Page 57 of Created in Chaos

“I think you should come and see what she has to say, then if you want to leave, leave,” Nox suggests. The role reversal in this situation is disturbing. I would expect Lucian to be the one urging me to be here, but the fact that it’s Nox has thrown me for a loop.

“I don’t think I could watch if you…” I can’t bring myself to finish the sentence.

“Good.” Lucian lets out a heavy exhale, as if he dodged a bullet.

I pull on the door handle, finally exiting, and tell them, “But I want you to know, I don’t need this, not from either of you. It’s not your job to make her pay, and I’d rather not have her death on your conscience because of me.”

Lucian steps back, allowing me room to close the door, but it’s short-lived because he hauls me toward his chest with a hand on the back of my head. “My sweet lamb, I don’t have a conscience, not when it comes to her or anyone else who tries to hurt you.”

“You may grow one someday, Pinocchio, and I don’t want either of you to hate me for it.”

I feel him snort against my ear. “That is the last thing you have to worry about.”

I reach out, seeking Nox and his touch for the same confirmation. Without hesitation, he grasps my fingers and places them over his heart. “It will never weigh on me, Nova. She deserves everything she has coming.”

After a short reprieve, I pull back from both men and meet their eyes. “Let’s go see if all the drama was for nothing. Maybe we’re wrong, and she wasn’t involved at all.”

NOX

Lucian leads the way into the beach house. It’s the first time I’ve walked through the door since we found out our parents died. The smell hits me first. It’s briny, like the ocean, with an undercurrent of cleaning supplies, like the floor was freshly mopped or something.

I glance around, expecting to see some evidence that this place was abandoned, but the walls aren’t crumbling. There aren’t even any cobwebs in the corners. It doesn’t make me hate it any less though. There should be some kind of proof that this house is forever tainted, but it’s still just the same party house—a place we could hang out with our friends, since our parents never wanted anyone at the house, which we didn’t mind. Hell, I plan to keep it that way forever. Our house is our sanctuary.

“Did you tell them I was here? They invited me, you know.” Grace’s voice cuts through the thoughts clouding my mind.

“They know you’re here,” a disinterested voice replies.

“I have other things I could be doing, you know.”

Lucian faces Nova and puts his finger to his lips, instructing her to be quiet, then mouths, “Stay here.”

Nova crosses her arms over her chest defiantly, prompting Lucian to place his lips near her ear and mutter, “If she sees you, she’ll know this is a trap. Maybe we can be quick about this.”

Nova’s arms fall to her sides, and she lets out a long sigh. It’s a sure sign she’s not happy about being sidelined, but she’s also not going to argue.

Lucian kisses the top of her head before strolling toward the voices. I linger in the hall for a moment or two longer, but trail dutifully after my brother.

“There you are!” Grace purrs in a tone completely different from the one she just used moments ago while speaking to the guard.

“Eager to see us?” Lucian stalks a little closer to the girl who doesn’t seem to recognize the danger she’s in, despite my brother’s chilly tone.

“It was pretty lonely. You could have told me this was a private party.” There’s way too much excitement in her tone. Was she always like this and I didn’t notice? Lucian calls them all sheep, and I’m starting to understand why.

My brother nods to the security guard who brought Grace to the house, dismissing him before turning his attention back to her. “I wanted to repay you for everything you’ve done.” He doesn’t have to fake the authenticity in his tone. There’s no question he thinks she’s getting what she deserves.

“You know I’m always happy to help.”

“Good to know, because there is something we need.” Lucian settles on the back of the sofa, ready to move at a moment’s notice, but it’s not like Grace poses any kind of threat.

“Anything for a Morningstar,” she replies breathily. My stomach actually turns at the thought of her, or someone like her, becoming part of our lives. I don’t know if I would have seen through her bullshit before, and that’s a sobering fucking thought, because now I’m certain Grace would stab us in the back the second a better opportunity came her way.

“We’re glad to hear you feel that way. That should make things much easier.”

Grace’s gaze swings between us, waiting for instruction.

“You can start by telling us why you cornered Nova in the library.”

“W-What?” she stammers, completely caught off guard by the question.

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