Page 6 of Sweet Madness

I hear it all.

And that’s when my entire world turns to shambles.

Someone is after my family.

“A ‘disturbed fuck,’” Uncle Benji hisses.

I think to myself, what could I have possibly done to attract this kind of attention? On social media, I post like any other girl my age would. I don’t post every aspect of my life like some of my friends from college or my cousins and siblings do. I’ve been posting on social media throughout my teen years, and nothing bad has ever happened. Yes, people often twist my posts to fit their own narrative, but isn’t that just part of being in the public eye?

I’ve always kept a low profile, unlike my siblings who enjoy the spotlight. I was the perfect daughter: obedient and driven to make my parents proud. I followed in my father’s footsteps, pursuing a law degree to honor his legacy as his firstborn.

That’s normal by elite standards.

I did nothing out of the ordinary.

Until a few months ago, when my following increased dramatically because I started doing more charity work. The public caught wind of it and turned my desire to help the less fortunate into a circus.

I’ve been all over the news lately, either for my good deeds or for scandals—mostly lies the media spreads to sell their trashy magazines or blog posts. Some are true, like Remi’s public betrayal.

And now this.

Someone tried to enter my apartment back in D.C., and left disturbing packages not only in my building but also at my parents’ residence, where my younger siblings live.

Why is this happening now?

I thought I could change the world by making it a better place. Now I’m being stalked by a faceless creep for it.

Social media. It’s one dark, dark place.

With anger written all over his face, Uncle Benji turns around and says something to the gondolier before ending the call with Mom and facing me.

“Code Black.”

Code Black. I’ve never heard that one before. Not once.

“Please use normal words.” My head starts to pound. A headache will surely follow.

Once the gondola stops, Uncle Benji stands and offers me his hand. “Let’s go back to the hotel, grab your things, and I’ll explain on the way.”

“On our way where?” I ask, but he doesn’t answer, probably not wanting anyone to overhear.

After we retrieve my things from the hotel and board the plane out of Italy, Uncle Benji explains what “Code Black” means. Being the good girl that I am, I agree to everything without a single complaint.

Because that is who I am—Ellaiza Kenton: the good girl and overachiever heiress.

My father’s daughter.

My mother’s pride.

Everything is for everyone else, never me.

But what I don’t expect is my heart’s wish coming true the same night I learn that a disturbed individual is targeting anyone with the Kenton name, especially my brother, Royal.

If only I had known then that nothing would ever be the same. That this frightening news would set off a whirlwind of events that would lead me toward forever.

Space Note

Venus is the second planet from the sun and the closest planet to Earth. It is named after the ancient Roman goddess of love, victory, fertility, and beauty.