Cruel Vows

Rick shakes his head. “Getting in isn’t the problem. It’s getting out once the Morrone family realizes we’re crashing.”

I swallow hard as I walk through the grand entrance of the Morrone Mansion. “This place is something else.”

“Tell me about it,” Rick says, rolling his eyes as he notices the stag’s head affixed to the wall. “I hate rich people.”

As I glance at the guys and me and Alice, it becomes painfully clear we don’t belong here. My stomach churns as we enter the main hall where the party is in full swing. Every man in the room is wearing a tuxedo, and every woman is wearing an evening gown.

“We look like we’re trespassing,” I murmur.

Rick nods and grabs my arm, pulling me over to one side at the back against a wall. “It’s best we try to remain in the shadows. Leave Axel to deal with the Morrone family.”

“Okay.” I lean against the wall and cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive you for this shit.”

Rick runs a hand through his messy hair. “I know, and I’ve apologized countless times.”

“Yeah, well, until you get me the hell out of this mess, then apology is not accepted.” I glance around. “Can we at least get a drink at this place?”

A crease forms between Rick’s brows as he sighs. “You are nineteen Paisley.”

I glare at him as he’s not about to tell me I can’t drink with all the illegal shit he does. “What’s your point? This state is fucked up, anyway. I can bar tend at eighteen but not drink the drinks I’m expected to serve other people.”

His shoulders slump as he admits defeat. “Fine, I’ll get you a drink, but stay here and don’t move a muscle. Got it?”

“Got it.” I hold my thumbs up mockingly.

Rick fights through the crowd toward the bar. If we’re going to crash some fancy pants party, we may as well have a drink while we’re here. I scan the crowd and see Axel is talking to some tall, handsome guy. He must be one of the Morrone family as they engage in a heated conversation.

“Enjoying yourself, sweetie?”

I turn rigid at the sound of Elijah’s voice behind me, spinning around to face him. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end at the look in his eyes. “Oh yeah, I’m having a great time.”

He tilts his head. “What’s up with you tonight? You seem off?”

“PMS, I guess,” I say, shrugging and hoping that’ll put him off.

Instead, he licks his lips and moves closer to me. “Is that right? Can I do anything to help?”

“Yeah, you can back the fuck away from me and annoy someone else.”

He smirks. “Always so feisty. I think that’s why I like you so much, Paisley.”

I cross my arms over my chest, narrowing my eyes at him. “Is there anything I can say that will make you leave me alone?”

He shakes his head. “Probably not.”

“Great,” I mutter under my breath, scanning the crowd for my brother.

Thankfully, he’s headed right toward us. His gaze fixed on Elijah, who he knows has been obsessing over me lately. “Beat it, Hawk.”

Hawk is Elijah’s nickname in the club. All of them have nicknames, except for Axel. For instance, they refer to my brother as Rider.

“Cool it, Rider,” he says, clapping him on the shoulder and making him spill some of my drink. “I’m just jesting.”

I snatch the drink out of Rick’s hand and down it in one.

Elijah whistles. “Someone’s getting drunk tonight.” He leans toward me, making my skin crawl. “Maybe then you’ll finally loosen up and let me show you a good time.”

“Over my dead body,” I say, moving away from him. “I need to use the restroom.” I shove my empty glass back into Rick’s hand.

Rick grabs my arm and leans close. “Be careful, Paisley.”

I yank my arm free. “I’ll be fine.” I walk toward the ladies’ room, which has a huge makeshift sign up, glancing at my watch. It’s one in the morning and my entire body is aching. Axel is an asshole for dragging me and Alice here after our shift, as if we have got nothing better to do. All I want is to go home to my shithole of a bedsit, curl up and fall asleep so I can forget just how shit my life has turned out.