Loose ends.
Often came in different forms.
In this instance.
Her name was Amanda Clarke.
One loose end I had to take care of immediately.
The Hamptons was the last place I had expected to see Amanda Clarke.
I came to a stand still.
The Greysons were celebrating another coup, their manor filled with the Hampton’s well to do.
“Becky,” I turned at Amanda’s voice. “What are you doing here?”
I regarded the lithesome blonde with cool detachment. The sheath dress she wore, shimmy in blood red.
Anger emanated off her in waves, and something else. Panic. No one knew her true reason for being at the Greyson’s. For being in the Hamptons. Other than Nolan Ross.
And me.
I took a sip of my champagne. “I’m visiting old friends” I replied.
Amanda glanced around to see if anyone was watching us and took a step closer. “You need to leave!” She hissed “you will ruin everything!”
Everything.
Meaning.
Revenge.
I smirked “you need to calm down,” I sighed, “Anyone ever told you have trust issues?”
Amanda glowered at me. “I dont need you to ruin my plan! What possible reason do you have here?”
“Anyone ever told you to mind your own damn business” I shot back. “But if you really want to know? You. You’re a loose end. I’m here to take care of you personally and permanently!”
Amanda’s eyes widened in fear at my words. She took a step back, bumping into a passing waiter carrying a tray of hors d’oeuvres. The tray toppled over, spilling food all over her dress. Amanda cursed under her breath and tried to brush the food off, but it only smeared it further.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of her. “Looks like you’re having a bad day, Amanda.”
She glared at me, the panic in her eyes replaced by anger. “You’re not going to get away with this, Becky. I spent years perfecting my plan! There would be no mistakes! I’m not going to let you stop me!”
I shrugged. “Don’t be so dramatic,” I motioned to the gun tucked in my waistband.
One shot.
That was all it would take to silence Amanda Clarke forever.
“Really?! Here?! Like this?! In front of everyone?!” Amanda scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous! You would never get away with it!”
“Sure,” I chuckled “I have this handgun registered in Victoria’s name. Victoria’s fingerprints. Two birds. One stone. The Greysons would never know what hit them.”
Amanda looked like she wanted to say more, but she was quickly interrupted by the host of the party. “Excuse me, ladies,” he said, his voice booming over the chatter of the guests. “Is everything alright here?”
Amanda quickly composed herself and forced a smile. “Yes, everything’s fine. Just a little accident.”
The host nodded and moved on to the next group of guests. Amanda turned back to me, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and anger. “You’ll regret this, Becky,” she whispered.
I raised an eyebrow. “We’ll see about that.”
With that, I turned and walked away, leaving Amanda standing alone, covered in food and seething with anger. The loose end had been taken care of. Now, it was time to move on to the next one.
A GIRL OUT OF THE ORDINARY 