Or perhaps the new girl he’s been dating is pissing him off.
“Knight, you gonna talk or just sit there staring off? You’re more distant than usual. Ever since Coach Harper—”
“Fuck off, Reed.” I toss my sandwich onto the tray, my appetite gone.
Beckett Harper can go fuck himself. Just another person who thinks I don’t give a shit about things because I don’t show my emotions.
Can’tshow them.
I would’ve preferred to come to Miami alone, but I needed Connor’s jet along with a believable story. Otherwise, my father might’ve figured out I found my little stepbrother, and he would’ve interfered, even stopped me from killing the fucking cockroach for what he did.
Ending Merci’s existence is a belated Christmas present to myself. One I intend to collect.
Viktor flops into the seat next to mine. “Easy, Zach.”
I turn and glare at him, things swirling inside my chest, but my brain can’t make sense of them. I clench my jaw and stare unblinking.
“Look, I didn’t mean to tell him what happened. But he saw . . . and I wasn’t going to lie to him.”
The incident that nearly destroyed our friendship is only half the problem. I pick at the bread of my discarded sandwich. “How much did you tell him?”
“Don’t be an asshole. I didn’t mention why it happened.”
One thing about Viktor—he’s always kept my secret. So, I don’t question him.
“Like I said. I’m fine. Could’ve done this all myself.”
“Fuck you, shithead. We’re family. No way we’d let you do this alone,” Jackson says.
Right.
Because theyreallyknow me. They only know the parts I allow them to. “Surprised Blackwell isn’t tagging along.”
Jackson pops a mini-pretzel into his mouth. “He had to drive his mom and sisters back to Massachusetts.”
That’s right. Their families celebrated Christmas together.
“Do we need to go over the plan?”
Connor grumbles from the seat behind me. “Give us more credit. We know what we’re doing.”
I tap my finger on the armrest. “Except this time, we’re out of state. None of our parents can get us out of this if we get caught. And my father will leave me to rot.”
Viktor snorts. “Speak for yourself. My mom and aunt would save my ass. I’m the most loved member of the family.”
Jackson laughs. “Uh, not anymore, according to your cousin. I believe Feisty Mouse has usurped the position.”
Viktor waves a haphazard hand in the air. “Yeah, yeah. My aunt hasn’t even met him yet, so Alexei’s full of shit.”
The corner of my mouth quirks up, not a genuine smile, but enough of one. Eli Holmes is the complete opposite of us, yet he’s ours. I like him, respect him.
I turn and look at Jackson. “Killian talk to Raiyne, made sure he stays in line?”
Jackson nods. “Freaky Peter Pan’s on board. He might’ve known the bastard, but Killian gave him the full background. And Raiyne’s loyalty is to my boyfriend, not some pissant he works with every so often.”
“I still can’t believe the redhead Serpent is a stripper or whatever the fuck he does for this company,” Connor says.
Glancing over the headrest at him, I quirk a brow. “Really? After he tackled you that night during the Frozen Four? Kid was practically straddling you.”
