Page 20 of Finding Secrets


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Samuel doesn’t so much as look at me as he follows Father.

“Eeeeek!” Lianne grabs my wrist, pulling me out of my chair. I quickly pick up my backpack from the back of my seat in time to keep up with her pull. “Hurry, girl! Before good old Dad changes his mind!”

We make our way out of the doors, and her pearlescent white Audi A4 is parked front and center.

“She is sexy, huh?”

I look over to her, and she is wagging her brows at me like she always does when she says something we ladies shouldn’t be saying.

“Now, get in before overprotective but hot-as-hellbrother comes and snatches you away.”

I laugh but jump into the car because I wouldn’t put it past Samuel to come and drag me to his own car. Lianne’s car starts, and the music blares from the speaker. Music I have never heard before.

“Lianne! Turn it down!” I shout and fumble for the volume button, but I only make it louder. My face heats as the curse words cause me to panic.

“Chill.” Lianne cackles. “No one can hear the words. Relax, Ms. Follows The Rules And Roles.”

My heart races, and I look around to make sure no one will come out of the house to rip me away. No one is in sight, and I exhale.

“Don’t do that.” I nervously laugh, smacking her playfully on the chest. “Last thing I need is them not allowing me to see or hang out with you.”

“My bad. I sometimes forget that it’s different for you.” She gives me an apologetic look as she drives down the gravel driveway and turns down the main road to school. “Being part of the chosen family must have a lot of cons as it does pros.”

“You have no idea,” I huff, relaxing the farther we get away from the house.

I look at her, turn the volume back up, and sway to the beat of this enticing newfound music.

“There’s my girl!” Lianne joins my dancing and sings the lyrics.

9

Eden

Age 16

“No one is gonna know, Eden. Now, get”—she yanks my hand—“out of”—Lianne huffs—“the car.”

Despite her gripping my arm with her other hand, I am cemented to the passenger seat.

This is going to be the only day I am allowed a ride from her, and she said she is going to make the most of it.

How did I let Lianne convince me to come to this “hangout”? I am going to be dead meat if anyone sees me here. Everyone knows who my family is, and there is no way this wouldn’t get back to them somehow.

I mean, they have all been waiting for a chance to tattletale on the “Donovan outsider” since I came to town. I am not about to give it to them on a silver platter.

“No one is gonna care, Eden. Seriously.”

“You don’t think they will run home and snitch on me?” I snap. “And why would I want to hang out with people that have made my life hell since I stepped foot on Divine land?”

“First of all, no one is gonna snitch on you.” I give her ayeah rightlook. “They won’t because...” She pulls my arm again. “They themselves don’t want to be snitched on.” She drops my arm and huffs a labored breath. “You think they want to get in trouble for sneaking off to be teenagers in private? No. They are just as guilty as you. Regardless of the Donovan title.”

I mean, it makes sense. They are breaking the rules, being here in the woods with no adult supervision. But the little voice in the back of my head is ringing the alarms that this isn’t a good idea.

“Luke’s gonna be there,” she teases.

“And?”

I try to play it cool, but she can see right through me.