Page 50 of Her Devils

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Lenley

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SINCEPapàhas been gone, I concentrated on school, and I had forgotten how crazy things become once the state and national events begin and the competitive season is in full swing.

Our tour bus returns to Star Cove late Sunday night, and on Monday morning, we’re back at work, ready for another event once the weekend is upon us in a few short days.

I have an agreement with Mom and Uncle Kyle that I can work from home during the week, unless they specifically need me in the office—it was the only way I could work at the Angels’ HQ without having to see Kiara and Darrius together every day.

Not having to see Anna every day was just the cherry on top, but not today.

Mom and Kyle have a meeting at the local USPA, the United States Parachute Association, and they asked me to be here in case Anna needs help with an important meeting with the company that manufactures the fabric for the Angels’ wingsuits.

I would have wanted to be here anyway, since they are negotiating the supply of a new material that promises to revolutionize the wingsuit as we know it. There hasn’t been an innovation of this magnitude since the timePapàdesigned his patented wingsuit, which we still use today with just a few cosmetic updates.

I steel myself before pushing through the door of HQ, and I immediately have a sneaky suspicion that today is going to be hard when the first thing I hear is Anna’s laugh.

Darrius’s older sister is leaning over the reception desk, where her and Kiara are telling Rachel everything about last weekend’s skydiving competition in Azure Bay.

I make the decision to slip past them as quietly as possible, planning to camp out in Mom’s office until it’s time for the meeting.

I should know, however, that I’m not one of those naturally lucky people. Murphy’s Law has a way of messing with me every time I’m hoping to have a little luck.

“Lenley!”

Anna’s voice is unpleasant and makes me jump. “Good morning,” I say to no one in particular, making sure that I don’t meet their gazes.

“What are you doing here?” she asks. “I thought you were supposed to work from home.”

Okay, so we’re doing this.

I stop in front of the reception desk. “Mom and Kyle asked me to be here just in case you need help with that meeting you’re having with Air Technique Fabrics.”

“They askedyouto help?”

I don’t know what’s more insulting, her tone full of disbelief or the cruel smirk on her face that doesn’t promise anything good.

“They did, so I came to work here. I was planning on sitting in on the meeting anyway, because it could be interesting for our press and social media.”

I know I said the wrong thing when her smile widens. “Aww, really? Did you hear that, girls? I hope they teach you a little bit of common sense in college. You wouldn’t have lasted five minutes at Harvard.”

I don’t hide my eye roll at the mention of heralma mater. Anna will take any opportunity she can to remind everyone where she went to school. “I might need some extra common sense, but they mustn’t be too bothered about basic manners at Harvard if they let you attend,” I snap. “I’m here to helpyou, Anna. There’s no need to be unpleasant.”

She ignores my retort and goes right on the offensive. “I don’t want you in that meeting. I have everything under control, and only you could think about talking about it on social media. Are you planning on revealing all our secrets to our rivals?”

I swear to God, she’s so full of shit. “I’m not going to post anything confidential, Anna, but it’ll take one look at the labels of any of our wingsuits to know who manufactured them. It’s good publicity for both our brands.”

She knows I’m right, but she’s the type of person who never admits to being wrong. “I have that meeting under control. You can get all the information you need off their website, if it’s true that you aren’t going to spill confidential information, so you can go home.”

This isn’t over. I’m going to let Mom and Kyle know how hostile and rude Anna is being, but I take the cowardly way out, and I’m ready to turn on my heel. “Gladly.” I glare.

“Great. Go back to your playpen while I tell Kiara and Rach about the amazing night I spent with Jameson Walton.”

Jameson’s name makes me stop in my tracks.

I’m sure Anna is lying, but I can’t help but ask, “When?”

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