Page 88 of Such A Bad Girl
“Why not? She was nice, if I remember correctly,” West said, nodding. “She was in my Biology class. She had some rare bone disease, though, right? That’s why she used a wheelchair.”
“Leave her out of this,” Harlan said.
Jill had moved next to him now. “That’s why he wants the money,” she confessed.
“To care for your sister?” West asked.
“So, it’s not just revenge for Avett, then?” I latched onto this new information. “Harlan, if you kill us, you’ll never get away with it. Just like I said to Jill. You’d be better off just taking the money and we can just let this all go now. We won’t tell anyone. We have a lot to lose ourselves.”
“Harlan, if you put down that gun, I promise you I’ll make sure your sister has everything she needs,” West offered.
“For the rest of her life,” I agreed. “Full time caretakers, the best healthcare, we can even get her into a few studies.”
“We’ve tried all that,” Harlan insisted.
“Have you tried all that with the support of our fame and wealth?” West asked.
Harlan hesitated, seeming to contemplate our offer. From my vantage point on the bed, I could see the front door but Jill and Harlan were facing away from it, their attention focused on Rian and West. When I saw Everleigh at the door, silently taking in the scene, a wave of fear washed over me.
Once she saw that Jill and Harlan were facing away from the door, she silently moved to the bed, untying me as West kept them talking.
“What was your sister’s name, Harlan? I can’t remember.”
In seconds, Ev had me untied. I was in awe at how quickly she’d unknotted the ropes but I moved quickly to my feet and pushed her behind me.
West, in the best acting moment of his life, didn’t flinch as he watched me walk up behind Harlan.
“Her name’s Hannah,” Harlan replied. “And she’s a really good person.”
“Yeah, I bet you are too,” West said, just as I wrapped my arm around Harlan’s neck and grabbed the gun at the same time.
He never heard me coming.
West and Rian rushed towards us, knocking Jill to the ground as I turned the gun on both of them.
“On the floor!” I shouted. Harlan scrambled to the floor, trembling in fear.
“Don’t shoot!” He cried.
“Don’t fucking move! Neither one of you!” I shouted.
When Violet rushed into the room, it was all over.
Chapter Sixty-Three
EVERLEIGH
Tears ran down my face as Theo kissed me. I clung to him tightly, so grateful he was alive.
He pulled away, peering intently into my eyes.
“I was so worried about you,” I whispered.
“I’m sorry, baby. It’s over. It’s all over now. Thanks to you! You saved all of us!” His hands cradled my face. “It’s so good to see you. You’re so fucking beautiful, Ev.”
Everyone was looking on but I didn’t care. I felt the disapproval of West’s gaze and ignored it.
“Oh, Theo,” I said, as he wiped my tears.