Page 15 of Deadly Little Hearts

The skirt sits mid-thigh, and the blazer fits snugly.Amirah pulls out some tights and six-inch black pumps.

I purse my lips at the heels.“Oh, come on, seriously?”

She chuckles.“You want to make a statement?”

I nod reluctantly, biting back any further argument.

“Then you’re wearing these.”

I roll my eyes but take them from her, along with the tights.“Remember when we’d dress each other up as kids?”I ask, laughing.“We were so innocent back then.”

“Those were the best days.No responsibility, no men breaking our hearts—”

“Like anyone’s ever broken your heart,” I tease Amirah, who’s eternally single.

“Still ...things were simpler then.Just you, me, and Jewel,” she says, mentioning the daughter of her nanny we used to hang out with.

“Whatever happened to her?”I frown as I hunt for a clutch in my closet.“She wasn’t around when I started sneaking to your parties.”

“I grew up.”Amirah takes the black clutch I’ve selected and swaps it for a white one.“You don’t need a nanny when you’re eighteen, and when her mom left, Jewel disappeared out of my life too.She was probably using me for the closet benefits.”

“No one could ever use you.”I wrap her in an impulsive hug.

After some trouble getting the tights on, I slide into the heels and stand.Amirah wolf whistles before brushing my hair and letting it fall down my back.

My phone lights up on my bed, and Amirah snatches it before I get a chance.

“Hey, give it back.”

“Worried I’ll find some sexy messages between you and the guys?”she teases before her mouth opens.“You didn’t tell me that mystery stalker person was still messaging you!”

“They haven’t been.”I frown, grabbing the phone out of her hand.

Unknown: Guess who’s back—again.See you soon, Freya LeClair.Board meetings are important.P.S.Don’t forget your lipstick.

The phone drops from my fingers, landing on the bed.I move to my window, peering outside, but there’s no one there.The trees sway with the wind, and Jessie’s light flickers from her trailer.

“Well, tonight just got a hell of a lot more interesting.No one outside of The Brotherhood knows about the meeting.It’s classified.That means whoever is sending these messages is someone we know,” Amirah says.

I frown, hating that she’s right.I have no idea who’s sending the text messages, but whoever it is, they are messing with the wrong people.One more mystery to solve.

Chapter 8

Hazen

Thetable’ssetandall eyes are on us.Our brothers take up each seat.We only invited the councilors to this meeting.Although major changes have to be run past the board for approval, we have the authority to overrule them.But it’ll be easier to rule with their support, especially when our first act of business is to push such a massive change.

Gage pulls out the chair next to me and sits down.One of the waiters comes over and pours him a glass of bourbon.We’ve booked out one of my favorite Italian restaurants to avoid anything getting outside of these walls.

“Have you heard from Lucas?”Gage asks, checking his phone, and I shake my head.“If he doesn’t pull his shit together soon, we’re going to come to blows.”

“He’ll be here,” I say, bringing the crystal glass to my lips.He knows how important this is for us.Even though he’s been a complete train wreck, he won’t fuck this up.We’re all he’s got.

Chatter fills the room, and I check my watch—ten past seven.Better get this show on the road, with or without Lucas.

“Can you call him?”I ask Gage, just as the door to the restaurant opens and Lucas stumbles in with a lopsided grin.The top three buttons of his white collared shirt are undone, and his hair looks like he’s run his fingers through it one—or ten—too many times.

“Sorry I’m late,” he says, before dropping into the seat on the other side of me.He clicks his fingers to the waitress and orders a drink.

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