Violence (Antihero Inferno #3) - Lily White Page 0,18
ignore the reasons in my thoughts about why they’d skipped the tradition.
It’s almost impossible to look away, my gaze sweeping down both of them to admire the way they move with a predatory prowl, their elegant clothes doing nothing to hide that feral quality to them that calls to me with a tempting whisper.
I have to drag my eyes away, though, because the longer I look, the more I can feel the pad of their thumb on my tongue, the more I remember the salty taste of their skin or the soft kisses that became demanding.
I’m addicted already, yet also strong enough to walk away when I know it’s best for me.
Damon and Ezra are nothing but heartbreak personified.
Mason’s admission rolls through my thoughts next, his refusal to explain what’s going on with the twins, but also his roundabout confession that there is something occurring.
It only spikes my anger. So much so that when I peek back and notice one set of amber eyes turning my direction, I glance away and move along the wall to place more distance between us.
Thankfully, Ivy and her date arrive within five minutes, and I follow them to a table. Ava arrives next with her date, the five us sitting around talking for an hour.
Once again, I’m the fifth wheel, and I know they’re staying at the table with me instead of dancing because they don’t want me to feel alone.
That’s why I make an excuse to leave the table, claiming I want to walk around and mingle so they can dance and have a good time.
Both Ava and Ivy argue I should stay with them, but I won’t hear it. Being alone at these events is nothing new to me, and I refuse to ruin their fun by weighing them down with my obligations.
Eventually, I make my way to the restrooms to check my makeup and hair. I’m not all that concerned with how I look, but it’s as good an excuse as any to leave the ballroom.
I make it down the long hall in the main part of the hotel, use the restroom, and spend a few minutes touching up my makeup and hair.
Standing by the mirrors when the door swings open, I groan to hear Hillary’s voice, her words excitable as she talks to Kelly.
“I can’t wait until we leave in a few minutes. Ezra told me the party is at Gabriel’s place tonight. You and I both know just how many bedrooms they have in that house.”
The tiny squeal that volleys from her throat to echo through the large room makes me cringe.
Ignoring it, I tuck a stray hair behind my ear and step away from the mirrors.
It isn’t until they round the corner that they see me, Hillary’s eyes pinning me in place, her mouth curling into a taunting line.
“Oh, Emily. We didn’t know you were in here.”
Glancing at her as I walk past on my way to the door, I answer, “Why does it matter? If you had known, I’m sure you would have still been excited to announce you’re a slut.”
I pull open the door and flick a look at her from over my shoulder. “Have fun in the bedroom tonight.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” she snaps.
The argument isn’t worth my time, so rather than acknowledging the question, I walk out into the hall. I’m barely ten feet away when they both come storming out of the bathroom, Hillary’s voice carrying a nasty edge as she yells at me.
“At least I’m not here all alone. How does it feel to know nobody wants you? Not even the person you’re supposed to marry?”
They laugh as if she said something witty.
Picking up my pace, I have my head angled to the floor because I can’t stand to look at the people staring at us now, Hillary still causing a scene despite how quickly I’m attempting to walk away.
“Would you like to know what the twins said about you? Both of them laughed when they told us how much of slut you are. The only reason they told people not to talk about you is because they were too embarrassed they’d ever touched you in the first place.”
I don’t believe her, but that doesn’t mean her words don’t sting.
The twins had invited them to prom after kissing me and playing a game. I’d be stupid to think I matter to them in the slightest.
It feels like I can’t get away fast enough, my heels painful with how fast I’m