we’ve handled it,” Saint says.
“Fine. Forget the fucking twat. Just point me in Parker’s direction, and I’ll vent all my rage at her. She’ll be in a wheelchair for life by the time I’m through with her.” That goes for Beth and the other bitches too.
“All in good time, princess.”
“Do not fucking patronize me, Saint.” I shuck out of his hold. “If this was one of your guys, you’d have already smashed through the classroom door and gunned the bitch down.”
“Actually, that’s the last thing he would do,” Galen cuts in. “Our violent rep may proceed us, but most of our attacks are skillfully planned in advance.”
“And we know just how to take Parker down,” Saint adds, grabbing my hand and lacing his fingers through mine. He starts towing me away.
“How?” I struggle against his hold, not willing to go anywhere until I know revenge will be mine.
“Parker was the one who gave up the meth house,” Saint confirms, gesturing for me to keep walking.
“Go on.”
“Her and that idiot Finn thought it would buy their way into our good graces if they betrayed their source, enabling us to eliminate the competition.” Saint smirks.
