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I’m too scared to look behind me, so I murmur, “Are you going to keep up the silent treatment for long?”
“Not a word, Silver. I don’t want to hear your voice.”
I pretend he didn’t slash my heart open with that and mutter, “Screw you, Cole.”
The door opens and Aiden and Elsa come inside.
She watches me as if I’m a freak while Aiden appears mostly annoyed. “What are you doing here, Queens?”
“Ask Cole,” I speak low.
Elsa steps inside, observing Cole and me carefully, as if we’ll jump her. “Hey.”
Cole offers her his signature polite smile that he offers to everyone. The good boy image. The good son, good stepson, good freaking cit
izen.
But I know Cole the best. I know the image he puts out and the one he keeps tucked underneath layers of practice.
He’s a gentleman in public. A monster in private.
With me.
He’s being a monster to me right now and I hate how much it hurts.
“Elsa,” he says. “Sit down. There’s something you need to know.”
Aiden throws his weight on the sofa and she settles beside him, still watching us closely, as if she’s trying to get a read on the situation.
I wonder if she sees the pain in my eyes.
No one should see your pain, Babydoll. Your pain is yours, not for the people. They will only use it against you.
I inhale deeply, remembering Mum’s words.
“Tell them,” Cole orders in a low, calm tone. “If you don’t, I will. Do you want them to hear my version?”
He’ll tell them I wanted Elsa hurt. I wanted Kim hurt.
That I’m scum.
That I disgust him.
“Get it over with, Queens,” Aiden says impatiently. “I don’t have all day.”
I lift my head and focus on Elsa. “I don’t know why we keep getting involved, you and I.”
She gives me a look that says, Same.
“This is my final warning.” Cole’s merciless voice cuts through my head like a knife. “Talk or I will.”
Taking in another deep breath, I speak in the most composed tone I have, “Remember Adam?”
“Did he hurt you again?” she blurts.
Shit. Why did she have to mention that?
“Again.” Cole’s voice lowers. “So it’s happened before, yes?”
