Page 27 of Crash into me

I throw my head in my hands once Envy’s out of sight.

Fuck, this is all so fucked.

I pull out my phone to call Rita and get my daily update on Sky.

12

Skyler POV

Iwake with a newfound sense of sadness.

I want to bottle it up and sink it to the depths of the ocean. I need some form of escape, some way to express what I’m feeling inside.

The only thing my brain can wrap around is dancing. I miss Grace and the girls. I miss having that sense of a chosen family. And Adeline said I was cleared for physical exercise … so maybe soon.

The intercom announces my name, bleeding through my bedroom. ‘Skyler.’ It’s Mrs. Rita’s voice. ‘Come downstairs, honey.’

I crawl out of bed, wrapping a robe around myself. Being here is draining the life from me, completely turning me into a shell. I tip-toe down the stairs, squinting as the morning light rushes in to burn my eyes.

Kent’s in the kitchen, sipping his morning coffee. Yay, they’re back.

Mrs. Rita is cleaning the already spotless counters; she doesn’t ever want to leave me alone with him. “What’s up?”

“You know the charity benefit is tomorrow.” He doesn’t look up from his laptop.

He acts like I’m stupid. There are literally people flitting all around the property preparing. “Will Warren be there?” I ask, attempting not to growl. I got lucky last week that he wasn’t here.

He nods but still doesn’t look up. “A lot of people will be here.”

I see myself finding comfort in my own shell, keeping my lips sealed to not deal with repercussions. “Okay, what time?” Be the perfect daughter.

“Seven. It’s important that you’re on time. We’ll be hosting the event, and I can’t have you acting anything less than perfect.” Now, he looks at me. His grey eyes narrow as if I’ve already done something wrong.

“Assuming this is a black-tie event, I’ll need a new dress. Can I borrow the card?”

He waves his hand. “No need.” He’s keeping me on a short leash. “My assistant picked one up for you. I got you this.”

He slides a square box across the table and looks back at his laptop. I carefully reach for it; please don’t be diamonds.

I open it up and hold my breath as I stare back at the shimmering crystal like they’re taunting me with their shimmer. Fuck.

In this family, Pearls are for a half ass apology, gold is for holidays and galas, but diamonds … diamonds are for a reason.

“What is it? Go ahead and tell me.”

He sighs, annoyed with my talking back. His eyes roam the kitchen, narrowing on Rita. “Go,” he barks, and she hesitates until I give her a soft nod of my head. Once she leaves, he turns his attention on me. “Tomorrow, we’re to be a united front.”

I don’t want your fucking necklace, I want to say, but I don’t.

“Your mom told me what you said at the salon,” he says with a sigh. “If Warren or our guests ask you if you’ll be returning to school, say you’re not.”

“So, lie?”

A deep laugh escapes him. The puppet master, always pulling the strings of everything and everyone around him. “No, you’re not going back.”

I laugh; I can’t help it. “Why?”

“You need to be readily available for him if he decides to marry you. He’s graduating next year and already scouting out places to live.”