Page 43 of Cruel Dynasty

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said sweetly. “Am I allowed to speak? I wasn’t clear on the rules.”

“Fine. Tell you what. We have a bit of a drive. On the way there, you can ask me anything you want—within reason—and I’ll answer.”

“But?” I prompted, knowing there would be a catch.

“I get to ask you anything on the way home.”

I pursed my lips as I considered. “Anything?”

“Within reason,” he repeated.

I thought about it for a minute before nodding. “Okay. How long are we going to be in the car?”

“About half an hour longer,” he said.

“Will you tell me where we’re going?”

“Uh-uh,” he clucked. “I get to ask the questions on this leg.”

“Fine.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “What do you want to know?”

“How about something easy? Where are you from?”

“I already told you that.” I rolled my eyes. “West Bexby.”

“Originally? You grew up there.”

“No.”

“Where did you grow up, then?” he asked.

“Everywhere.”

Holden remained silent and I knew he was waiting for me to give a better answer. “I didn’t know my parents, so I kinda bounced around.”

“Was there any place memorable?”

I shrugged. “Not really.”

I hated talking about myself. There just wasn’t much to tell. I hadn’t lived the life of luxury that he had. I’d never traveled to exotic locations or gone to fancy schools.

“Favorite food?” he asked.

“Whatever I eat next,” I admitted sheepishly.

He glanced over at me, his green eyes sparkling with interest. “Out of curiosity, why?”

“Because there are so many things I haven’t tried.” I hesitated, feeling the heat of embarrassment climbing up my neck. “And because there were times when I didn’t have anything to eat at all.”

“Oh.” Holden remained quiet for a few minutes as if he hadn’t expected my answer. Finally, he cleared his throat and forged on. “You mentioned a flatmate in Pixpy.”

“Bexby,” I corrected him.

“What’s her name?”

“Eliza,” I told him. “She’s pretty much my only friend.”

“Why’s that?” Holden merged onto the highway.