Page 30 of Liars
He tipped his glass in a solo toast. “You got that right.”
“I like you better when you’re drunk,” I hissed.
Maddox’s lips curved. “Most girls do.”
“Enough,” Donovan barked. “You don’t have to like each other, but youdohave to live in this house together.” He waited a beat for his sons to open their mouths and argue, but none said another word. There were huffs, glares, and smirks, but Kreed,Maddox, and Mason stayed quiet, their focus returning to their plates. “Good. Like I said, Kreed can talk to the coach.”
“Don’t bother. I’m not interested in pursuing volleyball or any after-school activities. What’s the point? And I can find my own way to school. I don’t need your sons to drive me. I don’t need anything from them. Or you,” I added quietly.
Donovan didn’t falter, but something flickered in his expression—something I couldn’t quite place. “You’re wrong about that. My protection is all you have. Don’t take my generosity for granted. I make all the hard decisions not because it gives me pleasure but because it’s what needs to be done.”
I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. “I’m not hungry. I think I’ll skip breakfast.” And every meal that required me to be in the same room as the Corvos.
Donovan inclined his head at me as if to acknowledge my leaving was acceptable to him. The thing was, I didn’t care if he approved of my behavior or not. He might be my legal guardian, but he wasn’t my parents.
He never would be.
“I’ll have Amelia bring you up a plate in case you change your mind,” Donovan offered, slipping back into his role of being the caring godfather. “Oh, and Kaylor,” he called after me before I could leave the room. “Be ready for Monday. And no more late-night adventures.”
My fingers dug into the arched frame.
If Donovan believed I was in danger, then he was hiding information from me. Information I had the right to know. I had every intention of finding out.
10
KAYLOR
Like a dreaded illness you could feel coming on, Monday morning arrived much the same way. I left a message for the detective who had come to see me in the hospital. Her card was one of the only things I’d taken with me when I was released. I was still waiting for her return call, but in the meantime, I had to find the motivation and energy to go to school.
The only upside…I got to leave the house. I was breaking free of the prison today. A thought occurred to me as I brushed my teeth. If I couldn’t sneak out of this house, perhaps the only way I would get to see my friends was to ditch school.
There would be consequences. Detention, no doubt, and not the way I’d like to start at a new school. Yet, I didn’t see another way.
I had to see my friends.
With this thought, I got my first inkling of excitement at attending Public. I was sure it wouldn’t last long.
I tried not to think about the academy, missing my friends, or the graduation I wouldn’t be walking in as I stood in frontof the dresser, staring at the clothes that weren’t mine. It felt surreal not pulling out my crisp Elmwood Academy uniform. I never thought I’d miss the pleated skirts and starched blouses, but now I felt adrift.
With a sigh, I selected a pair of light jeans and a fitted sweater. At least they weren’t the ugliest things. After I brushed out my hair in front of the vanity mirror, my platinum waves fell neatly over my shoulders, but I fussed with them longer than necessary, debating whether to pull them back or leave them loose. It wasn’t easy getting ready with one freaking hand. I’d already tended my injury, adding a thin layer of healing ointment and a fresh bandage. And although my mobility was increasing each day, it was nowhere near what it had been before being shot.
Afterward, I dabbed on some mascara and a hint of blush, staring critically at my reflection. I didn’t know why I bothered. It wasn’t like I wanted to impress anyone at Public, especially not when it hadn’t been my choice to move schools.
From down the hall, I heard one of the twins yelling and pounding on someone’s door. Quiet mornings were a thing of the past, I’d learned over the last few days. The Corvo boys were rowdy and rough. At least I didn’t have to watch my mouth around them. They wouldn’t bat an eye over my language.
I set down the brush with a sigh and grabbed my bag, heading downstairs where Kreed and Mason were waiting by the front door. Maddox was nowhere in sight, meaning I wasn’t the last one, and they weren’t waiting on me. Not that I believed they would have waited. If I’d been late, you’d better believe they would have left me behind.
I learned yesterday that Kreed was the second-oldest Corvo son. The twins were the youngest. Mason was born just thirteen minutes after Maddox. Amelia had a wealth of information, and her favorite topics were Raine, Kreed, Maddox, and Mason.
“You owe me twenty bucks,” Mason said to Kreed with a Cheshire grin, shoving his hands into his front pockets.
Kreed eyed me with an air of quiet intensity that contrasted sharply with Mason’s cocky attitude. “You just had to show up, didn't you, little raven?” he grumbled as my sneakers touched the floor from the final step.
I shot him a dry glare. “I guess you learned never to bet against me.”
Mason threw his head back and laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Maddox asked in a deep, raspy voice behind me.
