Hallows: Den of Serpents

You'll See What I mean

Bad Owens- ARTIFICIAL SUICIDE

B.B.:

This morning went very differently than I had expected. Mrs. Halestorm had a doctor's appointment so Delilah met me at the cafe to help me with our first release-ee. Is that what we call those? No idea but the woman had some pretty interesting things to say after I showed her what I shoved up her nose. I wanted Natalie to be in the pageant to piss Rose and Shane off but now it's very personal and nothing short of humiliation and maybe even death will suffice and I'm going to make him do it.

Mrs. Halestrom is talking to some of the coordinators I had hired for her. Delilah and Lucien are with her. I missed having them make everything pretty together they really do make a good team, I just want to be included. My sister watches Mrs. H excuse herself to come to talk to me. Delilah grins and bumps Lucien with her elbow and points at us with her stupid pen. He puts down his camera and takes his phone out equally as enthusiastic as her.

"Belladonna, how can I help you, sweet face?" Mrs. Halestorm asks.

"Mrs. H, I was told you kicked Natalie off the pageant for Rosa," I say. Her face pales.

"I didn't think it would be an issue since Natalie doesn't have a dance partner," she says nervously.

"It's an issue. Natalie is the last Phantom in Hellbourne. She can be Shane's partner," I suggest.

"Uh, Bella-"

"I insist. Rosa isn't part of the founding families. She's a senior this year. I rather take myself out of the equation than let Rosa anywhere near this,"

"I know you and Rosa have...issues but this is tradition,"

"A tradition she's never going to be part of. Her daughters, maybe if she marries your son. But not her,"

"B.B.-" she sighs. "Rosa was Miss Hellbourne last year,"

"Then she won't mind stepping down and letting Natalie take her place. That's your fault for letting her think she had a place here," I glare at her. Okay, I'm being a b***h but I'm riding the rage that lady we released today unleashed with her intel.

"B.B. this is very uncharacteristic of you,"

"When you tell her. Let her know it was me who asked personally and that I threatened to pull my donation. She'll know that it's not uncharacteristic of me. If she has a problem, she knows where to find me. Please and thank you,"

Mrs. Halestorm nods and walks away. She puts down her clipboard and starts to cry after making sure no one else was looking. Lucien takes pity on her and goes over to try and calm her down. Delilah comes over to me and laughs.

"You made her cry?"

"Mom said I should make peace with Rosa," I scoff. I wanted to but not anymore. This s**t is personal now. I can forgive her for trying to replace me in Shane's heart and my town but not the other stuff.

"That's some sound advice," she nods.

"Dad told me to destroy them," I add. She laughs.

"Dad is usually right," she nods. "In the pantry?"

"In the pantry," I confirm.

"I caught them making out in your room," she admits, cringing away from me.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"And ruin the surprise? Nah. I wanted to use that to get you to come over to the dark side," she smirks.

"Diabolical. It would have worked too," I laugh. Delilah just knows me so well sometimes. Why can't she use that to her advantage?

"I know. This turned out better. She got a taste of royalty and now you're going to rip it right out from under her feet. Have fun," she pats my head. "Dad is going to love when we tell him,"

Lucien looks up at me with a playful smirk on his face when she goes over to him. I give him a little wave before I walk out to find Stacy waiting for me. I toss her my keys and get into the passenger seat. Natalie climbs into the back seat from the driver's side. I didn't see her back there.

"Did she agree?" Stacy asks.

"She didn't have a choice. Donuts?" I suggest.

"Donuts," they both laugh.

I didn't expect Decarious and Ahsan to be hanging out at the smoke shop when we arrive. His little Honda hatchback is parked next to BMW. While the BMW is pretty, the hatchback is stunning. It's obvious that he's put some real work into it. It's shiny black with racecar seats and chrome wheels. I bet it makes a scary sound.

"I'll give you twelve," Decarious is saying when I walk in.

"It's not for sale, Dec," Ahsan laughs.

"Fifteen,"

"You can offer fifty. It's still a no, my guy,"

"What are you guys doing?" I ask. They both finally realize I'm standing here.

"Chillin," Decarious answers, looking me over. "You good? You were pretty out of it last night,"

"I'm good," I feel my face flare. They both laugh. "What are you guys talking about?"

"Guns," Ashan answers. "What can we help you with, baby girl?"

"Nothing," I shrug knowing he's not going to tell me what they were talking about. I'm going to have to corner Dec later.

"Where the f**k is she?" someone shouts outside. I laugh.

"You guys want to see me make a girl cry?" I ask. Ahsan jumps over the counter with a grin.

"You need to calm your t**s, Rose. What do you want?" Natalie asks her when we walk out. Stacy grins when we walk out. Rosa is standing behind my car. Her angry eyes meet mine when I go over to them.

"Rosy," I greet her with as much enthusiasm as I can muster and it's a lot considering how excited I am to destroy her. Stacy laughs.

"Don't f*****g Rosy, me B. What the f**k?"

"What's got you all worked up now, Rosy?" I ask leaning back against my trunk.

"I was Miss Hellbourne last year and I planned on taking it again this year," she says calmly. "Are you scared?"

"Of?"

"Of me taking it from you?"

"Miss Hellbourne?" I ask. "No, but I don't want to be Miss Hellbourne. This year. This year I'd like to see Nat take it. My sister got it her freshman year. Stacy followed up. It's Nat's turn. Then me,"

"You're-" she tries to calm herself. "Why are you doing this? You don't even f*****g care. You don't care about s**t. Why?"

"Are you upset?" I ask.

"Yes, very,"

"That's why," I laugh. She takes a step back. "Oh, you're not backing down that easily are you?"

"B.B. I thought we were past this,"

"Really? What gave you that impression?"

"You had better things to do, remember?" her voice wavers.

"I don't anymore. I want to do this, now. I have time and ideas for it. In fact, the only thing I'm letting you keep is cheer. But as for the rest of it, say goodbye. Homecoming queen, prom queen, head of any committee you're part of, and your social status on the Hellbourne board. This is what you wanted to play right? To see who the biggest b***h is. I'm going to make you cry and I'm going to do it without f*****g your boyfriend. How long were you two f*****g before I found out?"

"Three months," Stacy answers.

"The next three months of your life are going to be hell," I push off my car. "I hope you didn't get your wardrobe yet. I know it can be pricey. With Mayor Whitmore out of the picture, I imagine things will start to get pretty tight for Mrs. H,"

"That's low. Even for you," her bottom lip quivers. I place my hand on her shoulder.

"Taking a page right out of your book, Rosa. Consider it you finding me in the pantry with him at your sister's viewing. Consider it finding me and him in your bedroom. Consider it everyone knowing but you,"

"I'm sorry," tears slide down her face.

"When this is over. I'm going to apologize. We'll see if it works for you," I kiss the side of her head. "You know I was going to let it go but then Shane brought up some stuff that pissed me off. So, you can thank him for this. Don't bring his sisters into this. Mrs. H has a lot on her plate right now. No need to stress her out more,"

"You're going to regret this," she sobs.

"The only thing I regret is befriending you when your parents sent you here. I would have done anything for you. I loved you and if you had told me you had feelings for him. I would have let you have him because we both knew I didn't. I can't bring myself to physically hurt you so I guess this will have to do," I take her hand and link my pinky with hers like we used to do when we were younger. "Pinky promise,"

"You're in for a rude awakening, princess," she licks the tears off her lips.

"Yeah? Are you going play along?" I laugh.

"If this is the way you want to do things, we will. I didn't mean to hurt you when Delilah faked her death but now that you're not a little martyr anymore. It evens things out," she wipes her face angrily.

"Good," I hold my hand out. Stacy puts my milkshake in it and I take the top off. "I expect your best, sweetie. Don't let me down," I pour the strawberry milkshake on her head. She doesn't move when I stick the cup on her bun to give her a cute party hat. "You should probably call your friends before you do something stupid. I don't want to f**k you up but Stacy has been itching for years,"

"f**k you, B.B.," she turns away and gets in her little red beetle.

"Damn, white girl. You mean," I turn around to see Ticia and her friends watching us.

"Ticia, what are you doing here?" I ask her with a grin on my face. Being mean is a whole lot of fun. I'm very disappointed that she didn't swing at me.

"Work," she shrugs. "Tay, get the car. Y'all go with her,"

The other girls walk away.

"That was cute," Ahsan whispers in my ear and then presses a kiss to my neck. Stacy and Natalie follow him into the smoke shop. Dec steps into me letting her know he's not leaving us alone.

"Damn, white girl. That's how it goes down in Uptown?" she laughs. "Dec,"

"Ticia. Whachu got, girl?"

"You got Trey worried. The connects are saying you working for Diablo. It ain't looking good for you right now, my boy,"

"And he sent you?"

"He knows the shark won't fire if a female addresses the issue. You know Miles and them ain't down like we are. He got a big mouth. Good for sale but that's all he's worth,"

"Yeah," Dec agrees.

"Whachu want me to tell Trey?" she asks.

"Tell him Miles isn't lying,"

"You gon turn your back on us for a c***k?" she scoffs.

"I ain't turning my back on anyone. Diablo wants to meet. Rest is up to him,"

"Is that right?" she laughs.

"Yeah,"

"Aight," she agrees before turning her attention to me. "Whachu got going on this weekend, lil mama? You canceled with us,"

"I'm having a party for my friend Natalie. It's a vampire ball. You should come. Bring all your friends,"

"Vampire ball? What's that mean?"

"Wear some slutty vampire costume and bring a date," I shrug. "Stacy will be there,"

"I do love that tiny redhead b***h," she nods. "Y'all giving out candy bags?"

"How many are you bringing?" I ask.

"Six,"

"I'll save you some," I agree. She tucks her hands into her pockets and smiles.

"Aight, your house?"

"Mhm," I nod.

"We'll be there," she bows and walks away. Dec pulls me into him burying his face in my neck.

"You gotta be real careful with that one, Lil mama. She's Trey Goodwill's right hand for a reason," he bites me. I groan feeling my belly warm like I just took two shots of Tequila back to back.

"It's the only reason we're going to be friends. She's going to have to be able to keep up with us. Carson wants Trey's head on a pike. He's gotten too many girls killed. He was working with Thompson in New City," I turn around wrapping my arms around his neck. He places his hands on my hips. "He wants you on the Eastside. Think you can handle that?"

"That ain't going to swing right with my pops,"

"You give him too much power over you, Dec. I speak from experience. Don't let your dad get in your head. You'll never get him out. Then nothing you do, no matter how great, will ever be enough. It'll kill the part of you that makes you special,"

"You are special," he caresses my cheek.

"Ask anyone about Dante Blackstone. Anyone. You'll see what I mean,"