Page 59 of Pretty Secrets

As predicted, once we get to the bottom of the stairs, Alaric stands like he hasn’t been watching the clock, and Leo marches out of his room. But the two things that I wasn’t ready for are the matching looks they give my girl. Leo even pulls up short at the sight of her. I tug her closer, as if that would mean anything to these two.

Leo, I’m not surprised about. He considers every woman a conquest. But Alaric? I don’t like the slight change in him. The way he worried over her feet; the way he stared at us on the bus. Now this? I take back what I said about trusting him more.

It’s not shocking that people would fall for Eden Astor. I did so many years ago, and she’s gotten nothing but brighter and more beautiful. But when they’re ruining something I haven’t even had the chance to have, that’s when I’ll fight.

I’ll be whoever she wants me to be because nothing has felt as sacred as her standing next to me.

25

Eden

Ollie holds my hand in the backseat of Alaric’s more sensible SUV. Leo was outnumbered. Oliver said he could have a driver take us in one of his Minis, but really, the least amount of people who know about this, the better.

I’m not nervous as we make our way toward downtown where Anne-Marie’s family’s offices are located. I highly doubt her father will recognize me. People in my world dismiss children as soon as they’re introduced.

If anyone should ask, Oliver and I will tell them we have a meeting with the CEO. We’ll “accidentally” walk in on them, snap a few discrete pictures, and leave. No one will be the wiser. Especially since Alaric and Leo are going to make sure we’re never caught on camera—which will probably be easy since, if Kennedy has half a brain cell, he won’t have the cameras on in his office while he’s sleeping with someone who’s not his wife.

It was kind of scary listening to Alaric and Leo know so much about how to do this sort of thing. I had the brief thought that I was glad they were on my team, but on the other hand, they’re not really onmyteam. They’re on my make-believe team. The thing I’m doing right now to make sure I get to do what I came here for.

Alaric pulls into a space in an outdoor parking lot. He turns in his seat, gaze falling to my hand entwined with Oliver’s before lifting again. Behind him, two men in suits and ties walk by on the sidewalk, and a woman passes them, walking her dog who practically struts, swishing its poofy tail around. “Leo and I will go in. Wait five minutes, then do your thing.”

“I should be going in with her,” Leo butts in, peering disdainfully at Oliver. He swipes his palms down his thighs and sighs. “Just make sure we get the picture we need. She’s never done anything like this before.”

“And you have?” I snap. I quickly back down. Obviously, he has. That’s why he has the reputation he does. “Okay, okay,” I give in. “Don’t worry. I’ll turn my phone to record, just like you said. I’ll just pretend I have it in my hand like every other person my age if they see us. We can screenshot the incriminating pictures from there. I got this.”

Leo’s brows lower over his hauntingly dangerous eyes. The way he stares at me pricks at my skin. “Just get them in the frame.”

“Yes, sir,” I say, thinking about saluting him, but ultimately choose not to for my safety.

The words are meant as a fuck you, but Leo’s answering smirk tells me he didn’t quite get that memo. Instead he drags his gaze down my body, bringing along goosebumps with it. My nipples peak as if I still have his cum marking me. He said he owned me yesterday, and for some fucked-up reason I haven’t been able to comprehend, it didn’t make me want to run away.

Alaric throws his door open. “Let’s do this.”

Oliver and I heave a sigh after they leave. Watching them walk together toward the large building makes my stomach clench. They couldn’t be more opposite in some ways. Leo with his tattoos and bad boy style. Alaric with his handsome façade. Only, he can’t be as perfect as he looks. He’s a Knight, and every Knight I’m aware of has a dark side. Leo just carries his where everyone can see.

Passers-by on the sidewalk give them a wide berth, and I have a sudden thought that it’s not just me. These two exude power and confidence. Living in this world, I should be used to that, but escaping to California and then returning has put a giant spotlight on some of the wilder aspects of this life.

When they disappear on the other side of the glass doors, I turn toward Oliver, doubt settling in. “I’m not backing out, but Anne-Marie better have done what we’re accusing her of.” Just thinking about that mannequin head gives me chills. It was a direct hit at me and whoever did it deserves to be punished. But…

“Are you kidding? It was Anne-Marie,” Oliver fumes. “I saw the evil glint in her eye. She thought the whole thing was so damn hilarious.” He shakes his head, turning ice blue eyes to me. “She wants to be the first full-fledged female Knight, so she’s sabotaging you. Trying to, anyway.” Ollie’s protective side is shining through, and I love him for it.

“Do you think we’re like them?” I ask, motioning toward the spot I last saw our teammates.

“Those two?” Oliver frowns, peering away. “I don’t know, Edie. Yes and no. But you—” he says, turning back. “—are far and above better than all three of us.” He squeezes my hand and lowers his voice. “Do you think they knew about the Dee head? TheyareKnights.”

Shit. I hadn’t thought of that. My gut tells me no, though. They’re the ones who brought up making Anne-Marie pay for the stunt. They seemed just as pissed as Oliver and me. “No,” I tell him honestly. “I don’t. I’m beginning to think they’re as in the dark as we are when it comes to Trials stuff.”

He checks his watch and sighs. “Let’s go get the bitch, then.”

Stepping out, I wait for Ollie near the front of the SUV where he loops my arm around his. To any outsider, it looks as if we also work downtown, maybe meeting up with our partner for lunch. Instead, we head into the brick building that hasKennedyemblazoned on the outside. Anne-Marie’s family has been running businesses out of this one building for as long as I can remember.

Pulling out my phone, I find the text Alaric sent with the directions to Kennedy’s office. It’s pretty simple, actually. It’s in the Penthouse, so we only need to find the elevator and take it all the way up.

“What if Anne-Marie is here?” Oliver asks.

“Please,” I scoff. “I’m willing to bet she stays as far away from his office as possible.”

I only go into my father’s office if I have to. She probably does the same. It was Delilah who never minded shadowing our father, preparing herself for her eventual career.

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