Page 91 of Filthy Elites

“Jason, babe. It’s okay.” She touches my arm.

I try to scowl, but I can’t when she looks so happy that it makes my heart overflow with the same emotion. I crack a smile. “If they say anything, I’ll blame you.”

“That’s fine.”

My phone rings, making me frown. I got a new number specifically for this trip because I didn’t want to be bothered by anyone—aka my mother. Only Finn and Luke have this number, but they were instructed to not call unless it was an emergency.

Isabelle, knowing this, looks worried. “What do you think happened?”

I jump to my feet. “Only one way to find out.”

I fish the phone from my backpack. “It’s Finn,” I tell her.

“Answer it already.”

“Hello?”

“Jason, I fucked up,” he says in a freaked-out voice.

“What happened?”

“I… I hurt someone.”

My heart twists painfully in my chest. “How? Please tell me not on purpose.”

Finn is the nicest guy I know—I’m certain he wouldn’t hurt anyone deliberately, but he’s a Novak, and it seems our family is cursed.

“No, but it doesn’t matter.” His voice breaks. “He’s just a kid and… God, Jason, it was awful. I need you. Please come home.”

I lock gazes with Isabelle. She must have overhead part of the conversation, because her eyes are filled with distress.

“I’ll be on the next flight out. Don’t worry, Finn. We’ll sort everything out.”

When I end the call, my heart is as heavy as lead. Isabelle is already on her feet, collecting our things.

“You don’t need to come, babe.”

She whips her face to mine. “Finn is in trouble. Don’t expect me to stay behind.”

“What about your parents?”

“They’ll understand. Family is everything to us.”

“That’s my point. You haven’t seen them in a long time. I won’t be upset if you don’t come with me.”

Her eyebrows arch. “You misunderstood me. Finn is family to me.”

When I didn’t think I could love this girl more, she proves me wrong.

I reach her in a single stride and pull her against me. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”

“Everything, babe. You did everything, and I’m yours for as long as you want me.”

“Then be prepared for forever.”

*** THE END ***

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