Page 50 of Avenging Azalea

G: It’s called ignoring you.

I rolled my eyes. Was I ever this much of a pain in the ass?

F: I figured that, but why?

G: Why?

F: Yes, why?

G: Seriously?

Oh my god, I’d never wanted to reach through a phone and smack someone before, but my brother was pushing me to the edge.

F: Can you just tell me?

G: You promised that I could see Mom and Dad for my birthday, and then you came alone.

I nibbled on my bottom lip. How did I tell an eleven-year-old that I couldn’t find our parents, and even if I could, I didn’t want to?

F: They were busy. I’m sorry. I would’ve brought them if I could.

G: Then give me their number, and I’ll call.

Shit…I hadn’t been prepared for that request. The last number I had for them was no longer in service. Closing my eyes, I tapped my phone off my forehead as I thought. Pulling out my keys, I locked the clinic door and started walking to my car. My phone buzzed again before I could come up with a believable story.

G: I’m waiting…unless you want me to keep ignoring you for the rest of your life.

F: George, I didn’t bring them because I couldn’t find them.

G: You lied to me?

F: I didn’t want you to worry.

G: Are you looking for them? Or are you happy you can’t find them now that you’re living in a Beverly Hills mansion with that hot guy?

F: That’s not fair, and you know it.

G: What I know is that men snatched me in the middle of the night. They dumped me off at this school thousands of miles away from home, and I’ve only gotten to speak to Mom and Dad a handful of times and seen them once.

F: I did it to protect you.

G: LIAR! You hate them and want to stick it to them by keeping me locked up away from them.

My heart was racing out of control. My brother was still too young to know what happened to me, and at this point, I wasn’t sure he would believe me if I told him. He acted like everything I said or did was a conspiracy to keep him away from our parents because I hated them. Yes, I hated my stepfather, but I’d never do what he was suggesting. Needing a minute to calm down before responding, I stopped a took a deep breath.

The parking lot was dark and a little creepy. I quickly opened my car, tossed my backpack inside, and slipped into the driver’s seat before locking the doors.

F: George, I wouldn’t do that to you. Why would you even say that?

G: The last time I talked to Dad, he said that if he didn’t call or come around, it was because you were purposely keeping him from me.

Anger bubbled up inside of me, and I glared at my phone.

Asshole!

Of course, my stepfather would say something like that. He was pissed that I got away. If he hadn’t owed Dimitri, I would still be in Louisiana and under his thumb. Instead, Titus found me and changed not only my life but George’s too. I knew something like this was coming. I saw it in his eyes last year on George’s birthday. He’d kept asking how much a snobby prep school cost and had made fun of all the fancy cars coming into the parking lot. Jealousy had never glowed brighter.

F: And you believe him?