Page 59 of Throne of Sin

“If she’s stupid enough to sign her own death warrant, let her Robin.”

I snap and lunge at Tanya. She pulls my hair while I try to punch her anywhere I can. We end up rolling around on the ground. I refuse to listen to them make up rumors about Dante. The other girls divide in numbers, pulling the two of us apart.

I wipe my mouth and a smear of blood is left on my thumb. “I’m leaving this shitty house. I want more for myself than settling for the easy route.” I tear myself from the two girls’ grip and march into my bedroom, slamming the door shut.

A second later, it opens and I’m about to ask Tanya to leave me alone when Robin walks in.

“I wish I could say they’re all jealous, but we’ve seen stuff like this happen before.” She takes a seat on Tanya’s bed as I look over the damage Tanya caused to my face through the mirror.

“I’ve been watching out for myself since I was in elementary school.”Except when Dante used to be my savior. “I don’t need help from anyone.”

“Everyone needs someone. Otherwise, it’s easy to get lost.” Robin grabs a tissue and dabs at a scrape across her cheek.

“Not me.”

“Then why the candy wrappers under your pillow?” she quietly asks, her eyes leveling me with a look. It’s the candy I binged the last time I felt helpless, unable to control my fate. “We hear you at night, Demi. It’s impossible to keep secrets in a house like this.”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle. I do it when I need the feeling of control. Anyway, it has nothing to do with needing anyone.”

Robin’s lips purse. “You’re a smart girl Demi, everyone needs someone. I just worry you might have chosen the wrong someone.”

I refuse to listen to anyone talking badly about Dante, and why the hell is she suddenly trying to be supportive and nice. She was the one who gave me the wrong address. I can’t trust a thing that comes from her mouth. She’s just like the rest of them.

“I need to pack my shit. I’m moving out and I won’t be at work on Tuesday,” I say, turning my gaze from the mirror.

Robin nods somberly, standing, and gives me a hug. “I hope to see you one day.”

I hug her back. “You will, I promise.”

Tanya enters, not caring I might want privacy, and lies on her bed, placing her earphones in her ears to drown out our voices. Robin’s forehead crinkles before she shakes her head and looks back at me.

My cheek stings from the nail scratch Tanya inflicted. I grab a makeup wipe and clean my face, putting a small amount of face lotion on the cut. I have nothing else to use. Standing in the doorway, Robin watches me through the mirror. I can tell she wants to say more, but knows I’ll refuse to listen.

“When you get back on your feet, let me know so I won’t have to worry too much,” Robin asks, leaving the room. I nod, looking at her reflection.

All my personal belongings fit into one black school backpack. I can’t say I’ve ever owned more than this. Besides, anything more slows me down. I walk out of the room with my bag slung over my one shoulder and try to ignore the questioning eyes on me.

I’m a little sad I could never fit in with these girls. It would’ve been nice to have that family aspect that Dante had told me about. Not that it matters…I have my daughter; we’re each other’s family.

I walk out of the house, not saying goodbye to anyone, and no one says a word to me. Dante’s not here yet, but I need to get out of this tiny space and away from those snobby bitches. I stand in front of the small single driveway and lift my face to the sun, the warmth feeling good on my skin. This is a new beginning.

Hopefully this one sticks.

I’ve had so many over the years, but they never helped me get ahead in life.

A sleek black car pulls into the drive and the man of the hour steps out looking handsome as ever in a fresh crisp suit. He graces me with a smile before it disappears, his long powerful strides come toward me with purpose.

“What the fuck happened?” he asks, moving my chin with his fingers for him to get a look at the scratch from all angles. His hold is hard with possessiveness and I wince under the pressure.

“It’s nothing, honestly.” I don’t know why I’m covering for Tanya. I suppose after years of no one giving a damn, I’ve learned that no one wants the truth. They want to say they did their due diligence and be on their way.

“Don’t lie to me, Demi,” he seethes, releasing my chin.

“I can handle myself, Dante.” I stand taller, not wanting this to turn into something it’s not. His jaw works itself over and back, a vein in his neck flickering as he continues to assess me. The intensity of his look has me caving with a reluctant sigh. “Tanya said a few things about you I disagreed with.”

His face snaps to look at the large window at the front of the house. The curtain in front moves like someone just dropped it.

“I took care of it.” My hand holds his forearm, but he shakes it off.

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