"The universe does not carry debts. It always returns back to you what you gave it." ―Drishti Bablani

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Chapter 5
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Maggie

"Speed it up!" I yelled, slamming my palm across the counter. I turned to the customers, who were staring at me as if I had five heads. With a grin, I motioned to the front of me. "Service here, I tell ya!"

Jax turned with a sharp glare, narrowing a set of matching green eyes at me. "Can you quit that?" he hissed.

A reassuring smile came from him to satisfy the customers, "Don't worry, people! The homeless get in here all the time; they're harmless!" He was convincing, I give him that, but I knew better.

Granny always said we mirrored one another, especially whenever one of us was lying, or had already lied. I claimed to disagree, but I could see it.

My brother stood at around 6'1". He had a head full of black hair, like me, but it was a floppy mess atop his head, usually. He possessed a chiseled jaw that was often smooth, but right now, needed a shave. A pair of matching green eyes that were usually lit and electric with life were polar opposite to mine. Since he normally worked out, his body was in great shape. He was a hit with the men, no matter where we went.

I chuckled, thumbing through the fries until I found a soggy one. I tossed it into my mouth, nodding at my twin. "Karma's a bitch, isn't it?"

And, that it was. After I had left my little gift for Luke behind, I thought I deserved some cheese curds, and fresh fries. Since my brother was at work, I thought, why not surprise him?

He had no idea about what I'd done, and probably never would. I wasn't sure why I didn't tell him; maybe it was because I didn't want his opinion. I knew what it'd be: to always do the right thing, which to him, would be the opposite of what I'd done.

Well, fuck that. Doing the right thing didn't do shit for me, and it never had. Being selfish become a survival tactic to those who had been selfless for far too long.

"I didn't even bother you this much," Jax grumbled, turning to roll his eyes at me. "Get the hell out."

"Are you kidding me?" My eyes narrowed in on him. On one of his days off, he came into my job and acted like a health advisor. "Do you know how long it took for me to clean the gum off of those seats? Because I sure as hell didn't forget." With a smirk, I sat my elbows on the counter, relaxing my chin on top of my hand.

"Quit cursing so loud before the customers report me to management, again," he hissed, smacking the back of my elbows with the towel he held. "I swear, they're pop up like the Candy Man or something."

I cocked my head. "Well that's not how you talk to a customer, Mister..." I trailed off, waiting for him to finish for me. At his deadly glare, I lifted my hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll go."

He rolled his eyes, again, then talked to whichever customer was next to me. I waited for him to finish before saying, "I'm headed out. I should be awake when you get home."

Jax nodded, even though his attention was on a receipt. Finally, when he looked up, his eyes zeroed in on a spot along my neck. At first, I thought it was a past hickey from Xander, but when Jaxs' fingers lifted to graze the skin, I knew better.

He ran the fingers past each other, glancing down at it with scrunched brows. His eyes raised up to mine in question. "Is that paint?"

I didn't feel an ounce of guilt about what I did, but I knew he'd make me find some of it if he found out. Against my own will, I felt my cheeks pinch tight with color as I shook my head.

"It's blood," I lied.

Jaxs' expression remained neutral; he wasn't even shocked at my response. His eyes zeroed in closely, like he always did when he was looking for a lie. Finally, with a shrug, he waved me off. "As long as it can't be traced back to you, then go and live your best life, bitch."

My chest fell with relief as I nodded. "You know it won't be. I'm a mastermind. Lots of Criminal Minds, Law and Order, you know..." I was just rambling at this point. "Smashed the teeth in, cut the limbs off, and all." I saw some of the customers turn to me in question, but I paid them no mind.

Jaxs' attention fell to me once more with a shake of his head, and a grin. "Be safe driving, text me when you're home." I nodded in agreement. "You too, dipshit. Hate you."

"Love you, back!" he called out, turning to continue on with the orders.

This was one of the many, many ways my brother had helped. He adjusted to my ways, to my lies, to me. He knew how I was about love, and he knew why.

So, instead of regular 'I love you's' it was always him saying 'love you' and me responding 'hate you' or vice versa. It was just what we did.

I still felt the attention waver on me about my murder statement, so with a grin, I shouted after me, "Make sure to tip your servers, people!"

My brothers' curses followed me right out of the restaurant. Chuckles fell from me while I continued toward my car. I hurried, and got inside before my tits froze off in this weather.

I patted my satisfied, cheese-filled tummy with glee. Other than this morning, today had been a fulfilling day.

I may have lost a job, but the mayor's bastard had lost an entire business, and before it even started. He took something of mine away, and according to the eye for an eye rule, I was only liable to do the same. If only I was able to see his reaction to what I did.

I wasn't sure if he would ever know who it was that did it. I didn't even care if he did, actually. The pictures I took of the damage was enough.

But, if he ever did find out, then he would learn one thing: I wasn't a nice girl. I was a bitch who loved getting her turn back, and I had no empathy for little bitch boys like him.

On the way home, I was tempted to make the drive to Xanders, but the exhaustion was taking a toll on me. The adrenaline had only been temporary, apparently. I didn't want to just end up falling asleep on him, so I headed home.

With how slow my aging car was, I had a long drive ahead of me. Jax had been the responsible one, and saved up for a decent car, while I was stuck with the one grams' gave to me. I was grateful it got me places and back, but hell, sometimes I would love to go somewhere without having terrifying heart palpable the entire time.

Since it was dark and most people were out on vacation, I didn't have to worry about the assholes on the road. Instead, I turned the music up, and drove on. I wasn't sure how much time passed, but it'd apparently been enough to allow my brain to drift. Because, when I heard the honk behind me, I nearly swerved off the road.

I jerked up, casting a glare in the mirror in return. It was definitely a sports car, I could feel the vibration in my ass. They revved their engine, to which I rolled my eyes.

I glanced to the side, expecting them to have just jumped lanes, but instead, they remained behind me. I heard them lay down on the horn again, then the gas. As if they weren't already obnoxious enough, they turned on their high beams.

I rolled my eyes, then rolled my window down. Flipping a middle finger into the air, the skin nearly flew from my body before I pulled it back in.

"There's two lanes for a reason, dickhead! Go the hell around" I shouted out the window with a glare.

Another rev of the engine, then, they proceeded to get closer. And, closer, and closer. Until I was nearly blinded from the light, and they were mere seconds from rear-ending me.

"What the fuck?" I cursed, attempting to swerve to the other lane.

Just as I did, the car followed suit, nearly crashing us both. I cursed as I caught the wheel, pulling it back into my grasp before I could crash. The car did the same, riding my ass, then flashing their lights.

I gritted my teeth with agitation as I drove on. They must be drunk or some kids. Either way, they had nearly killed us both with their little joke.

Finally, I put enough distance between us to get comfortable. I hated doing it to this old hunk of junk, but I needed to get away from whoever the hell was on that road. Even though my heart was still stuck in my throat, I continued on until I saw the same broken mailbox.

I nearly cried with relief at the sight. My bed, and a shower was calling my name, and momma was coming home.

I needed to discard of the paint cans before anything else, though; I didn't want any stains in my car.

I slammed the door behind me, then went to the trunk. This was going to be fun; the bastard always loved to play hard to get when it came to opening. I pulled, and pulled until the skin along my fingers burned, but just as it popped open—

A squeal of tires tore through the quiet air so loud, it caught me off guard for a moment.

I jerked around, but was blinded by the same level of high beam lights that were on the highway. With a curse, I jumped out of the way, nearly tumbling right into the gravel.

The car swerved right for me, and even my instincts couldn't have been prepared for it. I was merely a deer caught in headlights now.

But, just as the very front of the car grazed my knees, it came to a stop. I nearly fell from the imagined impact, but besides that, the lights stopped me from doing anything else.

The door slammed shut with a thud, tugging me into into action. I swung around to my own.

Shit. My taser, and pepper spray were in my purse. I grasped whichever one came first.

My stomach fell at the thought of...no, it couldn't be. It won't ever be.

"You crazy little fucking bitch," I heard a voice sneer at me. Not any voice...Luke Vaudest.

My skin crawled with fear as he swerved right around the car, and to me. Then, the fear blossomed right into satisfaction.

"Bitch is just fine," I responded with a chuckle. "I don't prefer adjectives. Too messy."

Lukes' regularly fair face was red, and hot to the touch. His blonde hair looked as if it had been shuffled through so much, it was a miracle any was left. His nostrils were flared, and in a certain light, I was sure I'd notice the veins in his forehead.

Long legs carried him until he was front and center with me. That satisfaction slipped right back into fear as he reached for me. One hand nearly got around my throat before he stopped himself. One finger shoved into my face, as did his own, so close and personal, I could feel the minty heat against my lips.

"What the fuck did you do?" he seethed, his teeth clenched so tight, I feared he'd break a tooth. "What the fuck did you do?!" he repeated the question, his body shaking with pure rage.

Dark, cloudy eyes stared down at mine with such malice, I thought they'd knock me down. I gulped down that fear, and lifted my head up high.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I responded with a straight face. "Enjoy this beautiful night, cupcake." A smirk pulled my lips up as I jerked around, fully intending to leave him, and his temper tantrum behind.

A hand wrapped around my wrist, yanking me right back to him. I jerked around, a gasp of shock spilling from my lips. Luke was right back, pulling me until our chests collided.

"You're not going any fucking where," he hissed, his nostrils flaring. "You—" A hand ran down his face as he pushed out a breath. "You fucked up my shit!"

"Quit accusing me of things I never did," I responded with a shrug.

A tasteless laugh spilled from his lips before they shifted into a scowl. Even though it was pitch dark, I still could see the glistening of his white teeth as he bared them.

"You really think I didn't install a fucking security system?" he snapped, tilting his head at me. "You're a fucking idiot, Norris. A fucking idiot."

The anger disregarded the shock. "Takes one to know one, bitch."

I turned again, only to be yanked back. Not enough to hurt, but enough to put me right in fight or flight. And, I loved a good ass fight.

My face curled around a scowl as I yanked my wrist back. "Get your fucking hands off me, you damn idiot," I hissed. "If you touch me again—"

He yanked me back, again, fully shooting daggers into my very soul. I'd seen angry, but this man was seething. "What?" he bit out. "What the fuck are you gonna do, you little—"

My hand rose so quickly, I thought I'd miss the shot, but I hadn't. I aimed perfectly, landing Luke right in the face with the pepper spray.

His grip loosened until it was gone altogether. He stumbled back with a curse, his fingers nearly digging into his sockets. "Shit!" Before he had a moment to recover, I took another shot. I didn't need it, but this bastard sure did.

I swung, but it wasn't one of my best since I still had the taser in my hand. But, it was enough. His head snapped to the side from the impact, his yell echoing throughout the night, either from the pain or the anger, or both.

I didn't wait. Without a second thought, I launched my foot right into his crotch. He cursed me, again, falling right along with it.

I was getting the fuck out of here.

I turned so quickly, I barely caught up with my own footing. I took off toward my car again, not even double checking the bastard behind me. I nearly slammed my own hand into the door as I yanked it shut, fully locking the doors behind me.

"You're a fucking lunatic!" was one of the many profanities he spewed from his spot before I heard shuffling. I cast a glance behind me, but was jump-scared. He'd gotten back up quicker than I anticipated.

His eyes zeroed in on me, red and strained from the pepper spray. If the situation wasn't so urgent, I would have time to laugh about it. But I didn't, so I hurried and made a reach for my keys.

Except, they weren't there.

Whatthefuckwhatthefuckwhat—

Lukes' lips pulled into a half-grin as he jiggled them right at me. Without a second thought, he turned, and launched the keys so far into the dark, my eyes strained to follow it.

One hand slammed onto the window so hard, I flinched. "Open the fucking door, you damn deviant ass maniac!" he demanded. "Open it right now!"

My eyes narrowed back at him. "Not a fucking chance."

Luke continued on until the car was shaking with me. There was no way in hell I was getting out. He'd have to drag me out himself and even then, he'd have the fight of his life. I'd been through too much shit to go out like this.

Finally, he paused to scrub a hand down his face. "Fine!" he shouted, his lips curling into a sick grin. "You wanna stay inside, psycho? Stay the fuck inside." His grin only grew as he backed away, hands raised.

I didn't relent, even as he began to walk back toward his car. I heard his doors open then slam shut, so I decided to stretch my head to get a better view. But, when I did, my confusion only grew.

He had something in his hand, but he was too far away. Finally, he came close enough for me to catch the glint of a knife.

A knife.

He's going to stab me. Shitshitshit—

Granny always told me that my mouth would one day cash a check my ass couldn't catch, and now, I believed every word. Luke was a lunatic; he had nothing to lose when it came to murdering me.

I saw him approach the car, but I held the taser in one hand and the pepper spray in the other. If I was going out like this, I was taking the bastard with me.

"Stay in the fucking car then, Norris!" I heard him shout, but just as I saw him come to the window, he craned his body just a bit.

The muscles in his shirt strained as he slammed a hand into one of the tires. With a pop I realized exactly what he was doing.

My body froze as he went to the second. He stabbed the tires until they were gone, then just as he went to the third, I finally grew the will to speak.

"Stop it!" I shouted. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Me?" his head fell back, laughter spilling right out. "You thought you were funny, right? Let's make a fucking sitcom, then!"

His hand raised for the fourth tire, before I yelled, "Fine, fine! I'll get out, damn it, just stop!" My voice reeked with shameful desperation, though there was no real point. Two tires were already gone.

"You'll get out?"

"I will, just give me a fucking minute, okay!" I stressed, palming my warm forehead and shutting my eyes. I rushed out a pitiful breath as I willed myself to get out.

"Minute up."

My eyes popped open, but just as they did, the sound of broken glass reached my ears first. A gasp hung in my throat as I watched him slam a fist right through my passenger window, his arm stretching through for the lock. He stormed right over to my side, yanking my door open so hard, I thought he may have broke it off the hinges.

Pure rage boiled in my blood as I jerked my head to him. "What the fuck are you doing?!"

One hand remained on the door as he leaned down. His hardened eyes glared at me, his own tone dark and deadly, "That's not shit compared to what the fuck I plan on doing to you."

I shoved a hand against his chest, though he barely moved in return. "Karma's a fucking bitch isn't it? Or, are you and your daddy so used to getting your way you don't know how to handle it when you don't?"

His hateful gaze squeezed out every ounce of confidence I had the longer he stared at me. His eyes squeezed shut as he shook his head, his jaw clenching until it looked nearly painful, before he opened his eyes.

"I'll be back tomorrow, you loony fucking bitch," he hissed at me, leaning in until our noses brushed. "And, trust and believe the cops will be right behind me to lock your crazy ass up, too. Karma's a fucking bitch, isn't it, Norris?" He slammed the car door shut so hard, it shook the car before he turned his back to me.

Without another word, he went back to his car. His engine roared to life a moment later, before he reversed and disappeared down the road.

Even when he left, I didn't feel any type of relief. Because, now...

I was going to have to live with the check my ass couldn't cash.