Page 144 of Kissing the Villain

Our eyes met, and she forced a smile. “It’s okay. I know it’s a one-time thing.”

“I’m sorry,” I muttered. “I can’t even imagine how you must feel.”

“The Knights need a new queen. That’s why Arlo is forcing Luca to get married.” She grabbed a cold fry from her plate and chewed, speaking between bites. She focused on the window where Marcello sat in his car, watching us. “They will do anything for you. Kill for you. Die for you. Anything. Once you swear the oath, you will become one of them.”

I followed her gaze, staring at Marcello. “I need to know if my brother is alive.”

“If they know something about Aiden, they will tell you when you become one of them.”

“Then, I guess I have no choice. I have to become their queen.”

Whatever it takes, Aiden.

I will find you.

Dead or alive.

52

ALEX

After lunch,we drove toward the marina. Kali flew down the steep incline and into The Hills. I pressed my palm to the window as we drove past the house I’d shared with Aiden before disappearing, wishing he were still with me. Kali floored the gas pedal as we whipped around the bend, snapping me back to reality. She was driving fast and biting her bottom lip as if on edge.

“You okay, Kali from Cali?”

She forced laughter. “I did something last night with Bastian and Damian… I promised myself I would never do it again.”

“You were with both of them?” I guessed.

She nodded. “I could tell they needed me. It felt so good to let go. But still…”

“You could choose between them.”

“It’s not that simple. They both refuse to let me go.”

“Luca’s obsession with me spans years, so I get it.”

“Obsession and possession,” she groaned. “That’s how the Salvatore brothers roll. Once they set their sights on you, it’s deadly.”

I snorted with laughter. “I didn’t peg either of them as the boyfriend type.”

“They are the competitive type. Tit for tat.” Kali whipped around the bend, changing the subject. “Are you ready for your big debut with the Belles?”

“Please don’t remind me,” I groaned. “I’d rather gouge my eyes out with a spoon than spend the afternoon with Blair.”

She chuckled. “Girl, I feel you. I hate attending these stupid meetings. The things I do for my family…”

I glanced in the mirror at Marcello, who kept several car lengths from us. Kali drove like a lunatic, cutting off an old lady. Marcello caught the red light, and I knew I would get a tongue-lashing for that.

A few minutes later, we arrived at the marina. As we walked into the yacht club, my eyes darted to Blair Wellington in all her grandmonster glory. She wore a white Chanel jacket, black tailored pants, and three-inch Valentino heels. I tried to wrap my head around why she wore a long-sleeved coat in the middle of summer, but that was Blair, an eccentric, rich snob.

Kali grabbed my wrist. “It’s okay, girl. I got you.”

“I’m not afraid of her.”

A flock of women dressed in neutrals and pastels flocked around Blair, all polished to perfection. Their hair looked as if they had just left the salon.

“I thought this was a laid-back meeting.”

---