Page 57 of Violet

The moment of anger deflates from me. Heath’s just trying to be a good brother. He wants the best for me, no matter how misguided he may be. I have to be more careful with Stephan. I don’t know why he keeps kissing me or touching me when he’s made his true intentions clear, but I need to be strong enough to tell him no.

Even if my heart and body crave him.

“Heath, please put the gun away,” I say. “You can’t help me survive this Season if you’re in prison.”

“I wasn’t going to shoot him dead. Just make it hurt. You know, as a reminder.”

“What if Stephan wants to mark me? Will you still shoot him?”

“He won’t.”

“You don’t know that.” I take a breath. “If he asks to claim me, will you let it happen?”

With a sigh, Heath puts the gun away and locks the safe.

“If he asks and that is what you truly want, then yes. I’ll let it happen.” Then he looks at his watch. “Don’t you need to get ready for tonight?”

Men.

Hargrave House isn’t really a house, more like a mansion on steroids in the middle of the richest suburb of Sabine City.

Old brick and older gardens form the huge courtyard. I’ve seen pictures but I’ve never been. And it’s better than the photos and video tours online.

It’s a world of its own, multi-layered, with different areas that provide a different feel or even quasi-privacy. And in the center there are tables, chairs, and a delicate feast of finger foods, and room to stand, mill around, and even dance. Fairy lights twinkle everywhere.

“The QB says the Monarch’s making an appearance tonight.” Rue’s hair is piled up in an Edwardian style for the night. Her phone’s in her hand. And she’s scrolling. “Someone’s running bets on how long until Stephan gets bored of you,” Rue continues. “There’s even a poll for how long until you get knocked up.”

“Shut it,” Iris says, snatching the phone. “No more Stitch for tonight.”

“Not Stitch. Over onTheRealDirt,it says that Vi?—”

“If you get caught looking at any more of that nonsense by Heath or Mom, you’ll be grounded. Now, go annoy your little friends.”

Rue snatches back her phone and bounds off.

Mari rolls her eyes. She’s dressed in a glittery sky-blue dress but no mask, since she’s not in her Season yet.

I’m looking around for Stephan, and I hate myself for it, but it’s better than giving in to the panic creeping up on me.

I grip my skirts, and a flapper flounces up to me, in gold and white, her blonde hair pinned to look like a bob. It’s Alicia. I can tell even with her white mask. She wrinkles her nose at me. “Good lord, what’s that you’re wearing?

“You look beautiful, Alicia. I love your lace and silk mask.” I try to smile.

“I’ve been trying to work out how you not only got picked as the Monarch’s favorite, mousy thing like you,” she says, “but landing Asher St. James? It was a complete mystery. But then I saw your dishy brother being all chummy with the movie star and got it. They’re friends and this is a favor.”

Iris steps between us, poised to attack.

“Those earrings are to die for,” she says. “They don’t make quality plastic like that anymore—ow.”

My elbow meets Iris’s ribs and she sends me a look.

I brighten my smile. Heat is starting to crawl up my neck and my chest is tightening.Don’t faint. Don’t faint. Don’t faint.“We should have tea one of these days.”

“You should?—”

“Quiet.” An Alpha low command ripples through me at full force and instantly takes hold of the conversation. I glance up just as the scent of earth and oak surrounds me. “Shut your mouth, Alicia, now.”

She clamps her mouth shut.

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