Page 108 of Snake

Knox

Ithought it would feel like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, but instead I can’t breathe. I recognized the Hart’s address on the note my mother left for Nim. Fuck, who wouldn’t?

No 1 Hart Drive.

It’s as famous in Cinderhart as 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is to the rest of the world.

Jet and Ophelia look strangely stiff. Out in public, whether on stage or just walking down the street, these two are the epitome of grace and flair. But now? You’d swear they didn’t know which way to run.

But fuck all that...what the hell are the Furinos doing here?

The urge to barge in and start asking questions is intense, but I hold myself back. This is Nim’s moment, and I’d be destroying everything we’ve managed to fix the past few days if I just took over.

God, I hope she starts asking the right questions soon, because it feels like my skin’s about to split open.

“So you were friends with my parents?” Nim says, and I’m surprised at the strength in her voice.

She can’t even begin to imagine the politics at work here. Fuck...neither can I, actually. Maybe that’s why, when I turn to glance at Mason and Silas, they both give me confused frowns in exchange for mine.

Donatella Furino nods, casting a quick look over at Jet and Ophelia again. “You can’t know how sorry we were to hear about their accident.” Dona’s eyes glitter like she’s about to ruin her makeup. “It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way.”

Jet makes a sound that might have been him clearing his throat, but more likely a warning for Dona to be quiet.

That’s how she takes it, anyway. “Oh my gosh, I’m completely taking over here, aren’t I?” Her cheeks have a touch of color to them as she steps back. “Would you like something to drink or eat? We did plan to have lunch, if you wanted to stay.”

“Yes,” Ophelia says, walking up to Nim. She at least regained her composure. “My apologies, I’m being a terrible host today. Please, let’s go into the dining hall. Our children must wonder if we’ve gotten lost.”

Children. My head snaps to the side, my eyes locking with Nim’s. She makes the connection the same time I do.

“Romi’s here?”

“Yes, sweetie,” Vicky says, looping her arm through Nim’s. “I’m so glad to hear the two of you are becoming friends.” Vicky gives Dona a look over her shoulder, and Dona’s eyes begin to sparkle again.

The only Furino I’ve spoken to before was Romi. They became social pariahs after Romi’s father, Geri, started shit with Lorenzo a few months back.

Maybe becoming Nim’s sponsor was a way for them to get back into everyone’s good graces. But it still doesn’t explain why—

“I’m sorry, I’m still confused.” Nim pulls up short. “No offense, Mr. Hart, Mrs. Hart, but why on earth did you sponsor me? Was it just as a favor to my parents?”

I could kiss her right then and there, but that would just delay the answer to her question. My eyes flicker over everyone’s faces as I try to puzzle out the possible outcomes.

But honestly, I can’t even come up with one scenario where any of this would make sense.

Jet speaks up first. “It was high time for the Winters to return to the fold,” he says. Then his expression darkens. “Your parents should never have left in the first place, but the past is in the past. We were in the process of bringing them back—of bringing you back...”

But then they died, leaving Nim an orphan.

“Why did they leave?” Nim’s eyes are round, her mouth tight.

“That...” Jet glances at the Furinos, then at his wife. “That’s going to take some explaining. How about we do it over lunch? I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m absolutely starving.”

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