reminded suddenly just how much I can’t trust her.
Not that she can trust me either.
Easing an arm around her shoulder, I hold her close. We’ve never stood like this before, never done more than trade angry barbs and lash out with the intent to destroy each other.
“It’s doubtful he’ll disown you,” I lie.
The truth is I can’t wait to see this social darling fall. The fact that I was the cause of it makes the victory even better.
Another delicious tear slips out as she tips her eyes to mine.
I know I have her.
Right here and right now, I begin the game I have every intention of using against her.
We meet again, Ivy Callahan.
You have no idea how much I’ve looked forward to this.
Of fucking course, that’s when shouting filters from the house followed by a few catcalls and people laughing. Because that’s the way my life goes. I’m so busy chasing everybody else’s fuckups that it’s hard to focus on my own.
“Oh, my God! Yes, Tanner! Give it to me harder!”
We both turn toward the noise, Ivy’s brows crinkled in confusion while I close my eyes to recognize that voice.
Around us, people laugh and whisper at what was said, their attention on the open back doors as Luca comes storming out. Tanner is fast on her heels, his hand grabbing her arm to spin her back to him.
“What’s going on?”
No. I need her focused on me and not the distraction. Especially one that proves we’re still the bastards she battled in high school.
I palm Ivy’s cheek to drag her attention back. “Don’t worry about that.”
She attempts to turn again, but I won’t let her.
Dipping my head down to hers, I don’t miss how her lips part slightly, her blue eyes widening just as fraction.
Mouths hovering a teasing inch apart, we both still in place.
It’s aggravating as hell to hear my voice come out on a rough whisper.
“We should see what can be done about your problem.”
Luca’s voice rises again, and I lift my gaze to see Tanner following after her. If that’s not bad enough, our fathers are watching, their expressions tight with disapproval.
Fuck...
If it’s not one thing, it’s always another.
It’ll be a miracle if Tanner ever gets a handle on Luca. That woman has always managed to slip between his fingers, and judging by the scene occurring, he’s no better off with her now than he was at Yale.
If it wasn’t screwing up my game in the process, I would laugh.
I’ve always liked Luca.
I lock eyes with Ivy again, my fingers lightly trapping her chin. “I need you to stay right here for a minute while I go handle something.”
It’s like speaking to a toddler - not that Ivy thinks like one. She just has a nasty habit of causing chaos every time a person gets distracted and has to turn their back.
She nods as if she’ll do as I ask, her eyes blinking away more tears despite the confusion in her expression after seeing Tanner and Luca’s argument.
A vein of distrust unravels inside me, but I leave her there anyway.
By the time I reach my father, Tanner and Luca are out of sight, but it hasn’t erased the stern look in Warbuck’s eyes or the thin line of his mouth.
“I thought we taught you kids better than that.”
He doesn’t bother to look at me. Probably because I’m the disappointing son. The one who doesn’t give a fuck to follow every order laid out for me in the manner he wants it done.
Of all the guys, I’m the best choice for dealing with our fathers, only because I’m a master at hiding my contempt for them.
Instead of my father’s stare, I meet the eyes of Daddy Dearest. “Luca has been an issue for years. Tanner is handling it.”
“From where we’re standing, it doesn’t look like he’s handling it at all.”
At William’s comment, I turn to glance at him. As far as I’m concerned, the twins’ father can be eaten alive by rabid vultures, and it still would be too good a death for him. Although, he has every right to be pissed off at the situation. It’s what we used to cut off his access to the Ezra and Damon.
Eyes back to Tanner’s father. “I’m sure whatever they were arguing about won’t be a problem.”
“Go deal with Ivy,” he answers, rather than acknowledging what I said.
The three of them walk off to join the rest of our families, and I’m dismissed to go back to my problem.