His mouth opens as he examines her. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure what to believe anymore.” He offers a kind nod before ditching out the building.
“Oh my God.” Skyla laughs in disbelief. “This is hell on earth. I need to find Chloe.”
Laken and Coop head this way with long faces as the room all but drains.
Laken gives a sorrowful laugh. “What the hell did you do to piss Chloe off? I’m sorry.” She pulls Skyla into a hard embrace.
“That’s what I’m wondering.” Skyla pulls back. “I guess I’ll have to track her down.”
Coop shakes his head. “You don’t have to. She’s still here.”
“Where?” I bark it out. “God help me if I don’t shake her to death.”
Skyla gives my arm a squeeze. “I’m sure she would love to book assault charges. No way. I need you now more than ever.”
Cooper tips his head. “I have to agree. And no offense, Skyla, but Chloe’s just nullified you in the process of trying to adulate herself. The only person the Factions will truly trust is probably Logan.”
Laken’s cheek flinches. “You’ll have to assert full authority.” She looks to Skyla. “Chloe made sure you’ve lost trust with the people in a single afternoon. I don’t know how to fix this for you, but maybe Logan is the best solution for now.”
“Okay.” Skyla blows out a hard breath. “I’m more than fine with that.” She turns my way. “But I’m fixing this. In no way do I want people thinking I still have Rory trapped in this body. I’m so glad none of you think it. You don’t think it, do you?”
Cooper and Laken give a nervous laugh.
“No, we don’t,” Laken assures her. “Chloe Bishop”—her mouth opens another notch as she glances to the left—“speaking of the witch.”
We spot Chloe and Wes headed in this direction, and my stomach turns at the sight of her.
Wes lifts his arms. “Before you get your panties in a wad, I want no part of this. I had nothing to do with this verybadidea,” he growls the last few words out at Chloe. “In fact, I’ve spent the last half hour spelling out exactly why it’s so damn stupid to my ex-wife.”
Chloe glances to the ceiling. “It’s brilliant.” Her eyes flit to Skyla. “Hello, Rory.” She gives a little wink and Skyla sucks in a lungful of air as her body jerks forward, and I quickly pull her back.
“We’re not interested in assault charges, remember?”
She pulls away. “I might be a little interested. Chloe, you have five seconds to tell me what you’re up to before I lock you in a cage, and don’t think I won’t do it.”
She makes a face. “It’s exactly the kind of thing you’d do, Rory.” She shrugs. “I have to keep up appearances,” she whispers. “Besides, people will be very worried if I go missing.”
“Chloe,” I grunt her name out like an expletive. “Cut to the chase.”
She takes a deep breath then takes up Skyla’s hand, and I take up her other hand. This is one conversation I’m not missing out on.
Chloe,Skyla starts.You knew I was grateful to you. It was a part of the terms that I would let you make decisions alongside me. You didn’t have to stoop this low.
Chloe lifts a brow.It seems you’ve already forgotten the terms of our agreement much the way Rory and I predicted.
Skyla closes her eyes. “What are you talking about? Did you get your feelings hurt because you were afraid I’d forget to let you in on the decision-making process?”
Chloe skewers Skyla with a look.You would ‘let me in’? It doesn’t sound as if we would be on equal footing if you were the gatekeeper, now would it?
Skyla glowers at her. “Fine. You win. You can believe what you want. You always do anyway. Why divide the Factions if we’re on the same team?”
Chloe gives a quick glance around the empty room, and I do the same.
“We’re the only ones here, Chloe.” I pull Skyla in by the waist. “Go ahead, spill your load.”
A demented smile twitches on her lips. “Interesting choice of words from the frustrated honeymooner.” She focuses her attention back on Skyla. “The Factions belong to me. I rule them.”
“You won’t rule them.” Wes is quick to set her straight. “Logan will rule them. You’ve forever marred doubt over who you are. Skyla will clear her name. This will go away. This isn’t going to get you anywhere, Chloe. You were frustrated, and you let your frustrations win out. This isn’t winning. It’s tantamount to seeing that the odds are stacked against you so you wipe all the pieces off the board. You don’t get to play.”
