Page 31 of Broken Truths

But it’s Oliver’s response that gets me. “No.”

11

Oliver

Eden’s gold-spun hair flips through the wind like a tornado. She holds her hand outside the car like she can catch the air in her palm. Whatever clicked inside her this morning—or last night—has hardened her exterior. She was practically smashing her fist into her palm as she told us exactly what we were going to do to find out what happened to Delilah.

And she looked sexy as fuck doing it.

I thought losing her sister was going to break her at one point. Then I thought she was just using the whole Nancy Drew thing to preoccupy herself, but she’s into full-on vigilante justice at this point. Not that anyone could blame her.

If those sick bastards did something like that to Dee, I think it would change Eden for good. She’s never been one to like this world and its stupid ideals about women, but to think her sister may have been hurt because of something as innocent as virginity? It’s devastating.

Which is why we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves too much.

Before we left, I had James pack rope into the Mini Cooper, but Eden was adamant that we take Leo’s car. I think she likes the way the engine thrums beneath her, and I admit, I’m not a huge car man, but there is something about riding around in this thing that makes me feel badass.

If Grandmother could see me now…

Alaric sits in the back seat with me. He’s quiet. Every once in a while, he sneaks glances over at Eden and smiles a little. I like him. I think he’s got something else going on that’s bothering him, though. Maybe his sister… Maybe something else.

Leo’s car shifts down as we pull into the Astors’ driveway. Eden hasn’t been able to get ahold of her parents, but that’s not always a shock. She was the bad apple when she decided to go off to college in California. I would’ve thought they’d treat her better after Delilah died, but things just went back to normal. Maybe worse. Her parents—her father in particular—were so devastated by Delilah’s death that Eden was forgotten about altogether.

I’m not saying we would have used the rope, but I am saying I wish we had it as a contingency plan.

Eden hops out first. She runs her hands through her hair, getting it back into a semi-normal place so she looks less like she stuck her finger in an electrical socket and more like the polished girl her parents expect.

“Should we wait?” I ask, peering around at the other three. I’m getting used to the fact that it’s the four of us now, but I don’t know if all of us need to barge in there like a gang of ruffians. “Or just you and me?”

Eden shakes her head and props her hands on her hips. “My parents need to find out sooner rather than later that all of you are in my life, and I want you all there because you might think of questions I won’t.”

“Last time your dad was in a bad way…” I remind her.

“Yeah, well, he had that luxury, didn’t he? Delilah doesn’t.”

The fierce look in her eyes brightens. I don’t blame her for being pissed. Her dad let Dee pledge a society of sick bastards. He could’ve just told her no. She would’ve been pissed but she would still be alive. He could’ve explained to her the awful shit that goes on in this group. It’s not like he wasn’t aware. He could’ve put his pride aside and done what was best for his family.

“I’m up for it,” Leo says, eyes scanning the house hungrily.

My back straightens. I know I’m going to have to get over his presence, but I just haven’t been able to yet. Listening to him is like running a cheese grater over my ear drums. When he showed up covered in blood, I thought he’d finally understood.

But the fucker broke my teapot.

And now he thinks he’s going to marry the girl I’ve been in love with for years and years.

“I am, too,” I say.

Eden starts moving up the front steps without hearing confirmation from Alaric, but he walks with us. She lifts her fist to the door and knocks three times before swinging it open.

“Mom! Dad!”

The house is quiet. Sunlight streams in through the windows, but all the lights are off. No one is bustling around. We move into the great room which has a nice view of the backyard Mrs. Astor is usually hanging out in, but the room is currently empty.

“Did they go somewhere?” Alaric asks.

Eden shrugs. “I would think they would tell me, but I’m honestly not sure.” She sighs. “Fucking wonderful.”

She keeps moving through the house. The next step is her father’s office. She knocks on the door and then attempts to open it, but it’s locked. “Dad!”

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