“I’m tougher than I look. And I know how to wrap a guy around my finger. If I want Enzo, I’ll have Enzo.”
I laugh. “Enzo Black will never be yours.”
She pushes off the wall. “Don’t worry, I’m not planning on stealing him away from you guys. You and Zeke wouldn’t survive without your fearless leader telling you what to do all the time.”
I growl.
She smirks victoriously.
“I’m calling in our pact,” I say, preventing her from walking away.
“Our pact? Oh, you mean the pact we made when we were five? Before I knew you were a giant asshole?”
“Friday night. Meet me at Enzo’s. We’re going hunting.”
She shakes her head and stomps off.
It’s a test to see if she’ll come—if deep down she still cares.
Now I just have to wait to see if she shows up or not.
6
Liesel
I finish the braid down the back of my head and then stare at myself in the mirror. I look like Katniss with my braid, all black clothes, and hunter mentality. All I need now is a bow and arrow and I’d be a true hunter.
Still, I feel ready. This day came a lot sooner than I expected it to. I expected I’d be older, about to leave this town for good. On the other hand, this day couldn’t come fast enough.
I know without Langston telling me what today is about. There is only one reason he would call on our pact after years of ignoring and hating each other.
To kill his father.
I hate Langston.
I hate that he ignores me.
I hate that he is an obnoxious flirt in school.
I hate that he kills and has become Enzo’s little henchman.
But most of all, I hate that he still knows me better than anyone. A part of me still wants to care, still yearns to return to the friendship we once shared.
I hate myself most of all for still caring.
That’s not what killing Langston’s father is about, though. I’m not doing this for Langston. I’m doing this for me. For the little girl who got beaten by this horrid man.
I will ensure that he dies, just like the part of me that died that day.
I step out of the small guest house on Enzo’s property. I’m not sure if Langston invited Enzo and Zeke to take part in the hunting and killing of his father or not. Enzo and Zeke understand. They would want to help us kill him. They would be able to do the job as well as me, but that isn’t what this is about.
Enzo and Zeke didn’t experience the abuse. They didn’t spend years with the monster. They have their own demons, but not like Langston and I do. For Langston and me, this is personal in an entirely different way.
I wait outside as the sun begins to set to see who is going to show up.
Langston appears from the side of Enzo’s house. He must have come around back instead of through the house.
“Where are Enzo and Zeke?” I ask.