The Queen Of Zombie Hearts

I had no words.

No, that wasn’t actually true. I had a lot of words—for myself. I wasn’t a jealous girl. Either Cole was mine or he wasn’t. End of story. Either I trusted him or I didn’t.

But he’d broken up with me for several weeks, and he’d spent those bachelor days with Veronica. He hadn’t cheated on me, considering we’d been over, but it had certainly felt like it. Because they’d done things. Things I didn’t like to think about.

Things he now refused to do with me.

So, yeah, I kind of wanted to claw her face off and spit in her skull.

Graphic much? Straitlaced Ali piped up.

Not graphic enough, Bloodthirsty Ali quipped.

Hello, new personalities. So nice to meet you.

So, going full circle. Cole was mine. There was no question about that, and I did trust him. Totally and completely. And I knew he wasn’t interested in anyone else. Not even Veronica. But...yeah. This omission hurt.

Get over it. People are allowed to keep secrets. And it’s not like this is important right now anyway.

And there was Pragmatic Ali. I knew her well.

“I was out last night,” Veronica continued. “I’m a regular at Hearts, and I went home with... Well.” Her cheeks flushed, and she cleared her throat.

Didn’t want her little sister to know she’d left the nightclub to get a little some-some from a stranger?

“It’s okay,” Juliana said, glaring at me. As if everything wrong with the world was my fault.

I wasn’t judging, jeez.

“He tried to drug my drink,” Veronica said, her voice trembling. “He didn’t realize I’m the untrustworthy type and switched our glasses the moment his back was turned. He went down, and another guy came rushing into the room, clearly expecting me to be the one on the floor. We fought. I won. Barely. I raced home on foot and had no idea what was going on, just assumed it was a date-rape thing, until Bronx started banging on my door a few hours ago.”

Anima was smart. They knew how to track. The time she’d spent here concerned me. “I don’t think you guys are safe. You’re hard to find, yes, but not impossible. Sooner or later Anima will show up, and we all know what will happen then.”

She blanched but said, “I can take care of myself and my sister, thank you. I’ve been doing it for a long time.”

“Don’t play the pride card,” Frosty said. “You and Juliana need to be behind Mr. Ankh’s walls, and that’s that. He has cameras and a system to alert him if anyone steps foot on his property. You don’t. He also has secret passageways if there’s a problem.”

Veronica sighed. “Okay, okay. I get it. My place sucks. His doesn’t.”

Listen to him but not me. Awesome.

“I’d like to see what you could afford, Ali Bell,” Juliana snapped, marching to her sister’s bed. The two joined hands in a show of support.

Once again, my chest constricted. I’d had that kind of unity with Emma, and I missed it almost as much as I missed her.

“Cat fight later,” Bronx said. “I’m ready to go. I need to see Reeve.”

Need was far stronger than want, but I knew he wasn’t overstating. The same bond existed between Cole and me. Invisible but fierce.

“If Kat isn’t in my arms within the hour,” Frosty said, checking the safety on his gun, “I’m going to get cranky.”

First: that was a scary thought. A cranky Frosty was a murderous Frosty.

Second: if we were going to stay together, we’d need an SUV.

Fabulous. “Looks like we’re all about to become freelance valets.”

Chapter 8 (#ulink_bd743838-3483-59bb-bd24-57a1457f4e53)

BONKERS TODAY,

BONKERS TOMORROW

On the drive to Mr. Ankh’s, I texted Cole to let him know Mackenzie was in need of medical help.

His response took a while, but it did come. Ankh says he’ll B ready.

I also texted Kat and Reeve to let them know their men were on the way and good to go. Close to thirty replies came in.

The highlights?

Kat: Cake! CRAZMAZING! Knew U could do it, Ali me girl!

Kat: WAIT. I know U said he’s good 2 go, but does he still have all his parts? I need 2 know if I can knee his man junk. HE MADE ME WORRY ABOUT HIS WELL-BEING!

Reeve: Is Bronx speaking, or has he gone silent? Tell me! Please! I have 2 know which side of him I’ll B dealing w/ so I’ll know which Reeve 2 let greet him—the lover or the he-woman street fighter (yes, I fight. Sue me!).

Kat: Would now B a horrible time 2 break up w/him? Who cares! I’m gonna do it. Causing a girlfriend untold worry is a crime punishable by death!

Kat: BTW how many people did he have 2 kill 2 survive? & is that why U left me behind (& almost earned an alley kat experience U would never 4get)? B honest. U didn’t want me 2 C the bodies, did U?

Reeve: WHY AREN’T U HERE??? I’ll street fight YOU if U don’t hurry.

Kat: Is it bad that I’m turned on right now?

When we got there, it was no surprise to see Mr. Ankh, Reeve and Kat waiting on the front porch. Kat should have been flushed, considering her excitement, but she was still pale. I didn’t like that. And where was Cole?

Unfortunately, the couples weren’t given a chance to hug and kiss—and whatever else. Mr. Ankh began barking orders the moment the car doors opened, demanding Frosty carry Mackenzie to the room next to Gavin’s and that Bronx clear the way. The girls could only walk next to their boys, talking a mile a minute.

“—get a reward for surviving,” Kat was saying. “You can start by taking off all your clothes and—”

“I don’t need to hear this, Miss Parker,” Mr. Ankh snapped.

“—showering,” she finished. “Alone. Of course. I like my men clean.”

“How’s Gavin doing?” I asked, trailing behind.

“Far better than I anticipated.” Mr. Ankh stopped, forcing me to do the same. He glanced over his shoulder. “He’ll survive.”