This Fearless Girl (St. Clary's University #2) - E. M. Moore Page 0,103
engagement party? That’s all sorts of fucked up. After all the things we’ve done for your family?”
Lance, who’s still in a sling, cradles his arm. I grin at it. He told me he wasn’t sure he’d get full use of it back, and I hope he fucking doesn’t. I hope it’s his dominant hand, too. The piece of shit.
“You know why you’re not invited, boys,” Lance says condescendingly. “I see you brought the trash with you.”
Wyatt strides up to Lance, grabbing his shoulder and squeezing right where we all remember the bullet hole going through him. Lance falls to his knees, grinding his teeth together.
“Where’s Stone?”
“He’s at his engagement party. Do you really think I was going to let him marry this little slut? I guess one guy isn’t enough to satisfy you, you have to have three? You disgust me.”
“Not as much as you disgust me,” I spit as I move around them and start walking toward the party. The guys are sheltered by the cars, but a few of the guests heading inside are watching the commotion. It doesn’t matter to me. The only thing that matters is that Stone is okay—that his father hasn’t done something to him yet.
The white gate surrounding the back property is open, so I step inside.
And immediately come to a halt.
Stone and Rissa are standing next to each other in a garden area surrounded by fountains. It’s a picturesque scene, most likely set up for this special occasion. They raise wine glasses and stare at each other. Marissa is turned toward me while Stone faces the other way. Her expression is nothing but pure adoration.
My stomach twists. “Excuse me,” a bitchy woman grunts as she ushers in behind me. The words must have caught Rissa’s attention because she glances over, scowling. Stone, who must see the look on her face, quickly turns.
His eyes widen, and in that moment before either of us moves, a million different emotions play over his face.
Regret. Loss. Sorrow. Love. Hate. Want. Need.
Cole was fucking right. A shiver runs up my spine at the thought. What did I expect to find here? Stone with a gag around his mouth while everyone else thought it was perfectly normal to congratulate him on his upcoming wedding?
Stone moves, smiling at his guests while he comes up to me, and I quickly walk backward. I leave the garden area, making a beeline straight for the Audi, but a strong hand grabs me and pulls me around the corner of the fence where we’re out of view. “What are you doing here?”
I tug out of his grasp. “You didn’t show up at school. We’ve been calling you all morning. We thought something was wrong.”
Stone’s jaw tightens. “Asshole,” he growls.
Silky, white fabric comes around the corner of the fence, and I don’t think I’ve ever hated anyone more than the girl wearing that frilly, expensive dress who dares stand next to something that’s mine. Not even Stone himself conjured this much hatred inside me. He may have had everything I ever wanted. It wasn’t money, it was the necessities of life. Good clothes, a steady diet. But he had more than that, too. His family had the treasure notoriety. Looking at Rissa, that same spiteful jealousy rises up tenfold. She has something I want, and Stone is way more important than treasure. This is...life. A connection. Someone to be there with, and someone I can be there for unconditionally, no matter what.
“You bitch,” she seethes. “How dare you show up here. Didn’t not getting an invitation clue you in on the fact that Stone doesn’t want you here?”
I don’t think, I react. I pull my hand back, just like Finn showed me, and let my cross fly. I crack her against the nose, and she cries out as blood gushes from her nostrils. “There. Now you can get married with a broken nose. I’m sure all that money you spent on a wedding photographer will be well worth it. I hope your bridesmaids are wearing blue or purple so you can match.”
She screams, pure hatred dancing in her eyes, and I smile at her. Blood trickles down her face and over the pristine, white dress. She starts sobbing which makes it that much more enjoyable.
A laugh sounds in the distance, and when I glance up, Lucas, Wyatt, and Lance are coming around the side of the fence. Lance is holding onto his shoulder and is far more ashen than when we first saw him.