Page 55 of The Golden Hour

“Not much,” I answer, forcing myself to focus. “Ants in the stables. Since we don’t have stables, and I called my Uncle Anthony ‘Ant’…” I trail off.

He nods decisively. “She’s gotta be a cop.”

We’ve been over this three times since leaving Calabasas.

“I don’t know what her motive is, but she’s not a cop. She’s been with the family for five years, for Christ’s sake.” I frown. “I’ve barely seen her since she gave it to me. She must be avoiding me.”

“No shit. But hear me out—if she’s not a cop, why the hell does she know so much? Like that what we want is in the stables at your uncle’s ranch. That’s pretty damn specific. More importantly, how do we even know we can trust her?”

“I don’t know,” I sigh out. “I thought she might be the daughter of a disgruntled employee or related to a victim of my family, so I Googled her name linked to Avellino. Nothing came up. I also asked Lizzie and Ellie what they knew about Selina’s history, but they looked at me like I was nuts. I can’t ask Uncle Franco without making him suspicious, and I definitely don’t want him monitoring Selina if she’s trying to help me.”

“Help us. Say it with me, princess. U-S spells us.”

I glare. “Really?”

He laughs softly. “Anyway, an undercover cop would be using a fake identity.”

“Ugh, will you get off that?”

Finn pauses. “How are your sisters doing?”

“Do you care?”

His gaze cuts to me. “Yes, actually. I’m not heartless.”

I bite my tongue on a retort. “They’re fine. Lizzie spends most of her time on her laptop. She says she’s trying to find what to do with her life, but I think she’s chatting with a secret boyfriend she’s afraid to tell me about.”

I hate that my relationship with Lizzie is being affected, that she might not trust me anymore since I’ve been spending more time with Vivian, playing the part of dutiful subject. And the worst fact is, the fracture between us might never be repaired. Only blown impossibly wide by what I’m trying to accomplish.

“What about the other one?” Finn asks with a little smile.

I roll my eyes. “Your number one fan is busy with school, so I don’t see her at the house much. Maybe she knows these four years are her last taste of freedom.” I stare morosely at my lap. “Some days it’s like I never left, but other times I get the sense my sisters wish I’d stayed dead.”

“Jesus, why would you say that?”

I think of the isolated moments with Lizzie, her eerie maturity and honesty. Ellie’s avoidance and denial.

“Maybe they’re not as oblivious as I thought.”

“You’re talking about Lizzie asking you why you came back?”

I nod. “She’s made other remarks. Nothing as serious as that. Mainly in reference to Vivian wanting to marry her off.” A sudden thought makes my stomach lurch. “Shit, maybe that’s what she’s been hinting at, and why she’s not in college. What if that’s the plan and Lizzie found out?”

“Explain.”

“Okay, this is going to sound archaic. You’ve been warned. But the family’s been this way for generations.”

“Just tell me, princess.”

“The eldest child is groomed to take over leadership of the family, while the younger children are prepared for supporting roles. As far as I know, we’re the first generation of all daughters. Normally… well, I already told you what happens to girls.”

“But you’re the eldest and you said you weren’t—”

“I know what I said, okay?” I interject. “Taking over for my father was never the plan for me. Maybe it was once, when I was born, but since Vivian came into the picture, no. Can you imagine her allowing some other woman’s child to take her husband’s place? Besides, from early on it was clear I wasn’t cut out for it.”

“Is this more bullshit about you being too soft? You’re not soft or weak, Callisto. You’re the opposite. Like… titanium.”

I smirk. “Titanium, really?”

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