Prodigal Thorn

Chapter 15

What the fuck!? "What the hell are you doing here!?" I asked, irritation in my tone. I hadn't seen Claire in a year since we attended school together in London. Having her here could royally fuck my plans up. I have to play this smart.

"Good to see you, Alex. Didn't know you were stateside or else I'd set up a reunion sooner." She snaps her blue eyes cold. Something in them sends a shiver down my spine. A throat clears and I'm aware of everyone in the room.

"You know this bitch?" Killian asked his eyes narrow. I sigh and roll my eyes. "Claire and I went to school together in London. She was expelled last year. How come I didn't know you moved to Rosewood?" I arched a brow and Claire's eye narrowed to slits, "Maybe because I didn't want you to know, Charlotte?" She smirks glaring up at me before she takes in the room. "So you figured it out, huh? Tell you what? Let me go and I won't destroy all your pathetic lives!"

"Claire didn't show up in Rosewood until last year right?" Xander glanced at Jeffrey who is in shock. "What...uh yeah. I met her earlier that Summer at the airport. I was coming back into the states from... London."

Not this shit again! "Claire did you fucking stalk Jeffrey from the airport so you could build a relationship with him!?" I needed a drink and my fucking Dad. Claire shifts her gaze from Jeffrey to Alicia and just like that the Claire that I knew in London was center stage. "Are you kidding me!? After everything I did for you, you still end up with that bitch. I made them go away you know!" She was frantic and I stole a brief glance at Luca who was recording the whole thing before my eyes narrowed on Claire.

"What did you do?" I asked but her eyes were glued to the throuple, who were now holding hands. Claire laughs her eyes a little manic as she speaks. "What I always do, Charlotte! I protect what's mine! And Jeffrey was MINE! from the moment I saw him after you'd banished me, I knew it. I knew this boy would be my salvation, my heart, my everything! I looked into those blue eyes and saw my future. Our future." Okay we've hit crazy town.

"That doesn't explain why you had these girls falsely accuse Jeffrey of rape let alone why you drugged Alicia?" Luca questions, his brown eyes curious. Claire chuckled her gaze still locked on Jeffrey when she smiles, "I wanted Jeffrey to see these whore for what they really are. They're not loyal to him. They don't love him, least of Alicia. After all she cheated on him!" Her eyes dart to Killian's who looks mildly annoyed. "You were a good fuck, Killer, but Jeffrey is my only."

"You still didn't explain why?" Jeffrey murmurs, his eyes swirling with anger and torment. "Do you realize how many lives you've ruined and for what? We were done, Claire. I love Alicia and Candace more than I could ever love you." He tucks them both under his arms. "How could you think I'd want anything to do with you after what you've done!" Shit. Golden boy Jeffrey Sinclair was unraveling, but so was my former friend.

"I need to talk to Claire alone for a minute." I said, I glanced at each of my boyfriends and each had various expressions of disapproval. "Absolutely fucking not!" Killian roared as he yanked me to his side. I planted my hands on his broad chest. "Baby, I promise I'll be okay. Besides everyone in this room wants this case dropped and Claire here is gonna destroy every single copy herself or Luca is gonna wipe it for her, right Claire Bear."

I watched the psyche of Claire St. James unfold. She knew she was screwed and I'm betting her father will probably send her to a reform school if she has another incident. I use that to tow her in line as I grabbed my phone. "Unless you want me to have my father call Mr. St. James? I'm sure he'd feel incredibly inconvenienced with this, don't you?" I smirk and Killian's hands tightened on my waist in warning. It's never good to provoke crazy, but I needed Claire as far away as I can get her.

Her blue eyes filled with tears and she shakes her head quickly. "No! Please don't tell my father. This is my last option or he'll send me to some reform school in Switzerland. I'll delete everything and Luca can check if you want. I'll leave you guys alone.... Just don't, Alex." I turn to Nate who's brows were furrowed. Nate hates leaving loose ends, but we hold the cards and more importantly I can keep Claire under my thumb should she decide to open her fucking mouth.