Here Lies a Saint (Here Lies #2) - C.L. Matthews Page 0,79

calm the new wave of jealousy. I'm not used to it. At first with the guys, it overwhelmed me since they had a foot in with her, and she didn't forget them entirely. But me? I was basically a new face. Now, I know we're all on common ground.

Noah, though, she's a wild card I didn't expect.

An orphan reborn.

A child with a family name erased.

She's an Edgington now, even if she never knew anything different.

"No," I finally respond.

Her face stays in its bemused expression. "That no sounds really pathetic. Sounds like you're jelly."

"She's my sister, Colt. I don't want to think about you doing anything with her."

She giggles, shaking her head. "I didn't kiss or do anything with her. We're platonic friends."

"Back to Melissa for a moment," I prod, wanting to get back to the topic at hand.

She starts walking, gesturing for me to follow. She's leading me to the area where I know they'll be meeting if they're searching for Lux.

“I think she either killed Yang or was involved.” It’s hushed, her response, but I hear it clear as day.

“But why?” I need more.

“That night, she and Yang were adamant of splitting up and leaving Yang alone. Mel came with me, and when she ran with...” she pauses, stopping in the hall and turning toward me. “Have you ever done a blood oath?”

Yes.

“No.”

She pulls at the slit in her dress, showing me a tiny knife. It’s maybe three or four inches in length and adorable as shit.

“Basically, we swear that we’re bound together. In truth. In life. In death.”

“Sounds serious,” I joke.

She narrows her eyes and stares me up and down, a hidden battle beneath her expression. I know exactly what this is. The guys and I used to do these for our big secrets. The scandals we were involved in, the times we got wasted, and the murders we took part in.

“I’m serious about this, Jordan. If you break this oath, I’ll kill you myself.”

If not for the extreme control in her voice and face, I would think she’s lying, but I know how these work, so I nod. She grabs her palm, slicing a line in the center. Not even flinching, she grabs my hand and does the same.

“Promise me, Jordan. Promise me you weren’t involved with Cassidy’s murder.”

I close my eyes, swallowing. Grabbing her hand, I force her face mere breaths from mine with my other palm, cupping her jaw. Our blood mingles, oxygen dancing, oxidizing, and sounds create a dissonance of their own.

“Lo prometto, mio caro,” I whisper, our lips touching in response.

She nods, and I don’t know if that means she understood or accepts.

“We found evidence of the Vestige’s corruption. Yang had the files and let Mel know too. When we split off, Mel was supposed to meet at the tower. I went running for it and heard Yang’s blood-curdling screams, I found Yang. Mel came moments later, but honestly, she would have been closer than me. She’d have heard her screaming. She said she didn’t hear her, Jordan.”

I let out a heavy exhale, realizing two things.

One, Colt is fucking smart.

Two, Mel is a fucking liar.

I think back to the time I’ve been forced with her, her fake smiles, her sadness which must be faked as well, and how adamant she’s been about me sleeping with her.

“Aren’t I pretty?”

I cringe at her self-centered words. Not wanting to upset her and further upset my father by ignoring her as I did the first week, I play along. “Sure, but I thought you loved Bridger?”

She pouts, rolling her eyes. “He wouldn’t even have sex with me. Much like you, it seems.” We’re sitting side by side at the dining table, waiting for Father to show up with Roderick. This has been our routine—Mel does whatever the fuck she does during the day, and all four of us have dinner and discuss our future, the wedding, and their deal.

I’ll marry Mel.

We’ll have babies until it’s a boy, and then she’ll go to college.

It’s gross.

“I’m sorry, Melissa. I’m just not... ready.” It’s not untrue. Between Colt and Lux, giving myself to her would forever ruin what we’re building.

She scoffs, her nose scrunching. “Yeah, that’s what Ridge said.” She rolls her eyes, and I feel her hand snaking up my thigh as our fathers sit and discuss business. “Can’t wait until we’re married. At first, I worried I wouldn’t be into it, but after seeing you swimming, I’m convinced.”

Offending her isn’t my intention, but I shove her hand off,