Page 131 of Pretty Poisoned

"Do you think my brother is going to save you from me?" he asks.

"I love you, baby, but I am not getting involved in whatever this is," Luca says.

"Does someone need to save me from you?"

He shrugs. "I know how to deal with brats. Whether you like it or not isn't a concern of mine."

Ignore him. I'm going to ignore him. River takes my hand and switches my empty glass with a full one.

"See? I knew you'd want two," Declan says. "Maybe you just need to admit that I know what's best for you, and that was all I was ever doing." He pulls River into his lap. "Riv used to be a brat, too."

"She's still a brat sometimes," Hazel says.

"Can you just stop fucking talking to me?" I snap.

"Excuse me?"

"Well, you know everything about me, right? So, you know that I have social and emotional problems, and you're causing me distress in both areas."

"Am I?" he asks. "What are you going to do about it?"

My chest contracts. "Nothing that will make you happy."

"Teagan, would you relax?" Luca says.

"You need to shut her up before I shut her up," Declan says. "And right now, I don't think she's going to be so happy if I do it."

"Do you need something to keep that mouth busy, Teagan?" Luca asks. He lowers his voice and adds, "You really need to stop, angel. You don't know what you're doing."

"I'm just going to go read."

"Because I got up early to get all the books you wanted," Declan says. "You're fucking welcome, Teagan."

I grit my teeth to keep from snapping back at him. I take my drink and books upstairs and find a quiet spot to read alone for the rest of the drive.

Even Luca leaves me alone.

I don't talk to either of them when we get to the hotel. I follow River and Hazel into a room and start getting ready. I shower, taking my time straightening my hair. I'm putting on mascara in the bathroom mirror when the door opens; I don't need to look up to know it's him. I see his reflection in the mirror, leaning against the doorframe.

"Is this part of your temper tantrum, too?" Declan asks, running his fingers through my hair.

To be honest, I think it was part of my temper tantrum. If he likes my curls, then I'm not wearing them.

"I'm not having a temper tantrum," I say, shrugging him off.

"What do you want, Teag?"

"Nothing."

"You said I wouldn't give it to you. I can't unless you ask for it, so ask for it."

"I just want you to give me the same treatment you gave Layla and pretend that I don't exist."

"Would you stop fucking pouting? I didn't do anything but give you what you wanted."

I snap my contour kit closed and throw it on the counter. "No, you didn't!" I shout. "You did not give me what I wanted—you manipulated me! None of my choices were my own! That's theonly thing I have. That's the only thing I want."

"But can you honestly say you wish I hadn't done it? You wouldn't fucking be here."

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