“I need to get a message to Leigh.” I exhaled sharply.
“Your stepsister?” She raised her eyebrows in concern.
“I guess I should explain that first.” I nodded quickly. “I knew her before she was my stepsister…”
Leigh, I’ve tried to get you to of Sinn Manor so many fuckin
g times—this time, I need you to listen to reason.
Chapter Twenty-One
Leigh
I felt like I was slowly going insane. I checked the docket every day for Damien’s name, and it never appeared. He might as well have been a ghost. I had to assume Edgar had something to do with it, but I couldn’t really confront him with that accusation. Jenny still hadn’t been allowed to leave her room. Her meals were brought upstairs by Pennington or Martinez. They seemed to be the only ones who ever went into her room. I guess I shouldn’t have been very surprised that Edgar didn’t bother to check in on her—but then again, she probably would have tried to claw his eyes out if she got the chance.
Edgar and my mother were still acting like newlyweds while planning Jenny’s wedding like it was the biggest event to ever happen in Carson Cove. My mother tried to take me dress shopping, and when I turned her down, she had one delivered to Sinn Manor. The mansion was still being repaired from the damage that was caused, so it was clear the wedding wasn’t being held there, but I hadn’t been able to find out where Jenny was supposed to stand when she refused to say her vows.
“Are you actually going to stay for dinner tonight?” My mother walked into the kitchen as I searched the fridge for a snack.
“No, I have plans.” I didn’t mean for my reply to be cold, but that was how it came out.
“Ah, the mystery guy.” She leaned against the counter. “When do I get to meet him?”
“I’m not sure.” I stood up with a cup of yogurt in my hand.
“You need to join us for dinner again soon.” My mother nodded absently. “Edgar always asks why you’re not there. He was really hoping tonight would be the night. I hope you’re not avoiding him intentionally…”
“What? No…” I shook my head quickly.
“Good.” She smiled. “There are things he needs to discuss with you. School, remember?”
“Right.” I nodded. “I’ll get with him about that once the semester is over.”
If I don’t fail half my classes because I’ve been so distracted…
“Hey Pennington…” Martinez’s voice drew my attention. “A couple of Jenny’s friends are here.”
“Tell them to go the fuck away.” Pennington walked into view. “Or I will…”
“I thought you might want the honors.” Martinez chuckled. “You’re the one they drew on—dicks, man. They drew dicks on your face.”
“Shut the fuck up.” Pennington stomped towards the front door.
“It must be fun having them follow you everywhere.” I glared at my mother.
“They keep us safe.” My mother walked towards Edgar’s office.
I walked to one of the freshly repaired windows and glanced out to see if I recognized them—and I did. It was Anna and Bolt. I listened to Pennington run them down and threaten to call the cops if they didn’t leave. Bolt looked like he was about to take a swing, but Anna grabbed his arm. I threw my yogurt in the sink and speed-walked as fast as I could to the back door of Sinn Manor. The house was massive, but I couldn’t really go out of the front door if I wanted to talk to Jenny’s friends. Once I was through the back door, I broke out in a sprint that would have made my gym teacher proud—except it had been a while since I tried to put miles on my shoes, so I was nearly out of breath by the time I turned the corner.
“Anna! Bolt!” I motioned to them.
“Leigh?” Anna tilted her head and started walking towards me.
“No, don’t walk over here. Can you meet me at the Carson Cove Library in an hour?” I shooed her away.
“Yeah.” She nodded.
“Okay.” I waved and took off back towards the house.