Page 34 of Pretty Monsters

Lucien: How's little bird doing?

Me: She met our neighbors. A bunch of fucking college guys.

Lucien: Shrug emoji I mean she's an adult.

Me: Seriously? We're in fucking hiding.

Lucien: So stay with her.

Me: She's drinking.

Lucien: I'm not going to be my dad. She's been locked up and controlled her entire life. Let her have some fun.

Me: Did you know today is her birthday?

Lucien: No, it's not until... Fuck, it is her birthday.

Me: Fuck about sums it up.

"Did you tell big bro that I'm a very bad girl?" she asks, and dramatically bats her eyelashes.

"Are you drunk?"

She tips her head to the side in contemplation. "Nah, a little tipsy."

Ford reaches into the cooler between their chairs, and if he pulls out another beer for her I'm definitely going to kill him. Thanks to her dragging me out to the store yesterday I have the cleaners I need to scrub away all traces of his blood.

He grabs a bottle of water and trades her for her empty can. "Pace yourself. Puking is no way to celebrate."

Ted pulls into the small parking area, and heads our direction with a large pink box. Raven's eyes go wide and seem to sparkle with excitement.

"You got me a cake?" she squeals.

"You act like you've never had one for your birthday before," Shane comments.

"I haven't. I've never celebrated my birthday before," she whispers.

Ford pulls out his phone. "Yeah, this party isn't good enough for you, pretty girl. Mind if I invite a couple of the girls over? We'll get some music going. No one in the units will care. Nearly everyone works nights, so they're already at work. We can take over the courtyard here."

She nods, melting further under the charm he's ramped up. He didn't seem to work this hard last night, and at least two of those girls would have given their left tit to be in his bed. For her part, she's giving him just enough attention to keep him on the hook, but not so much to end the chase early.

In less than twenty minutes the entire gang from last night is reassembled. Jess heads straight for me, putting a possessive hand on my arm. This is why I didn't ask her name last night.

"Ford told me you were here. I thought he was teasing me, but I had to come see for myself," she purrs.

I shake her hand off my arm. "Don't mistake me getting inside your pussy to mean I want to be in your life."

"God, you're such an asshole." She laughs like she told a joke. "I forgive you."

The brunette Ford was with last night glares at Raven. She tries to get his attention, but he's totally focused on Raven.

Jess notices the unfolding drama and smiles maliciously. "Looks like Tessa is getting what's coming to her."

"Jess, wanna help me cut the cake?" Ted asks her.

"I was talking to Jackson, Teddy." She ruffles his hair like a big sister would do. For the first time I see a hint of anger cross his face.

"You know I'll do it wrong," he presses.

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