Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“What’s going on?” Katie pushed back her seat. “Are you saying Everleigh tried to kill you?”
“You’ll hear the echo of her maniacal laugh in the burned-out remains of the Gallery.”
“That’s a lie! I never touched her,” Everleigh cried, whipping around. “First, Saylor. Now me. She won’t stop until she’s destroyed all the Royals—”
“Uhh, it wasn’t me who killed Giovanni and Wesley. If anyone is destroying Royals, it’s—”
“Enough! Get out of here, Sinclair. We’re done being harassed by you. I’m taking out a restraining order. If you come near me again—”
“Your plan failed,” I said under my breath, just for her. “My father knows you tried to set a trap for him, and he won’t be springing it. How’s it feel to know you failed your deadbeat, child-killing daddy?”
She flushed an angry red, eyes narrowing.
“If you ask me, he deserved everything he got. They say you lose control of your bowels when you die. How fitting that a disgusting shit stain like him died bleeding and crying in a puddle of his own—”
Everleigh swung, punching me in the face and popping me off my feet. I landed flat on my back, bouncing my skull off the floor. I’d be a liar if I denied it. That hit hurt. Everleigh wasn’t all minions and sitting-in-the-background-doing-her-nails. She dealt a solid punch.
Gasps went up around us.
“What the hell?”
“Did she say Everleigh killed Giovanni?”
My secret smile rimmed with blood. “Help,” I screamed. “She attacked me! Call the police.”
“What? No! She’s the one who—"
“What’s going on in here?” One of the waiters ran in, landing on the sight of me moaning on the floor while Everleigh stood over me—fist raised. “Oh, dear. I have to get the manager.”
“Get the police! She’s dangerous.”
“I didn’t— It wasn’t like that.” Everleigh backed away, breathing hard like a trapped animal. “It was her! She’s the one who attacked me.” She tripped over the waiter. “She leaked the website and—and— She killed them! She’s trying to make it seem like I did it, but it was her! Her! I won’t stand here and be accused of—”
I couldn’t hear the rest. She was already out the door and beating it fast across the parking lot. Talking to Captain Capaldi wasn’t satisfying, but chasing Everleigh out of her favorite restaurant under a cloud of whispers and suspicion definitely was.
Stumbling to my feet, I kept up the act, playing like I was calling the cops as I made for the door.
“Not so fast.” My phone was plucked out of my hand. “You’re going to tell me what the hell’s going on.” Katie spun me around. “Now.”
Straightening, I wiped the blood off my chin—dropping the act. “How much time you got?”
“Loads.”
“Not here,” I said, walking off. “Let’s go back to your place. I’ve been dying for your chef’s popcorn shrimp.”
Katie didn’t argue with me. She went back to tell Dean she was leaving, then followed me out to the car. I was treated to her judgy, suspicious stare the whole ride to her place. I was too busy clocking Ronin’s car trailing behind me to give it thought.
When did he start following me? Was he following me all morning?
Ronin slowed and pulled off the road when I approached Katie’s gate. It seemed he would stay and wait until I left.
Katie let loose the minute I stepped inside the pool house.
“What the fuck, Luna! I get it, okay. Everleigh, Piper, Gabriella, and Saylor were complete bitches to Winter, and it’s horrible that they kept throwing her suicide in your face, but how much more revenge do you need?
“Piper can’t walk across campus without someone shouting ‘cousin fucker’ at her. Gabriella’s on parole. Today’s the first day Everleigh’s gone out since the Book Lady site went wide, and no one’s seen or heard from Saylor.” She came at me so fast I backed up and tripped onto her chaise. “Now you’re accusing Everleigh of being a killer? These are my best friends you’re fucking with. I’m not—”
“—their best friend,” I sliced in. “You’re not their best friend, Katie. However you see them, it’s not how they see you. I’m sure it was different when you guys were little, but the five of you grew up and changed. Saylor became a manipulative carrion beast who fed on the weak for fun. The other girls aren’t as lucky as you to be free of the Burkhardts’ power. They learned to play her game to survive.”
I shot up, getting in her face. “I’ve read the texts. I know how they talk about you when you’re not around. I know what they really think of you. It’s envy, resentment, superiority, and a little nostalgia, but there’s no loyalty. So before you hear what I have to say, you need to know that you’ve only seen the fakes. Now I’m going to tell you what’s real.”