I shoot him a quick text.
Me
Change of plans, I’m staying at the apartment, not getting drunk at your place. Raincheck?
AMONEY
Just crash at both places when you need space, got your room ready, oh and don’t be late for COCKtails.
Me
Mature.
AMONEY
Glad you’re back bro, I missed you. Also, was afraid you’d lowkey burn the building down with your dad in it.
Me
I was in Boston, hardly the other side of the world.
AMONEY
Right, but you’ve been avoiding the family like the plague.
Me
The Family is the devil, your uncles a good one though, hope he stays clean.
He doesn’t respond right away and then.
AMONEY
Nobody is clean in this world, least of all The Hales.
True.
But even as I read it a chill runs down my spine. “What, has he gotten you into?” I wonder out loud. And how far does my dad’s reach stretch, and how much collateral damage are we looking at when I crash my car into his empire and watch it burn.
10
“Vengeance is patient. It sits beside you at dinner. It learns your favorite song.” The Count of Monte Cristo
LILAH
I’m already annoyed by the loud music when I walk into the club. Okay, not just annoyed, freaking paranoid about everything around me. Every dark corner feels like it could be a set up and every guy with dark hair makes my stomach drop for half a second before logic catches back up with my racing heart and my brain reminds me that it would be crazy for him to be in every space I’m in.
Right?
“Sorry.” Someone shoves me, dark hair, similar build, his brown eyes blink a few times, he smells like whiskey and seems to be one drink away from barfing or just collapsing altogether. A bit early. Pass. “You’re pretty.”
“Thanks.” I sidestep him and shake my head, only to have him reach for my hand like I was offering it or something. I jerk away only to have him grab at me again.
“You want my number?” He smirks, I think he’s going for the whole sexy look but all I smell is sour whiskey and French fries.
I shake my head. “No thanks, I’m here with someone.”
I keep weaving through the bodies of people when my hand is tugged. “Hey! Bitch! I said you want my numb?—”
