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All for Sunshine. Always.
I check my phone, noting the time. Jenni would be outside my trailer soon in her fancy jeep, beeping at me until I got in. I need to get back home, clean up, and keep my mind on my sister's life.
No more funny business.
“Daddy! This is Journey,” Jenni says with a grin, wrapping her arm around me. “She's my best friend.”
Kent Thomas peers at me with narrowed eyes, evaluating every inch of me as I do the same to him. Typical man in the mafia, lounging around in his fancy suit with shiny shoes and a nice watch adorning his wrist. The aura around his body exudes danger, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. My mind screams to run away, but I remember everything my monster taught me.
“New friend?” Jenni’s father asks, getting up from his armchair with a small drink in his hand, containing an amber liquid. The ice clinks with every step he takes toward us.
“It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Thomas,” I say, extending my hand with a smile.
He nods, firmly shaking my hand. “Nice to meet you, too. Are you the one who's been keeping my Jenni company and out of trouble?” he asks, raising a brow.
“I suppose so,” I say nervously, darting my eyes to Jenni with a smile.
“She's my best friend, Daddy. No need for the third degree.” She waves her father off, dragging me toward the dining room. Thank God. “I'm sorry,” she hisses, looping her arm with mine. “He's so overprotective sometimes. He thinks I'm just going to spill all his secrets to the wrong person.” She giggles, leaning her head on mine.
Guilt slams into me again at the truth of her words. She is telling the wrong person all his little secrets. Never shy in telling me what he does for business or where he is for the weekend. If they wanted to keep things discreet, well, they’re failing with her. She’ll tell practically anyone, anything at the drop of a hat.
I'm a terrible person.
Jenni freezes when the click of the front door opens, and two male voices rise in the air.
“Mr. Thomas.”
Instantly, I recognize his voice drifting through the house. Elias White. Jenni's beloved boyfriend.
“I'm not really supposed to be with him,” Jenni says, sipping her wine.
“Why?” I ask, looking away from the movie as she settles back with a frown, shrugging.
She nibbles her lip. “You won't tell anyone, right? I can trust you?”
I nod, lowering my gaze. She's genuinely a good person, and I'm lying to her face. Whatever she tells me is not safe with me. I have to tell my monster what she says or my sister is dead. No matter what, I can’t leave any details out of it. Because he’ll find out, he always does. I’m like his little spy who has a spy on her ass, too.
“Since birth, I've been in an arranged marriage,” she murmurs, immediately gulping down more wine.
“What? That's…” I trail off, unsure of what the proper word is for it.
“Sexist? Stupid? You name the word, and that's what it is. But I swear on my life, Journey. I'm not marrying my chosen guy. There's no way. I'm… Elias is going to carry me away,” she whispers, leaning in close with a gleam in her eyes. "After graduation, we're running away together. Unless he strikes a deal with my daddy.” Sadness passes over her face, but she shakes it off.
“Well, you should be able to,” I murmur. “Who are you supposed to marry?”
Her nose wrinkles. “Leighton LeMaster. My dad made a deal with his dad. It's gross. He's gross. I don't want to even think about marrying him. He follows me around with a sick look in his eyes." She shakes her head and squeezes her eyes shut. "I have to leave with Elias. I have to," she sniffles, wiping away her eyes.
These emotions catch me off guard. Jenni is a real human being. She doesn't hide anything from anyone except her tears. Usually, she's happy-go-lucky. Never like this. Not with her mask off and her smile gone.
"We'll make sure you get carried away by the man of your dreams, okay?" I say, hitting my shoulder against hers.
"He's here. Oh my God. Do I look okay?" Jenni asks, twirling in her tight, little black dress with matching shiny heels. Her make-up is done to perfection, and her red hair is expertly curled. She looks like she's about to hit happy hour with her fellow millionaire friends on a yacht.
"I hate you because you're so gorgeous," I quip, earning a giggle in return.
"I don't know where you've been all my life, Journey West. But I'm glad you're here. You're a real friend, aren't you?" she says, not hesitating to throw her arms around me.
That same shitty feeling strikes again when she squeezes me tight.
