Page 75 of Knight

“Nothing,” I sigh. “All this bullying has me jaded.”

“Well, that’s what they want,” Christian says. “That’s how Lea and her minions work. It’s like warfare with them. If they don’t kill you with a headshot, they’ll make sure to leave you with PTSD.”

“And yet, no one does anything.” I’m looking between Christian and Allie.

“Can you blame them?” Willow pipes up. “Look at what they did to you. It’s not surprising most people don’t want to get involved.”

She gets it. But she doesn’t know what I know. And what I know is bothering me now more than ever.

“We’ll be down in a second. I need to talk to Allie, alone.”

“Uh, yeah,” Christian glances between Allie and me before tapping Willow on her back. “I’ll see what we got.”

Christian and Willow leave the room, Willow looking happy to have some alone time with a handsome King. Once the door closes, I push a few curls behind my ear, Allie sitting on her large tassel comforter. “What’s up?” She leans back on her palms, swinging her muscular legs.

“What’s going on with you and Lea?”

Allie freezes, her glasses falling on her nose, “What do you mean?”

“I saw you. A couple of times.”

She gets up from the mattress, fixing her frames when she does. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Avoiding eye contact, she starts rummaging for something in her shiny dresser drawer.

“Don’t you?” I ask. “Allie c’mon. It’s me. I fucked Damien King. Several times. Hell, even last night!” If I confess, likely, she will too. “I’ll understand if you and Lea are—”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Allie’s already at the door by the time she cuts off my ramble. “C’mon,” she says, pulling on the handle. “I’m starved.”

So much for trying to trust someone else.

Sighing, I follow Allie down the hall to the stairs.

“Oh!” Bianca’s at the bottom of the staircase when we get there. “What are you all doing home?” She glances at the sparkling gold watch on her wrist.

“It’s lunchtime, mom.” Allie rolls her eyes as she passes into the kitchen. It smells like melted cheese and butter but again, my appetite is a ghost.

“Oh, Jo!” Bianca reaches in for a hug. It’s warm and soft. “It’s nice to see you again.” She glances upstairs, then back at Allie. “You girls shouldn’t be alone upstairs.”

“What? But Christian can?” Allie’s arms go to her side and while she’s usually pretty sarcastic and laidback, this comment seems to rile her up.

“Well, you said you liked girls and not to change the rules for them.”

Christian calls me over into the kitchen as Allie and Bianca get into it. “You didn’t care when I had Freddy Butler in my room!” Allie yells.

“Freddy Butler’s cute, why don’t you give him a call. Jo’s boinking your brother anyway.” Bianca’s comment stops me in my tracks, cheeks flushing with heat.

“Ma!” Christian must’ve heard because he calls to her, my sister giving me a cringe-y stare. Christian yells something in Spanish that his mom waves off.

“So dramatic. Like your father!” She yells. “Oh wait, Jo. Are you joining us for the holidays?”

“I’m spending the holidays on a Workaway in Iceland,” Allie says, walking into the kitchen. She sits at the counter, grabbing a plate of grilled cheese. “I already booked the tickets!” she calls.

“What? Alejandra, I told you to keep your calendar clear this Christmas!” Bianca calls back. “Why would you do that? It’s the last time we’re all going to be together before the big ‘D’!”

“She means divorce!” Allie explains.

“Because she doesn’t want to hear you and dad bicker for two weeks,” Christian says. “And I can’t blame her.”

Bianca drops her toned arms to the side, “Well, if Jo comes you won’t have to.” She pats me on the back. “Ask your parents and I’ll book you a ticket. It’s in Cabo.”

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