“You don’t have to do this alone, you know,” she adds. “We’re here for you.”
The truth is, I’ve always done things on my own. Although I know the Stellas would do anything if I asked, being alone is how I cope best. I’m not good at leaning on other people. After Mom died, I didn’t have siblings or many friends, so I threw myself into my schoolwork and books. Plus, my father taught me that people can’t be depended on. Perhaps I’ve internalized it a little too much.
“I know.” I feign a smile. “Thank you for the offer.”
“I can make us a nice dinner when you get back,” Delilah says. “I’ll ask Faye to come over, so we can have a proper Stella night.”
“You’ll be able to tell us about all the stupid shit the Cockburn twins had to say.” Sabs winks. “And I’ll make a piñata with their faces on it. Or a dartboard.”
“Yes, to all of the above,” I reply.
Margie’s yelling cuts through the air, making me grimace. “I better go out there before Margie has a heart attack.”
“Good luck,” Delilah murmurs.
It’s going to take a lot more than luck to get me through the next few hours.
I reach the limo just as Kyro rolls the window down. He hangs out of it, swinging a champagne bottle.
“Kady-kins!” His voice makes me cringe, like dragging a fresh manicure down a chalk board. “Your pack is here!”
“Keep your head inside the vehicle!” Margie yells, wielding her Taser. “How many times do I have to tell you?”
Please shock him.I cross my fingers. Maybe then I can get out of this photoshoot.
“Your father got special permission for your pack to enter Omega Village one time, Kady.” Margie’s pinkish-silver hair flies everywhere. “But it won’t be approved again.” Her deep wrinkles appear more pronounced as she frowns and steps forward, dropping her voice so only I can hear. “Are you okay, hon? These alphas don’t seem like the kinda men I’d want my granddaughter dating.”
“Everything’s fine,” I reassure her. “And don’t worry, they won’t need permission to enter OV again.”
I draw in a huge lungful of fresh air, making the most of it before I’m trapped in a small space with the stinky assholes.
“Are you happy to see us again, Kady-kins?” Shea croons as I slide into the back with them. Apparently, his brother’s annoying nickname for me has caught on.
He reclines across the limo seats, propping his legs on the cushions. Kyro’s in a similar position, draping himself over the other side, smothering the seats. That leaves only a tiny space for me to perch next to Tyler, who is sipping a flute of champagne like he thinks he’s royalty.
Kyro looks out the window, pointing at the house. “Is that a cat?”
I turn to see Larry’s cute face pressed against the pane, staring after me.
“Someone should put it down,” Kyro sneers. “Put it out of his misery. What kind of animal wants to look like that?”
“Larry lives a perfectly good life, if you must know.” I clench my fists, battling to contain my simmering rage. “And have you taken a look in the mirror lately?”
“Let’s all play nice, hm?” Tyler raises his little finger as he drinks his fizz. “It was nice of your father to arrange this for us.”
Shea locates a box of snacks then rifles through it, smacking his lips together as he tears open a pack of jerky. “I could get used to this.”
“Well, don’t,” I snarl.
My stomach churns, watching Shea tear the strips of meat and chew loudly with his mouth open. I tear my eyes away before I vomit.
“You shouldn’t have spoken to the press,” I say to Tyler. “That wasn’t part of our deal.”
“Our deal was to make it look like our love is real.” Tyler smirks. “You wanted a fake pack, didn’t you?”
“Talking to the media is different. I assume you signed the paperwork that was sent to you?” I cross my arms. “Everything has to go through my father’s PR team from now on.”
“Or what?” Kyro chips in. “You can’t order us around. You need us, remember?”
