“What did your dad do?” I ask, landing on the Krane issue. For the last five years, the Kranes have been considered traitors. They were erased from the history as if they simply never existed. Hell, Melissa didn’t even exist to them by then, but that’s a story for another time.
“Wow, you’re not as dumb as you look,” Justice jokes, but for some reason, that little nuanced sentence sets me off. One moment I’m staring at him, the next he’s on the ground and I’m on top of him, my hands around his throat.
“Since we were kids you’ve had it out for me, the fuck is your problem?” I yell, my hands squeezing his carotids. His face is red and it takes me all of two seconds to realize Pru isn’t pushing me off his twin. When I peer back at him, his smug expression is answer enough.
Always knew he was a psychopath.
“By all means, Just, tell him.”
Justice sputters for air and I let off a little, realizing now that his dick is a lot harder than it should be. This dude has issues.
“I liked you, you stupid freak!” he growls, hissing for air. Letting off his neck, I burst into laughter. My chest squeezes from lack of use. I’m unused to the action of joy or exasperation in the form of mind-numbing laughter, and the fact that he’s been a major dick for years because he wanted my dick is ridiculous.
“You’ve got to be joking,” I mock. “You were on Max’s cock like it was a goddamn joyride.”
“Fuck you,” he spits. “Max was… fuck, he was just Max.”
Nodding unironically with the stupidest face I could pull, I can’t resist the urge to think of how big of an asshole they both were. “Sure, Just. Fucking sure. When they say boys are mean to you for attention, they were supporting the culture that we had the right to be cunts. You fed into that so much you could be an ambassador.”
He shoves my chest, making me fall back. Not entirely moving off his body, I continue to wait for a valid reason for how he acted.
“As I said before, if you wanted to fuck, I’m the most approachable.”
He shakes his head. “Not with your dick in the clouds for Lux. We all knew.” He leans on his elbows, forcing me to sit right on his lap. Fucker.
Turning to see Pru, I realize the truth there. He goes to the mini fridge, popping open a Pepsi, ignoring his involvement. Gulping loudly, he eyes me and smirks soon after. I’ve never once had any type of curious vibes from him. Not in any sense. But the look he’s giving now has me questioning my definition of what’s gay and what’s simply judgmental.
“You can’t sit here and tell me Lux has been the only person on your mind other than Colt.”
I bring my attention back to Just and watch as he gives me a slow once-over. How did we go from important topics to this? The fact that we’re not only simple creatures but can go from one topic to another isn’t sitting well with me.
“Whether or not, that’s not what matters. If you want my dick after this, when Colt isn’t in danger and I don’t hate you for being the worst piece of shit, then simply ask.”
“Fine,” Just gives in, rotating his hips in a way that’s suggestive.
“Let’s quit the posturing and tell me what Roderick did. Because Midas wouldn’t have come up with this plan alone.”
“What makes you think it was our dad and not Ten’s or yours?” My eyes trail his lithe frame. He’s now relaxed to the point where his arms are behind his head. He’s enjoying my position far too much.
“Wait,” I think out loud. “My dad?” Larsen McAllister, or Wendigo in the music business, isn’t one to get his hands in founder issues and politics.
Just’s lips tilt as if he’s won and to punish him, I get up off his lap. Watching his joy leave is almost as sweet as kissing Ten after he’s had Pop Rocks. Almost.
“According to dear ol’ dad, your pops wanted in on the reform,” he explains. Justice’s southern drawl—something I swear he fakes—comes out at that very moment. Maybe it’s not fake and diluted over the years, but either way, it’s not always there.
“My father has wanted fuck all to do with the Vestige for years. Once he became famous, the power in a small town where no one gives a fuck wasn’t enough for him.”
“I mean, our dad could be lying. It’s not like he’s ever been honest about Melissa…” Pru jumps in, reminding me that she’s a part of this mess, and while we can’t point a direct finger, she’s involved.
Going over to the mini fridge, I grab a Dr. Pepper and pop it open. Just admires me from afar and it’s throwing me off so much that I can’t look at him for long.
“What we do know is that they want Colt dead. Since she’s a Grim, a literal fucking princess… she just married the second most powerful family in the Vestige,” Pru mentions, his face full of contempt. Microaggressions… something not all people witnessed while having a conversation. But when you’re raised to walk on eggshells constantly, the littlest facial expressions give everything away.
I shake my head, astounded at what people will do for another ounce of power.
What happened to living for the sake of happiness?
I take another drink, wishing for a joint. It’s been too long. Between being at the Estate along with spending time with my mom, I haven’t smoked in over a month.
“Any of you have a joint?”
Justice stands, digging into his wallet. Classy as ever.
Pulling it out and a lighter, he comes to me. Instead of handing it over like a normal person would, he lights it, taking a long drag. Before offering it, he leans in close. “Now that the cat is out of the bag, we can talk more openly.” Whether he wanted that sounding sexual or not, it’s how it comes across.
He hands me the smoke and as soon as I inhale, the heaviest weight lifts. It’s gradual, a slow descent, but it’s enough to make me exhale with relief.
“So, what’s the game plan?”
“That’s the thing,” Pru comments, grabbing the joint from my hand. “We don’t have one.”
Chapter Eighteen
Bridger
“What the fuck are you doing here, Clemonte?”
After he asks me that, he holds the door, his face unmasked but also a little pissed. He’s good at hiding emotions now. That’s what happens when you have to die for the cause.
Or in his case, not entirely die.
Close enough.
Cassidy stands in front of me, his silvery blond hair in a bun on his head and his face stronger and more filled out. I saw him for merely minutes when he came to Arcadia, and seeing Colt wasn’t what he planned to do. His mission was to pick up the files Yang had hidden. Colt had cut herself while he was in the cabin, going for the files, and he saw her from the cameras planted inside their bunker.