Page 89 of Colton

“And, since you did me a favor, it’s only fair I did one for you, too.”

I lift a brow. “What is it that you could offer me, Artie?”

“I’ll figure out who’s behind Sinners and Saints before Avalon graduates,” she says, and I’m momentarily taken aback. “I’ll stop bothering her, too.”

“Why were you bothering her, anyway?”

Artemis shrugs. “She just… seems fun to play with. I mean, at one point, I actually wanted to be her friend, but I’m not a moron, I know that the way I’ve been treating her doesn’t exactly scream friendly behavior, so I’ll let it be.”

“Are you certain you can figure it out?”

“Yes,” she responds immediately. “I never bothered with it until now because even those people know not to mess carelessly with our families. But then, someone posted that picture of Avalon and you, and if they’re aiming for one of our families, they’re going up against us all.”

I lift an amused brow. “Should I take it as you accepting Avalon?”

“Oh, come on,” she snorts. “I bet, Dahlia, you’d marry her within two years.”

My brows narrow. “What? Why are you even spending time with my sister in the first place? Last time I checked, you two aren’t exactly friends.”

This is when Artemis takes several steps back, creating a significant distance between us. The wind blows her hair out of her face, and the sheepish grin on her face only makes me more suspicious of her.

I take a step forward, and she takes four back.

“Ah, I’ve been fucking your sister.”

“You what?!”

34

Grace opens her juice box, staring at the people entering the cafeteria. Today’s breakfast is simple, bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast, with a blueberry muffin for dessert. Sophia’s sitting next to me, and Lila’s next to Grace.

“I feel… weird,” Grace says, her eyes narrowing.

“Weird, how?” Sophia asks, taking a small bite.

“I don’t know,” Grace responds with a frown. “Like something’s going to happen very, very soon. It’s just a feeling, and I can’t place it. It’s getting on my nerves.”

Sophia and I exchange a worried glance before looking back at Grace’s suspicious expression. She sips on her juice box, and at times like these, I wonder where the hell she’s storing them. She always has at least three on her.

“It’s probably just excitement since winter break is starting next week,” Lila offers. “What’re your plans for the holidays, anyway?”

“I have those damned parties,” Sophia says with an eye roll. “All of you are coming, by the way. I’m not asking,” she points a fork, as if to prove a point, before stabbing a piece of bacon. “After that, I’ll come here to retake the exams Soren has oh-so-nicely fucked up for me.”

“Take it easy,” I laugh and take a bite of the eggs. “You’ll do great.”

“I wouldn’t have to do great twice if he hadn’t sabotaged me in the first place,” she hisses.

Her anger isn’t directed toward me, more toward this messed-up situation. Sophia was raised amongst millionaires and billionaires, and when it comes to that kind of wealth, New York City isn’t as big as it may seem.

I don’t want to burst her bubble and tell her that there’s a high possibility of Soren attending her mother’s party. Their families may be rivals, but Sophia’s parents will want to be seen as superior.

“Alright, we’ll be there,” Lila says with a smile. “What about you, Ava? Any plans?”

I shrug. “I’ll attend the party, then I’ll probably go home for the rest of the break.”

Grace smirks. “What? No little loving getaways with your Mr. Perfect?”

The teasing tone of her voice makes me want to rip her hair out. She says it loudly enough for the people around us to hear, and I’m just grateful she has at least some sense of control not to say his name out loud.