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I answer with the bat, swinging it into the man's face. My martial arts classes taught me street fighting as a kid. I'm not a big guy, unlike the four men before me. I need to fight clever; the trouble is, I've never needed to. While I break one guy's nose, another man punches me in the jaw. The world rotates for a moment and when it stops, I'm disarmed.
My knees buckle, and not entirely because of the fist. My boots are below me and any excuse to collapse gets me closer to them. I grab the knife and shove it in the nearest thigh I can see.
These men are strong and experienced, I don't stand a chance, but I'm the only protection Mum and Annie have got. All I can do is delay these thugs. Three punches later, I can't even do that. My hands are wrenched behind my back and each wrist is cuffed there.
“Now, where is Tiffany Ellis?”
My eyes lift up and meet cold brown eyes looking back. I shake my head trying to clear it. The guy is in his late forties, hair as white as it is black. He's more likely to be Mum's dealer than anyone Tiffany would know.
“U-up st-stairs.” The world feels like it's swimming around me, my head's throbbing. I can't help Annie anymore. The pepper pot headed man doesn't go after mum though, three other men thunder up the stairs.
“Wait what?” I protest, trying to follow the men.
“Stay down, pretty boy.” Pepper pot grabs my arms, pulling me into him.
“If my sister owes you money I can pay, just tell me how much.”
“You must be the brother?” A new voice observes dryly.
My head turns to the speaker. He's younger, handsome, rugged. Everything about him is dark, from his hair to the look in his eyes. He's dangerous. He's the kind of man who pays to have a private dance in the back room and the type I'd never say no to.
“Why are you here?” I frown, I’m so dazed, it's hard to think.
“I'll take it your mum's home too.” That wasn't a question. “Well, let's get comfy, shall we?”
Pepper pot pulls on my arm and drags me into the living room. It’s exactly as Mum left it after she went to bed. I gave up cleaning up after her years ago, but now I wish I'd taken the time to tidy up. I feel ashamed as the intruders look around even if they did force their way in.
“Do we have to get comfy?” Pepper pot judges what he sees.
“Patients, Caeo,” Mr Smooth replies.
The sound of my sister coming down the stairs startles me. She's crying and screaming though I can't work out her words. I thought they were here for mum; this isn't what I expected.
“Oh hey, Mr Thayer. How can I help you?” My sister is suddenly all smiles and sweetness as she recognises the smart suited man.
“I think you know why I’m here, but let me refresh your memory shall I?” He gives her a dangerous smirk that makes me cringe. This isn’t good. “My drugs went missing, honey. I need to know everything you know.” Thayer smiles at her, but both of them are faking. I know my sister better than she does and there is guilt written all over her face. Mr. Thayer would have to be completely stupid not to see it.
“I don't know anything, Mr Thayer.” I hope my sister's lies convince this guy. I don't know who he is, but if Annie is stealing drugs from this man, she's in big trouble. I should have pushed harder for her to tell me. Why did she have to come home tonight?
“Let's all sit down and talk about this.” Thayer nods at Caeo and the guy holding my arm nods back.
My fate is sealed in a couple of nods. Caeo drags me away from my sister. I should have gone to Jax’s house tonight, I knew something was wrong when she texted. I just wanted to help.
“I don't know anything about this.” I move with this guy; I can't fight him, he's twice my size. “My mum’s passed out in the front bedroom. Please don't hurt her. We don’t know anything I swear.” I can’t stop the shakes that are taking over.
He takes me to the far side of the room by the radiator and gives me a shove. My body hits against the wall, but all I can do is whimper.
“Sit down.”
Sliding down the wall, I keep my head down, nodding my obedience. If Annie doesn't start taking this seriously, this will end badly for all of us. I have to be good for my mum and sister. I'm not strong enough to help any other way.
“I promise we won't hurt your mum.”
“Thank you,” I mutter stupidly.
Two more men drag Annie over. She's not making it easy, fighting them the whole way. It doesn't do her any good though. We're both tall and skinny, built more for dancing than fighting.
“This is your chance to come clean and tell me everything.” Mr Thayer sits on Mum's white stool. It's a tiny thing we used as kids, putting this huge guy at our height. He wants us to look him in the eyes as he questions us.
