Page 108 of Shattered Legacy (Gravestone Elite 1)

“Is what she said about Channing true?” I whisper.

“Mia,” Sasha warns.

“Oh come on, I know you like him.”

“And like I told you, it doesn’t matter. He’s Electi, and I’m… a female heir.”

“Don’t you ever wish you were born somewhere else?”

“Every. Single. Day.” She lets out a heavy sigh before popping a fry into her mouth.

“I know you can’t tell me much about this weekend—"

“Don’t, Mia. Don’t put me in this position.”

“I’m scared,” I admit. “For Bexley.”

“Shh. You can’t be saying his name in public.” Her eyes widen. “If anyone overheard and it gets back to Cade…”

“God, I hate this.”

“Join the club,” she grumbles. For a second, I think she might say something else, but she doesn’t, and the moment passes.

“Look, I know you’re—crap.” I look up and see the source of her panic. Cade and the Electi are heading right toward us. They speed up and sit down, Cade taking the empty chair beside me.

“Mia,” he drawls, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “I missed you.”

Ashton snickers. “You are so fucking whipped, man. If you ask me, you need to go fuck some unsuspecting girl and get her out of your system.”

“Do you always have to be such an asshole?” Channing grumbles.

“As opposed to such a pussy?” Ashton flips him off.

“There goes my appetite.” Sasha pushes her tray into the center of the table, and the vultures descend, eating the remaining fries.

“Looking forward to tonight, Mia?” Ashton asks around a wolfish grin.

“Ash,” Cade warns.

“What? It was just a question. The full moon party is always lit, but something tells me this weekend is going to be epic.”

I let out a small sigh, reminding myself that this is nothing more than a game to Cade and his friends. But two can play at that.

“Where’s Tim?” I ask.

Cade bristles, and I go on. “Is he with Fawn? The two of them are so cute together. Will she be at the party? I haven’t really had a chance to hang out with her yet.”

Silence falls over our corner of the seating area. Cade shifts his chair, dragging it until he’s pressed right against me. “I know what you’re doing, babe,” he whispers, “and it won’t work. You think Tim is soft? That he’s the weak link just because he’s wifed up? You have no fucking idea what Tim is capable of.”

A shudder rolls through me at the venom in his voice.

It doesn’t make any sense. Tim is the quietest of the group, the most withdrawn. I’d assumed it was because he was already engaged.

I glance around at the five of them, and Sasha catches my eye and discreetly shakes her head. Don’t push him.

Defeated, my shoulders sag. “I think I’m done here.” I shove my tray away and stand, but Cade grabs my wrist.

“We’re not done here,” he hisses.

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