✔Vengeful Valentine

Seventeen: Everly

Revenge gnaws at the heart like maggots. Not a day went by when I didn't think about the witch. Or I should say bitch.

Perched on the couch of the Voiceless Rebels hideout, I waited for my brother to come downstairs with whatever new information he discovered. Just when I was about to fall asleep, Emmett woke me up with a phone call close to ten o-clock at night. Adam told me he'd be working overtime, so I stuck his supper in the microwave for him to heat up later.

I knew Adam wouldn't be too pleased to find me gone, but I left a note in case he got back before I did. Something came up in one of their cases and it was urgent. Adam didn't always tell me everything he dealt with at work, but I didn't tell him everything that I do for the Voiceless Rebels either. We both kept secrets from each other. And while I knew that couldn't be healthy in a relationship, I felt like it was for the best. Maybe it's better not to know every little detail about the person you love.

"Great, you're here." Emmett emerged from the staircase, donned in black jogging wear.

Sometimes I forgot how my brother rarely slept. His bloodshot eyes with dark rings made him resemble a tired raccoon.

"Yeah, you woke me up." I pouted. "This better be important."

"Jeez, you're already acting like a grandma. Who goes to sleep this early?" Emmett scoffed.

"Normal people who aren't doped up do," I snapped.

"Someone's cranky." Emmett rolled his eyes. "Remind me not to disrupt your naptime anymore."

Sighing, I reclined back against the couch. "Get to the point already. Tell me why you called me over here so late. Why couldn't this wait until tomorrow?"

"Mal just found Dylan." Emmett grinned. "Thought we could go pay him a visit."

"Seriously? Where is he?" I sprung up from the couch like a yo-yo, ready to collect my coat and boots.

"That strip joint. The Lucky Lady Lounge."

"Can't say that surprises me," I muttered. "Well, what are we standing around here for? Let's go."

"Sure thing. Let me go get Kaz and we'll head out," Emmett said.

My brows furrowed. "You're bringing your boyfriend to a strip club?"

Emmett shrugged. "Sure, why not? He's bi, you know? He'll love it."

"Won't you get jealous?" I asked, shivering at the idea of taking Adam to such a place. I'd be so uncomfortable with it. If he wanted to go there on his own, fine, but I wouldn't be able to sit with him ogling other women like that.

"It's not like he's gonna fuck any of those whores. Kaz loves me. He'd never do something to betray my trust." Something in his glare darkened.

It worried me as my brother hurried back upstairs to fetch Kazimir. Emmett could be possessive sometimes. I hoped he wouldn't get that way with Kazimir. Being with the artist had helped him a lot lately. Kaz made my brother happy. I'd hate for Emmett to ruin one of the few good things left in his life.

💀

The giant, crooked sign of the cartoon stripper shook in the wind. I couldn't help but look around, wondering if my stalker still watched my every movement. Nobody peculiar stuck out to me in the strip club, but the night at the aquarium, nobody did either. Folding my arms across my chest, I shivered.

Big boobs and bouncing butts could be seen everywhere. Emmett and Kaz stuck close beside me as we took in the small crowd that had gathered at the strip club that night. Women danced on poles, wearing the scantiest of clothing possible, while men ogled them from their tables. Some of the guys even ordered drinks and food to enjoy the show presented for them.