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My lips dip before I can stop them.
Just like my eyes that narrow like slits.
“Gem.” Father’s attentiveness is the bane of my existence. Then again, maybe I would have been better off being left on the wretched streets.Broken and ruined. “You have to accept this is but a gift for our family. You’re doing this for the sake of your little sister, yes?”
The mention of her forces me to shove my emotions aside. She is the very reason I’m daring to go through this.
Emma Ivanka Prescott.My little sister, who’s barely hit fifteen.
I’m standing in the place she would be five years from now if I didn’t believe in selflessness. I’m hoping no one else finds out why I’m willing to do this for a half-sibling, but then again, she’s the reason why I didn’t completely lose myself to my own demons.
She was the flicker of hope I used to motivate myself to be the perfect puppy for her sake. For her to keep the sense of freedom I wish someone protected when it came to my own.
A real pity of circumstance.
“I am,” I finally answer. “It’s the right thing a Prescott would do for their own.”
Bullshit. So much bullshit.
“This is the last bargain I owe the Leightons my loyalty. Getting this over with prevents the wave of carnage that would ignite if we turned a blind eye and did not feed the beasts that are starving for fresh meat.” He takes a look at me from head to toe and smiles proudly. “I’m sure they’ll be impressed by the offering.”
“Aside from my face,” I grumble.
“Nothing wrong with your face,” he argues. “You’re beautiful, Gemini. Just like your mother. You’re but a photocopy, though she’s not into the whole red movement.”
The knock on the door catches our attention.
“Come in,” Father encourages.
The door opens to reveal the very woman we’re talking about.
“Oh! Gemini, you’re home!” Mother beams at my presence as she swiftly walks to me in an appealing red outfit. I’m unable to stop myself from gawking in surprise because she never wears red.
Like ever.
When she smothers me in a tight hug, I can see what Father means. Mother and I are practically identical. Same 5’6” in height, extremely long silver locks, exact shade of smoky teal eyes. The unique shade came from her side of the family, which may be why discarding me would be a risk when I look no different from her.
Miss Prescott.
The Mistress who left all the darkness behind to raise a family.
I can’t seem to envision how this same woman survived being at the side of a kingpin. Then again, she’s doing just fine now.
“The world is ending,” I comment as she pulls back and cups my cheeks in delight.
“Ah! Your makeup is so perfect. The contour. The highlights. What shade of lipstick is that? It must be from Dior. Maybe Christian Louboutin. YSL?”
“Walmart,” I mutter to see her horrified face. It’s enough to make me snicker. “Hermes, Mother. You know I wouldn’t dare insult the Prescott Empire using such unbefitting products.”
She sighs in relief, as though she’s been holding her breath.
“Thank goodness. You had me there,” she whines and hugs me. “Sometimes, I worry that you’ve forgotten this lineage of opportunity you still carry in the palm of your hands, Gem.” She lets go of me and smiles approvingly as she takes in my attire. “Did you just come back from training?”
She loves that I know how to kickass.
“Yes.” I bob my head for added respect. “Red looks divine on you, Mother.”
She instantly blushes while gleaming at my praise.
