I’m going to find out either way.
“Then he’s available.” She winks over at me.
I turn to face her fully. She’s just like my sister. When she sees a pretty face, she wants to spread her legs, even if that means cheating on Billy. “He will eat you up and spit you out. And if he doesn’t kill you, his fiancée will.” Her green eyes widen at my words. I lean in and whisper, “Then she’ll burn your body and take a hammer to what’s left. Stay the hell away from him,” I warn.
She swallows nervously but chuckles.
I aspire to be a mini Austin—badass and untouchable. That’s why I decided to continue with my plan for tonight.It has to be done. It’s time. I’ve been holding onto something for too long that means so very little. Not to me. My sister tried to take it before, and now I’m going to throw it away.
For revenge. And it’s going to be so fucking sweet.
I pour two shots of vodka and hand her one. “Drink up,” I order. She clinks her glass to mine, and I look over the rim, throwing it back to see Deke’s blue eyes on me. I smile to myself.
The song changes to “Left Alone” by Zero just as Seth enters the room. I give him a smile when his eyes lock on mine. “Hey, babe,” He grips my upper arm and yanks me from the counter, causing my drink to fall over. “Ow …”
“You did not do what I think you did!” he snaps so loudly that it causes people to look our way.
My eyes widen. “I don’t know what—”
“Don’t fucking lie to me, Demi,” he shouts.
I look around nervously, and I don’t miss seeing Cole and Deke looking right at us now. I quickly look away and back at Seth. “Can we talk about this somewhere else?”
“Fine!”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
DEKE
IPUSH OFFthe wall the same time that Cole does, and we make our way out of the formal dining room, through the kitchen, and to the grand foyer. I watch Seth drag Demi up the stairs like a rag doll. My fists clench when I see how hard his fingers are digging into her upper arm.
“You’re hurting me.” Her small voice travels down the stairs.
“And you’re being a slut! Just like your sister,” he snaps.
“Seth?” I call out, already taking the stairs two at a time.
He looks down at me, then at Cole who I notice is following close. “Walk away, guys, this doesn’t concern you.”
“Actually, it does.” Cole crosses his arms over his chest as we hit the landing. “Let her go.”
The upper floor of the house is quiet because it’s off-limits to guests tonight. And I know that’s why he brought her up here. To be alone with her. The only sound is the song playing through the speakers.
He releases her, and she immediately cradles her arm to her chest.
“Fine.” He looks down at her with disgust. “You can have her.” He turns and storms back down the stairs, shoving a guy into a wall.
“Demi …” I reach down to look at her arm, but she pulls away and turns, running over to her bedroom door.
“Go,” Cole says, but I’m already moving.
“Demi?” I call out, but she ignores me.
I reach her before she can open the door and spin her around. She looks up at me with tears in her beautiful eyes. “You okay?” I ask, clearing my throat. I’ve had quite a bit to drink tonight, knowing that Cole was going to be my DD. He doesn’t drink much anymore after the night of the car wreck. And if he does, it’s at his house.
She sniffs and looks away from me. I step into her, grip her chin, and force her to look up at me. “I asked if you’re okay.”
Her wet lips part, and she takes in a deep breath. “Fine.” She gives a clipped answer.
