Savage Sinners (Elites of Macedon High 3)

Chapter Six

Tomas

My stone fortress expands around me as if taking a breath as I answer the call of the butler from the living room. Stoic curiosity turns into shock when I notice Alex standing in the foyer with an excited and chatty Adelaide standing in front of her.

Lingering near the doorway of the living room puts me close enough to hear their exchange without being noticed.

“Alex, you look absolutely gorgeous,” Adelaide compliments. “I simply adore your hair. Can you tell me what you use?”

Alex beams. “There’s a place in town that uses honey and goat’s milk in their shampoo. I tend to get the vanilla one. The products are from a farm upstate. Do you want the address?”

“That would be great.”

“I love your blouse. Is it new?”

Adelaide grins while standing up on her toes. “I think it looks good on me. Doesn’t it? I think it’s what a proper teenager should wear.”

Alex raises her eyebrows. “Is your birthday coming up?”

“Sure is!” Adelaide clears her throat and shrugs. “I mean, yes. I’ll be turning thirteen in just another week. I’ll be a real teenager.”

“What a huge milestone.”

Adelaide smiles poshly and bows her head slightly. “I’ve been practicing my manners.”

“I think you’re doing a fine job, Adelaide.”

“Please, call me Addie. You’re a friend of Tommy’s, and that makes you my friend, too.”

The look of warmth they exchange makes me wince. Addie is about to become a teenager. That puts her in the position to experience real harm. Young kids can be cruel, but teenagers can be relentless, and that means she’ll need my protection now more than ever.

I’ll keep guarding her, I vow to myself as I step into the foyer. The movement draws their attention. Whatever it takes. I don’t care. I’m protecting my sister from this horrifying world.

“Tomas,” Alex greets with a soft smile. I can tell she’s forcing it, but her eyes glow with the kind of recognition reserved only for intimate friends. “It’s good to see your sister.”

“Do you have to go to the party tonight, Tommy?” Adelaide asks, a hint of a whine in her voice. “Can’t you and Alex stay for tea or something? Ladies drink tea, right, Alex?”

Alex smiles without breaking eye contact with me. “Yes, of course they do.”

“Can’t stay,” I tell my sister while getting sucked into Alex’s eyes. “I’ll be sure to come home early.”

“You promise you’ll come back?” Adelaide begs while grabbing my arm. “Tell me you’ll come back, Tommy. Swear it.”

I look down at her, seeing the fear laced in her features. I wrap her in a hug while smiling with reassurance. “I swear, princess.”

“And Alex, too?”

I suck air into my lungs and try not to make it sound like I’ve been shot. “I don’t know.”

“Maybe,” Alex replies gently. “If not tonight, I can come back another day, okay?”

Adelaide seems pleased with the response even though her pouting features tell me she’s going to milk me for all I’ve got. Chuckling, I squeeze her shoulder and then reach for my leather jacket, locating the keys for my truck in the front pocket.

“Can I go with you?” Alex asks outside. “To the party?”

I shrug. “Why not?”

Instinct inspires me to open the passenger door for her. I hold out my hand, helping her up into the cab before rounding the vehicle and hopping into the driver’s seat. Seconds later, we’re on the highway heading to Capital City, a Marlboro Red hanging loosely between my fingers. I drag as many times as my lungs will allow, trying to get the tar to clear my brain.