“I’m not sure I should…I promised him I wouldn’t.”
“I’m leading a rebellion. If there’s anyone you can trust wholeheartedly, it’s me.”
She leans in, her lips curling mischievously. “We met at Master Kade’s birthday party. He was walking into the pantry as I was coming out of it. I kicked the door open and it smashed into his face.”
I gasp.
“I was mortified. Frozen still.” She presses her fingers to her chest. “Blood poured out of his nose and dripped onto his white shirt. I was too terrified to make a move and help him. I thought I was a goner.”
I listen, wide-eyed. “And what happened?”
Her pretty, dark pink lips twitched at the corners. “He looked at me and he said hi.”
I blink. “Hi? That’s it?”
She nods, her eyes glistening with happiness at the memory. “I was so overwhelmed that I ran for a towel, only to slip in his blood. I swore and snatched his shirt in my fist. He grabbed me around the waist as I fell and I pulled him down too. It was such a mess.”
I chuckle, despite the clusterfuck of epic proportions that could have been.
“We see each other a lot now that Master Michael is gone, Master Vince busy, and Master Kade is out of the house.” She beams. “With Oliver, I finally feel like I have purpose. I wake up in the morning and I’m excited because I never know when he’s going to show up or when we’re going to cross paths. I just…I want nothing more than to be with him. I want what you and Master Kade have. I want something that means something, you know?”
Blinking, I frown. Did she say Oliver? Oliver as in Kathryn’s nephew? My cousin? Are they…together? Is it she who he sneaks out to meet? Is it she who motivates him to change the world?
“Anna?”
Exhilaration zips up my spine and I can barely contain it. “Did you say Oliver?”
Her eyes widen. “No.”
“You did!” I whisper, clasping my hands over my mouth. “What a scandal!”
Portia grabs my wrists and pulls me close. “You can’t say a word, Anna, please. Especially not to Master Kade. Oliver can’t stand him.”
I drop my hands. Who am I going to tell? “Of course I won’t say anything.”
Portia exhales in relief, smoothing her hands over her thighs. “We’ve spent too much time talking nonsense,” she announces, pushing herself to her feet. “Let’s get you into your dress. I’ll tidy your room while you’re gone. Then I’ll have to go back to the Sario house and prepare breakfast for tomorrow morning.”
She grabs my dress and lowers the zipper. Reaching out, I free it from her hands. “I’m sure I can clothe myself.” I laugh, opening the dress.
Portia chuckles as I step into it and pull it up my body. The dress’s cool, soft chiffon fabrics kiss my skin. As I adjust the fabric around my breasts, Portia gathers the cups off of the coffee table.
“Skip on cleaning my room,” I tell her, bending low. “I can do that myself.”
I pull the glasses from her hands and set them back down.
“Okay.” She nods, but I see her as she nervously scans the room. She’s going to tidy it anyway.
“Can you do me up, please?” I turn around my pull my hair out of the way.
Portia helps me zip up the dress and straighten the single strap on my shoulder.
“I’m sure Oliver will fill you in on tonight’s discussion. If he doesn’t, come see me in the morning and we can talk.” I brush my hair out of my face and flick it over my shoulder. “Do you want me to ask Kade to walk you back?”
She shakes her head. “No. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay.” I saunter over to the door and unlock it, forgoing the shoes.
Without a glance over my shoulder, I exit the room only to pause before closing it as a bad feeling twists its way through my stomach. Turning, I lean into the room and say, “Get home safe, all right?”
Portia nods. “I will.”
I pull the door shut and whirl on my heel.
“Ugh,” I grunt as I slam into a hard body. I touch his forearm. “Excuse me. I’m so sor—”
I lift my head and jolt at the sight of his soulless, black eyes. Gasping, I snap away from him, squeezing myself against my hard, bedroom door.
“Going to the party?” Vince grins wryly. “I’ll walk with you.”
My hands tremble, increasing in ferocity the longer he looks at me. I squeeze them into balls