Page 76 of Pretty Little Psycho

It suddenly hits me. “Because he wants to be able to go back to Ever Graves?”

Libra and Villette exchange another look that makes my skin crawl.

“What?” I ask, unsure if I really want to know.

Libra slows to a stop and turns toward me. “Because he wants to take back the power your family stole… and then destroy them.”

Riot’s made it no secret that he hates the Blackwells. I don’t know how I feel about him wanting to murder all of them. I don’t even know any of them and they shunned me since birth. But do I want them all dead? No. I don’t think so…

I take a deep breath and keep walking. “Thank you for telling me.”

Villette grabs my hand. “Maur, Riot has hurt every living thing that’s ever crossed his path. Except you. I’m not his biggest fan, but I see how he looks at you. He’s obsessed. He cares for you more than anyone thought he was capable of.”

Libra nods in agreement. “He’s a bastard. All of them are. But yeah, she’s right. It doesn’t matter what your last name is. I think they’re all in love with you.”

A tiny flutter of nerves swirls in my stomach. Love? Obsessed, yes. In lust, absolutely. But love just doesn’t seem like something any of them are capable of. Especially Riot. From what they’ve just told me and from what I’ve seen myself, love isn’t something that was shown to Riot, Atlas, or Valentin.

But then again, what the fuck do I know about love? My mother ignored me, and my father was too drunk to care. The only one who’s ever loved me is Bailey. But she has her guys now. I shiver as I stifle a sob.

Villette squeezes my hand. “We got you, girl.”

Libra rolls her eyes and grabs my other hand. “You’re all right, Blackwell. Don’t start getting mushy on me now.”

On the verge of tears, the absurdity of my life makes me laugh instead. “We are the most ridiculous fucking freaks that Tenebrose has ever seen, aren’t we?”

We all burst out laughing. “Pretty much,” Libra says.

By the time we approach the ballroom, our mood has lifted. We take turns sipping on the flask of whiskey Libra smuggled in her purse. The stars glitter the whole sky, invoking something out of a fairytale.

We lock arms and strut inside like the badass bitches we are. I glance around at the spectacle that surrounds us. The ballroom is glowing with fairy lights, swinging chandeliers, and drippy candles. White-gloved servers float around the room carrying trays of frosted cakes and bubbly elixirs. But underneath this sparkly dream, lies a winter nightmare. A sinister energy that permeates every hushed whisper and masked face.

I feel them before I see them.

A draft blows a chill across my back. I spin around and look toward the entrance. Wearing tailored black suits, and ski masks, Riot, Atlas, and Valentin command the room. All eyes are on them. But their eyes are only on me.

I lose my breath as I meet each of their violent gazes.

They are mine.

“The devils of Raven’s Gate are here,” someone whispers. I spin around but can’t tell who’s talking through the masks.

“Ignore them,” Libra groans. “They’re just jealous.”

I look back at my guys. They don’t take their eyes off me. “I thought you hated them, Lib. After what they did to you…”

She scoffs. “Hate is a fragile concept, Maur. This is my world. I’ve been living in it my whole life. Our families do things differently than everyone else. You’re lucky you didn’t grow up with us.”

Am I though? My whole life I’ve wanted to belong to something greater. They all grew up with darkness and hate, but I was raised in a blur of booze and adultery. Was I really that much better off?

I hold my breath as my three psychos stalk toward me. “They’re coming over,” I whisper.

Libra nods. “They’re coming for you.”

Villette sighs. “Well, that’s my cue. I’m going to find something to drink. Meet up with you in a bit?”

“Hell yeah, bitch. We’re going to get Libra to do a jello shot later,” I snort.

Libra shrieks, her face twisting in horror. “I will do no such thing.”

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