“And?” She pops a hip out. “You have been ogling him all flipping year.” I roll my eyes, trying to not make my crush on Luke too obvious. “Don’t try to deny it. I know you, Eden Donovan.”
She might know me, but she has no clue that’s not my name.
I miss being called Elliott, but I don’t have time to dwell on it too long as Lianne takes that opportunity to yank me from the car, slam the door behind me, and lock it.
“Too late. No going back now.” She grins at me, locking her arm with mine. We walk toward the muffled music coming from within the trees.
Each crunchy step on the leaf-covered ground makes the nausea seep in.
Luke watches me and Lianne approach the crowd. “Lianne! You came!”
Everyone turns and greets my best friend.
“And you got little miss Donovan to come along, too?” He looks between the two of us. “How’d you manage that one?”
“Shut it, Luke. She wanted to come.” She nudges me forward. “Isn’t that right, Eden?”
“Yeah. I wanted to come.” I look up at him, my stomach in knots.
“Eden Donovan... wants to play on the rebel side, huh?” He takes a step closer, making me crane my head farther back to look at him. “Does Daddy know you’re here?” With his fingertips, he traces my jawline, giving me a wink.
I lean into the touch.
The warmth of his hand landing on my neck makes my stomach flutter. I wanted to see if the rest of him feels as warm as his hand. He must have seen the need because he comes closer to me. My heart hammers in my chest. Am Igoing to let him touch me like this? Without a doubt, I know the answer is yes.
“No. But I do.”
My heart sinks as Samuel’s cold voice cuts through my ears.
I spin around. “What are you doing here?”
Trepidation laces my tone.
“I could ask you the same thing.” His words are directed at me, but he fully zones in on Luke.
“I thought you had interviews today?”
My voice is lower than intended.
Making his way over to me, he says, “We are leaving.”
“Samuel, come on, man. Your little sister just wants to have a little fun.” Luke puts an arm around my shoulder.
My gut clenches as I bear witness to the fire in Samuel’s eyes.
“Eden! Move!” Lianne pulls me into her arms.
A crunch rings through the crowd.
I turn, and blood is spurting from Luke’s face. Samuel doesn’t stop and just keeps swinging.
“Samuel! Stop!” I free myself from Lianne’s arms, jumping to pull Samuel off Luke’s motionless body. “You’re gonna kill him! Stop!” Begging the Divine to give me the strength to stop my brother from murdering Luke, I yank his arm.
He shoves my chest, and I try to catch myself, but I stagger and land with a painful thump. I cry out as pain shoots up my arm.
Samuel stops his assault and runs to my side, a mixture of anger and torment swirling on his face. “Eden?” He goes to help me up, but I smack his hands away.
“Don’t touch me!” I hold my throbbing wrist and whimper when I grasp it too firmly.
