“Let’s get this party started,” I mused, taking Tray’s hand.
“No, baby.” He threaded his fingers through mine. “We’re not starting anything. We’re finishing it.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Tray
Oh,Ryan was pissed.
Everyone gave her a wide berth as she marched toward Dash with steam practically billowing from her ears. She grabbed his arm and yanked him away from the group of females he’d been chatting up, her ire hitting a boiling point. “What. The. Fuck?”
He twisted out of her grip and took a step back from her. “I believe that’s my line, Ryan. What makes you think you can touch me like that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that you’remy dateand you failed to pick me up and take me to dinner, making me wait several hours just to find you here with these floozies instead?”
“I never agreed to be your date,” he replied coolly. “You made assumptions, and that’s not my problem.” He made to turn away from her, but a screech from her had him cocking a brow. “What now, Ryan?”
“Howdareyou stand me up!”
“Stand you up?” He laughed. “We don’t belong to each other, remember? You made that very clear three years ago.” He gave her a condescending smile. “If you’ve changed your mind, I’m sorry, but it’s too late. I haven’t been interested in you in quite some time.”
Her mouth actually fell open, her usual spitfire retorts lost to the chatter growing around them.
Well, that’s a fun twist in our evening plans,Ella mused beside me, her lips curling.He’s just publicly shamed her for us.
Oh, and that’s just an appetizer, darling.I had a speech planned that would demolish Ryan’s reputation.
Ella liked the symbolism of me being the one to speak tonight since it’d been Dash all those years ago who’d announced his true intentions to the school. It only seemed appropriate that I do the same tonight in a similar manner, but with very different words.
The music lowered to a dull background sound as two of Darlington Academy’s administrators ascended the stage.Were they present at the Holiday Ball?I asked, an idea forming in my head.
Yep.Ella narrowed her eyes at them.They always look the other way. That night was no different.
Oh, they’ll be taking notice tonight,I promised.
Ella knew what I’d done, even if I never admitted it out loud. Her access to my mind made it impossible to hide things from her. I’d sensed her acceptance of it the moment she learned my intentions, her thoughts almost always in tune with mine.
It was why we made a good team.
I can’t wait to hear your acceptance speech, she purred at me, leading me toward the stage with her hand locked in mine.
When we reached the platform, I grabbed her and kissed her hard on the mouth. When I pulled back, Ryan gave me a knowing look. As though she thought I’d only done that to say goodbye.
I winked at her, allowing her to think whatever she liked, and wrapped my arm around Ella’s shoulders. Meanwhile, Dash positioned himself away from Ryan on the opposite side of the stage. He leveled me with a warning look, one that dared me to misstep.
It further confirmed his feelings for Ella. I thought he was just attracted to her, but after the display in the hall, the way he tried to protect her, I suspected they ran deeper. The way he challenged me now drove that point home.
You had your chance with her, I told him with my eyes.She’s mine now.
Not that he ever posed any real competition.
Ella was fated to be mine from birth. Our souls confirmed it when we bonded, and that connection between us was unbreakable.
She leaned into me, her gaze sparkling.Even if you’re right about his feelings, I’ll never return them.
I know.
Then stop trying to murder him with your eyes.She went to her tippy-toes to brush a kiss over my mouth.I trust you, Trayton Nacht. Now destroy my stepsister, please. I want to go home.
