Page 67 of Vexatious Queen

“If anything else happens, and I do mean anything, you come to me first. Don’t try to take care of it yourself. Like you said, I’m out of here in four months, but you have to survive the next four years. Prove that you don’t belong on that list. Don’t make me stick my neck out for you, only for you to fall on your sword.”

Camden’s jaw twitched as he thought over my offer. It was easy to see that he hated asking for help. He reminded me way too much of Nash. If there really was such a thing as a mirrored life twin out in the world…Camden was Nash’s mini-me.

“I’ll try.”

I shook my head and pushed away from the desk.

“Then no deal. I’ll go straight to Dean Henry.”

He grabbed my arm but didn’t pull. I stopped and stared at him.

“I’ll take the deal and come to you first. I don’t do well locked up in small spaces,” Camden admitted and then headed for the door. He glanced back just before he left. “Thanks.”

And just like that, he was gone, and I was left holding my version of kryptonite. I didn’t have to look to know what it was or how it would feel to take it.

My fist shook as I stared at my hand.

“God, why do you keep testing me? I know you want me to be strong, but…there is only so much I can take.”

JANUARY 24 – SATURDAY 8:10 PM

Myles

Tonight, had felt oddly relaxing. It had been so long since we had all just kicked back. We didn’t have anywhere to run, and there was no burning emergency.

“This has been a treat, thank you all for entertaining me,” Mr. G said. He slowly stood. “With that said, it’s been a very long week, and I’m going to turn in early.”

A chorus of thank yous and goodnights rang out in a rambled mess. We wouldn’t do well as an acapella group.

Ren stood and walked over to Eddie to give him a hug. Vicky was up next, leaving quietly with her father. She had been chillier than normal and hadn’t said two words at dinner, which was fine by me.

“Do you guys want to hang out in the rec room,” Ren asked, and we all nodded and stood.

I stretched and then reached into my back pocket for my phone, but it wasn’t there. Shit. I’d been in such a rush after practice that I’d tossed everything into my backpack and must have stuffed my cell in there, too.

“I’ll be right there,” I said to Ren, kissing her cheek on my way up to the bedroom.

This place was a maze if you didn’t know where you were going. I preferred the back hallways and passages. Some habits died harder than others. Sneaking around had become second nature living with Owen and Devin.

“Papa, please tell me what Mama wanted the other night. I know she wanted something that didn’t have anything to do with me,” Vicky said, and I froze before I rounded the corner to the hallway.

“You shouldn’t concern yourself, sweetheart. What your mother and I discuss stays between us. She is your mother, and you love her. There is nothing wrong with that. Do not feel like you need to put yourself in the middle of our disagreements.”

I dared to peek around the corner just enough so that I could see Mr. G and Vicky.

Vicky was staring down at the ground with her arms crossed, and I’d never seen her look so…human. I wasn’t sure I liked that.

“But, Papa, it’s so hard not to. I hear things that she says, and…”

Mr. G touched Vicky under her chin. She stopped talking and looked up at him.

He shook his head at her.

“I understand what you’re trying to say, but I don’t want to hear a single word. You shouldn’t worry about anything she says about me. Just be our daughter. Love your mother, love me, but stay out of our fight. You’re smart, you know what is real and what is fabricated for drama sake. What your mother says doesn’t bother me, so don’t feel you have to defend me, I’m able to take care of myself.”

She sniffed and wiped away a tear.

“I just wish she would try to get along. It makes everything so tense, and I can’t help but worry that when you look at me, you see her. I’m a constant reminder of this tragic story of how I became your stand-in daughter.”