Royce snorts, his hand on Gia’s back as he tries to nudge her away from me. She bats his hand away and comes over, pulling me into a tight hug.
I stiffen in her embrace before hugging her back. “It’s good to see you. I was worried they were going to kill you.”
Gia laughs and pulls back, shaking her head. “I don’t think you need to worry about that. Royce isn’t going to let that happen, and the others aren’t that bad either. I like them, and I’m sure, in time, you’ll learn to like them too.”
“Don’t know what makes you think I’m going to be spending more time with them. I know what side I’m on in all of this. Even being here is a risk for me.” I glance at Jade as she and her siblings go to get their bowling shoes. “Noah could have me killed for being here.”
Zoe rolls her eyes. “He won’t risk that. You’re too good of a fighter. He can’t afford to get rid of you yet.”
“Tyson is nearly as good.”
“But not quite.” Zoe crosses her arms, a subtle flicker of impatience in her eyes. “Why did you take Jade?”
“Revenge. Their family took you and Gia. Figured I should have something of my own to show for it.”
Gia’s lips purse. “Then what are you doing here right now?”
I tuck my hands in my pockets, looking down at the two of them. “She asked me to be here, so I’m here.”
Gia’s eyes light up. “You love her.”
They can think whatever they want in that regard. If they knew what I think of her, how long I’ve been following her, they would likely try to keep her as far from me as possible.
Zoe clears her throat as the others come back. She goes with Aiden without another word, off to put on her shoes and input their names into the screen. The other siblings dissipate as well while Jade stops beside me, handing over a pair of shoes.
“You look like you’re seconds away from losing your mind.” Jade sits down and puts on her shoes. “I know they’re a lot and to be honest, I’m having second thoughts about being here too, so if you want to go, we could go.”
I want to leave. I really do.
But I also want her to stop being so scared of her family and what they think about her. I want her to live up to who she wants to be, and if that means forcing myself to get through the next several hours of hell and risk what comes with Noah, then so be it.
Zoe is right, Noah won’t put a hand on me while I’m still winning fights for him.
It’s what comes after the fighting is done I have to worry about.
I force a small smile. “No, we should stay. Have you told them about going to culinary school yet?”
I say it loud enough so her siblings can hear, knowing she’ll back out if I don’t.
She shoots me a small glare as her siblings turn to her, curiosity in their eyes.
Her lips press into a thin line.
Aiden’s the first one to speak. “What about business school?”
“I’ve never wanted to run the businesses,” Jade says with a small voice, getting up and grabbing a bowling ball. “I just told you I would because I thought it would be easier.”
Aiden’s mouth starts to open, his eyebrows pulling together, but in an instant, Zoe is there, putting her hand on his shoulder and saying something under her breath I don’t catch.
He backs down and turns around while Skyla pulls Jade into a hug.
Skyla steps back to look at her. “I was wondering when you were going to stop trying to take over my jobs.”
“You want to spend time in Vermont.” Jade’s tongue darts out to lick her bottom lip before she turns and takes a couple of steps toward the lane, throwing the ball down.
Seven pins fall.
Skyla scoffs. “I don’t care where I live. I can do what I need to do and still help with the family things. You should be happy.”
