“It’s weird how you hate everyone but have always refused to leave me alone.”
“Didn’t have a choice. When Mum and Dad shoved you in my face, I had two options, like you or kill you. I would’ve gone for the second one, but I figured that would be frowned upon by our parents, so I had no choice but to like you.”
“Must’ve been a struggle.”
“I know, right? The worst of all. You’re a lucky son of a bitch.”
“Thanks, Eli.”
He grabs me by the shoulder and runs his fingers under my chin. “There’s no thanks between brothers, punk. Now, let’s use the free time you have for something productive.”
“Such as?”
A wolfish grin stretches his lips. “Landon is stalling and is probably gatekeeping information to keep a leash on you. I have the perfect solution to force his hand.”
24
ANNIKA
“Annika is not allowed to leave the perimeter of the property until further notice.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jeremy nods at his guards and strides inside the house.
I hop off his bike—that he never allows anyone to ride and only let me out of necessity—and run after him. His steps are so wide that it takes me a while to reach him and grab his arm, forcing him to come to a halt—or I think I do—in the entrance hall.
He faces me with drawn brows, a dark expression, and tense muscles. This has been his state ever since we left the grocery store.
I love my brother, I truly do, but I don’t recognize him sometimes. Or more like, I don’t recognize the darkness that flows inside him, barely tucked beneath the surface.
“Do you have an objection, Anoushka?”
“Of course I do. You can’t just lock me up every time you decide to, Jer.” My voice softens. “I’m not a dog.”
“I wouldn’t have had to do this if you weren’t roaming around the Elites bastards.”
“Creighton is not a member of the club.”
“His cousin is.”
“That doesn’t mean anything. You’re rivals with the Elites, not with everyone at REU. Creighton has never taken part in their activities.”
“Are you sure about that? Because no matter how much I go over it in my head, his sudden appearance during the fire is suspicious.”
“I told you. It wasn’t sudden—”
“Spare me the bullshit. You think I haven’t figured out you were covering up for him?”
My spine jerks upright. “You knew?”
“Sure did.”
“Then… Why did you let it slide?”
“Because he saved you and me. Not to mention that Gareth found evidence that the Serpents were behind that fire.” He steps closer. “But that doesn’t mean he wasn’t aware of it. Perhaps he plotted it with that deranged cousin of his, then appeared at the right moment to be seen as a savior.”
“That’s not true.”