Sinful

“Who?” I know who. I’m just teasing.

“Seth,” she whines. “I spent weeks choosing this outfit for him.”

I’m rolling my eyes now. “Are you fucking him?” I don’t know why I ask it. I don’t really care about the answer.

“Not yet,” she sighs. “Marcel’s got him trying to get the Darlington bitch to spread her legs.”

I shoot her a look, brow raised. “His step-sister?”

“Pearl, her name is. Sounds like a dog’s name. Do you still make girls wear collars? Maybe you can get me one made with her name on it.”

“You’re such a bitch.” I chuckle when I say it because that’s exactly what I would do.

She grins at me. “That’s why you love me.”

“I’d love you more if you play nice for one night.”

She tilts her head to look up at me. “Did Marcel approve of your little pet?”

As we enter the main room, I see Bella standing with Emerald. She looks up at me, a smile on her face for once warming my goddamn heart. “Of course, he did.” A twitch of a grin tugs at the corner of my lips as I mentally capture this moment. For once, can the world be just fucking perfect?

We walk over to where Bella and Emerald are talking. I place my hand on the small of Bella’s back just to let her know I’m here. She glances up, lips curled up, eyes softer now. It’s the alcohol, I know. I place a kiss on her forehead.

“Ugh,” Odette sighs in my ear. “There’s no way you’re my brother.”

“Be fucking nice,” I remind her under my breath.

She shoots her eyes upward. “I’ll be nice since I’ve never seen you like this, ever.”

I ignore her and introduce her to Bella. Odette gives her a once-over and nods. “If you have my brother smiling like that every day of the week, you won’t get any shit from me.” Her gaze shifts to the ballroom entrance. “Oh, look, Zane is here,” Odette breezes.

Bella has seen him too because she instantly freezes.

“Fuck, I forgot he was coming,” I mutter.

Bella whips her head to me. “You forgot?”

“He is our cousin,” Odette says, eyeing the swim team captain up and down as he grins and strides towards us. I grip Bella’s hand in mine and squeeze.

She looks like a rabbit in a fucking snare until her eyes harden, and she turns into a rabid wolf. “You didn’t tell me.” Her eyes, dark and shuttered now, shift to me.

“Zane!” Emerald gushes and throws her arms around him. “When did you get here?”

“Just now. Couldn’t get a flight out because some fucker”—he shoots a look at me—“left without me.”

“Romain left you?” Odette smirks, going in for her hug. “He had to make room for his pet rescue.”

“Pet rescue?” Zane focuses on Bella with a nasty grin. “Ah, you brought the science teacher. Are we bringing staff as dates now? Is that a thing?”

Odette laughs. I grit my teeth into a forced grin. “Couldn’t get any of the staff to come with you? Bartlett tell you to fuck off again, did she?”

Zane snorts. “Hey, Gloria adores me.”

“Excuse me,” Bella spits out. She pulls away from me, leaving the group that’s starting to gather around Zane. I leave them and go after her.

“Never thought I’d see the day, Romain Montford pussy fucking whipped,” Zane calls out across the room.

I ignore him and grab her arm, pulling her to one side.