“Oh?”
She lowers her voice as she walks closer, saying, “Osmond Somerville came to see him about buying a boat—one big enough for his entire family.”
I arch my right brow. “Now that is interesting.”
“I’m not sure what it’s for, but I know he’s been off the scene for quite some time, right?”
“That’s true.”
She nods and then drifts back. “Thought it would be important to mention.”
“Thank you, Demetra. That means a lot.”
I leave her standing near the lockers where I collided with the metal, feeling a strange tug on my heartstrings that makes me want to turn around. I just want to see if she’s okay. Is she smiling? Is she frowning? Does she miss me?
Is that really important right now?
A sigh of defeat propels me forward. I need to find Parker and tell him about this news. Even if he’s aware of his father’s plans, I still need to talk to him about it. My dynamic with the boys would change too much with Parker gone.
Not that I would miss him. Just that things wouldn’t be the same, I convince myself while walking faster. He has the connections that I need. He has wealth and resources. He has power, stability, knowledge, experience…
The bell rings, inspiring students to crowd the halls around me. Life resumes once more, a contrast to the dim, empty hallways I’ve just left behind. I witness Tomas leaning against one of the walls next to Evelyn, the two of them speaking rather happily to each other. Jealousy strikes my chest as I stop in my tracks and stare.
What the hell are they talking about that’s making them smile so much?
Evelyn appears relaxed, at ease, cozy with Tomas next to her. She leans casually against a locker with a book in one arm and her phone in the other, head tilted to gaze up at Tomas. Insecurity joins the jealousy swirling in my system, creating a perfect storm of vexation that will detonate if I lose control of it.
It’s stupid to feel this vulnerable. I don’t even care that much about Tomas anymore. Isn’t he the one who said he only wanted me for my pussy? Why would I get upset over a guy like that?
But when Tomas notices me, he smiles with recognition and waves, causing Evelyn to do the same.
And just like that, my nightmare breaks apart, leaving me drained in the middle of the hallway. I smile and wave back, resuming my journey through the sea of students. Evelyn is my sister. She wouldn’t do anything to compromise my relationship with the boys.
Besides, her feelings about one of them are rather clear. She sees Parker as a selfish, controlling jerk who would be an awful husband. We can both agree about that. The problem with Evelyn hanging around Tomas is that she could get sucked into my mess.
I frown while bolting into the girls bathroom.
No, it’s deeper than that, I reflect while locking myself in a stall. I drop my forehead into my hands, trying to breathe. I want a bond with them.
It’s a weird thing to think about in the middle of a school day, especially when I’m trying to sort out how the hell to run my empire, but it’s there, staring back at me with its ugly yellow eyes.
I’m worried because I care about those boys. I want a bond with them. I want to trust them. But we can’t do that if we don’t try to trust each other. It simply won’t happen. Our hidden agendas have caused us to falter.
Instead of rising together as magnificent rulers of this crime-riddled town, we’ve stabbed each other in a useless attempt to be the better. If I had just seen it before—if I had leaned into my feelings instead of pushing them away—then maybe I wouldn’t be in such a predicament. Maybe we would have found the person who murdered my father and Lev.
Fuck me, I think while leaving the stall and leaning against a sink. I meet my reflection, holding my dark gaze for as long as I dare. There’s no way we could work. Me and three guys dating? That’s a fucking fantasy.
It doesn’t matter.
I still want it.
* * *
The sun kisses the horizon, orange light stretching across the forest surrounding the highway and tapping the hood of my mother’s Mercedes. Our next collection is located on the edge of the highway, far enough from those prickly hicks that we don’t have to worry about running into the asshole who tried to rip off my clothes.
Flashbacks of Parker standing heroically in the doorway of that gas station office make my heart flutter. Soren left before I got to thank him. I lick my lips, the phrase right on the edge of my tongue despite how much time has passed since then.
I clear my throat and tilt my chin in his direction. “How’s Maryanne?”