Page 65 of Starving Butterfly
“Get away from me!” She screamed. That hurt, but I remained there still looking at her with sorry in my heart.
“No.” I swallowed. Movement flickered in the corner of my eye as Scott stepped closer but remained silent.
“You let her die,” her eyes full of venom. “Go. You’re free. We are nothing.” She turned away.
“How could you say we were nothing when I gave you every part of me? I poured everything I had into you. Every. Single. Day. I didn’t lie to hurt you. I lied because I couldn’t face it.” My voice broke.
“You knew, and you didn’t tell me.” Tears ran down her face as she swiped them away furiously.
“I knew it was him. I didn’t want it to be true.” I admitted. Shame coursed through me. Regret and disappointment in myself. Scott shifted and the floor groaned with the weight.
“You decided for me.” She shook her head and walked towards Scott. His hand tightened around hers. His eyes flicked to me with sympathy as he continued observing silently. Jealousy ripped through me as I watched her hang on to him. He was always better than I was, and my mind was a mess. I loved Gabriella like a daughter. I didn’t want to believe that my father was behind it all. For some reason I clung to the idea that he would change. That he wasn’t always going to be the monster. There was something deep in my heart that told me he was never going to change, especially now.
“Did you ever love me?” My hands shook, the words that had been bouncing around my mind like a ping-pong ball settled in air.
“I did.” She said finally.
“Past tense.”
Something in my chest gave out.
I nodded once. That was fair.
“I know where he’ll be.”
Her eyes flicked back to mine.
“If you want him—be there.”
I didn’t wait for an answer. Dropping the page on the table and left.
56
BLACK TIE EVENTS
January 23rd
Sometimes you have to wear a suit; other times you are the suit. I didn’t like it. The way Cole dropped the invitation and left. He knew about Gabriella. He knew, and he did nothing.
Coward.
Summer’s grief came in waves, and right now she was staring at the dress like it was battle armor. I guess in a roundabout way it was the battle armor.
Scott fixed my tie as I ran some gel through my hair. He pulled my lips to his in a quick peck before helping Summer into the dress.
A light turquoise gown with lavender beading. There was something dangerous in the way she wore it, but it was stunning.
“Ready?” I asked, holding out my hand to help her step into her shoes.
It would be a good hour’s drive either way, and I had been listening to the police scanners for days to confirm the details. Simmons promised to run interference if things got out of hand. Scott confirmed that legally, since we’d been extended an invitation, we weren’t trespassing. I didn’t care either way, seeing as we were already in deep shit with all the alphabets, including C.O.R.E.
“You can’t kill a senator without making some noise, even the FBI wouldn’t dare carry out an ops like that without some serious repercussions. It’s suicide.” Ryan urged.
“Then it’s a good thing we will look our best.” Summer replied coldly.
“Please, give us time.”
“No. I waited for twenty-five years. I will not wait a single moment longer.” Summer’s eyes shot towards him. A pointed stare pinning his failures back on him.
