“Ana is eighteen today,” Elena adds.
The silence stretches.
It grows teeth.
Because Anastasia isn’t looking at her sister anymore.
She’s looking at Chace...and Chace…
Christ.What the fuck do we have here? Chace is fucking. Eating. Her. Up.
The silence stretches. The seconds become uncomfortable.
Seraphina shifts beside me, and I feel her discomfort like it lives inside my own body, her hand finding my thigh beneath the table.
“Happy birthday!” Sera says suddenly. The stare off continues. The silence stretches.
I kick Chace under the table.
Hard.
He clears his throat, the spell breaking.
“Happy birthday, Anastasia. I hope you enjoy your day.”
She keeps staring.
“Ana,” Elena hisses, nudging her sharply.
Anastasia startles.
“Right. Yes. Thank you. I—my team is waiting.”
Then she’s gone.
Running.
Fleeing.
Is she scared of big, bad Chace?
Or—fuck—Valentino?
Shit. I should’ve been called that. I was born on the damn day, after all.
Elena laughs.
“Teenagers.”
Chace gives her a polite smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
“It was nice seeing you again, Elena.”
Dismissal.
She takes the hint.
Leaves.
