This Fearless Girl (St. Clary's University #2) - E. M. Moore Page 0,36

Lance’s face is so fake that if he tried any harder it would crack. “I know you wanted it to be a surprise, but we’re all here.” He leans into his son, losing his mask as he whispers angrily into Stone’s ear.

Stone’s shoulders droop. The fight’s left him. When Lance pulls away, I recognize Stone’s look, his stature. It’s the day Lionel called off the search for my dad all over again—complete desolation. Resigned shoulders pulled back, he takes the ring from his father and turns toward Rissa.

The girl’s tears of sadness from a moment ago, turn into a barrage of happy cries as her hands hover over her mouth in surprise.

Is she that dumb? That desperate? It’s written all over Stone’s face that he’s doing this out of necessity, but she only has eyes for the ring.

Lance kicks his son, driving him to one knee. My heart stops. Never could I have imagined that I’d be there when Stone Jacobs asked someone to marry him, and never could I have ever dreamed that I’d be furious it wasn’t me.

Wyatt curses sharply under his breath. He pulls on my hand and walks me away, but it’s too late. The image is burned in my brain: Stone lifting the ring up, Rissa nodding enthusiastically as fat tears drip down her chin.

If I didn’t know the circumstances, I would think it was a beautiful moment for the couple—surrounded by their families as they claimed their love for one another.

Is that what Stone has had to deal with? Setting aside his life for the greater good? Being coerced into doing things he doesn’t want to do? One lie after another. I’ve been trapped in a single-story house most of my life. Stone’s been trapped in a world where money talks and nothing else matters.

“We’ll fix this,” Wyatt promises.

I want to laugh. Fix this? Jesus Christ. I never thought I’d be so devastated to see someone get engaged before. That moment will be a scar forever. It can’t be fixed. It’s like Lance knew I’d only just decided to stop fooling myself. His sixth sense ruins people’s lives.

I should’ve aimed a little fucking lower. I could have. It would’ve been so easy.

Wyatt opens the Audi’s door and ushers me inside, then slips in next to me, opening his arms out wide. “Come on, Tits.”

“You’re injured,” I remind him, trying to act braver than I am.

“Fuck that. Get your fine ass over here.”

I scoot next to him on the seat, and he wraps his arms around me. He places a soft kiss on my temple, tearing down all his shields as he does so. He breathes me in. “In our world, we get used to living lies. So much so that it doesn’t faze me anymore. Seeing your face, though?” He shakes his head. “Keep the faith, Tits.”

I close my eyes, feeling the burn behind them, but I absolutely refuse to shed any tears. Stone Jacobs was never mine. In fact, up until a couple of weeks ago, his name was always coupled with a curse. I can go back to that. At the very least, I can be business partners with him and nothing else. That’s all this was supposed to be, anyway.

The part of me that wants to hop on his dick and take a ride—and more—will have to be shoved deep, deep down. Forgotten.

Yeah, sure. And maybe Wyatt, Lucas, and Stone aren’t the only ones who’ll have to live with lies.

13

Stone’s quiet when he gets in the car and races down the driveway like he’d rather be a million miles away. I sneak glances at him through the rearview mirror, but he absolutely refuses to look at me or meet my gaze or basically confirm that I exist.

The drive back to Jacobs Manor is quiet. The tension in the car is thick, and not even Wyatt dares break it. He strokes a comforting finger down my arm while I gingerly sit on his lap. He told me not to worry about his wounds, but I need him up and running so we can find this treasure. Maybe then Lance Jacobs will quit trying to get back at me.

When we finally get to the house, Stone pulls around the driveway instead of parking in the garage. He brings the Audi to a stop but stays in his seat. “If you don’t mind, Dakota, can we take a ride? Alone?”

I’m not sure there’s anything to say, but this is one of the few instances