vetted to make sure trash isn’t allowed in.” Quinn stands and moves in front of me like she’s protecting a possession.
I don’t know who this girl thinks she is, but I don’t need anyone to fight any superficial battle for me.
“Trash?” Palmer laughs manically, stepping from behind the safety of Delaney’s back. “That’s real rich coming from a girl who was caught fucking her step-uncle last Christmas.”
No one talks about it. We’ve heard the gossip, listened in on the whispers. Palmer is the first person to utter the rumors out loud. Quinn may be trash, but she’s powerful trash. Money talks in our circles, and this girl Palmer has started a war with is drowning in coin.
“You want to talk about rumors, Palmer, let’s talk.” Quinn closes the distance between them. “Big sis had a thing for the dark and depraved, which got her killed. You all may be waiting for her reappearance, but my guess is she’s inside a tin drum somewhere, decomposing until she’s nothing but dust.”
Dixon ambles onto the patio, catching Breaker’s eyes then mine. We regard each other in silence, trying to determine how far we are going to let this go. Quinn may be powerful, but we won’t allow anyone to drag Reed’s name through the mud for too long.
Palmer stands, stoic and frozen in place. Her hands clench at her sides. She fights tears that want to fall, but glances away when she loses the battle.
“Oh, are you going to cry over your dead sister? You didn’t take too long to fall into her place with these boys, now, did you? I bet you were happy she got killed. Slipped right in where she left off.” Quinn shakes her head, as if she can’t be bothered with Palmer.
When Palmer’s eyes come back, they catch mine over Quinn’s shoulder. All signs of tears are gone. There she is.
“Don’t ever let my sister’s name pass your lips again.” Palmer turns her back to walk away.
“Stupid whore,” Quinn spits.
Like a tornado, unpredictable and natural, Palmer spins around and grabs Quinn’s throat. She squeezes, tightening her hold.
When the first fist flies, Breaker gapes at me, expecting me to stop them.
“You going to do something?” Dixon says through the commotion.
“Give her a second.” I grin, watching Palmer rain punch after punch on Quinn’s small frame.
When I believe she’s gotten what she needs, I wrap my arms around her waist, hoisting her off Quinn’s body. She kicks and claws, wanting nothing more than to get her hands on this girl.
“Calm down,” I whisper in her ear.
“Fuck off, Marek,” Palmer barks.
“You’ll pay for this, you stupid bitch!” Quinn yells at our backs as I fight my way through the backyard and into the house.
Safely inside, I toss Palmer down onto the sectional couch. She huffs out a breath, crossing her arms over her chest. Her attention darts through the windows as she plots a way to escape my watch.
“Calm the fuck down, Palmer,” I demand, pointing at her as if it will keep her in place.
She watches my every move as I make my way into the kitchen. I grab a towel and place ice on it, tying a knot at the top. When I come back to the living room, I expect her to be gone. She’s not. There Palmer sits, heavy breaths escaping her lungs, inspecting her knuckles.
“Here.” I offer her the ice. She takes it with a cute grimace. “You good now?”
“Why’d you pull me off of her?” She glances up from the makeshift icepack.
“I let you at her for longer than I should have, but you looked like you needed the release.”
“You aren’t supposed to be here. I was told you weren’t coming.”
“I’m sorry if my being here is upsetting you.”
“No, you aren’t.”
“Can’t we just try to make the best out of it?”
“Fine, stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.” She stands, leering at me before storming off.
Not a chance in hell, doll face.
******
“What’s the whole point of this?” Palmer tugs her jacket tighter to her body.
I offer my hand, guiding her through the woods. She takes it, reluctantly, pulling herself closer beside me.
“This is supposed to be fun,” I groan, glancing over at her. “You could at least try to make the best out of this weekend.”
“That’s cute coming from you.” She rolls her eyes. “Didn’t we say we’d stay out of each other’s hair? Please explain to me why you volunteered to be my partner for this.”
The joy I get from