Page 47 of Madness & Mayhem
Reign lets out a breath as he tenses behind me. I glance at him over my shoulder, and he looks closed off, tense.
“You’ve seen this?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
He stares at me a moment before giving me a slow nod. “Yeah, right before I came back.”
My finger hovers over the play button, and after a moment, I click Play, scrolling back to the beginning of the video. She’s walking through the woods, and all I can hear is her heavy breathing, the sound of her boots cracking the branches under her shoes, and the light sound of wind whistling through the speaker.
“It’s cold out, but I wanted to get out here because I learned about something today I thought was worth sharing.” She takes a deep breath before pulling the camera closer to her face. “Zane is related to Reign Whitmore. Reign’s father had a bastard child—aka Zane. Both of them have a history with Lakyn. The real question is, why was the slasher protecting Lakyn instead of killing her? Lakyn basically betrayed Reign by sleeping with his brother. Or maybe Zane betrayed Reign.” Another shake of her head.
“Either way, the betrayal runs deeper than I realized. But it gets even more sticky. If anyone has ever spent any amount of time in Hellcrest Heights, you’ll realize what type of relationship these guys have with Lakyn Ashford. They treat her like a queen. Royalty. My suspicions? Lakyn Ashford may have had a hand in killing Zane, but I think it was the guys. I think they were so jealous that Lakyn found someone out of their circle that they decided to kill him, without knowing the blood relation.”
Her phone starts shaking, or wait, no, that’s my phone that’s shaking.
“But the best news of all, is that I’ll be meeting with someone tomorrow, and I’ll be getting evidence that will incriminate all of them. Every single one of them.” Her eyes narrow. “You’re going down, bitch. You and your entire fucking weird posse.”
Kyler’s phone is ripped from my grip, my fingers still curled as if the phone sits in my hand.
“Such fucking bullshit,” Posie whispers under her breath. “I’m so fucking mad at you, Lakyn. You and Reign, both. A part of me doesn’t think I’ll ever forgive you. Not completely, at least. But this shit has to stop, and your little psycho boyfriend is the only one I know who goes and murders people left and right.”
I stare at her, knowing I’ll never fully be forgiven, but wanting to take this chance and prove to them I can be what they need me to be. I can help them, save them, be who they know I’ve always been, plus more.
Plus this new me.
The new me who is desperate to watch someone’s life fade in front of my eyes.
“We need to go now,” I whine, turning to Reign. “She’s going to uncover a ton of shit. She’s digging, Reign, and now she’s going to talk to someone, and we’re going to be actually screwed. Let’s go finish this before it even starts.”
“It’s already started, Lakyn,” Archer snaps.
I raise my hand toward him, staring at Reign with wide eyes. “See? It’s already fucking started.”
Reign glances at Archer. “I’ll let you know when we decide to go. Tomorrow.”
Archer’s jaw clenches as he watches him, and after a second, he lets out a small nod. “Let’s go.”
Kyler turns toward me, a forgiveness in his hard eyes, though he doesn’t say a word as he gives me a small nod before walking toward the front door.
The floor creaking in front of me has my eyes turning to Posie, and my arms automatically open when she walks toward me with her arms extended. Tears flood my eyes as her petite arms wrap around my waist.
“I don’t understand, but I guess I don’t really have to, huh?” she chuckles sadly.
I shake my head. “I don’t think I even fully understand.”
“But it feels right?” she whispers against my shoulder.
I nod, “He feels right.”
She nods. “I know. It’s always been him, Lakyn. It’s not a secret. I just wish the cards weren’t dealt for you two as they are.”
That’s the thing, though. I’m glad they are. I really am.
She gives me one more squeeze before her arms drop, and mine do after hers, letting her step away from me. A strong arm wraps around my waist as Reign holds me, the both of us watching the three of them head to the front door.
“Tomorrow, Reign. If she’s really meeting with someone tomorrow, we don’t have much time before we’re all screwed.”
Reign nods beside me, and I bring my hand to his, giving him a squeeze.
The guys have almost reached the door, and I’m shocked when Reign calls Archer’s name.