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I leaned my back against the armrest, spreading my legs out and pulling her on top of me to cuddle her. “He needs to realize things need to change. If you make it out like it’s not a big deal, he won’t get better. Maybe write him a letter or something once he’s settled into the facility, okay?”
She didn’t seem convinced, but she finally nodded, closing her eyes and snuggling into me more. “Mom called me not long after you left this morning. She’s demanding a family dinner, so I’ll have to go home tonight. I think she’s trying to rein in Tempest. She’s been a little crazy lately.”
“No offense, but your sister’s always been crazy,” I mumbled, combing my fingers absently through her silky, brown hair. “I bet Mom will want to do something similar since Ryder’s leaving. Beckett mentioned going to the track and Mom gave her a dirty look for it, so I doubt any of us will be allowed to go anywhere tonight.”
“Your mom’s probably freaking out.”
“She is. She feels like she’s losing us,” I said as guilt nipped at me. “I should probably spend more time with her. We haven’t had a girl’s night in ages.”
“I haven’t spent much time with my mom either.” She sighed. “Maybe we spend the next few days doing family stuff, then we can plan on having a sleepover or something?”
I slid my hand up the back of her shirt to tease her skin and brushed my lips across hers, my body heating at the thought of getting her into my bed to strip her bare. “Why? You want to get me naked again?”
Her cheeks flushed, but she gave me a quick kiss instead of pulling away like I expected. “Yeah. I’d like that.”
I kept her close as I devoured her with a kiss, loving it when she moaned into my mouth and tugged on my hair. She was building confidence, which was exactly what I wanted.
“Can you twonotfuck on my couch?”
Luna flew back from me as if we’d been busted doing the wrong thing, but I smirked and tilted my head back, finding Beckett behind me.
“Do you blame me? I’ve got a hot girlfriend.”
“Then fuck her on your own furniture,” she grumbled. “Mom said dinner’s at six. Be there or plan your funeral.”
I sat up, peering behind her but not finding the guys there. “Where’s Maddox and Jett?”
“Outside with Cruz,” she answered, dropping down onto a recliner. “Ry’s going to miss too much school to graduate.”
“He can catch back up next year.” I shrugged. “Maybe he’ll agree to go to Harvard with Marla. It won’t take long for people to find out he’s in rehab. He might not want to come home to deal with it.”
Luna excused herself and went outside with the others, and Beckett instantly changed the subject. “Have you spoken to Marla much?”
I frowned. “Not really. Why?”
“She’s really upset Mom. After you left, they got into an argument. She’s close to being able to do her final exams already, and she’s told Mom she’s leaving the moment she graduates.”
Marla had been a brat lately, but there was no reason for her to be a bitch to Mom and make her feel bad.
“Where the fuck does she think she’s going? And why?” I bit out, not understanding why our sister seemed to hate us so much. Some days she’d hold a conversation with me but usually, she’d avoid all of us.
Beckett cringed, running her fingers through her black hair. “She kind of exploded. Screamed about how we’re all criminals and no one gives a shit about her, and that she’s leaving for Harvard early so she can settle into her own house and make some friends before she starts. I’ve never seen her so angry.”
“She thinks no one cares about her? How fucking dramatic.” I scoffed, but Beckett shrugged.
“To be honest with you, I saw this coming a long time ago. Marla’s not like us, Riley. She’s never enjoyed cars, violence, or even social gatherings. She doesn’t feel like she fits in with us, so I understand her need to find her place in the world.”
“She’s family. We’ll make her fit,” I argued. “Why didn’t she say anything earlier if it’s been bothering her?”
“She’s always told us she’s leaving the moment she could. She’s been saying that for as long as I can remember. She wants to change her last name and everything so people don’t associate her with us. She made some good points, and I think it’s why Mom’s so upset about it. We’re all targets due to the crews and our enemies, and Marla would be the perfect kid to take for revenge. She’s sweet, has a good future ahead of her, and she probably wouldn’t see it coming unlike the rest of us. She’s sick of always looking over her shoulder, so she wants out.”
“Family’s not a subscription that you can just cancel.”
“I know, but it’s not fair to make her live like that.” She sighed as she leaned back in her seat.
“So she’ll turn her back on all of us just so she can marry some religious do-gooder and live in some cute little cottage or something?” I huffed, but she gave me a sad look.
“She’s not happy here. If she wants that kind of life, then who are we to stop her? At least she can sleep at night, not wondering if she’ll get kidnapped or raped over a crew rivalry.”
