Once and for All

RILEY

Rainey woke up to an empty space where Ansel had been. He’d held her close last night, his lips against her neck, his arm draped around her. It was the best sleep she’d had in a while, even though thoughts of her leaving were still swirling in her mind.

The day was bright and clear, sunlight streaming through the open window. Riley was still asleep on Alex’s bed, snoring in a way that was far from ladylike. Rainey had to fight back a laugh as she got up and walked over to the window, pulling back the dove-gray curtains.

She looked out at the neighborhood, now bathed in a soft orange light, alive with the hustle and bustle of early morning. Lawn mowing, kids playing, cars being washed—it was the everyday life of the neighborhood.

A pang of bitterness hit Rainey. In a few days, she wouldn’t be here to see this anymore. Her dad said she’d be back soon, but how soon was soon? She was scared that the situation with Ron Moretto wouldn’t calm down and she’d be stuck far away from here, unable to return to this city for a long time.

With a sigh, she headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face.

She left the room and walked out into the hall. From the top of the stairs, she could see the brothers in the living room. Two other guys were sitting with them, and Rainey recognized them immediately.

Ken and Joe. The two guys Ansel had fought with the first time he came to her house.

Why were they here? Intrigued, Rainey quietly made her way down the stairs to eavesdrop.

She stopped on the last step, wincing as the old board creaked under her socks. She froze, then let out a sigh of relief when she realized they hadn’t noticed her.

“Didn’t Ansel kick both your asses the other day?” Alaric asked, pointing a finger at the two boys while leaning back on the couch.

“And a girl managed to hit one of you with a rock, but you guys keep coming back. Do you like pain?”

Aiden laughed as he lit a joint.

“If you’re here about the money you say I owe you, forget it. You’re not getting it.”

Ken and Joe were part of their own small, nameless gang and had known the brothers for a long time. They’d had a disagreement with Alaric because Ken had bought drugs from him but claimed he hadn’t gotten the right change. Alaric had raised the price without telling Ken, who thought it was unfair and had been demanding his money back ever since.

“You said your boss was going to handle this. Why isn’t he here yet? We’ve been waiting for weeks.” Arden raised an eyebrow, taking a bite of his cracker and sipping his tea.

“I didn’t tell my boss anything,” Ken said. “And I’m not here about the money.”

Ansel narrowed his eyes. “Then why are you here?”

“We heard,” Joe shrugged.

Alex squinted. “You ~heard~?”

“You can’t just say you heard and expect us to know what you mean. We can’t read minds, and we don’t have superpowers—ouch, shit, that’s hot.”

Arden winced, blowing on his hot chocolate before taking a careful sip.

“We heard that Ron Moretto is after one of your girlfriends,” Ken said. “So, we thought—”

“How did you find out?” Aiden looked confused. “Are you guys stalking us?”

Joe sighed. “We heard from someone. We can’t say who. Just know that we know.”

Alaric rubbed his chin. “Someone in my circle is talking too much. If I find out who, I’m putting a bullet in their fucking head.”

“Anyway, let us help you,” Ken suggested. “Our gang is small, but we have enough guys to help you raid Ron’s camp.”

“Raiding his camp won’t be easy,” Alaric reminded him. “He’s the biggest drug lord in Freetown.”

“Yeah, but with your guys and ours, we can do it.”

“Wait a minute. Why should we trust you?” Ansel asked, skeptical. “We don’t even like you.”

Ken sighed. “Because he messed with us too. Remember years ago when he had those guys shoot up your porch? Remember what happened to my little sister, Kenite?”

When Ron had ordered the men to kill Austin’s brothers, Ken’s little sister, who was friends with the boys, was there too. The first shot hit her in the shoulder. Ashton, the oldest brother, jumped in front of her, taking four bullets in his back to protect her.

Ken had been furious with the King family, blaming their dangerous lifestyle for his sister’s injury.

“How do you know Ron was the one who sent those men?” Alaric asked. “We didn’t tell you that.”

“People talk. We heard that he was behind it, and knowing what a jerk he is, it’s not hard to believe. Even a blind man could see he was jealous of your father and his brothers. Look, I was mad at you guys because my sister almost died, but Ashton saved her that night. I can’t be mad at your family for that.

“Ron’s the one we need to take down. He’s the reason my sister can’t sleep at night. I want us to beat him together. I owe it to Kenite.”

The brothers all look at him, deep in thought. His trip down memory lane has stirred up fresh anger toward Ron Moretto.

“Why are you standing here?” Riley pops up behind a focused Rainey, who quickly spins around, finger to her lips.

“Shh.”

Riley peeks over her shoulder, her nose wrinkling in curiosity. “Who are those guys?”

“They’re here to help the boys with Ron Moretto,” Rainey whispers, crossing her arms in disapproval. “They’re planning to raid his camp.”

Riley’s eyebrows shoot up. “What? No, they can’t do that. That’s dangerous. We can’t let them. That’s crazy, Rainey. They’re going to get themselves killed.”

~“I’ll protect you from Ron Moretto. Even if it means dying in the process.”~

Ansel’s words echo in Rainey’s mind, and she shakes her head, pressing a hand to her forehead. “I can’t let them go on this suicide mission.”

The King boys have a history of trouble with Ron Moretto, but Rainey can tell that the main reason they’ve decided to go after him, despite their parents’ warnings, is her.

They want her to be here, and the sooner they get rid of him, the faster they’ll all be together again.

“Oh, Jessica just texted me. It’s actually a message for you.” Riley hands her cell phone to Rainey, who lets out a deep sigh before reading the message on the screen.

Jessica

Hi, I am unable to get through to Rainey. Could you tell her that I need to speak with her today if it is possible? It’s very urgent. I’ll be in Crosshill.

Rainey knows that this definitely has something to do with Kendra.

“What could be so important?” Riley frowns. “I bet it’s Kendra who sent her on a little errand. She’s such a puppet for her.”

Rainey types a reply, then hands the cell phone back to her best friend. “I’m going to meet with her. She probably has information that could be useful.”

Riley grimaces. “Don’t trust her. She’s a fucking puppet on a string.”

“Yeah, I know. But I can handle myself. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m coming.”

“You’re not. Stay here, so that when my dad drops by, he can relay any information to you. He’ll be going by the police station today.”

Riley shakes her head. “He could just pass on the message to the King boys. I should come.”

“Riley, please don’t. Look what happened last time. You ended up in the hospital because of me. Just stay,” Rainey pleads. “I’ll be at the mall. If I don’t come back on time, then you know where to find me.”

She quickly heads up the stairs to get dressed while Riley scowls at her retreating back.

“Rainey!”

RAINEY

The mall’s food court is loud and packed, but I easily spot Jessica at a booth in the back over the sea of heads.

I rush over to her, noticing she’s wearing a big gray hoodie and a black hat. She looks nervous and jumpy, constantly checking her surroundings.

“Hi.” I sit across from her, narrowing my eyes at her strange expression. “You okay?”

She looks at me, and I almost jump at the sight of the large blue bruise around her left eye.

“Oh my God,” I gasp. “Are you okay?”

She takes off her hat to push back her brown hair. “No, I’m not okay.”

I get a better look at her bruised eye and wince in horror. “Why is your eye like that? Who did this to you?”

She sighs. “Kendra. The one and only.”

I clench my jaw. There’s something seriously wrong with that girl.

“We had a fight yesterday, and she punched me in the face.”

Anger bubbles up inside me. Jessica never really stood up for me at Freetown, but despite that, she’s not a bad person.

She might not have the strength to stand up for herself or stick to her principles, but she’s the best of the trio.

She reaches for the strawberry shake on the table and takes a small sip from the straw. She offers the drink to me, and I shake my head.

“I’m good. What were you guys fighting about?”

Taking a deep breath, she puts the drink down and leans forward. She looks around once more before speaking.

“She was telling Monica about the plans she and her uncle have for you.”

My eyebrows raise in question, and she continues.

“The whole deal thing, about her crazy uncle wanting you to work for him, it’s all a lie.

“Whether you accept the deal or not, he’s planning to kill you. Mostly because you’re connected to some Kane brothers or something like that.”

“King brothers.”

“Yeah, King brothers. He’s also planning on killing them too. He’s just using the whole deal thing as a game of cat and mouse. He just wants to get you where he wants you.

“So I got mad and told her to leave you alone.

“It’s just not fair. You’re not at Freetown anymore, and you’ve started a new life somewhere else. Why does she have to track you down and make your life a living hell?

“She didn’t like that I stood up to her, so she punched me in the face.”

It’s one thing if Kendra and her uncle target me, but why can’t they leave the King family alone? I’ll be damned if I let them touch a hair on their heads.

Fear flashes across Jessica’s face, and she leans her elbow on the table. “You should leave, get out of here. He really will kill you, Rainey.”

“I’m not afraid of anyone.”

“And Riley too. They’re planning to kill her as well. We can’t even turn to the police, because her uncle is too powerful.

“I think you should leave this city. Go as far away as you can, where they won’t be able to—”

“I’m not running away,” I interrupt, and she looks at me with soft eyes. “I ran once, and I won’t do it again.”

“Rainey…”

“Anyway, I’m glad you stood up to her,” I say. “That was brave.”

She smiles.

“I still don’t get why you stick around her though.”

She looks down at her hands. “The reason… It’s silly.”

She shakes her head. “I stayed because I felt important when I was with her. I felt like…guys noticed me more when I was friends with her.”

I sigh. “You’re way prettier than Kendra. You have a good heart, and that’s what counts. Plus, look at your hips. Lots of girls would kill to have curves like yours.”

“Thank you, Rainey.” She smiles. “I needed that.”

I nod.

A quiet moment settles between us, and my phone buzzes, breaking the silence. I pull it from my pocket, seeing a message from Ansel.

Ansel

Riley told me you’re at the mall. When did you leave?

I quickly type a reply while Jessica scans her surroundings again.

Rainey

I had to meet someone. I’ll be home soon.

“Everything okay?” Jess asks, and I nod.

“Yeah, my boyfriend.”

She smiles.

“I kind of left the house without telling him.”

“Oh.” She nods.

Ansel

Who did you have to meet? Alex and I are taking a trip out of town for a quick while, should we pick you up on our way back?

Rainey

No. It’s not far away, I’ll head home as soon as I am done here.

Ansel

Who’d you meet?

Rainey

I’ll tell you when I see you later.

Ansel

Respected. Keep safe and call me if anything. Be careful, Rainey.

I put my phone back in my pocket as Jessica lets out a sigh. “I’m sorry I didn’t stand up for you more at Freetown. I feel terrible.”

I shrug. “It’s okay. I don’t like pity or people coming to my rescue. I prefer to fight my own battles.”

Jessica smiles, and I return it.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you,” she says. “I just wish you’d leave this place and never come back.”

“I’ll be okay,” I assure her. “I can take care of myself. Don’t worry about me.”

KENDRA

Anger. That’s all Rainey feels right now.

She’s had enough. Her life is already a mess, and now Kendra and her damn uncle are targeting the few people she cares about. It’s pushing her to her limit.

She needs to confront Kendra, right now. She doesn’t care what happens, because Riley and the King family are worth the risk.

She heads to Freetown and catches a bus to Kendra’s neighborhood.

Anger is pumping through her veins, hot and unyielding, and it won’t calm down until she gives Kendra what she deserves.

Kendra opens her front door and is immediately met with a hard punch to the face.

Staggering back in shock, she touches her nose and stares at her bloodied fingers as Monica steps between Rainey and her injured friend.

“What the hell, Slate! Are you crazy?!”

“Move!” Rainey warns, but doesn’t wait for her to comply before pushing her aside.

Monica falls to the ground as Rainey approaches Kendra, who’s holding her bleeding nose.

“What the fuck is—?”

Another punch lands on her face, and she falls to the floor. She winces, trying to sit up as Rainey strides over to her.

“You’ve lost your damn mind, Slate!” Monica yells.

“You got that right.” Rainey sits over the stunned girl, looking at her with disgust and anger. “When will you, ~Miss Kendra~, learn to leave me and my friends alone?

“I’m tired of it, and I’m tired of you. I have enough problems without your bullshit. Get. The. Hell. Out. Of. My. Life!”

She slaps her hard across the face before grabbing her hair while Kendra struggles to free herself.

“Let me go, Slate. You can’t touch me. You’re going to jail for this!” Fear is evident in her voice as blood from her nose stains her pale face.

“Did you forget the warning I gave you at Freetown High? I told you I’d pay you back for what you did to Riley. I told you I’d reopen your damn wound.

“I told you not to mess with my friend, but you’re still planning to hurt her. And to make things worse, you’re targeting the few people I love.

“My boyfriend is on your hit list, and I swear to God, if you so much as scratch him, I will tear you apart!”

Rainey tries to slam her head against the floor, but Kendra keeps squirming beneath her, clearly aware of what could happen.

She knows Rainey is crazy enough to reopen the healed wound on her forehead…or even kill her.

Monica grabs Rainey’s arm, trying to pull her off her friend.

“Get off her! Get the hell off her, Slate! You psycho bitch!”

“Back off, and stay out of this!” Rainey’s voice is sharp as she shoves the interfering girl away. The girl stumbles backward, landing on her butt on the carpet.

“Keep your distance, or you’ll get a taste of this too!”

Monica watches, frozen in fear, as Rainey lays into her friend.

Rainey’s hand comes down again and again on Kendra’s face. Kendra tries to dodge the blows, her cries echoing through the room.

“I’m calling the cops, Slate! You bitch, I’ll ruin you!”

“You can’t ruin me!” Rainey’s hand connects with Kendra’s face again. “Your uncle’s planning to kill me anyway, right?” Another slap. “So it doesn’t fucking matter!” And another.

“Get off me, Rainey Slate!”

Rainey’s fists keep coming. Kendra’s eyes start to roll back in her head.

“She’s passing out! Stop!” Monica’s voice is desperate, but Rainey doesn’t seem to hear her. She’s lost in her own fury.

She’s been through hell and back, and just when she’s found a bit of peace with a family of five boys, this girl wants to destroy it. She’s already taken so much from her.

~She’s had enough.~

Kendra’s vision blurs, and she stops fighting. She lets Rainey hit her, over and over.

Rainey’s frustration pours into each punch. She keeps going until her knuckles are bruised and aching.

Finally, she steps back, panting. Monica is staring at Kendra’s limp body, her face pale.

“That’s what happens when she doesn’t listen,” Rainey says. Monica shakes her head, tears streaming down her face.

“You’re a monster.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

Rainey bends down to pick up Kendra’s cell phone from the pocket of her jean shorts. She scrolls through the contacts until she finds Ron Moretto’s number.

She puts the phone to her ear and waits for him to pick up.

“Kendra.”

“Sorry to disappoint.” Rainey’s voice is tight. Ron chuckles on the other end of the line.

“And a good day to you too, Slate. What’s this? An early Christmas present?”

“Call it what you want. I can turn myself in early. But only if you agree to one thing.”

“Go ahead.”

“Leave the King family alone. You’ve done enough damage. I’m the one who messed up your niece, twice now. So come after me.”

He laughs again. “I like your spirit, Rainey. Reminds me of your boyfriend.”

She grits her teeth. He sighs, “All right, deal.”

“Good. I’m in Freetown. Gordon Road. Your niece’s neighborhood. Come get me, and let’s settle this, once and for all.”