“Because if you embarrass me again tonight,” he murmurs. “I’m going to remind you how small you actually are!” he spits as he pulls me across the room. Kade opens the back door to the chapel, then Grayson shoves me as the cold air spills around us. While still holding my wrist, Grayson continues to drag me far enough away that the music fades. The night sky spins a bit as the alcohol raging through my veins really sets in. The crunching of their boots in the snow echoes through the trees and the moonlight filters through the dead branches. I shiver as I’m shoved against a tree. He grabs my chin, forcing me to look up at him.
“Since you like costumes, let’s test how convincing yours is.” He smirks.
“Meaning?” I ask as my heart beats wildly in my chest.
“Let’s see if broken things bleed,” he states as he licks his lips. My eyes flicker to Kade who watches quietly with anger written all over his face. For a moment, I stupidly thought he would stop this but he doesn’t.
Grayson removes his finger from my chin and wipes his thumb across the painted crack on my cheek, making the make up smear.
“Congrats, you ruined a dollar store eyeliner.” I laugh, but he wraps his hand around my throat, tightening to the point where I can’t fucking breathe.
“You think this is a game, Chunkers. I’ve had about enough of you!” he growls, tightening his hold. But Kade steps in and grabs his shoulder.
“Enough!” he growls, and Grayson glares at him over his shoulder, then Kade looks at me and I see his eyes darken into something I’ve never seen before. “You’ve scared her enough,” he spits as Grayson loosens his grip.
“Next time you show up dressed like a warning,” he snarls, “don’t act surprised when people take it seriously.” And with that, he releases me and walks away. Kade’s eyes snap to mine but he shakes hishead and jogs to catch up with his friend. What the fuck?
I don’t move. I just stand here in the moonlight with smeared makeup as my dress rustles in the wind. I don’t cry. I don’t get mad. I smile because, for once, I won.
“Good thing broken things cut deeper.” I smirk as a branch snaps behind me. I spin but see no one. Walking back to the chapel, I swing the door open with a smile spread across my face but it’s immediately removed when red thick liquid is poured over my head, drenching me from head to toe. Laughter and cheers erupt around the room, and that’s when I see it. Grayson clapping in the center of the room. It was all a set up. These motherfuckers. I spin and run out, almost slipping on whatever it is all over me. It doesn’t smell like paint. It smells horrid. I have no idea where the hell I’m running to as I wipe the sludge from my eyes. I can’t fucking see. What the fuck!
“Rowynnnn,” someone calls out, and I spin, trying to get this shit off my eyes so I can see.
“Oh, Rowyn. You shouldn’t be out here alone, Broken Dolly,” he taunts, but I keep moving. Hopefully, I don’t get lost out here.
“Come play with us. We promise not to bite,” another voice taunts, then two hands shove me in the snow and I smack my head on the concrete and everything goes black.
twenty-nine
Elliot Jacobs
Change of Plans
“Eli, baby. When are you going to take me for a ride in the bat mobile,” Chloe slurs as her fingernail scrapes down the center of my chest. What the fuck?
“Hey, Chlo… get your nail off me. Are you good?” I ask, because Chloe knows better. She’s never acted like this before, especially while on the clock.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just waiting for Daddy to tell us what’s on the agenda for the night.” She giggles and I look at Will and Seymour as Leslie walks into my room. They both shrug at me, and I narrow my eyes at them and then back at her.
“Someone better start talking because she ain’t going out there like this. Our whole operation will be blown to smithereens and not even Bruce could save us,” I growl, and Leslie holds his hands up.
“I just got here. What is going on now?” he asks, and my fists tighten.
“Chloe here is trying to get me to take her for a fucking ride. You see the problem with that?” I ask, and his eyes widen. So I turn and look at my other two runners who stand there with that deer in the headlights look. “Are you all fucking high? What the fuck?” I yell, and they start laughing, including Chloe who can’t seem to stop touching me.
“Oh shit. What do we do?” Leslie asks, and I take a deep breath and take the hand rubbing up and down my back and bring her over to Will.
“What did you all take?” I ask, losing my patience by the second but no one answers me. They continue to giggle and touch each other. Jesus fucking Christ. “Les, take them somewhere safe. I need to make this drop and I cannot bring them,” I state, and he nods, springing into action and herding them out of my room like cows. FUCK!
Taking out my phone, I text Kade. I don’t give a fuck if he’s at the Halloween party, I need him and Grayson’s help.
Me:
Yo! I need you and Grayson to get to my room now!
I pace my room waiting for a response. I cannot be late for this and time is running out.Motherfucker! Finally my phone pings and I open the message.
Kade:
