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“But didn’t Gregory Kingsley die years ago?”
“Yeah, but she never got over it. Spends her days over at the Kingsley Estate off her face on a cocktail of Xanax and vodka. Why do you ask?”
“Just trying to understand Cade, I guess.”
She snorts. “Don’t try to find reasons where there are none. Cade is a misogynistic, power hungry, depraved asshole who thrives on using people and playing games. He’s sick, Mia.”
“Yeah, but what does he want?”
It’s the question I’ve been asking myself a lot. He’s on a power trip, there’s no doubting that. But he’s still human, driven by something. He wants to see Bexley fail, to give in. But I still don’t know where I fit into all of this. I was no one to him until my name was pulled from the calix.
“Where is your head right now?” Sasha eyes me with mild curiosity, but it’s the concern in her expression that makes my stomach sink.
“I’m just trying to… I don’t know. I just can’t willingly accept that this is how it has to be.”
The more I think about it, the more things don’t add up.
“I know it sucks. Trust me, I know.” She flashes me an apologetic smile. “But you’re his prosapia. Once the Coglio takes place… you’ll be his fiancée. There’s no going back on that.”
Like she needs to remind me.
“What exactly happens at the Coglio?” My voice cracks, betraying my nerves. It’s easier to ignore what the future will bring than to overthink any of it.
“There’s a dinner at Gravestone Hall. I guess you could say it’s like an engagement party. And then you and Cade will… you know.”
“Sex.” The word is like ash on my tongue.
“Yeah.”
“It’s always a full moon. You know how Q likes its moon rituals.” She rolls her eyes.
“It’s such bullshit,” I hiss. “I saw Cade at the party, fucking some girl.”
“Babe, he’s a manwhore of epic proportions. This whole town reeks of double standards. Gravestone is a man’s world, and we’re just along for the ride.”
“Awful pun.” I grimace. But then we share a long look and burst into laughter.
“That’s the spirit, Mia. You can’t overthink this stuff, it’ll drive you insane.”
Just then, we hear the rumble of engines.
“Looks like they’re home.”
“They haven’t been gone long.” I stand, nervous energy vibrating inside me.
All the blood has drained from Sasha’s face as she sits frozen in the chair.
“It’ll be okay,” I say. “Whatever happens, you have me.”
“It’ll be fine.” She shakes her head a little, snapping out of the trance she was in. “I’m sure it’s all fine.”
The second the guys enter the kitchen, it’s apparent that everything is not fine. Channing looks as pale as Sasha and refuses to meet her eyes.
Bexley, on the other hand, stares brazenly at me, willing me to look at him.
I don’t.
Instead, I walk straight over to Cade and burrow into his side. “How did it go?”
