Page 16 of The Final Deal

“I’m so sorry,” she whispers as I back away.

“You didn’t want me, so now I’m gone. Bye.”

I skirt around her, but someone else grabs me and pulls me into their warm embrace. “You’re still our little girl, sweet pea,” Dad insists, “regardless if you were unplanned.”

Dad realizes that I’m not going to return the hug, so his arms drop from around me. I cross mine to make it clear I’m not open to any affection from them, period.

Mom weeps openly, swiping fresh tears away. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I did everything I could to protect you.”

I scoff. “What good is your protection when you’re the reason why I need it?” I shuffle around, glancing between Robbie, the driveway, and my sorrowful parents.

Maybe something should’ve tipped us off that New Year’s Ball had some diabolical help. Where Ozzfest fell and became adistant piece of nostalgia for metalheads, New Year’s Ball picked up the missing piece, honed in on its purpose, and has become a mecca for all rock and metal fans with no signs of slowing down.

With the brilliant idea Ty pitched to the devil and forced me into, we won’t be slowing down for a very,verylong time.

“You’re signing over NYB to us,” I state.

Robbie’s jaw drops, and Dad’s eyes widen.

“No,” Mom gasps. “No, we’re not ready to retire?—”

“Did I ask if you were ready to retire?” I smart. “You gave me to the devil for NYB—it’smine, so I’m taking over. End of story.”

“Steph—”

“No,” Robbie cuts them both off. “Y’all have to make things right. And if this is what she wants, then you’re gonna give it to her. Neither of you haveanyidea of the bullshit this has caused all of us; this is the least you can do.”

Mom clutches a wad of tissues, quietly wailing into them to muffle her cries. Something moves behind her in the brush, coaxing my focus to turn to the background.

I hate how familiar his shadow is to me now: the shape of the black cowboy hat topping his head, how his leather duster coat hangs from limbs that I’d like to think are imaginary but are very much real and boney from the way he throttled me. But like a new clingy friend, he appears when I want him the least, demands my attention, and makes sure that I see him and acknowledge his presence.

Mom follows my line of sight. She jolts, freezing in place.

The devil grins. His razor-sharp teeth glint; a fierce shiver races down my spine.

Mom rushes toward me, pointing at my car. “Go. Don’t ever come back here.”

My expression begins to crumple, but I wrinkle my nose and force it to twist into rage. “No problem,” I respond as I drop into the driver’s seat.

I’m not too sure if it’s gasoline or fury barreling my car down the driveway.

Chapter 7

No Way Out

–Within Destruction

The door is locked.I finagle the box in my hands, twisting my body in a poor attempt to keep the strap of the bag over my shoulder up as I stick a finger out to push the doorbell.

A few seconds later, the door swings open and reveals the twins—shirtless, sexy as fuck, and confused when their dark eyes note the box in my hands and bag on my shoulder.

Adrian leans against the doorframe with one elbow posted level with his head. “What’re you doin’ here?”

Zak leans the opposite way and arches a brow at me with the same question loaded in his eyes.

I take a deep breath, trying to muster a smile. But the exhale comes out all at once in a soft cry, and the weight of my mother’s confession crushes me until I lean against a wall for support.

Adrian takes the box out of my hands. He sets it aside, takes the bag, and hands it to his brother. “You okay?”

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