Page 20

I t feels like I’ve been sitting on my kitchen floor for ages. I was hesitant to ask Molly to come over, but she has a way of lifting my spirits when I’m feeling down, and I definitely need that after what I discovered at the studio.

Clover Ink; It makes sense. Those Irish bastards work there.

Kieran’s impressive tattoos and Fintan’s heavenly piercings come to mind as I run everything through my mind for the millionth time.

As I sit here, the cold tiles beneath me provide a stark contrast to the blazing turmoil swirling in my mind. I hyperventilate and my tears roll freely as I remember them. Every detail, as if they are right here with me.

Molly’s anxious knock on the front door interrupts my thoughts, and I don’t bother wiping away the tears that continue to spill over. With a deep breath, I try to collect myself but fail.

“It’s open!” I cry out, finally attempting to wipe the wetness from my flushed cheeks.

“Hey, oh my God, are you okay?” Molly greets me with a concerned and frantic tone as she walks in.

“Hey,” I manage a weak smile in return, suddenly grateful for her presence.

She takes one look at my wet, red-rimmed eyes and rushes over to my seated position on the icy tiles of my kitchen. Without needing to ask, she wraps me in a comforting hug, and I let myself sink into her embrace, allowing her presence to soothe the ache in my heart and silence the war in my mind.

“What happened?” she asks softly when we finally pull away, her eyes searching mine for answers.

I swallow the lump in my throat, struggling to find the right words to explain the mess my life has become.

“Clover Ink,” I finally manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. “Huh? The tattoo studio?” she asks as she drops her bag to the tiles and takes a seat in front of me on the floor.

“Yes,” I sniffle as I wipe my tears again.

“What about it?”

Molly’s brows furrow in confusion, but she doesn’t interrupt as I recount everything I’ve uncovered about Kieran and Fintan – my kidnappers. I tell her everything save for the video they so cruelly sent me the day after.

By the time I finish, my hands are trembling, and I feel emotionally drained as if reliving the events has sapped all the energy from my body.

Molly listens in stunned silence, her expression shifting from concern to anger as the full extent of their deception sinks in.

“I can’t believe they would do that to you,” she says, her voice laced with fury. “We have to do something about this. We have to go to the police, Lexi!”

But even as she speaks, I can’t shake the sense of helplessness that weighs heavily on my shoulders.

“We can’t,” I say coldly, meeting her eyes. “They’d get to me before the cops do anything. They know everything about me, M.”

Her lip starts to tremble as she bows her head and picks at her nails.

“I did this. It’s my fault,” she whispers.

“It is… in part. But I can’t blame you forever. I want to forgive you and it will take time, but it isn’t only your fault. I asked you to set this up for me,” I admit, feeling the weight of my own words crushing me.

She starts crying as we sit in silence for long moments. “I can’t go to the cops, but I can get revenge,” I mutter. I stopped crying and the tears are drying on my cheeks as rage floods my system.

Molly reaches out and squeezes my hand reassuringly. “How can I help? I will do anything to make this right,” she says firmly, her gaze unwavering. “I won’t let them get away with this.”

Before I can say anything, her phone chimes. “Shit, sorry, it’s probably Joel. I forgot to text him back,” she murmurs as she digs her cell out of her bag.

“Hmm, you two seem happy together,” I say, watching her eyes light up at my words before unmistakable guilt blankets her features.

“I’m happy for you two,” I say, flashing her a quick smile. She types out a seemingly long message and I interrupt her before she stops tapping away at the screen.

“Don’t tell Joel what I told you, okay? He gets intense, I’m sure you’ve noticed. Tell him everything is fine, I just needed to see you and I will see him soon.”

She looks at me with uncertainty but nods in silent agreement. As she sets her phone aside, a determined glint flickers in her eyes.

“We’ll find a way to make them pay,” Molly says, her voice filled with resolve.

I nod, then my mind drifts to Joel. She seems happy with him, and I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt for involving Molly in my mess and asking her not to tell my overprotective cousin.

“I don’t want to drag either of you into this,” I say, my voice laced with apprehension.

Molly’s expression falters slightly at the mention of Joel, and she reaches out to squeeze my hand. “Lexi, Joel would want to help you and so will I. We care about you.”

I chew on my bottom lip, thinking about what I plan to do. “I don’t think you should get involved. It’s safer that way,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

Molly shakes her head, her determination unwavering. “Lexi, Joel and I are always here for you. We’re in this together.”

She is not taking no for an answer, but I need to do this on my own.

Despite Molly’s reassurances, a heavy weight settles in my chest. I appreciate her support, but I can’t bear the thought of putting her and Joel in harm’s way. They have their own lives, their own happiness to consider, and I refuse to jeopardize that.

“I appreciate it, M,” I say, my voice soft but firm. “But this is something I need to handle on my own.”

Molly’s brows furrow in concern, but she nods in understanding. “I get it, Lexi. But please, promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt. Promise me that you will ask for help if you need it.”

“Sure,” I say, a flicker of gratitude warming my heart at her genuine concern.

“Okay, I probably need to get back. I kind of left Joel in my apartment.”

I giggle and nod with a slight smile, “Sure thing, thanks for coming.”

As Molly rises from her seat on the floor, she flashes me another reassuring smile. I walk her to the door and watch as she climbs into her car before finally disappearing down the road.

A few weeks later

Weeks of meticulous planning have left me feeling isolated. I haven’t seen Molly or Joel in over a week, but I have stayed in contact. Joel didn’t seem to know anything when we went out despite the fact that Molly looked like she got caught with her hand in a cookie jar the entire night.

I miss them. I had to make sure that Molly kept her mouth shut about me seeking revenge on my own.

The relentless pursuit of revenge has consumed me, driving me to the heart of darkness itself. I spent a small fortune making sure my basement is ready for my kidnappers. I also purchased some goodies off the dark web to aid me since it is two against one after all.

I will need all the help I can get, and for once, my degree in IT and knowledge of coding and hacking has actually proven to be fun, albeit illegal.

Tonight, instead of lurking in the shadows, I find myself drawn to the pulsating heartbeat of Joel’s club, Hell’s Playground.

Texts can hide all sorts of information but the only way to know if she blabbed is if I see Joel face to face – without Molly.

The neon lights flicker overhead, casting an electric glow over the crowd of writhing bodies on the dance floor. I make my way to the bar, the thumping bass reverberating through my bones as I scan the room for Joel.

I know he is working tonight. Joel is a creature of habit and if he is not with Molly, he’s definitely here. He is the definition of a workaholic.

There he is, leaning against the bar with a devilish grin on his lips. Relief floods through me as I approach, the weight of my mission momentarily lifted by his familiar presence. We exchange greetings and laughter dances in the air between us as I tug at his green shirt with a smile.

Ah, the club is positively bursting with the charm of St. Patrick’s Day, a sea of green-clad partygoers dancing to the beats of remixed Irish tunes.

Joel’s eyes sparkle mischievously as he hands me a bright green drink, his voice barely audible over the pulsing music. I take a sip, the sweet liquid burning its way down my throat as I study Joel’s face for any hint of concern or anger.

But there is none. Molly really did keep it to herself, or my cousin is a very good actor.

He chats animatedly with me, seemingly oblivious to the storm brewing within me. As the night wears on and the club grows louder, I find myself relaxing in his company, letting go of the tension that has been coiled tightly within me for so long.

Joel and I have a few shots before he hands me another green cocktail. I didn’t realize how much I needed this. Hanging out with Joel almost makes me feel like nothing has changed. That I haven’t changed.

But just as I begin to let my guard down, a familiar figure appears in the crowd. Molly. My heart thrums as she locks eyes with me, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

I excuse myself from Joel and make my way through the throngs of dancing patrons. Molly meets me halfway, her gaze unwavering as she leans in close.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, unable to hide my surprise. She giggles, her eyes sparkling with affection. “I’ve missed you too,” she says, squeezing me tight. “Joel told me he was meeting you here tonight. “A rare Alex sighting indeed!” she laughs over the loud music.

I scoff and hook my arm into hers as we walk back to Joel. They nearly devour each other next to the bar while I order more shots on his tab.

Fuck, I am not paying for this overpriced green shit. Hmm, guess I was worried about nothing. They seem good. Although it is kind of gross to witness Joel slobbering all over my best friend right next to me.

In the midst of our laughter, the hairs on the nape of my neck suddenly stand on end. Instinctively, I spin around and scan the large crowd of drunk bodies moving to the beats.

My nerves burn away the intoxicating feeling of the alcohol swimming through me and I feel sobered and anxious. Thankfully, Molly and Joel don’t seem to notice my demeanor shift.

Like ghosts emerging from the shadows, I see them. Fintan and Kieran, weaving their way through the crowded dance floor, their laughter carrying over the drunken chaos of the club.

I have been watching and tracking them for weeks. They have never set foot in Hell’s Playground. I thought this would be the one place I could go to take a break and relax my racing thoughts.

My breath catches in my throat as I watch them approach the bar on the far left and it has my heart pounding in anticipation.

“Hey, uh—I’m gonna call it a night. I have to work in the morning.” I lean in and tell Joel and Molly. The unmistakable look of disappointment flashes in Molly’s eyes.

“Oh no! Please stay a little while longer. We missed hanging out with you,” she pleads over the noise.

Joel flashes me a tight smile and snakes his arm around Molly’s waist. “We’ll make another plan soon, right?” he asks.

“Of course!”

“We’ll be fine, beautiful,” Joel says, placing a kiss on Molly’s cheek before she steps out of his hold and gives me a tight hug.

“Text us when you get home, I need to know you got there safely,” Molly demands next to my ear.

I give Joel a hug before waving them goodbye with a genuine smile.

The pulsating music blares in my ears as I glide through the crowd like a kindred shadow in the darkness. I look in their direction momentarily as I head to the door, making sure they don’t notice me.

Fintan and Kieran seem oblivious to my presence, their laughter blending in with the chaotic sounds surrounding us.

“Shit, sorry!” I blurt out as I bump into a beautiful brunette dancing near the large doors. “All good, girl!” she slurs, and I make a beeline through the doors before I get another whiff of whatever jet fuel this poor girl has been drinking.

I hope she doesn’t smoke. With potent alcoholic fumes clinging to her like that, she’ll surely set herself on fire.