“Not my place to say, Little Zero, but don’t worry. If he was going to do something, he would have made sure it was public for the whole of the Academy to see. He’s a bastard like that.” I chuckle, and she pushes her fingers into my stomach.
“No he’s not, I deserve it. I’m not going to pretend otherwise.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Sure, you kept it from us, but you made the right choice. If you had been honest, then it would have gone differently. He would have killed him, and probably made you watch. Quiet now, just listen to the music, and prepare yourself. This is going to be an interesting trip.”
She curls her legs up on the seat, and leans into me more. I wrap my arm around her and enjoy the feel of her leaning against me. It’s nice, I’m not going to lie. I like that she seeks me out when she needs comfort. Even if I do find it hard to believe that she does love me. I mean, she hasn’t said it since she shouted it at us all.
It doesn’t take us long to pull up to Emmet’s place. Her eyebrows pull in as she stares at the house, and I wonder what she’s thinking.
“Where did you think we would be?”
“I guess I thought it would be a hotel. I didn’t think he would want me to be this close for an entire weekend.” She hollows out her cheeks as the front door opens, and Emmet stands there, waiting for us to go to him.
“Come on, let’s get this over with. The sooner you two talk, fight, or fuck, the better.” I open the door and laugh at the horrified look on her face. I know I said I didn’t want to share her before, but that was then. Losing her, knowing what it’s like to see her with them and to not be able to touch her, hold her, yeah that’s worse.
“You guys give me emotional whiplash. Why can’t you just make up your damn minds?” She pushes open her door, and slams it shut behind her. I only laugh harder.
“After you, Little Zero. Go figure shit out with one of your men.” She narrows her eyes at me, and I blow her a kiss. Her eyes widen before her cheeks flame, and she stomps over to the door.
The steam leaves her as Emmet turns around and walks off inside, she doesn’t follow him. Instead, she stands in the doorway and looks back at me.
“Are you coming?” She sounds almost desperate, and I know she isn’t going to like my answer.
“I can’t, beautiful. I have to go somewhere first. Go in, I’ll be back soon.” I slink back into the car and don’t dare look back. I don’t want to see what emotions I have put on that pretty little face of hers, it might have me changing my plans and not going anywhere. Which means I came here for nothing.
We pull up outside the hospital, and I chain smoke my way through four cigarettes, before I walk inside. I already know who I’m here to see, everyone else is just in my way.
Cole’s been back at the Academy for about a week now, so it may not be enough time. Either way, it doesn’t end with her, I just need a few answers, and if she can’t give them to me, then it doesn’t make any difference. Honestly, I’m only making this pit stop to toy with her, because she’s a grade a bitch who deserves everything she got, even though I know Luna would never agree with it. That’s because she’s a good person, and I’m not.
“Can I help you?” a woman asks with dark hair, heavy bags under her eyes, and very little light to be seen. I can tell by looking at her that she still has that ballerina figure, but she looks different from the photos in Luna’s file.
“Mrs. Carter, I presume. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Although, I can guarantee that you won’t return the sentiment.” I lean against the wall, and cross my ankles, as she stares at me. I can see the cogs working from here, and it won't take long for her to figure it out.
“You’re one of them,” she hisses, as the hatred flies off her in waves.
“I am, but I can assure you that I’m not here to cause you any problems. In fact, I have a few questions for you, and your daughter. I’m hoping by asking that you will see that I’m only here to help, and although you may be suspicious of my reasons, I think you may believe me when I say it’s for Luna. Because having her sister in this place is chipping away at her, and I can tell it’s doing the same to you.” I keep my voice low as I place a gentle hand on her shoulder, and a single tear breaks free.
“I need a coffee.” She shrugs out of my grip and walks away, and I stare after her a little slack jawed, before rushing to follow. I was expecting shouting, anger, maybe even a slap or two, but not this.
She goes to the cafeteria and orders a coffee, then glowers at me as I try to pay for it.
“I don’t need your charity. I’ve had more than enough from the likes of you,” she spits out, and there’s the reaction I was expecting. Phew, I was getting worried for a minute there.
“Would you like anything, Sir?” The woman behind the register asks, fluttering her lashes at me. Hell no. I don’t want anything that she’s offering. I don’t even bother to respond, instead I claim the seat beside Donna, and she stiffens, before folding her hands around the styrofoam cup.
“Despite the donations Sir gives as a tax write off, he’s not a charitable man. So, what charity have we been giving you?”
“Don’t play me for a fool, boy. You may drive fast cars, get high.” she gives me a pointed look. “Make up rules as you go along, but you’re a child in my eyes. I’m not an idiot, and I don't need any more help from your family.”
“See, I didn’t come here to discuss this, but now I really need to know what you’re talking about. Please, Mrs. Carter, can’t we be civil?” I link my fingers and place them on the table as she looks at me. She’s not afraid to meet my eyes. I have mad respect for this woman, and I’ve only just met her. Then again, she did raise Luna, so that probably has a little something to do with it.
“The obscene amount of money I receive a month while she’s away? It’s a lot more than what I got when Poppy was in there. If that isn't enough, then the fact you’re paying the hospital bills, and no longer charging me for what Poppy owes. I’m not too prideful to try and force the matter. I could barely afford to feed myself and Luna while paying for this place, and for her early dismissal of the Academy. However, I know nothing ever comes for free with your family, and I don’t trust it. I don’t trust you.” she blows out a ragged breath, and my mind is whirling a million miles a minute. That isn’t possible, she has to be mistaken. She isn’t though, I can tell. Everything she just said was the God’s honest truth.
“How much money did she still ‘owe’, if you don’t mind me asking?” I can’t resist doing air quotes when I say owe, because really, we make it impossible for every girl to last the full three years.
“It was explained to me that although she wasn't a high number, because of the weight of her ‘crimes’, she would have to pay back more than if she had just been dismissed for refusing an order. I couldn't afford much, and honestly, I don’t even know why he allowed me to set up a payment plan. but he did, and I couldn’t refuse. With everything I have paid, there was still eighty grand outstanding. I was paying back more than I could afford a month, but it never went down, and then the letter came through in the mail, saying the account had been settled. It wasn’t by me, and my boss most certainly did not do it.” She crosses her arms over her chest, almost daring me to call her a liar.