"From now on, you better tell me when something happens, and I'll take care of it. Watching her insult you like that really has my blood boiling. It's wrong and I don't fucking like it."
I half-smiled against his chest. My big brother being protective was adorable.
"I can take care of myself, you know."
"I know you can, but you're my little sister, and that's what I'm here for."
I nodded and pulled back, drawing in a comforted sigh, and stiffened when that all too familiar scent drifted past me.
I knew that smell. I knew it well. Too well, in fact.
My stomach quivered, anticipation rose inside me. Kova was nearby, and as much as I wanted to find him, I knew deep down I couldn't. Avery's words echoed like a blow horn in my head. "Don't make it obvious." My chest tightened, but I heeded her advice. I had to. He'd be with Katja.
Thirteen
After making sure I was okay, Xavier left me to make a quick run to the pool house.
I straightened my back and turned to scan the sea of faces when that recognizable smell hit me again. My skin prickled with awareness. I knew he was nearby, I didn't know where, but I could feel him watching me. Before I could take another step, I recoiled at the sound of my name being called out.
Drawing in a confident breath, I turned around.
"Yes, Mom?"
"Ana," she said in a honeyed voice that churned my stomach. She gave me a condescending smile as she tilted her head. Cupping my arm, she stepped close to my face. "Make me look like a fool in front of your father again, wear something like that scrap of white trash fabric you call a dress, and you will regret it. You are a Rossi. You come from money and class. Act like it." Her nails bit into the underside of my arm and I flinched. "If you don't, I'll take away the one thing you love most." Blood drained from my face and her nails dug deeper into the back of my arm. I tried not to make it obvious, but it hurt and my face contorted into a pinch of pain. Mom glared. Any harder and she would break the skin.
"Mom," I whispered a plea. My heart was pounding a mile a minute. She gave me a toothy grin and stepped closer to pat my cheek with a tenderness aimed for a baby.
"Do you like the life I give you? Being able to do gymnastics and live on your own with a credit card you don't pay for?" Her eyes hardened. "Then you'll do as I say."
She let go and walked away without a care in the world. I held my arm where she dug her fingers into my flesh and felt the half-moon imprints she left behind. Steadying my breathing, I needed a moment to myself, but I'd already left my friends alone longer than I anticipated and needed to find them.
As I made my way toward the backyard, my steps slowed, and I cupped the back of my neck. I skimmed the guests, faces of entitlement and wealth, surrounded in that citrus and cinnamon fusion I associated Kova with. I didn't see him, but I had a notion he saw me.
Shaking it off, a black-tie waiter wearing white gloves ambled toward me carrying a tray of champagne flutes. I plucked one off and kept walking, adding a little sway to my hips. I downed the bubbly and placed it on a counter before I stepped outside, allowing the crisp air to cool my cheeks.
Scanning the crowd, I found my friends and watched them from the veranda. They were laughing and smiling, having a good time. My heart was lighter as I took in the moment.
I walked across the pool deck filled with twinkling holiday lights, passing friends of my parents until I reached the circle. All eyes were on me.
"Everything okay?" Hayden asked.
"Are you all right?" Avery asked at the same time.
I gave a careless shrug. "Oh, you know. Typical Joy having a coronary."
Avery frowned. "She flipped out over the dress, didn't she?"
"Flipped out is an understatement. She was a raging lunatic. Luckily my dad and brother both sided with me and backed me up." I glanced at Holly and Hayden and smiled. "Sorry about that, guys. I don't want to talk about it anymore, it’s finished. Let's just have fun and enjoy the night."