Cherry Creek - Dani Matthews Page 0,43
Creek behind and make our way to Minneapolis.
“It's okay.”
He glances at me in the shadowy darkness of the car's interior. “Turning into a car snob already, eh?”
“No. I'm not big on the Aston Martin, either. They're a little pretentious. I mean, two-hundred thousand for a car? There are so many other things that money could have been put towards. Like useful things, things someone actually needs.”
Roman shrugs. “Who cares. In our world, you like it, you buy it.”
“So I've noticed,” I murmur as I turn my head and stare out the window.
“I've noticed that you don't take advantage of our lifestyle. You ignore it most of the time unless it suits your needs. Why is that?” he asks as he thrums his fingers against the steering wheel to some silent melody in his head.
“I grew up poor.”
“All the more reason to spoil yourself.”
“No. Growing up poor makes you work for what you want. It's not just handed to you. I guess some people might thrive in this kind of atmosphere, but I prefer to make my own way.” I tilt my head and study his profile. “Plus, nothing is ever free. Someone always wants something in return,” I say as I watch his reaction.
Roman is silent for a second, then I think I see him frown in the shadows as his fingers quit moving. “You think Khristos wants something from you in return?”
“Doesn't he?”
He turns his head and looks at me briefly. “No. He just wants you happy, Vee.”
I don't buy it, at all. But I don't say anything.
“Is that why you don't take advantage of all the things you could do or have? You're worried Khristos will want something from you?”
I'm betting Khristos will hear about this conversation, so I figure I better back off. “No. As I said before, I want to do things on my own. I like being independent.”
“You can be independently rich,” Roman points out with his usual incorrigible humor.
“I'll stick with slightly rich while earning my own income.”
This causes him to chuckle lowly under his breath. “You're like a little replica of Khristos.”
“How do you figure that?”
“You're just as stubborn as he is. I don't ever want to be in the same room when you two face off. I'd hate to be the collateral damage when the shit hits the fan.”
“Does he get angry very often?” I ask with interest now that the conversation has turned to a topic that I am extremely interested in.
“Only when it's earned.”
“What's he like when he's angry?”
“Angry,” Roman muses dryly.
“I mean, does he yell and throw things?”
“No. The exact opposite. He gets super calm. That's when you know you're screwed.”
“Do you get in trouble often?” I can't help but ask.
Roman snickers. “Do I really have to answer such a ridiculous question?”
“Do you ever get grounded?”
“Grounded?” he echoes. Then, he throws his head back and laughs loudly. “That's cute. Is that what your mom did to you, ground you?”
I glare at him. “Most teenagers get grounded when they're in trouble.”
He gives me a look. “You don't ground a Deveroux.”
“Then how does he punish you?” I ask as I persist with this conversation.
“That is none of your business,” he says lightly.
I can tell the topic is now closed. “So, who am I supposed to impress tonight?” I ask as I tug at the hem of my dress. It keeps creeping up on my thighs. When I glance at Roman as I wait for his answer, I see his eyes automatically shift away from my thighs and back to the road. It's then and there that I feel like my suspicions have been confirmed. Roman's not my cousin. If he was, he wouldn't have been checking me out just now.
“It would be wise to make friends before school starts,” Roman replies in reference to my question.
“Tatum said the same thing. Do I have something to be worried about where school is concerned?”
“Ah, Tate mentioned she dropped in to meet you. What do you think of her?” he asks, ignoring my question.
“She's...different. Do I have a reason to be concerned, Roman?” I repeat.
He looks at me, but it’s hard to read his expression because of the shadows. “Being the new kid usually sucks. Wouldn't it be nice to have friends before school starts?”
I get the feeling there's more to this school 'clique' thing that Tatum mentioned, but I can tell I'm not going to get anything out of Roman.
***
The club is overwhelming. First off, being escorted by a bouncer through the back