I’ve heard enough.
I don’t want to get caught up here, eavesdropping. I wander past, hands in my pockets, nonchalant as if I’ve just come from the other end of the hall.
I pop my head into the owner’s suite, it’s empty—just as I figured.
But something stops me at the threshold.
A scent.
Subtle. Familiar.
Sweet.
I inhale again, deeper this time. My head tilts, trying to place it.
Not cologne. Not booze. Not the lingering scent of catered food or leather seating.
Her.
I don’t know how or why, but it’sher. That light, intoxicating perfume. The same one that settled my pulse the moment she stepped into that room.
11
LEANNA
My economics class ends,and I wander out into the hallway with one of my study group friends, Marcel. He’s sweet and cute, and he’s asked me out about six times, but I just never felt anything for him other than friendship.
The sun is bright as we step outside. I’m still laughing at a joke he made about our professor’s mismatched socks.
And just like that, my smile dies.
Marcel looks at me before following my gaze. “You know them?”
My brothers, both tall and dark-haired, and purposefully menacing, with their arms crossed over their broad chests, their stances wide. They look like goons, like twin statues of intimidation.
“Yeah,” I say, exhaling. “Unfortunately.”
Marcel gives me a look. “Want me to come with you?”
I shake my head. “No, I’ve got it. But… thanks.”
“You gonna be okay?”
“They’re my brothers,” I reply, trying to make it sound like that means something safe. It doesn’t. Not with my brothers.
Will I be okay?
Who knows.
“Well,” he says awkwardly, “uh… maybe text me later?”
I nod, heading over to where Vince and Ezra stand, under the canopy of an old oak tree.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Hello to you, too, little sister,” Vince says.
“Fuck you. How did you know where to find me?” I look around, wondering if they’ve had a tail on me, wondering how I missed it. I wouldn’t put it past my dad to have hired someone to follow me.
