Page 90 of Promise to Break

"Where is Killer?" Raven ponders aloud.

He disappeared with Liam and Kai yesterday morning, probably taking care of a body or two.

"With his father and brother," Isabella answers. "They had some things to take care of before leaving the country. Soon, Franco will have to go to Italy. They all will."

"Oh, so soon?" I knew about Italy and the official initiation into the mafia. It was all speculation in the press, but I believed it as soon as I read about it.

"Killian is already nearing the age of twenty-two. It will be good for them. Kai went to Russia already."

I notice she didn't mention Liam. Liam is British, and while it's easy to move around with guns in this country for hunting and protection purposes, the UK has no tolerance for everything weapons. I wish it was like that all around the world, but when I said so at breakfast, Liam just laughed and reminded me that there's a mafia in the UK, too, and they still operate just fine. Killian was in the right when he told me that people are the creators of all evil.

"We need to get dressed," Raven reminds me. "Serena will be mad if we're not there on time." She came prepared with all her artillery, makeup, brushes, and an assortment of dresses and accessories. I refused to buy something expensive for one evening, so she arranged to bring several dresses here. They're waiting in my room.

As we leave the dancing Marlina and Pedro in the kitchen with Isabella and her silent guard, Raven says, "I brought some cocktail dresses that will fit you."

"And what do you have for me? I want to find me a daddy," Julian starts.

Raven grins. "A muscled Cinderella?" she taunts. Julian stands on one leg and twirls in place. "I think mint green will suit you. I have a fairy tale dress just for you."

We enter my messy room, and Raven squeals as if she just saw her idol. "It's Huang Shea."

"I don't see anyone." Julian sounds worried.

"The dress," she explains.

I study the silver dress decorated with intricate beads. It looks heavy and has a lot of presence. Nothing like I would wear.

Wear it for me today. Show them and yourself who you are. 'Kay.

It takes Raven forty-five minutes to make my unruly locks look as if the mess is intended. She also makes my eyes pop with some natural brown smoky look that appears almost bare on my tanned skin.

"Just a minute." She examines her artistry before deciding what torturous shoes I should wear and ends up choosing some strappy black Louis Vuitton's.

"I am so going to fall," I complain.

"You dance the bachata like no one's business. You're not going to fall."

"Fine," I relent, putting the shoes on.

"You look…" Julian starts as I emerge from the bathroom.

"She looks like a bombshell," Raven completes for him.

"Makes me wish I wasn't as gay as I am."

"You wouldn't steal her from Kill, of all people."

"I would, too." Julian sounds like a child.

Raven laughs. "Nah. They're in love."

We're not in love. We can't be.

I stand there, unable to move at the thought. Julian says, "I think you broke her. Yes, she is definitely broken."

"Come on, Juli. This wouldn't be what breaks her. Mari certainly knows how she feels about him. Besides, the whole sorry declaration in front of the whole school said it all."

"Yeah, you're right. Killian is definitely all in."

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