Fraud (Antihero Inferno #2) - Lily White Page 0,106

bullshit lies. I’m the one person who’s always fought to tear off that damn mask you wear.”

My fingers ball into my palms, every muscle in my body tight. I can feel more of the mask fracture, can feel the earth shake because that’s what happens when we come together.

We’re destruction and devastation.

Opposing forces that bring about storms.

Is it possible that nature wasn’t trying to drive us apart this entire time, but that, instead, it was attempting to shatter the lies that we used to keep hating each other?

Slapping another tear away, Ivy’s blue eyes dance with mine, her voice lowering to a whisper.

“Just tell me what you want.”

Silence stretches out as indecision holds me in place. When I don’t answer, Ivy turns to walk away.

“Fine. I’ll behave,” she says, “just because you won’t stop lying to yourself that you want to destroy me.”

Saying nothing while she leaves the room, I cross my arms over my chest and wonder if she’s capable of behaving.

Or if it’s really what I want.

Who the fucks knows?

But for now, with what Warbucks said to me and this damn elusive timeline we seem to be on with a clock ticking down, keeping Ivy under control has to be what’s best for all of us.

Right?

I follow her out into the living room believing she’ll fail. I’m not sure Ivy is capable of not being herself. I can’t make sense of why I hope she fails, but the thought is there in the back of my head.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

There’s no possible way she can do what’s being demanded of her. I think Tanner is right about that.

Regardless of what I demand.

Gabriel

I drop few cubes of ice in my glass, pour four fingers of scotch and lift my eyes to see Tanner staring across the room at me.

Lifting my drink in a feigned toast, I swallow it down, my lips curling into a smile because he looks about ten seconds away from marching over here to drag me back to a room and demand answers.

After leaving the den, I came straight to the kitchen to pour a drink. As far as everybody else can tell, I’m my normal self, the fraud Ivy keeps tossing in my face.

But Tanner can read me better than most. And judging by the look on his face, he’s not happy with what he sees.

Frustration.

Annoyance.

Some other damn feeling that I can’t make heads or tails of.

It’s utter bullshit, and I slam the drink while Tanner stares.

Ivy is sitting over with Luca and Ava, her expression blank and that smart mouth of hers silent. My jaw tightens to see it.

I pour a second drink and slam that, too.

Tanner’s stare narrows on my face, but I ignore him.

I pour a third drink and set the glass on the counter, slowly spinning it over the granite. We need to get this family meeting over with before I polish off the bottle.

Glancing up, I once again ignore the concern I see in Tanner’s expression.

“I’ll start this since I’m the one who talked to Warbucks. The asshole finally admitted he’s specifically looking for information on Jerry Thornton. Although, he wouldn’t tell me why, of course.”

Tanner crosses his arms and leans against a wall. It’s obvious he’s still not happy with what he sees in me, but he’s letting it go for now.

“I’m surprised he told you that much. Why the sudden change of heart?”

Frowning at that, I admit, “According to him, you fucked up royally with Luca, and a change occurred because of it. He also mentioned you’re no longer the favorite son, and I’m getting everything in the end of this.”

Lips quirking into a grin, Tanner locks his eyes to mine.

“How does it feel to be the golden child?”

“I’m fucking thrilled,” I deadpan, “It’s an achievement I’ve been aiming for my entire life. I might go to Disneyland next. Maybe run for President.”

Luca’s voice draws our attention her way. “Did he say anything about Everly?”

Confused by the question, I cock a brow.

“Why would he do that, love?”

With what I know about Everly delivering my warning to Luca’s father, she’s the last person I want to discuss. Sadly, there’s no way we can leave her out of this equation. Especially with Jase constantly on our asses about it.

Luca shakes her head, her brows crashing together in thought. “I’m just trying to figure out something Ivy said.”

Her blue eyes glance up at me. “What if it wasn’t coincidence that she was assigned to be my roommate? I