Treachery

For whatever reason, our fathers were particularly interested in getting their hands on something involving Luca’s father. I’m not sure what, but I think it might be of interest for me to get my hands on it first.

Revenge against those assholes would be sweet, and if there is something she has that will make my plans to destroy them easier, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get it.

I’ve hated them for all the years they’ve used us as their unwilling puppets, and I especially want to bring them down for what they’ve done to the twins.

Up until we turned eighteen, the twins had been as easygoing as the rest of us, but they’d been put through the wringer by our fathers, dragged away for one summer and returned to the group with a chip on each of their shoulders. They’d become Violence and Anger on that day, and nobody knew exactly why.

We only know it has to do with our families.

As we pull to a stop outside the large portico of the estate, I keep my voice as even as possible.

“Taylor might be able to help you out with that. If you remember, he’s an expert in technology.”

A bark of laughter shakes her shoulders, disgust rolling across her expression.

“Let me guess: Taylor was the one who switched out the motions for the hearing that day, wasn’t he? He was the one who somehow cancelled my attorney’s motion and replaced it with yours?”

Her door opens before I can answer the question, and thank fuck for the interruption.

Of course, Taylor had pulled off that trick, just like he’d ensured I’d be assigned as Luca’s advisor when we were at Yale. The only thing Taylor can’t accomplish is hacking Luca’s father’s servers, a problem that has driven him crazy for years.

Stepping out behind her, I wrap my arm with hers, smiling at an acquaintance as she attempts to tug away from my hold.

With my best game smile, I look down at her, my eyes silently saying good dates do as they’re told.

Her eyes speak as well, saying something along the lines of I’ll kill you when this is all over.

It’s good to see some things haven’t changed.

Silent conversation complete, we smile as we make our way up the red-carpeted path and into the Governor’s large estate, the foyer alone the size of most people’s houses.

It’s glitz and glamour as far as the eye can see. All I want to do is turn around and drag Luca away from it.

She isn’t one of these people. From what I know, she lived a happy life with loving parents who cared more about her welfare than power or money.

She is one of the people I hate most of all, only because she was given something in life that money can’t buy: A family that loved her.

Yet, here she is, on my arm, smiling kindly, even though I know everything inside her is the antithesis to my lifestyle.

It makes me wonder why she married Clayton and accepted her role as the wife of a Senator’s son.

So many questions, and I still can’t figure out why I give a fuck to know the answers. Nobody has interested me enough to wonder about their life. Nobody, that is, except Luca.

Leaning against me, she watches the room around us, her arm clinging tighter to mine, which surprises the hell out of me. What is it about this place that makes her feel like I’m the safe island to cling to?

Luca looks up at me and motions for me to lean down close enough so she can whisper, “What are the chances Clayton or his father will be here? Won’t you get in trouble for being seen with me? Isn’t that a conflict of interest?”

I’m already one step ahead of her. Every person in this place is in our pocket in one way or another. There is no possibility Luca’s presence with me will get leaked.

“Don’t worry. Nobody that gives a fuck about Clayton or his dad will be in attendance.”

She visibly relaxes.

“Which means you’re free to hug and kiss on me all you want. Hell, I might even let you grab my ass if you’re a good little girl and ask nicely.”

Her body is tense again, that beautiful muscle jumping above her eye.

This night is going to be fun, and it’s barely gotten started.