Reed didn’t look at him when he said it.
He looked at me.
“I just have one more question,” he continued lightly. “I am invited tonight, right?”
Logan exhaled sharply and hauled me to my feet. My knees buckled instantly.
“What?”
“Can I bring a few guests?” Reed asked. “I’m worried I won’t know anyone.”
Black crept into the edges of my vision as I sagged against Logan.
“What kind of guests?” Logan demanded, shifting to take my weight.
“Friends,” Reed said easily. “I’d hate to feel out of place.”
Logan’s arm cinched around my waist. “Fine. I don’t care.”
He lifted me before I could collapse entirely, one arm under my knees, the other firm across my back.
“Perfect,” Reed said. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Logan turned toward the hall.
“Make sure she looks nice,” Reed added casually. “We wouldn’t want anyone important seeing Violet as anything lessthan radiant.”
Logan’s steps slowed almost imperceptibly.
“She will,” he said evenly. “She always does.”
Reed hummed softly as darkness swallowed what remained of my vision.
And as I slipped under again, I clung to one certainty:
Reed would never let me out of his sight.
Not unless he already had a plan.
Chapter 26
Vinny
The hate I felt for Reed Lamb was biblical.
Plagues. Floods. Brother turning on brother.
If there was a verse about wanting to knock someone’s teeth down their throat while still needing them alive, it would’ve been about Reed.
He stood in my bedroom like he owned it, adjusting his cufflinks in my mirror. He straightened the ribbon tying back his long hair, smoothing it with careful fingers.
His only redeeming quality was that he looked like his sister.
“You could at least pretend you’re good enough for her,” he said mildly, fixing his collar. “Start with pretending you like me. As long as Violet’s around, you’re never getting rid of me.”
I snorted. “Bold of you to assume I plan on letting you stick around.”
His reflection didn’t shift.
