Page 55 of Twisted Kings

“I thought it would be a nice surprise.” Milo’s smile vanished. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Um…” Landon grimaced awkwardly. “I think what Thea is trying to say is that the last time she saw Cassian things were, um, a bit tense…”

“Tense is a fucking understatement,” I muttered, edging back to the doorway. If Cassian was here, I should go pack a bag or something. I doubted he’d want me around. Maybe I should have accepted Eden’s offer of a loan after all. At least that way I could fund a hotel for a few nights.

Taking my sister with me would make it more difficult, but I could sell it to her as a surprise vacation. Dublin had pretty Christmas lights this time of year. Verity would love to see the lights.

I slipped away while Landon bickered with Milo. There was still time to order a taxi and call Eden. She’d help me out. I dashed upstairs to throw some clothes in a bag and grab the phone Kyril had given me so I could keep in touch with Eden.

“Everything OK,a chara? Have they broken your pussy yet?” Eden chuckled like a loon down the phone and then hiccuped. In the background, I heard a deep male voice cussing her out. At a guess, it was one of her cousins. Not Declan, as I didn’t recognize the voice.

“Ronan says hello,” she laughed. “And also he’s available if you need another member for your harem.”

Ignoring her lewd suggestion because I needed another man like I needed a Brazilian butt lift, I asked, “Eden, can you lend me some cash?”

“It’s kinda late for last-minute Christmas shopping, babe, although Amazon might still deliver.”

“Cassian’s arrived, which means I need to leave.”

“That dickhead? I thought he was at his parents’ place?”

“Apparently not.” I dashed into the bathroom to collect my toothbrush and a hairbrush. I’d miss this house. The sound of the ocean never failed to soothe my chaotic thoughts.

She muttered something derogatory about pencil dicks. “Want me to send a car?”

“No, I can get a taxi. You’re busy.”And also drunk.

“I’m not busy at all.” The background noise faded, and I heard a door click shut. “We’re playing stupid board games and the guys are losing, so they won’t mind if we stop.”

Waiting for a car would take too long. “It’s OK. I’ll call a taxi.” Kyril gave me some cash for gifts, which I hadn’t touched. It was more than enough for a ride out of here.

“Right, OK.” There was a brief pause. “You could try talking to him, Thea? He’s had time to cool down and he knows now what happened.”

“No, he won’t have forgiven me. Trust me on that. Verity and I are better off leaving.”

“Thea, it’s not safe out there!” Eden’s voice rose a notch. “I get why you think running away is the answer, but I think you’re making a mistake.”

“So you won’t help me?” I shouldn’t have asked. Eden had already done more than enough for me. She was probably sick to the back teeth of a friend who’d turned out to be nothing but trouble.

“That’s not what I’m saying!Sheesh. You know I’d do anything to help you!”

“Doesn’t matter, I will figure something out.” Before she could say another word, I hung up. Relying on other people never worked out well for me. I loved Eden, she’d been the best friend I’d ever had, but it was time I got my shit together and figured things out on my own.

I grabbed a few last items from the bathroom and then hooked my bag over my shoulder. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take long to sort Verity out and wait for a taxi.

Ignoring the little voice in my head that told me to stop and think about this, I yanked open my bedroom door, only to find Kyril waiting for me with a thunderous expression on his face.

“Going somewhere,kotenok?” he growled.

“Move. I’m not in the mood.” I tried to shoulder-barge my way past him, but he dug his heels in and refused to budge.

“No, you’re not leaving.”

For fuck’s sake. Eden must have called them the minute I hung up on her. That bitch!

“Yeah, I am.”

He pinned me to the wall. “No, you’re fucking not!”

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