Page 397 of Knox Academy Omnibus
I nod. Maybe we can build on this and have a relationship. We got on well enough in Australia, and a birth certificate doesn’t have to change that or come between us. I always wanted a sister when I was growing up. But I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to forgive Debbie. How can a parent keep siblings away from each other? No matter what her reasons were for abandoning her and then getting pregnant again. Just thinking about it infuriates me.
“If we’re done here, we really should go and join my family.”
“Shit. Yeah, okay. I just…I have one more thing to say. A confession.”
I pause and raise a brow. “Go on.”
“Um, okay, so when we were outside and you saw that cab, you weren’t meant to see that. You were right. ItwasCamilla and Debbie. They’re both here.”
My jaw drops even as my gut celebrates with anI told you sobackflip. “Please don’t hate me, they both swore me to secrecy.”
“Why are they here?”
“They just want a chance to get to know you. It was pretty clear that with your new role you wouldn’t be coming back to Australia any time soon, so they thought they’d come to you.”
“In secret?!”
“I didn’t say their idea wasn’t flawed. Just…give them a chance. Please?”
It’s not like I owe Bex anything, not really. Sure, she’s taking a seat on the board, but she’s going to gain from being within The Order too. So why do I find myself caving and wanting to make her happy?
“I’ll meet with them. Separately. Camilla first.” I sigh. “Now can we go and play some Monopoly?”
“Sure. But I have to be the hat.”
“No way. I’malwaysthe hat.”
“Okay, I call the dog.”
“Good luck fighting Aadi for that one.”
Bex laughs. “He can eat my ass, actually no he would enjoy that, shit you don’t want to hear that. It will be all G. If I say I want to be anythingbutthe dog, he’ll insist on me taking that piece and make a crack about me being a bitch.”
I smile. “Maybe we can make an alliance. Smalls will be on our side too. Let’s gang up on Aadi and bleed him dry.”
“I knew I liked you for a reason, Amelie.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Amelie
I ended up staying the night at the hotel and sharing a room with Bex. It wasn’t anywhere near as awkward as I expected it to be, and I chickened out and called Sawyer to tell him to let the others know. I’ll no doubt face Onyx’s wrath later. I told them all I was having too much fun to leave – which is true – but I have an ulterior motive too. Bex texted Camilla and arranged for me to meet with her this morning.
Which is where I’m heading now, actually grateful for Elsie’s chronic insistence on overpacking for every event. I have clean clothes, a full face of makeup and my hair neatly styled. I feel like I’m going into battle; my grandmother is a formidable woman, and until I know her agenda at least, I’ll be meeting her as Amelie, head of the most powerful organisation in the world, and not Amelie, an eighteen-year-old girl desperate for a decent family at long last.
I take the lift down to the lobby where I’m escorted by Frost to the small private dining room my grandmother has booked out for the meeting. She’s seated in the large bay windowoverlooking the gardens outside, an extravagant afternoon tea for two set up on the table.
She looks my way and a beaming smile splits across her face. She gets to her feet and holds her arms open wide.
“Mia nipote.”
I step in and give her a brief hug before stepping back and taking my seat, giving her a pointed look.
“You ran away very fast, and I never got a chance to explain,” she says, also taking her seat.
“I don’t know what you expected, dropping a huge bomb like that. You’re an intelligent woman and know what I’ve been going through. That situation could have been handled better.”
“You’re right, but I would like a chance to talk to you and explain.”
