Page 68 of Filthy Elites

Finn’s attention diverts to something behind us. “Cam is here, and… ah hell, he’s making his way to Halsey’s parents. I gotta run interference.” He sprints away before we can say anything.

Isabelle looks over her shoulder and asks, “Who’s Halsey?”

“We’d better not get into that story now. It’s long, and I don’t know all the details.”

From the corner of my eye, I notice Grandpa making his way toward us. Shit. He’s not the worst of the Novak family, but I don’t need him giving Isabelle the third degree.

“My grandfather is coming our way. I’d better go see what he wants. Why don’t you get something to drink? I’ll find you.”

Her eyebrows squinch together, and I expect anofrom her, but then she surprises me. “Okay, sure.”

I drop her hand fast and forgo kissing her on the cheek—even though I really do want to. If Grandpa witnesses any PDA, he won’t leave me alone. But I can’t help looking over my shoulder to check on her before I reach him.

She’s gone.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

Nicola/Isabelle

Jason doesn’t wantme to meet the rest of his family. I understand his reasons, and a small part of me is thankful. But there’s a side of my brain—the stupid one—that’s annoyed that he’s trying to hide me from them.

I refuse to show him or anyone else who might be watching that I’m bothered. I spin on my heel and stride toward the bar set up by the pool.

“Good evening, miss. What would you like?” the bartender asks me.

“One cubata, please,” I request without thinking.

This reminds me so much of Juan. Why did my brain default to that? When the bartender places the drink in front of me, I stare at it, frozen.

“What’s the matter, Nicola? Did Jason abandon you already?” Sloane stops next to me.

I didn’t notice her presence until she spoke. To hide my nervousness, I grab the drink and take a big sip. Mercifully, the taste doesn’t trigger a panic attack.

“He’s only playing with you. That’s what he does, and considering how he’s always hated you, I wonder how dumb you can be, to believe he flipped.”

Fucking hell. When it rains, it pours.I don’t want to deal with catty women right now. “You should have worn green instead of black to match your jealousy.” I walk around her, or at least I try.

She grabs my arm, digging her long fake nails in my skin. “I know there’s something fishy going on between you and Jason, and Iwillfind out what it is, Nicola.”

I pull free from her grasp, ready to tell her to fuck off, when Victoria Petrov walks over.

“Nicola Devlin, what a surprise, seeing you at my party.”

If she mentions I wasn’t invited in front of Sloane, I’m going to die of shame. It’s already hard to pretend Sloane’s threat to unveil the secret that ties me to Jason has not rattled me. With Juan actively looking for me, I can’t let the hateful bitch find out who I am.

“I’m surprised myself,” I say.

“Hello, Mrs. Novak,” Sloane pipes up.

The shy smile she’s sporting now makes me want to roll my eyes.Could she lay the sweet act any thicker?

Victoria whips her face in her direction as fast as a cobra. “It’sMs. Petrov.”

Sloane's shoulders slouch forward, and she seems to become smaller. I’d feel bad for her if I were nicer. But I have no sympathy for snakes.

Victoria immediately dismisses Sloane’s presence and returns her attention to me. “Since you’re here, how about I give you a tour of the house, Nicola?”

“Uh, sure. That’d be nice.”

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