She throws her hands in the air. “I was desperate! And it doesn’t matter now anyway. It’s too late.”
I work hard to keep my tone civil. “Where does Chad think I was?”
She clasps her hands on top of the table, composing her face into a serene look, and I instantly know I’m not going to like what she says. “I had to get creative because he saw your SUV. He knows someone kidnapped you.” She flips her head in Jase’s direction. “He tried calling you, but when you didn’t answer, he called the cops.”
“I only saw his missed calls on the way back from the crypt Sunday night. I tried calling him back, but he didn’t answer, and he wasn’t at home when we arrived or the following morning. I have been gone since then with no way of contacting him,” Jase responds.
“What did you do, Mom?” I chew on the inside of my cheek. “If you have hurt him, I will kill you with my bare hands.”
“Give me some credit,” she snaps. “I know you love him. I would never hurt him.”
“So, where is he?” I am beginning to feel like a broken record. Evasiveness is obviously a skill The Luminaries excel at.
“Upstairs sick in bed,” Julia says, appearing like a nasty apparition in the doorway.
I slide off Jase’s lap, inwardly cursing whoever left the front door open. Our plan hinges on The Luminaries believing we are staying away from each other. Julia cannot know we are back together.
“How did you get in?” Bree narrows her eyes in suspicion. “I know I locked the door when we came in.”
Julia preens as she walks toward us, her heels clacking off the tile floor. “Ares gave me a key.”
“He did what?” I ball my hands into fists under the table.
“We’re fucking,” she adds. “And it’s getting serious.” She dangles a key from her finger. “Hence why we exchanged keys.”
“Puh-lease.” I toss out a laugh. “He is playing you, and you’re too dumb to see it.” You only have to take one look at Ares Haynes to know he doesn’t do relationships. He also doesn’t tolerate fools. If he is fucking my cousin, and he may well be, he’s doing it for a reason.
News flash—it’s not ’cause he likes her.
“Whether he gave me a key or not doesn’t matter,” she hisses. “My father owns this house as well as next door. I can come and go as I please.”
I whip my head to my mother, and she nods.
I was told my parents bought this place for me. But it’s just more lies.
Great, this is just great.
“You’ve outstayed your welcome.” I waggle my fingers in her face in a condescending manner. “Bye, cuz.”
Bree and Jase stand.
“This wasn’t a social visit.” Julia rolls her eyes in a derogatory fashion. “Not that I expect you to understand Luminary business. You’re barely a step up from a pleb.”
“Julia, that is quite enough. Ashley is your cousin and a Luminary. You will not disrespect her, or I’ll be having words with your father,” Mom says, standing and coming around the table.
Julia snorts out a derisory laugh. “That’s rich. That slut has been sneaking around with my fiancé behind my back, yet somehow that’s not disrespectful?”
“Wasn’t your fiancé.” I correct her.
“Semantics, bitch.”
“Julia, enough!” Mom’s exasperated tone conveys her rapidly growing impatience.
I am glad she is getting to see who her niece truly is behind the fake civility and all the ass-licking.
“Knock yourself out, Auntie Pam. See if I care.” Stalking to the island, Julia slams a small medical kit on top of the counter. “I brought the antidote you requested.”
“What the fuck is going on?” Jase folds his arms, leveling a glare at my mom and Julia. “What have you done to Chad?”
