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And there would be a sister-versus-sister fight Jessie Kay always resisted her own rescue

Brook Lynn reached up and switched her inner ear implants to silent The devices were a couple of years old but still deemed experimental, used to treat cases of hyperacusis as severe as hers--hearing everyday noises at such a blaring volume, it sometimes felt as if acid had been poured inside her ears They allowed her to experience a sublime state of deafness whenever she desired Which she did Often

Without bothering to knock, she stepped inside the house Through a thick haze of cigar smoke, she saw the home’s interior hadn’t had any work done, either, and was in even more desperate need of refurbishe and peeled at the corners The white shag carpet was stained and threadbare in places In cohout looked brand-new, flawless

Finding no sign of Jessie Kay, shethe way A skill she’d honed over the years

"--would never have guessed he was such a citidiot," the recently divorced Charlene Burns was saying "But after tonight’s antics?"

Citidiot She had to be talking about West or one of his friends They were the only city boys to uson replied with a nod "It’s so, so sad"

"Can we really blaed brain cells But Jessie Kay? That girl has no excuse Trying to stealherself at Jase was such a slutty-- Oh, hey, Brook Lynn" Charlene flashed a faux-bright sed an enthusiastic wave

Brook Lynn held up her index finger and said, "One"

Both girls darted away as fast as their feet would carry them

Over the years, Brook Lynn’s count of three had served her very well The only warning anyone received before her "viper’s tongue" was unleashed It was known for drawing blood and leaving internal injuries few could survive, all because she’d flayed Jessie Kay’s ex-boyfriend with a verbal tongue-lashing Once! But that’s all it had taken A legend had been born, and that legend had only groithout any real help from her Nowadays most folks would rather have their nose andwaterboarded--than clash with her

A tap on her shoulder sent her wheeling around "Kenna," she exclaireeted her with a uarantee West knohere she is That boy has his head on a swivel Come on"

Brook Lynn followed close behind and wished, not for the first tiether, leaving the rest of the world behind But Kenna had a six-year-old daughter to think about Not to -hot fiancé And Brook Lynn, well, she had Jessie Kay, ould self-destruct without her

Well, self-destruct faster