Chapter Twenty
Tansy Bitmore seldom went anywhere alone. She felt safer when her girls were nearby. Especially after their last drunken foray into the dark when they attacked the bitch who’d made her life a living hell.
Ever since the court case, her dad had been riding her even harder than usual. She thought he’d really lose it when Victoria’s father came to their home and started accusing him of not controlling his kid.
Her ditzy mom had tried to sweeten him, but he hadn’t let up. Warned her if she got in trouble again, he’d send her to a boarding school two states over. And he wasn’t gentle in his reproach. “You’re more trouble than you’re worth, Tansy. One more time, you stupid cow and you’re out of here. Then maybe your mother and I can finally have some peace and quiet.”
She’d seen his face. The gleeful thought of relinquishing any responsibility was plainly obvious. Of course, he’d send her away and her mom wouldn’t be able to stop him this time.
Hadn’t her brother warned her that unless you kiss the old man’s ring, you’d be sorry. After Ryan’s last bout in rehab, and the predictable relapse, their dad had thrown his drunken ass out and warned him not to come back.
Now he was playing the same kind of game with her. She wished it was his face she’d used her boots on the other night. Instead of the self-righteous goody-goody who’d shockingly retaliated.
She let her mind wander back to when she’d bitch-slapped Honey and just how good it felt. But then her backup had let go, and the woman had used moves they hadn’t been prepared for. It had taken a broken piece of fencing to finally put her down for good.
Thinking back had her hand rising to her blotchy forehead. Maybe her skin would calm down if she continued to use a wet cloth. Already suffering from terrible acne, the pepper spray had left her face even more irritated and sore.
Her phone buzzed, and she slid it open. “Yeah.”
Val, her latest recruit answered, the whine obvious in her pissy attitude. “I need to see you.”
“Fuck, girl, I gave you your quota for today already. I told you to make it last. I’m not meeting up with my cuz until tomorrow when she gets another shipment.” Her voice came across as hardass and uncaring because it oozed with her exact feelings.
“I’m sorry, Tansy. I-I partied with a buddy last night, and we overdid it. Now I’m hurting. You gotta help me.”
“Ask Leslie for help. Maybe she can share some of her stuff. I’m trying to make mine last and giving more to you ain’t gonna happen.” She clicked the end button and threw the phone on her bed.
Son of a bitch. Those two girls she hung with had become more of a burden then they were worth. They expected her to provide them with their coke and last time, Val could barely come up with her share of the money. She’d covered her once but no fucking way she’d do it again.
Tansy heard a ping telling her a text had come through. When she read it, her raw skin felt like a ragged fingernail had scratched the surface.
If you don’t help me, I’ll go to the police.