“Doesn’t mean I wrote it or put it in there.”
She snatches the note and tucks the mangled paper back into her pocket. “Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”
Her unsubstantiated belief that I would write it pisses me off and further proves just how deep Tristan has her under his control. She’s willingly living with three cold-blooded killers, and yet she thinksI’mthe monster.
Suddenly advancing on her, she retreats until her back hits the wall. Bracketing both hands on either side of her head, her feminine stature gets dwarfed when I lean in. “I don’t lie, littlepevchaya ptitsa, unlike the men you’re keeping company with.”
Pevchaya ptitsameans songbird. That’s what she is. A beautiful bird trapped in an invisible cage she doesn’t see surrounding her.
Syn isn’t intimidated by my big size. On the contrary, she stands her ground. “I don’t care about whatever grievance you and Tristan have with one another. I’m not a part of that.”
Still as naïve and clueless as ever. “You are very much a part of everything now, Synthia.”
“Why? I’m new here. I don’t know anybody. Am I not allowed to make friends?”
“Not with us.”
Misunderstanding, she bites out, “Iamnotyour friend.”
“Not what I meant.” I search her face for any deception and find nothing but innocence. She doesn’t understand the danger she’s in. The danger Tristan put her in. “You really don’t know, do you?”
She rolls her eyes for good measure. “Since I clearly don’t, would you like to fill me in?”
Tempting, but no. I want to see how all this plays out. “I don’t think I will. It’ll be more fun to watch you find out on your own.” Because I can’t help myself with her being this close, I lightly graze a fingertip down the apple of her cheek. It’s like touching silk and fire at the same time. A bad analogy considering whatshe’s been through, but accurate. “You have very unusual eyes. You’re also very pretty. I can see why they’re intrigued.”
Is that why the guys are so taken with her, just like I am? Do they also see Aoife when they look at her?
“If you think you can use me as a way to hurt Tristan, Constantine, or Hendrix, then you’re way off the mark. I’m nothing to them.”
My mouth curls into an amused grin. “Who’s lying now?”
Syn shoves at my chest, and I oblige her by backing up.
“Why do you and Tristan hate each other so much?”
My smile disappears and is replaced with cold fury, and I do the thing that I just accused Tristan of. I lie. “His family stole my birthright.”
It’s a mound of bullshit but necessary to keep up the pretense. After next weekend, it won’t matter anymore.
Syn’s reply is drenched in incredulity when she says, “Tristan is not responsible for what his father or his family does.”
The scoff that erupts from my chest cracks the air like thunder. “You couldn’t be more wrong,pevchayaptitsa.”
So, hehastold her some things, but I bet he hasn’t told her the most important truths—the ones about our father. She’ll find out about those ugly veracities soon enough.
Slinking along the wall, she fumbles for the button and mashes it in rapid succession to summon the elevator. “Thank you for your time. It would be nice if you and your brother stopped following me around. If it happens again, I’ll file a restraining order.”
When she tries to leave, I get in her way, some internal instinct screaming at me not to let her go.
“Please move.”
“You seem like a nice girl, so I’m going to give you a word of advice.”
Her breaths pick up, and her hands fist at her sides as if she’s preparing to fight her way out of my apartment if it comes to it. “And what would that be?”
Syn doesn’t deserve what’s about to happen. I just have to make sure she doesn’t get caught in the crossfire.
“Run.”
