A Hurt So Sweet Volume Four (Elite of Eden Falls Prep 4)

"The founding families? The Firstborns?" Brazen laughs. "Either or, Pandora. They rule Eden Falls, and that's never going to change."

"We'll see." I smirk just as Dex and Tianna walk back down the stairs. I smile wide when I see Minnie walking down behind them. "Minnie! Please, come here."

We all step aside so Minnie and Brazen are facing each other. An uncomfortable silence lays on the room, and I clear my throat.

"Don't you want to say goodbye, Minnie? You might not see Tianna and Brazen for a while," Dex suggests calmly, and I look at him, silently mouthing a thank you.

"Sure," Minnie whispers, glancing between my siblings before stepping in front of Tianna. "Miss Oakes, I'll see you at the Estate soon."

Tianna nods, then surprises us all by embracing Minnie. The maid returns her hug after a moment's pause, and when my sister pulls back, Minnie takes a step back as if she's done with the goodbyes. I'm about to cut in, but Brazen shocks us all by stepping forward, all six feet six of him emanating with barely held back anger.

"What about me, Minnie?"

"What about you?" the maid asks, her voice dripping with ice.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye to me?"

Minnie's eyes meet Brazen's. We all hold our breaths.

"Goodbye, Master Oakes."

"Fuck, Minnie!" Brazen takes several steps, closing the distance between him and Minnie, but Dex intercepts him, blocking his path. "Are you really going to act like we're fucking nothing?"

"I'm not sure what you mean, Master Oakes." She takes a small bow, curtsying like all the staff has to at the Estate. My blood chills in my veins. "I'm just a maid, that's all."

"You're just a maid," he repeats incredulously. We take a collective gasp when he forces Minnie's chin up. Dex tries to push him back, but Brazen stands still, too proud to move back. "Tell me, Minnie. You just want to be a maid? You don't want any of my help, or my attention? You want me to forget about all of this?"

I watch Minnie's bottom lip tremble as her eyes connect with Brazen's. "There's nothing to forget, Master, because nothing ever happened."

Brazen lets go of her chin as if he's been burned. "Okay, Minnie. I'll remember that."

The tension in the room is palpable before he storms out, with Tianna following close behind. Minnie races back up the stairs, and Dex and I wave my siblings off distractedly.

"Think their little lover's spat is going to be a problem?" Dex asks.

"I think she fucked up," I whisper.

"What? He loves her."

"So?" I hiss, shaking my head and rubbing my temples. "It doesn't mean anything. Not here. Not in Eden Falls."

"Well, maybe it should." I look up into Dex's resolute face. "And maybe it's time things finally fucking cha

nged."

16

Dexter

"You can open your eyes."

I hold the silk blindfold in my hands, waiting for Pandora's reaction. I'm expecting happy tears, a big hug, a kiss. I get anything but.

"What the hell is this?" she turns to face me with a scornful expression. "I didn't know anything about this."

"It was meant to be a surprise." I grin at her as she inspects the nursery I've been preparing ever since I got out of jail. "Do you like it?"

"Like it?" She faces me with an expression of pure rage. I instantly know she hates it, but I don't understand why. "How could you do this, Dexter?"