Page 34 of Her Dark Obsession

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know he’d call them all,” Alessandro tells her in a much softer tone than I’ve ever heard my cousin use on anyone else.

“We don’t travel alone, because it’s safer in numbers,” I explain.

“Shut up,” Enzo grunts at me.

I stand and move seats, claiming the empty spot next to Orlando. I don’t know what their problem is. If Cassidy is joining the family, she might as well know how we operate. And judging by the way Alessandro is looking at her, she’s not going anywhere.

I pull out my phone and message Connor before takeoff.

Me:

Going out of town for the weekend.

Charming:

Where you going?

Me:

Idaho.

Charming:

What’s in fucking Idaho?

Me:

Not you.

Charming:

Aurora, why are you going to Idaho?

I pocket my phone without replying. Becausefuck him. I don’t owe him an explanation. He should be thankful I even let him know and didn’t just stand him up.

“Who’s Charming?” Orlando asks.

“None of your business.”

“You know it’d take Dante two seconds to hack your phone and find out,”he hums.

“And it’d take me two seconds to blow up your favorite guitar.” I smile at him.

“You wouldn’t,” he says.

“Wouldn’t I?”

“Yeah, you would.” He nods his head. “I didn’t see anything.”

“There was nothing to see,” I remind him, because there wasn’t.

I know the moment I walk into my house that my dadknowswhat happened. Of course my brother told him. Why wouldn’t he? Enzo is standing right next to me. He squeezes my hand. He hasn’t left my side since the incident back in Idaho. The one where I saved someone.

“She didn’t have a choice,” Enzo says.

“I know,” my dad replies before turning and walking down the hall. “Follow me.”

My hand tightens around my brother’s. I’m grateful that he’s here. I don’t know why I’m nervous. These are my parents. They love me regardless. Deep down, I know that. But the truth is I never want to disappoint them. And I feel like what I did in Idaho is going to be the disappointment of a lifetime.

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