Page 64 of Sugar Coated

Kelly changed the subject: “Have you thought about applying to colleges? I bet it’d be nice for you to get out of this house.”

College. A normal thing for a normal nineteen-year-old. Honestly? No, I hadn’t thought much about it—never really had time. Coming out of my kidnapping, college had never really been on my list of priorities, but now that I was thinking about it, maybe going wouldn’t be so bad.

I didn’t know whether I’d like moving out of the house; if my plan worked and we got Tessa out of here, this house wouldn’t be so bad. It would be a nice change of pace, give me something new to do, help me be on track with everyone else my age.

“I haven’t thought much about it,” I admitted, “but maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I did.”

“Apply to ACC! If you do it soon, you’ll be able to get in by next semester. We could probably take a few classes together. Hell, if you want to move on campus, we could live together.”

Though she sounded eager, I knew there were other parts of the equation she wasn’t bringing up. See: her new friends. I’d met them at the party, and we hadn’t gotten off on the right foot.I didn’t know if I’d like to spend lots more time with them, as I would probably be forced to if I lived with Kelly.

With a shrug, I said, “I’ll think about it.”

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say, because the rest of the time she was here, she would not shut up about college and how fun it was. Sometimes the homework was overwhelming when multiple classes assigned things at the same time, but the parties and freedom made up for it.

I let her talk about it, figuring she thought she was persuading me to apply to ACC. Honestly? I didn’t know if, once I decided I wanted to go to college, I’d go to ACC or somewhere a bit farther away.

It might be nice to get out of this city.

But, I knew I could only do that if my guys agreed to come with me.

Chapter Fourteen – Laina

Newton was a refined gentleman who was leaving the lower portion of his club in our hands today, but he wouldn’t vacate the premises entirely. His office made up the second floor, with long, floor-to-ceiling windows so he could oversee the entirety of the club from it. The glass was tinted, so you couldn’t see him watching if you were downstairs.

Fang and Kieran were in place. Lola and Viper would hang in the backroom, ready to spring for me as backup. Mike would bring Tessa, and he and Maddox would stop her from trying to leave, force her to go inside the Gilded Rose and talk to me.

The Gilded Rose was, by definition, a gentleman’s club. When you walked in, you passed a bar with fancy alcohol bottles all lined up in front of a mirrored wall. Beyond was where you’d sit and, presumably, drink and smoke while watching whatever act was on the stage. Rounded booths made of black leather lined each side of the room, while tables with chairs were directly before the stage. A lone microphone, one of the old-fashioned kinds, stood by itself on the end of the stage, the platform jutting outward in the shape of a T.

Glass fixtures made of crystal, walls painted dark; I could imagine this place at night. With the lights dimmed, I’m sure it had a smoky, easy atmosphere where men of great power and money came to relax or even discuss business. Newton certainly gave off that vibe. Frankly, if Lola didn’t trust him, I definitely wouldn’t. Something about him I didn’t like. I’d bet anything he was hiding something.

Then again, what did I know? I couldn’t even guess that Kieran was my Devil.

I wore black pants with a bubblegum pink shirt that matched the hue of my hair. I styled said hair into cute, soft waves, andeven did a bit of makeup to make the pink contacts in my eyes pop. I looked like I was ready for a runway, not a meeting with my dear stepmother.

Everyone in position, it was a waiting game. I sat at the table directly before the stage, so when Tessa entered the club, she’d see my pink head immediately. I wasn’t hiding. It was time for the truth to come out.

I was ready.

It was a waiting game until I heard the door to the club open and Tessa’s miffed person enter. I did not turn my head to watch her; I could hear her annoyed comments just fine since the club was empty. Why was she here? What kind of game was this? What—whatever next question she was going to say, she didn’t get a chance to.

Why? Because she finally saw me.

Her questions stopped, and less than ten seconds later, she was sitting on the chair next to mine. Her brown hair was a little greasy from her workout, pulled into a messy bun. Her brown eyes were so much colder than Kieran’s as they settled on me. She wore one of those stupid matching tracksuits, a hideous light green color.

“Well, I can safely assume your father is fine,” she muttered with a frown, then she made a dramatic show of glancing all around us, at the empty club. “What is this, Laina?”

I didn’t answer right away, but I did stare at her hard. When I finally spoke, I gave her a question instead of an answer: “What do you think this is, Tessa?”

The corner of her lips turned downward into a frown. “He told you, then.” She chuckled, although it was the opposite of glee. “I figured he would. Of course, as his sister, I hoped he wouldn’t, but if there’s one thing Kieran has proven, it’s that he has quite the fondness for you.” Her gaze narrowed at me. “I don’t see why.”

“And I don’t see why he listened to you for so long,” I shot back.

“It’s something you could never understand. You’re an only child. The bond between siblings isn’t something you’ll ever know.” Her jaw ground. “Why am I here? Did you bring me here to try to intimidate me? I can appreciate the theatrics. It seems you’ve made a few friends in high places. Good for you.”

Even now, she sounded condescending. God, being a good liar must run in the family, because how in the hell did my dad ever fall for a woman like this?

“I have more friends than you know,” I told her. “I might actually have more friends than you.”

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