“Come on, you need your face painted,” she says as she grabs my hand.
“I wouldn’t know what to get,” I say with a soft laugh as I feel multiple sets of eyes on me.
“Snow like Elsa. You can be her,” she replies as she passes me another tiara, and tears threaten to spill down my face but I blink them away.
“Oh no, Elsa is far too awesome. I don’t think people would believe I’m her. But I’ll get the snowflakes,” I reply.
“It’s okay, you can pretend. Just do your hands like this.” She waves her hands like Elsa does when she makes her ice palace. “Come on, Elsa, I wanna build a snowman.” She pulls me after her and I can’t stop laughing.
Snowflakes are painted onto my cheeks and we play princesses until the party ends.
It’s been over a week since we left the Academy, and Belle has gone back to her mom. I thought Tucker was coming straight back to his place, but apparently, he has somewhere he needs to go. He hasn’t said where, but I heard him say Emmet when he answered the phone, so I think it’s fair to guess he’s gone to see him.
I hope they don’t get into another fight; it seems to happen a lot when they get together. So much bad blood, and I have no idea why. But I think that’s one question I don’t need the answer for. I doubt I’d get one anyway.
I look through the cupboards to see if he has anything for me to do some baking, but it’s pretty disappointing. I could probably whip up some flapjacks, but I’m in the mood for something sweet. If only I could go shopping, but I don’t have a bodyguard, which I still find weird, and he trusts that I won’t go anywhere while he’s out. I can’t push it, making some fudge or a cake just isn’t worth it.
I’m in the fridge when I hear the elevator doors go, but I know it’s Tucker, so there’s no point in looking up.
“Who the hell are you?”
I whack my head on the top of the cupboard, before getting to my feet. For fuck’s sake, that hurt.
“I’m Luna, Tucker’s friend,” I reply, as I look at the woman who has decided to just show up.
How did she even get up this far? Unless she knows the code for the elevator.
“Well, that seems unlikely. Tucker doesn't let just anyone into his home. Especially unattended. So, try again, and this time, don’t lie to me.” Her voice is cold and hard.
I guess she’s trying to intimidate me, but it isn’t going to work. Her green eyes shine brightly, but I can guarantee it isn’t with happiness. Fire may as well be pouring out of them, along with her jet black hair with blue tips and slender frame. She is stunning, but something feels off. Like I should be cautious with her.
“I am his friend, he invited me to come along and I said yes. Anyway, who are you?” Really should have asked her that sooner. Ain’t that the truth.
“I’m Rachel, and this will be my place soon enough. When that happens...” She walks the length of the island while brushing her fingers across the marble top. “You won’t be welcome, unless you’re the cleaner or cook.” She smirks, before her lips form into a pout.
“Unless you’re planning on buying this place, I can’t see it happening.” The ice in my tone matches hers. I know who she is, but that doesn’t mean she has to know that.
“Don’t be a naive little girl, you’re no match for me. You may be his flavor for the month, but I’m his end game. We have a child together. Believe me, for Tucker, that means something. So, have fun but get ready to say your goodbyes.”
She walks over to the elevator before flicking her hair over her shoulder and narrowing her eyes on me.
“You’re nothing, little girl, and I know exactly who you are. You’re an Academy girl, a consolation prize if you will. You are nothing but a whore. I know what it takes to survive that place, and, honey, you don’t have it.” She laughs loud as the doors slide open and then she saunters inside. Her laughter travels to me until she moves too far away for me to hear.
I move away from the kitchen, my baking urge fully diminished. Rachel isn’t a nice person, maybe I’m being judgemental again, but I can’t help it. All I can do is hope that Tucker wins and by doing so, he’ll no longer have to answer to her. She may always be in his life but hopefully, she’ll no longer be able to control him.
I wish my train of thought could end there, it would be easier. Why was Rachel here? Did she come to pick something of Belle’s up? I seriously doubt it, seeing as she left empty handed. Does that mean she came here for Tucker? To speak to him or… fuck‚ I don’t even want to think about what her other reason could have been.
A Cabin for Two
Tucker
I’m surprised by how well Emmet took the news about Luna and Cole. I honestly thought he would have lost his shit, but he was calmer than I was. Cole has bigger balls than I’ve given him credit for, not only did he turn his back on us, but he went after one of our girls. It’s a fucking death wish, and Sir will destroy him if he ever finds out.
That being said, it doesn’t bear thinking about right now. We have a retreat to attend and I’m not going to let Luna sit around and waste this experience, not this time. May as well make it fun, until we head back to the Academy. For my sake of course, I won’t do it for her. Such a liar, I’m so fucking boring that I rarely plan anything.
“Are we going to the beach house again?” she asks as she appears in the doorway, with her suitcase in hand.
“No, we never go to the same place twice in a row. This year, we’re going to be staying in log cabins and doing something more adventurous. White water rafting, rock climbing, that kind of shit.” Her eyes are impossibly wide as she stares at me. What did she expect, it’s the last trip we’ll go on as a group. It isn’t going to be boring, and people really shouldn’t be surprised that Sir would choose something possibly dangerous for us. If we get injured, that shows how weak we are, and he’ll lose interest. I just don’t know if that would apply to Luna.
Not that I’m going to injure her to test it, but… fuck no, what the fuck am I even thinking right now? I don’t want her to get hurt, I just want her as far from us fucked up bastards as she can get. Despite it all, I know we have her for at least another year, even if that means we all have to bite the bullet and cut her loose when the time comes. I’ll push her away and be a cruel bastard if that’s what it takes. And I’ll ensure the others fall in line, no matter what it takes.
“You’ve gone quiet, did I react wrong?” she asks, tucking her hair behind the ears. She does that sometimes and I don’t know if it’s a nervous gesture, or something else.
“Don’t be a moron, Tiny One. You can react however you damn well please. Just don’t voice your opinions too loudly once the guards arrive.” I look out the window as my phone chimes.
Darius, of course he would be on the payroll this time. Oh well, he’ll only be escorting us, he won’t be allowed to stay close, not when there's no risk. I don’t like the way he looks at her, I’m all for him keeping her safe, but that’s all he’s allowed to do. What if she likes him too? Luna has a big heart. That’s the problem and I hate it. She needs to be more closed off and reserved, like me. Lonely existence though.