𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 | 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐎𝐧𝐞 | ✓

| 𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐏 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑 | 15

Marquez had driven the family back to the mansion, Christopher was also present. He managed to use his charm and words to trick Theo into letting him back on the compound, but he was still afraid of Meira's mother-that woman was a Tiger in human form. Christopher stopped the car near the fountain on the front yard, he watched from a distance as Marquez went to park then let the maid and the married couple out.

Syahla exited with her hair messy, clothes looking disheveled and one shoe in her hand. The police in Arkville were an accurate definition of useless, most were being paid hefty sums by gangsters to not interfere with their crimes. Those who weren't being bribed couldn't look deep into any disappearance or homicide case or they might end up on the news. Her hatred for this corrupted town just grew day by day-if it was up to her she'd take her daughter and leave on the next flight to Los Angeles. Mrs. Hamilton was about walking inside to hire a private investigator when two security guards at the gate alerted her and her husband.

Someone was there wanting to talk to them regarding Meira Kameron. Syahla practically sprinted to the gate to type in the code and let the pretty young-looking female inside.

"Where is my daughter?" she asked urgently.

Katniss twirled her hair around her fingers. "Good morning Mrs. Hamilton, I came down here to ask you the same thing. Meira and I went down town to buy an anklet, she bought a cake afterward and went to give to that creep known as Carnage. She was being s*x**lly h*r*ssed by the men at the bar so Carnage and his friends beat 'em up, then the cops arrived and everyone had to scatter because a shootout happened. Fifty grand was promised to me if I distracted the police so a few gangsters protecting Meira could escape with her. The plan worked, they got away, and I haven't seen her since. I also don't have her number she never gave it to me. Mei bae is like...my best friend now and I'm worried about her. This feels so tragic."

Syahla fell to her knees.

Katniss who was in the middle of blowing a bubble with her blueberry flavored gum stopped and helped her up, she carried her to the stairs where her husband, maid and driver could help her out. Kat sighed frustratedly, if something happened to Meira she'd never forgive herself. It was a bad idea to go downtown, especially at Lovell Str. which is known to be crawling with gangsters.

"Mrs. Hamilton, please have some water," Belinda held a glass of cold water out for Syahla to take, she did but it almost fell so she helped her drink it. "Everything is gonna be okay, Meira will be back home soon. I just know she will."

"Um, excuse meh?" Kat stopped smoothing her hair down with both hands to look Belinda up and down as she chewed her bubblegum. "Who are you?"

Belinda stood up and eyed the girl. She must be mixed race, her skin was a creamy chocolate shade and her eyes vivid honey brown. She had almond-shaped eyes and a black mole on her left eyelid. This girl looked feisty; like if you messed with her she'd roast you badly then b**t your *ss.

She, who is pregnant, did want to start an argument with this girl who clearly had a problem with her. "I'm Belinda, you can call me Bella. I'm a relative of Meira, but not by blood."

"Okay, then why are you in a maid costume?" Kat folded her arms, her big golden hoop earrings swinging when she moves. "Go take it off. Why are your eyes so puffy and red were you crying? Girl, bad b**ches don't cry. That's like so tragiccc."

"Don't mind her dear she's a clumsy maid," Syahla finished the water and shoved the glass in Bella's hand. "Now get away from me let me worry about my daughter without being interrupted."

"Yes ma'am!" Belinda bowed and turned to leave.

"So, so tragic," Kat rolled her eyes.

Theodore was on a phone call with the head of the police department in Arkville while Christopher kept a good distance from the unpredictable Syahla. Just then, cars honked at the gate. Three flashy vehicles that shone brilliantly under the sun's scorching rays pulled up; a black one, a red one, and a white one. The guards spoke to the drivers for a while before opening the gate to let them in, they entered and parked side by side.