“I’m not yours. Why can’t you understand that?”
“You will be.” He throws the phones on the bed. “Go put those where you found them. I’m leaving tonight.”
“For what?”
“I’ll see you soon.” He cups my cheeks, kissing my forehead.
My mind is scrambled. I can’t even begin to grasp an understanding of everything that is coming from his mouth. His words are on steady repeat, but there are only three words replaying in my head.
You will be.
20NINA
Istorm out of my room because I can’t stand being around him anymore. Somehow, in his dark, demented head, he thinks that I am his, and this isdeadwrong.
Come to think of it, I think I would rather have anyone else but him, including Kirill.
When I walk into the room, Madeleine and Savini are whispering to each other over the counter still. I was away from them for maybe an hour, and they haven’t moved.
I walk up to them, downing both of their drinks.
They both stare at me and then back at each other with widened eyes.
“What!” I shriek.
“Oh . . . um . . . nothing?” Savini says, trying to hold back a smile.
“What about this is funny to you?”
“He gets under your skin, baby.” Madeleine’s brow furrows at me.
“Does not.”
Our stare down lasts for what feels like a year, but we all burst into laughter. I didn’t realize how obvious I was making myself look.
Madeleine fills her glass and walks over to Max. His shoulders roll back as he sees her sauntering toward him. Her hands tug on his tie, and that’s when I look away.
“I hope that’s not what I think it is,” I tell Savini.
“It’s not. Don’t worry. We have a surprise for you. But we need a driver, and the three of us are not in the right state of mind to drive.” She pushes my arm, almost falling into me.
Madeleine and Max head our way. He takes the glasses out of our hands, his eyes narrowing on me.
Maybe he is trying to play the big brother, but he acts like everyone else hasn’t had as much to drink as I have.
“Ready, birthday girl?” he says, throwing his arm around my shoulder.
“Can’t really prepare for something I am clueless about, can I?”
I turn my head, looking behind me. Madeleine and Savini both stumble over their own feet, holding onto each other.
“It’ll be worth it,” Max says as he opens the car door. Loud giggles fill the back seat, followed by heckling.
“Cry me a river,” I tell them, shooting them a smile. They wish they had the front seat.
We drive for a half hour, heading into the city. I have no idea what they’ve planned, but I’m starting to think this may be a dangerous group. Three girls who don’t give two shits about the consequences of our own actions. Well, I do, but not during. I’ll deal with the punishment when it comes.
Then there is Max, the kind of brother who does as he pleases but always has the perfect mindset somehow. Growing up, I never understood how he was always able to get away with anything he did, especially with Papa. To this day, I still don’t understand.