Page 11 of Ruthless Dream

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe because you’re the sister who likes to slip away to parties and strip clubs, and my God, if you try to fly off in some millionaire’s private jet again. . .”

“Didn’t you just tell me to go have some fun?”

“What can I say? I’ve always known you were a perfectionist deep down, but this robotic I’m going to rule the world with one NYU degree at a time thing is really freaking me out. Breathe a little, Ads.”

I go past the security gates when I get to my building. Someone is picking up a package, and the idea of ordering something online floats through my mind. I deserve a little treat in the mail.

I pause in the lobby, telling myself I’m not getting in the elevators because I don’t want Nat’s call to drop.

“I am breathing,” I assure her. “I just needed to tell someone about that bitch of an HR lady.”

Not that she believed me at first.

Nat lets out a sigh. She’s probably sunk onto her velvet couch in the living room of her Brooklyn brownstone. She’ll uncork a bottle of wine and eat grilled chicken for dinner, like the adult that she is. “How are classes?”

“Good.”

“Do you have any plans this weekend?”

“There’s the party Mom and Dad are throwing,” I remind her.

“Party? Wait, no, that’s a work thing.”

“It’s important.” Mom’s been working on this event for months. “And you know the Akatovs are better united.”

“Ads, it’s a fucking meet and greet between high-level power players.” Her words are kept ambiguous, but we both understand.

The party is supposed to be a simple, classy affair. Where some of the biggest players in the various criminal syndicates in this city will drink wine and smoke cigars. They will come up with better deals since the atmosphere will be decidedly friendlier than if these conversations were happening anywhere else.

“Lennie will be there.”

“Lennie has no life!”

It’s oddly rude of Nat. We typically don’t comment directly on Lennie’s lack of a social life.

“I want to go back.” I step closer to the wall as a few people use the elevators. “I know this is important to both Mom and Dad, and I have my dress picked out.”

My boobs have never looked so good as when I tried on the black velvet dress. I’ve got the perfect pair of silver strappy heels to go along with it.

“Mom and Dad are not going to care if you skip out. They’re the ones who dropped you off, for God’s sake. Go out and make some friends, Adeline!”

I’d be more inclined if I didn’t feel like her suggestion is more of an accusation.

“I do have friends.”

“None that go to NYU with you.”

It shouldn’t be a problem going to see my parents over the weekend. I’m lucky it’s not a long journey, and one of the guards will drive me back.

I press the elevator button. “I’ve got to go study now.”

“Ads—”

I hang up before she can say anything else. Trish is on her bed, reading manga. Rina comes out from the shared bathroom in just a towel, long red curls sticking to her skin.

I plaster on a smile. “Would you guys be interested in a movie night?”

We could crowd around a laptop and eat snacks.