Bitter Kisses (It's Just High School #3) - Thandiwe Mpofu Page 0,141

one says a word.

“Any fucking questions?” I mutter.

“Just one,” Liam says, finally turning to look at me. “Where the fuck have you been? You look fucking different! Hell, the look in your eyes… what happened to you?”

“Liam…” Dad starts, but I hold up a hand. I can answer this.

“Do you really want to know?” I mutter, watching him silently,

The truth is, I went through hell. I was put in fucking impossible situations that I thought at least once that I wouldn’t be able to go through, but I had to. I know how to kill a man fifty different ways. My mental state is different now. I know how it feels to be in sub-zero temperatures. I know what it’s like being a fucking desert.

It was like going to a fucking Navy Seals bootcamp, but this was worse, much worse. There’s an underbelly that runs the world. A world where marriage contracts are fucking nothing. And now, because John was part of that world and needed and heir to get out, I’m now in it.

The Phoenix Corps.

“If you want to know, Liam, I suggest you ask.”

Before, when I thought I could dump everything, the family business and legacy on Liam’s shoulder, I believed he could handle it, but I was naïve. I didn’t know what the Fitzgeralds are part of, but now… now I do.

Now, I’m in it up to my fucking neck.

“No.”

“Well then,” I mutter. “If there are no more questions, I have a plane to catch.”

I’ve been patient, I’ve waited this long, but now I feel like I might just combust if I don’t get to her. By now, she must’ve received her invite.

“Where are you going?” Liam demands.

“To get what’s mine.”

I know Liam and Cole have kept in touch with Mia. I started out asking them for details but then my jealousy of them spiked up that one day, I even punched Cole for telling me about how ‘happy’ Mia is without me.

That brings me to the second item on my to-do list, it’s not time for it yet but I can fee; the question.

This one’s been fucking burning a hole in me since the day I made sure Liam knew I had this of his. The black envelope I promised my brother. I still have it, tucked safe in the safe of my apartment.

“I graduated months ago,” the asshole says.

“I’m aware,” I mutter. “Did you want another round of applause.”

“You promised me something, were you fucking with me?”

“No. I’ll give it to you when you graduate.”

The fuck?” he explodes. “You meant when I graduate college?”

“Bingo.”

“Oh, you fucking sonofabitch.”

“Yeah, well, how is Courtney?”

Liam stares me down, “You’re a piece of work, you know that right?”

“What do you think is in the envelope, Liam?” I ask instead. He holds my gaze, but he doesn’t say anything. “Why don’t you think about that until then?”

I swivel around on my heel and start walking toward my car with one singular goal in mind.

The third, final and most important item on my to-do list, but this one, just like Liam’s marriage contract, is not yet time yet.

“Julian,” Dad starts. “It’s not yet time—”

“Don’t you think I know that?” I snap, glancing at him. “But I’m going anyway.”

“Son, we made a deal…”

“Yes. I’m fully aware of the burden of that deal but tonight, tonight I need this, and you are not going to stop me.”

I stride away. This time he doesn’t stop me.

“Aren’t you coming, Cole?” I call out behind me

“Why should I? It’s not like you need help manhandling Sherlock,” he grumbles. He looks like he’d rather do anything else than go where I’m going and I know why.

“Don’t you have someone to visit?” I ask

I’m almost to my car when I feel a hand on my shoulder that forcefully spins me around.

“Shut up about that.”

“That thing that I just did there, in front of Aiden’s grave, that’s called fucking facing my demons.”

“Oh, so you’re a fucking life coach now?” he mocks, then. Drops his voice. “I know about the Phoenix Corps shit.”

I’m not surprised at all about that one. If there’s anyone who would know, it’s him.

“Good, then you know I’m now the boogeyman.”

“And you think she’s going to take the boogeyman?”

Mia. My Little Minx.

Deadly. Stunning. Fucking unforgettable. And no longer mine.

Or so she thinks.

She’ll take me in any way I come, she fucking has to.

I don’t think I have it in me to let her go. Not without a fucking nasty fight. It’s going to be a long wait,