Kings of Blood and Money (Underworld Kings)

“It’s an all-girls boarding school. You’ll return here for summer break.”

“Wait, I’ll live there?”

“Yes.” His firm nod leaves no room for discussion or argument. This is because of what Noah said about Remi and me.

“I don’t want to go,” I say, looking to Midnight. “Who will take care of my cat?”

“He will be cared for. Now, get dressed. We leave today.”

Eight

Freya

Sitting on the steps outside, I clutch my bag until my knuckles turn white. “You okay?” Ivy asks, nudging my knee.

“Yeah, of course. He’ll be here.” I fake a smile.

“You can’t fool me with that bullshit grin, Frey. If he doesn’t show, you can just spend the summer with me in the Hamptons.” She holds two fingers to her head, outstretched like the barrel of a gun, and pretends to shoot herself, her head dropping limp on her shoulders.

A real smile kicks up my lips. “What a hard life you live,” I mock.

Ivy comes from money, old and endless. She showed up here at Holy Mary School for Girls a week after me, wearing black eyeliner that swirled all the way up to her eyebrows, her cupid’s bow lips painted deep red, almost black, hair shaved at the sides, colored bright orange like the sun, and just like the sun, she burned bright. Her laced boots went to her knees, and the shirt she had on was covered in rips, exposing her navel, with “I love MILFs” blazoned across her chest.

She was fourteen and already knew exactly who she was. I adored her in that moment and have every one since.

“Do you think your stepbrothers will be there?” she asks, a giddy gleam in her eyes.

I wish I hadn’t told her about those two. Once I mentioned how beautiful they were, she stalked them on social media. It was a girl’s profile she found, the pictures taken at a party. Noah was the reason I was stuck at this hell hole, and he was out there partying and living up his life.

“They’re not my stepbrothers,” I snap, checking my watch. I’d been given it as a Christmas present last year. It’s nothing like the one I wore of Remi’s. It’s bland, boring. Like this school. Like me.

“You can keep telling yourself that, but it would be frowned upon if you fucked one of them.” She pokes her tongue out, then her face drops. “My mother’s here,” she groans.

I look over at the car she’s referring to. A beautiful woman sits in the back, shades covering her eyes. Bright red lipstick and blonde hair gives a Marilyn Monroe vibe. She’s stunning. I try to think about my own mother, but there’s just blank space.

“I love you, okay? Fix your face. He’ll be here.” She swipes up her bag and walks backwards, shouting, “No fucking your brothers!”

My mouth drops open, cheeks heating, mortification saturating me. The place is teeming with students, all leaving for the summer. I feel eyes glare in my direction and will the ground to open up and eat me. “I hate you,” I call after her as Dominque pulls into the parking lot.

Father said he was coming for me. He said the same thing last year, and I ended up staying here alone with the nuns like an orphan.

The drive home is awful. Dominque doesn’t speak to me. Instead, she listens to an audio book that isn’t in English.

Father isn’t even home when we get back. Away on business, Dominque informs me before leaving me alone. The only person waiting for me is Midnight. I spend half an hour cradling him before he gets sick of me and forces himself from my grip.

Typical.

Sighing, I look around my room that hasn’t changed in years, catching movement outside. Remi…

His large body is swimming in the pool, the muscles in his back flexing with the movements of his arms, gliding through the water like he was born to it. I haven’t seen him in so long, watching him now hurts my heart. I think about him a lot alone in my room at night. Think about his promise. Being in an all-girl school, I still haven’t gotten the chance to find out what a kiss feels like. Fifteen and not ever been kissed.

Ivy likes both boys and girls and had girlfriends while at school, but it was extremely frowned upon. If caught, the punishment would be mental and physical.

Air restricts my lungs as Remi climbs from the pool, his head tilting up, catching my gaze. Our eyes clash, locking like magnets. Lust blooms in my chest, tightening my nipples and pooling in my stomach. I’m going to ask for that damn kiss. Sucking air into my lungs, I turn and head for the door. I don’t stop until I’m out by the pool staring at his back as he dries his body.