Page 48 of Vying Girls (Girls of Hazelhurst #2)

Nic

I run my phone over my lips, ears filled with the sound of surf. It’s a nice view up here. The castle stands to my right, just visible over the trees, with the grey-blue ocean spread out before me.

My eyes glaze over faraway whitecaps, my heart giddy. Strange, because all we talked about was Damien.

She sounds so old. Voice deeper, an infectious laugh that made me smile more than once. A window to the past I don’t mind peeking through.

She was shy. We both were. So much of my wellbeing has been riding on her happiness. I hadn’t realised until I asked her how she’d been, the tears of relief pricking at my eyes when she said she was okay.

And she sounded it. Missing Tommy, mad at her mum, concerned about Damien. But okay.

I put down my phone, blowing out a long breath that turns into a derisive snort.

So the asshole needs money.

Of course he does. Always was a greedy fucker. And I’m an easy key. Sitting on an egg of money I rarely touch. Just the necessities. Rent and food. An eventual house deposit. Feels like a kick in the teeth to his memory to spend it on much else.

My gut fills with acid at the thought of handing any over to Damien. I’ll be dead before that happens. Wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what he’s eventually gunning for. How convenient for him. He has to be an eligible relative. Aunt Kathleen definitely is. The only family I’ve got left.

All that time mindlessly snorting every drug under the sun, I didn’t think I’d live to see twenty.

Only good thing I did for myself was get a will sorted, one that stipulates none of it goes to them.

I thought about putting Josephina on it once, but I didn’t want to put her in this exact position.

If I died and the money went into a trust for her, he’d find some way to tease it out.

All because he owes some bastards.

I shake my head, seeing his desperation, his anger, in a whole new light. Pathetic son of a bitch. It must have been a kick in the balls to come crawling back to The Order for some wheedling.

I feel relieved. I know what I’m dealing with now.

Until he finds an alternative source, Tilda’s not safe, but at least now there’s no temptation.

No handing over the money for an easier life.

Fucker deserves what he gets. Hopefully that’s having his neck cut in some drug lord’s cellar. Shit, I might even ask to watch.

My phone buzzes again. This time it is a text from Tilda.

Please come home x

I darken the screen. I just need tonight. One night to breathe, to savour Josephina. Then I’ll fill Tilda in. Tommy too. Maybe make some sort of plan. Time to put this to bed.

I heft my bag full of laundry higher on my back, idly jabbing the power button on my phone. It’s definitely dead, my battery pack too, necessitating this trip back to the lodge.

Probably for the best. Means no more messages from Tilda.

I’m eager to get it charged though, on the off-chance Josephina gets in contact again.

I’ve told her to keep me updated if she wants, no obligation.

Truthfully, I’d love another conversation free from the mention of Damien, an excuse to catch up properly.

If I’m letting my dark past slither back in, might as well let the rest of it.

Just as I reach the lodge door, it swings open. Haz stands there, something wild in her eyes as she exclaims, ‘Dude, what the fuck? Where’s your phone? I’ve been calling like mad.’

I frown, dropping my bag in front of the washing machine. ‘Why? What’s up?’

‘Tilda’s fucking gone.’

I freeze. ‘Gone where?’

‘To her mum’s. She messaged the chat early this morning. Snuck out of Elly’s bed, the motherfucker.’

I glance at Elly who skulks guiltily by the lounge.

‘Do you know her address?’ Haz goes on. ‘She’s not answering our messages anymore.’

I shake my head, anger warring with guilt. Has she done this because of me, because of what I said to her on the coach?

Fuck’s sake, Tilda. I didn’t mean it literally.

‘I know she’s midlands but that’s probably not helpful,’ Elly says.

‘No, not really, Elly.’ I sigh, not meaning to snap at her. ‘Alright. Just give me some time. I’ll find her address. Put this on charge, will you.’ I toss them my phone. ‘Be back as quick as I can.’

I hustle from the lodge, kissing goodbye to my morning lecture. Grateful to be wearing joggers, I fall into a run. Won’t take too long to get to Blakely’s. I only hope she slept in her own bed last night. Fina, too.

Fucking Tilda. Does she think this is a game? That Damien won’t make true on his word?

Josephina’s final words whirl round my head.

Just be careful, Nicole. You and your friend. Damien can be really mean sometimes. Especially when he’s scared.

If he’s as desperate and scared as she says he is, he won’t stop at anything to get his hands on my money.

This hold over me infuriates me. I hadn’t been lying back then. Me and Tilda had been nothing. Just an unwanted collision. But now…

I’m gasping like a goldfish by the time I get to their fancy lodge. I knock hard, bending over my knees to catch my breath.

Margot’s face is not the one I expect to see when the door opens. She frowns, looking more disapproving than usual. Does she fucking live here or something?

‘Well, good morning. Nicole, isn’t it? Trying your best to wake the neighbours?’

‘Is Fina in?’ Might as well go straight to the top.

‘It’s eight o’clock in the morning.’

‘Fucking let her in,’ I hear Blakely say before the door’s yanked fully open, her meaty arm gesturing me in. ‘You good, bro? Forgot to write your essay?’

‘I need a favour. Urgent.’

I glance at the sofa where Fina lounges, watching with curious eyes.

She unfolds herself after a moment, nodding to Margot. ‘About time you’re gone, isn’t it? Surely you’ve got classes too.’

‘Oh, charming. Can tell when I’m not wanted.’ She points at Fina. ‘Behave.’

‘Sleepover with the teachers?’ I ask once the door’s shut.

Fina smiles humourlessly. ‘My new mummy. So. A favour.’

I nod, running my hands through my hair.

Might as well be completely honest. I owe them one after last time.

‘My cousin. Damien. He’s after Tilda. Well—me.

My money. But he’s decided Tilda’s as good a way as any to get it.

We’ve been watching out for her but she’s fucked off back home on her own. I need to get my hands on her address.’

Fina runs her tongue over her front teeth as she considers my words. ‘Racking up debts here, Nic. You and your friends.’

‘This is important. Wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t.’

‘Well’—she reaches her hands out, cracking her knuckles—‘good job Daddy’s away then, isn’t it?’

I plop down on the sofa after she’s jogged upstairs to get dressed. I’m pretty sure Tilda’s got a 9am this morning. Why did she feel the need to go home now? What’s so urgent she needs to know today? I rack my brains, trying to find a clue in our conversation.

‘In a spot of bother, huh?’ Blakely says, leaning on the kitchen island with folded arms.

‘Whole life’s a fucking bother.’

She snorts. ‘We got rid of the bastard. He won’t be setting foot back on this island. Not without some nasty, nasty consequences.’

‘You don’t know Damien.’

‘He doesn’t know us.’

‘Tilda’s not on Hazelhurst. She’s vulnerable. Not answering her phone.’

Blakely sucks her teeth. ‘Sitting duck.’

‘Damn stupid duck.’

She grins. ‘Fucking girls. Always wanting a knight moment.’

I stand up when Fina returns, clothed in black jeans and a leather jacket. She’s not tall, not like me and Blakely, but she’s got presence. A dark one. One I wouldn’t want to fuck with. I’m pushing it today as it is.

‘Let’s go,’ she says quietly.

I bounce on my heels impatiently as Fina turns a fat key in the lock of Zaccaro’s office, looking up and down the empty corridor.

The inside smells of must and books, the warm, dark wood a contrast to the stone of the corridor. With a sigh, she hops into the chair, one leg pulled to her chest as she boots up the computer.

She swivels around as she waits, watching me peruse the bookshelves. Not that I’m reading a single title. My anger for Tilda grows by the second, smothering my worry.

‘How do I know you’re being genuine?’ Fina asks, rubbing her angular chin musingly. ‘Wouldn’t be the first time someone’s tried to pull one over on me. And Damien…he was one of our own.’

‘Believe me, there’s nothing I want to do less than run around after her. Gonna kill her if Damien hasn’t already.’

‘Gonna get the spanking of her life?’ Blakely says with a grin.

‘I’ll leave that to Haz.’

She chuckles. There’s a hint of a smile on Fina’s face as she turns back to the computer, punching in the login details.

Does Zaccaro know his kid’s got access like this? That’s some breach. Most of the country’s top toffs have been moulded by Hazelhurst. The information in that computer is a weapon.

‘Full name,’ Fina says, fingers poised above the keys.

‘Matilda Kingston.’

She nods approvingly. ‘Strong. Alright, Matilda Kingston, where are ya?’ She does the tongue thing again as she scrolls, the screen illuminating her eyes. ‘Got your phone?’

When I shake my head, she rips off a sticky note, quickly penning the address.

She holds it out, snatching it back just as I go to take it. ‘Anything more and I’m gonna start taking payment.’

I take the paper, making a protective fist around it. ‘Last thing. I promise.’

Tilda

All these years of contention between me and Mum, I’ve never felt the kind of trepidation at the thought of returning home as I do now.

The house doesn’t look much different. Small, a little run-down, the tiny front garden blooming with weeds. It’s always a disappointment after the grandeur of Hazelhurst, something I used to berate myself for.

I promised myself I’d never let the place turn me into a snob. But it’s not just the pretty buildings now, but the girls who feel like home in a way Mum never has.

At least she’s okay with me visiting today, a hollow, texted K being her only acknowledgement.