Page 23 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

“Is that a question or a statement?”

“Both.”

“I wouldn’t be with her if I didn’t.”

“But she’s currently outside with another man. You’re slipping, Frankie.”

“They’re friends. Actually, more like family.”

“But not blood.”

Her voice hardens. “Don’t let her make a fool of you, Frankie.”

Despite the situation, an overwhelming wave of love hits me for my sister. It reminds me how we value one another. We argue like cat and dog and pretend to hate one another but would kill for each other – for all of our family.

“I’m handling it.”

“Then I don’t need to worry.”

Her eyes flash and it strikes me how devastatingly beautiful Summer is. It also hasn’t escaped my attention that she has already attracted admiring glances from most of the guys here, as well as the girls. She is already a queen among her peers and she always has been.

What I don’t like is the way Luca Romano is looking at her. He’s interested. Is it in her or because she’s my sister? I wouldn’t put it past him to use her to get to me. I’m not a fool. I know we are rival families. The Romanos rule over Florida and we have connections through the entire country. He will want to either forge an alliance or discover our secrets for his advantage.

We are the next generation and it will come down to us in the end to preserve our heritage. Now I must decide if that will be as friends or enemies, which is why I have devised a test if you like that will hopefully keep him the hell away from my sister.

Summer pushes off from the wall and says over her shoulder, “I’ll leave you to survey your kingdom. Your company is shit.”

I suppress my smile because Summer has made it her mission in life to pull me down from my pedestal and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

11

CASSIE

We don’t hurry, but when we head back to the party, Jack makes a beeline for Siri and I do the same for Frankie. It’s only polite, as he will be aware that I left with Jack and won’t like it.

I find him chatting to Ali and Santi and when I approach he detaches himself from the group and heads my way.

Curious glances follow us as he pulls me to the side and forces me hard against the wall. His hands trapping me in a wall of muscle, blocking everyone out.

His hard expression powers through my soul and his lips hover against mine as he whispers, “I don’t like you leaving with another guy.”

“It was Jack. And I can leave with whoever the fuck I choose.”

His eyes flash with danger and it sets off a chain reaction my body is weak to withstand and as the party fades away to oblivion around us, there is only one thing I want. Him.

“Is it settled?”

He stares deep into my soul as if searching for lies to use against me, and I nod. “It’s settled.”

“And he’s good with that?”

Given that we’ve never discussed my relationship with Jack, I should be surprised by the direction this conversation is taking—but Frankie and I are so in sync, it wouldn’t surprise me if he could read my mind.

“He is.”

“And Siri?”

I understand he is concerned for his cousin’s welfare, and I grin. “Your protection order is about to be tested.”

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