Shattered Poetry (Broken Lives #2) Read online

  “If your auntie’s givin’ us a lift, I’m walking to school,” I piped up.

  They both turned their heads at the same time, both wearing identical scowls, just one pre-Weight Watchers, the other one post.

  I indicated to the footpath, careful not to jerk my head too hard. I’d woken up with a headache, the feeling similar to a hangover. It wasn’t a bad one, but I still didn’t want to push my luck. “So, you coming?” I asked Jasper. “Cos you needa lose a few kilos before the Nationals. Hell! You could even drop a ton, you fat bastard. It’ll pro’bly make you go a shitload faster if you didn’t weigh the car down so much.”

  Jasper flicked me the finger. “Arsehole, and you’re gettin’ a lift whether you like it or not. Your dad said I hafta make sure you go to school or he’ll spray-paint my race car pink before the Nationals,” he said, more restrained than normal, no headlock for me today. And thank Christ for that, because I’d opened my big fat mouth before my brain had realised what I’d said.

  I threw a glare at his auntie. “You’re dreaming if you think I’m gettin’ in a car with her.” I turned to walk away, stopping at the sight of a dark Ford pulling up a few houses down the road. It was the same one I’d seen on Phelia’s street the day my dad had gone berko at Ms. Farris. It was too far away to see who was inside it, and even if I could, they’d darkened the windows. Which was illegal. A bad feeling rose, one that told me they were Devil’s Crew.

  Jasper walked up to me. “Don’t make me force you into the car, cos I will do it.”

  “Fine, I’ll come,” I replied, turning towards his auntie’s junk on wheels.

  “Sweet!” Jasper said, following me to it. He jumped into the front passenger seat, while I took the back one, instantly turning to look out the window as Jasper’s auntie reversed out of the driveway.

  “What are you looking at?” Ngaire asked.

  “I think we’re being shadowed by the Devil’s Crew.”

  She planted her foot on the brake and turned in her seat, along with Jasper, both of them looking out the side window.

  “Keep driving,” I said.

  Ngaire resumed backing out. She swung the car around and headed down the road, driving faster than she should. Her eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, her expression scared. “How do you know they’re Devil’s Crew?”

  “I saw them parked on Phelia’s street the other day.”

  “It could just be a coincidence.”

  “Like fuck it is,” Jasper spat. “That car’s windows are darkened. No civi would have that. They’re stalking us.”

  “Why?” Ngaire asked.

  “Cos we’re Skins,” Jasper answered. “They’ve been on our club’s back ever since Happy Meal wuz killed, roughing up low-level Skins.”

  “They didn’t hang around until I wuz arrested,” I said, worried they were after me in particular.

  Jasper glanced back at me. “You have an alibi, so you’re in the clear.”

  “But they were hanging around Phelia’s street, my alibi. They might think she’s lying.”

  “She wuz Happy Meal’s girl, she even went to his funeral.”

  “Then she tells the cops she wuz fucking me while Happy Meal wuz gettin’ capped? Don’t cha think that might look suspicious to the Devil’s Crew?”

  “She wuz fucking you?” Ngaire cut in, her expression upset.

  “Yeah, I like to fuck people my own age,” I said, purposely making a dig at the sleazy bitch.

  Her expression soured, but instead of commenting, she turned the corner, the green and white school buildings coming into view. The students looked like ants swarming the grounds, ready to be crushed by the school day.

  Jasper glanced back at me. “So, do ya think they believe she’s covering for you?”

  I looked out the rear window. The black Ford was a couple of spaces behind, definitely tailing us. “Pro’bly.”

  “Shit!” He pulled out his phone.

  “Who ya callin’?”

  “Ghostbusters. Who the fuck do ya think I’m bloody callin’?” Jasper said, keying in a number. He waited a moment, then started talking into the phone. “Dad. We have some Devil’s Crew following us. No, I’m not sure, but they have blacked out windows and were on Phelia Lamar’s street when we were at her place the other day.” He paused. “No, we’re in Auntie’s car. Yeah, we’ll get a lift back with her.” He paused again. “Talk to their Prez, get the bastards to back off. Tell them the pigs got it wrong, that Dante has an alibi.” He grunted. “They don’t needa know it ain’t real.” He exhaled. “Cool. Yeah, yeah, we’ll still watch our backs, plus I’m packing, so if they try anything, they’re dead. Choice, thanks, Dad.”

  He hung up as his auntie did a U-turn, parking in front of the school. “Auntie, Dad said you hafta pick us up after school. He doesn’t want us walking out in the open.”

  “Sure.” She glanced back at me. “As long as that one keeps his mouth shut.”

  I ran the tip of my middle finger across my closed mouth, giving her the finger.

  She scowled at me. “Keep your smartass behaviour to yourself too, Dante.”

  I smiled, thinking it was better than a ‘fuck you’ to her.

  Shaking her head, she returned her attention to Jasper, her face going from annoyed to worried. “You be careful, Jaz baby.”

  “Sure, Auntie. Don’t worry ’bout me, the Devil’s Crew at school are pussies. It wuz only Happy Meal who had balls outta that lot, and he’s now rotting in the ground.” He sniggered.

  “Don’t get cocky,” she said. “You shouldn’t underestimate the DC. They’re much nastier than any Skin.”

  “Until now,” I piped up. “Cos Jasper’s a fully-fledged Skin and he’s the nastiest, smelliest cunt I’ve ever met.”

  Jasper flicked me the finger.

  His auntie reached over and pinched his fat cheek. “You ain’t nasty, baby, you’re a sweetheart.”

  “Only you think that, Auntie.” He leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek, then opened his door and squeezed his way out.

  I waited until he was out of earshot before I spoke. “I better go tell him to wipe his face, Herpes breath,” I said, as Jasper rounded the front of the car.

  She looked over her shoulder, giving me a smile. “So, did you kill the DC kid and his mum, Dante?”

  “No, I have an alibi.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Jasper just said it wuz fake.”

  “It doesn’t matter whether it is or isn’t, I didn’t kill them.”

  “Oh, it does matter.” She smiled. “Did’ja know I used to fuck Jonah McDonald a long time ago? He wuz the roughest fuck I’ve ever had, but always made me come real hard.”

  I grimaced, repulsed to the max.

  She continued, “I think I’m gonna buy a pack of condoms today. Ribbed for my pleasure.” She blew me a kiss, the bitch obviously trying to blackmail me again.

  “I’m not fuckin’ you again,” I spat.

  “You will if you don’t want me talkin’ to Jonah.” Her gaze moved to the window behind me. “I wonder whether he’s in that car now, watching you, knowing you killed his son.”

  “I didn’t kill his son, but my dad will kill you if you open your skank-ho mouth to Jonah.”

  “I won’t be sayin’ a word to Jonah, and you wanna know why?” She continued, not giving me a chance to answer. “Cos you will be givin’ me sumpthin’ worth keeping my mouth shut.”

  “I’m not fucking you again.”

  “The pack of condoms I’m gonna buy says you will. We can drive out to my li’l bro’s pad tonight.”

  Jasper yelled at me to get out of the car.

  Ignoring him, Ngaire continued, “You remember where it is, don’t cha?”

  I didn’t answer, knowing she was talking about her younger brother’s cottage next to Claydon Beach.

  She smiled. “Killer’s stayin’ at the club for the mo, so we’ll have the place all to ourselves.”

  “I’m not goin’.”


  Jasper called out again.

  “We’ll discuss the time later,” she added. “Now, hop out before Jasper has a hernia.”

  I flicked her the finger and pushed out of the car, the bitch speeding off as soon as the door was closed, giving me a honk of her horn.

  “Why do you always hafta be a rude cunt to her?” Jasper snapped, probably seeing me give her the finger. I just wished he’d heard what she’d said.

  “She mouthed off at me,” I replied, having no intention of showing up at her brother’s pad, Ngaire bluffing. There was no way she’d rat me out to the Devil’s Crew. My gaze moved to their car, which was parked a few spaces away. A touch of worry crawled up my back, warning me that there was a chance she wasn’t bluffing, that... No, she was bluffing. She didn’t want me dead, she wanted me in her bed.

  The Devil’s Crew car started moving forward, pulling up alongside me and Jasper. Jasper pushed me behind him as their window rolled down.

  Jasper lifted his shirt, flashing them his gun. “Move along, motherfucker!” he barked at the driver. And the bastard was definitely Devil’s Crew. He was the older brother of Happy Meal’s best mate. Liam Papua smiled at Jasper, flashing his gold tooth. Like my dad, he had a moko, just not a full one, only his cheeks and chin covered. Plus, it was black, the tattoo not as well done as my father’s, more for show than tribal.

  “I’m just dropping my baby bro off at school,” Liam said, “so keep your small cock under wraps. Don’t wanna shoot blanks, now do ya?”

  Jasper tensed. “Fuck you!”

  “Nah, I like real boobs, not man boobs, Chubby Checker.”

  The back window wound down, Happy Meals’ best mate glaring out at us. Landon looked nothing like his brother, much more prep school than gangbanger, suggesting his mother had done the dirty on “their” father. Plus, he was Māori, while Liam was definitely a Pākehā, the tattoo on his face not hiding the fact he was white-bread slumming it.

  “See, I’m not doin’ anything wrong,” Liam said, pulling our attention back to him. “So, run along before the school bell rings, kiddies.”

  Jasper glared at him. “You don’t live on my street, so you were following us.”

  “Not you, fat boy.” He indicated to me. “We heard pretty boy here wuz hauled in by the coppers.”

  “He has an alibi,” Jasper snapped.

  A sneer pulled across Liam’s face. “Yeah, Ronnie’s slut-bag, who, by the way, we know is fucking Dante.” He turned his gaze on me. “Next time close the curtains properly, or I’ll film your li’l Skin flick.”

  “What the fuck!” I barked.

  “Yeah, it would’ve been a fuck if fat boy didn’t show.” Laughter lines creased the corners of his eyes. “I reckon you’d make a good porn actor, Rata. I might even suggest it to my boss. So watch your arse, cos he’ll fuck it with his gun if my crew find out you had anything to do with his son’s murder.” He lifted a gun, pointing it upwards.

  Jasper went to pull out his gun.

  “Chill, fat boy,” Liam said. “I’m not gonna shoot ya, just gonna lube this up for pretty boy.” He licked the gun’s barrel, then lowered it out of sight with a wide grin. The other guys in the car laughed in response.

  “If you go near Dante, I’ll blow your dick off,” Jasper barked.

  “I know they say a mouth is a mouth, but I don’t swing that way, big boy.” Liam winked at Jasper. “I’d rather get a blow from Phelia. I enjoyed watching her.”

  “You weren’t there, otherwise I would’ve seen you.”

  “Ever heard of binoculars?”

  Jasper tensed again.

  Liam continued, “Phelia’s got such a sweet bod. If it weren’t for the boss declaring her a no-touch zone, I’d pro’bly tap that arse in an instant. Now, cover your gun, cos you’re drawing attention. You know I won’t shoot you out in the open.” He sniggered, making it abundantly clear he wouldn’t think twice about shooting Jasper if no one was around.

  Jasper pulled his shirt over his gun. “Just piss off.”

  “Yes, sir, sure sir!” Liam barked, more sniggers escaping. He glanced back at his brother. “Run along kiddie-winks.”

  “Fuck you, Liam,” Landon snapped. He pushed the back door open and climbed out, followed by his best friend. Both of them glared at us, but instead of picking a fight, probably because Jasper was armed, they headed up the lawn to the main building.

  A second later, Liam planted his foot on the accelerator, leaving behind a trail of exhaust smoke.

  “I knew they’d expect me, I fuckin’ knew it!” I shouted.

  Jasper held out a hand. “Calm down, you have an alibi—”

  “Which they obviously don’t think is legit.”

  “No, Liam seein’ you with Phelia pro’bly makes them think it is legit. And I’d say they’re only following you, cos they have no other lead. They wanna know who committed the murders, not let loose on possibilities, and as long as Phelia sticks to her word, you’ll be fine.”

  My eyes widened. “Maybe that’s why they were on her road? To squeeze info outta her.”

  “Phelia won’t dob you in, she’s in love with you,” he said in a mocking tone. “And you wouldn’t be standing here today if she did spill. All we needa do is play things safe, making sure you’re protected until this storm blows over.”

  “It won’t until they find out who killed Happy Meal and his mother.”

  Jasper ran a hand over his unshaven jaw. “I might have a solution, but I needa talk to my old man ’bout it.”

  “What is it?”

  Jasper slapped my shoulder. “I’ll tell ya if he thinks it’s a good plan.” He started walking towards the main school building.

  I fell into step next to him. “No, tell me now.”

  He glanced sideways at me. “Got a job I hafta do. I wanna see if I can combine it, make it work to give ’em a scapegoat.”

  “You gonna,” I lowered my voice to a whisper, “set someone up?”

  “Possibly. Just gotta see if it’ll work. But if it does, it’ll be the best way to get the Devil’s Crew offa your back.”

  He pushed me towards the building’s entrance. Nudging past two seniors, I entered the corridor, getting stares from the other students, a few quickly shuffling out of my way, the dumbasses looking scared. Everyone probably knew about my arrest, the school grapevine working faster than a speedball.

  “For fuck’s sake!” I yelled. “If I wuz guilty I wouldn’t be here, you morons.”

  Jasper laughed. “True, true, though, this’ll give you street cred.”

  “And a target on my back, no thanks to...” I stopped before I could say you.

  “Again, they would’ve killed you by now if they thought you did it,” Jasper said, raising a hand as our other mate walked towards us, cutting my retort off.

  Julio was bouncing a basketball as he pushed between people. He was an uber tall Spanish-looking dude, with dark brown hair and manscaped brows. He wasn’t gay, just incredibly vain, or in his words ‘Metrosexual’. Though, I would’ve plucked my eyebrows too if I had a uni-brow as hideous as his. I’d almost pissed myself laughing after seeing one of his childhood photos. He’d punched me in the face for that.

  As he drew closer, he lifted his chin in a what’s up. “Good to see you back, bro,” he said, stopping in front of me. He had a strange accent, a mix between Kiwi and Canadian. He was from Calgary, though had lived in New Zealand for a while. “Hear you’re off the hook. Didn’t think you killed Happy Meal. You’re what Prince calls a lover not a fighter.”

  Jasper sniggered.

  “I can fight good,” I replied, throwing a glare at Jasper. “I’m just not into guns.”

  “Yeah, you proved that when you took Happy Meal down in the hall,” Julio replied, referring to a mega fight that had happened at the Othello auditions. “Probably why they suspected you. Though, bit of a jump from a punch-up to murder.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” I said, my gaze locking onto Mrs. Ha
tton. She walked past us without saying a word. My eyes lowered to her arse, which looked hot as fuck in a black skirt. I bit my lip, momentarily forgetting about what we’d been talking about. If only my dad hadn’t come home early, I could’ve tapped that so fucking hard my balls would still be feeling it today.

  Julio glanced over his shoulder. “Teach has one cute li’l butt. Too tight for me though. I prefer chicas with something to grab onto.” He lifted the basketball up and gave it a squeeze. “Like Phelia’s, but I hear you’re tapping that arse now, Dante. Didn’t think you liked the honey.”

  I shrugged. “A fuck is a fuck,” I said, not willing to tell him my alibi was fake, plus technically I’d had sex with her, just couldn’t remember the threesome.

  “You lucky bastard.”

  “I fucked her too,” Jasper piped up.

  Julio started laughing. “Yeah, right,” he said, giving him a friendly smack, “pull the other one, Fat Albert.”

  Jasper scowled at him. “I did, ask Dante, we roasted her together.”

  Julio’s head whipped around to me. “Really?”

  I grimaced. “Unfortunately.”

  “Whoa!” Julio hit out at me. “Why didn’t cha tell me sooner? Can I join in next time? We can do a train. Me first, ’cause you two have already had her.”

  “Fuck off!” I snapped. “I didn’t even want the threesome.”

  “Then, why did’ja do it?”

  “Jasper begged me, cos she wouldn’t let him bone her without me in front.”

  Julio laughed, his eyes going to Jasper. “You’re so fuckin’ desperate, man.”

  “My cock didn’t care when it wuz buried balls deep inside of her,” Jasper said, his smile mean. “Now, where wuz your cock? In your hand.”

  I sniggered. “Now, he roasted you!”