Maddox’s mouth pulls into an ugly grin. “That’s not what we heard. Take your pathetic excuses and your pathetic hides and get going.”
We pile back into the SUV and take off without waiting to see if they listen to that last part. It’s hard to say how well any of them can walk at this point.
Siobhan glances over at me and flicks a finger toward the nick on my jaw with a sneer. “You’re bleeding, Sally.”
I restrain a grimace at the mocking nickname. As if she won’t have taken at least as many hits in the middle of the brawl. I held my own.
But Gabrio clicks his tongue at me too, even thoughhehas a bruise the size of Manhattan forming on his neck. Fucking hypocrites.
It’s not that the alliance isn’t working out in everyone’s favor so far. But I’m the most visible manifestation of the compromises both sides made. I’m the one who’s supposed to be bossing around the lucent factions of both syndicates someday down the line when my parents kick the bucket.
Most days it seems like everyone in both families hates me for that.
Okay, not quite everyone. After my parents drop us off back at the warehouse, Simone sidles closer to me and tiptoes her fingers up my arm, following the path of the snake tattoo that curves across the skin underneath.
She cocks her head coyly. “Hey, what’s up with you and Elodie what’s-her-face lately? You aren’treallytrying to get something going with that stuck-up cunt, are you?”
My mouth moves automatically, giving the response I would have meant before last night. A scoffing sound slips out. “It’s just fun to mess with her. She wouldn’t know what hit her. Got to keep the rich bitches in their places.”
Simone smiles approvingly and edges even closer. “No kidding. So, you want to have some real fun tonight?”
Another day, I might have welcomed the distraction. Now, all it provokes is a current of nausea.
Is there any part of my life that doesn’t revolve around my family?
I shrug her off. “Nah, I’ve got stuff to take care of.”
I just have to figure out what that is.
Simone makes a noise of protest, but I head straight to my car, the crimson Mustang I convinced myself was hot shit.
The Mustang I got because my parents agreed there was no fucking way they’d pay for the Maserati I actually wanted until I was completely “holding my own.” Whatever that’s supposed to mean.
As I sink into the driver’s seat, I find myself picturing Elodie sitting next to me. Watching me with the intense gaze she fixed me with last night.
Seeing all the things I didn’t think I wanted anyone to see. But somehow even as my stomach twists, a twinge of a softer, warmer sensation reverberates through me.
She didn’t just tell me off. She told me I could find my way out if I tried. Shebelievedit.
Does Elodie Devine have anyone who truly believes in her? She’s obviously got so much more to her than anyone else realizes—than even I saw until the past week.
As I gun the engine, a smile tugs at my lips.
Cosgraves and Morellis take what we want. And I want her. I can’t think of anything else in my life that’s felt worth going all in on.
She said she has better things to do? Not a problem. I’ll just have to make myself better, until she’s ready to do me.
I’ll keep at it, over and over, no matter who our matches are, no matter where this new road leads us. My parents didn’t marry the partners who were fated for them, so why should I have to?
All I have to do is convince Elodie Devine to feel the same way about me.
And anyone who gets in my way had better watch out.
Twenty-One
Elodie
I’m lying on the most luxurious bed I’ve ever had the pleasure of touching, my head on a cloud-like pillow. A delicate gauze canopy frames my view of the sprawling yet cozy bedroom. Birds are chirping in lilting melodies beyond the bay window.
