She started talking with him about breakfast foods, not noticing Jewel coming toward them until he was right behind Casey.
“Casey, can I have your shirt?” Jewel asked, leaning over the couch and wrapping his arms around Casey’s shoulders.
“Um, okay,” Casey said, going red. He went to start pulling up his shirt.
“Keep that on!” Jade snapped. “Stop being ridiculous, Jewel.”
“What? I’m getting nauseous from the smells. I need something nice and comforting.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“Dramatic? That one literally smells likedistilled insanity.” He pointed at Kaos. “Then we have seaweed.” That was Ocean. “And semenfruit. It’s an affront to my nose.”
Finch looked at me, mouthingsemenfruit?in horror. Ocean and I shook with silent laughter, and Kaos continued to stack pancakes on a serving tray, unperturbed by Jewel’s scathing review of my pack’s scents.
“Will you two can it?” Hugo said, rubbing his forehead. “Take Jade’s hoodie.”
Jade huffed, but conceded.
Thankfully, we made it through breakfast without any more bickering. Kaos even had a second helping of pancakes, and I noticed Finch and Ocean share a relieved look as he devoured them.
When we were done, Finch pulled out his notebook. “I’ve been thinking. If we want to be completely safe, we can go for out-of-state options. We can go as far as you need to feel comfortable, Laurel.”
Jewel met my eyes from across the table, and we shared a grim look.
“Actually, I need to go back,” I said.
“Back?” Finch’s shock echoed down the bond. Even Ocean seemed surprised, but Kaos was nodding.
“Yes,” I said firmly. “I need to go and fix things. Properly. Shut down the Blood Well. Rehabilitate those alphas. Release people like Casey from those awful contracts.”
Finch’s hand tightened on the pen he was holding, but he took a deep breath. “You’re sure?”
I nodded. “My grandfather has called a family meeting for this afternoon. If I don’t step in now, I’ll lose my chance.”
Ocean took my hand. “We’ll go back, then. But we need a proper plan.”
“Of course,” I said, shooting Finch a smile. “Jade, it seems Jag’s death has left a vacancy…”
ONE HUNDRED FOUR
THE NEW DUCHESS
Jewel finished with my hair, standing back and admiring his work.
“Excellent,” he said, and I turned around to see.
My makeup as the Crimson Duchess had always been overt—dark eyeshadow with winged eyeliner, bright red lipstick, thick lashes. Today, the makeup Jewel had given me was lighter. My cheeks were rosy, but my lips were a shimmering pink. He’d opted for mascara and a light tan for the eyeshadow, and my face looked more…honest. Not the Duchess, but not the old Laurel, either. Something new.
I straightened, adjusting the wraparound white dress I’d just bought, and Jewel fixed a string of pearls to my neck.
Finch knocked on the door, poking his head in. “You ready?” I didn’t miss his double-take when he saw me standing there. “Wow,” he said, staring. “You look so beautiful.”
I stood on my tiptoes and gave him a kiss. Jewel tutted and reapplied my lip gloss.
I’d suggested we meet in the private dining room for the meeting, and the family had agreed. Jade sent a text, confirming she’d successfully got into Father’s office, and I smiled as Finch opened the door for me. I had a brief word with the staff about the food being served, and made sure the seats were arranged correctly, before settling beside the door.
Grandpa Octavius and Grandma Edwina were the first to arrive, and I pecked each of them on the cheek as expected before escorting them to their chairs. Edwina immediately called for a glass of wine. The rest of the family trickled in, Vivienne giving me her usual bitchy glare.
